Special holiday for hubby, daughter and me
 

My husband (39) and I (38) are celebrating our 15th anniversary in Paris and I need help choosing some nice places. We've never been to France and I don't speak French. We are still planning and haven't bought our tickets or reserved hotels yet but it will be in October 2015. Our daughter (22) will meet us in Madrid after Paris. It's our graduation gift for her so want it to be extra special. So far we have 16 days to work with but could probably extend to 19 days total. I have the Rick Steves guidebooks but I didn't particularly like his hotel and restaurant selections. We've allotted a lot for this dream trip and are finally ready to blow it all to have an unforgettable celebration! Where is a good location to book a hotel in Paris? I can't decide which district - Marais, Saint Germain des-Pres, the Latin Quarter, Bastille or near the Rue Cler Market? In Madrid, is Puerta del Sol the best area?.

This is my daughter's account but I'll be checking it. Do the replies get sent to her email? Thank you in advance

No, replies are not sent to poster. You have to just check back, click on her screen name to find this thread.

We prefer The Marais. It's a hard thing to decide, especially the first time. The Marais is very lively, in a good way with lots of cafes and it is close to river and metro line.

Others will soon answer with their favorites. But in any case, it's Paris, how can you go wrong?

If you want specific recommendations for hotels, you need to say how much in euros or dollar-indicate whic it is- and if you need one or 2 rooms.

It would probably help if you elaborate what you don't like about RS recommendations. Too low end / too expensive / too small / bad locations, etc.

Hey there, thanks!

Only 1 room in Paris. It would only be me and my husband. Then in Madrid we will need 2 rooms. I was hoping for something nicer than what Rick Steves suggested?

I was looking at the Peninsula Hotel in Paris but it doesn't look like it is in a central area? I suppose we could take cabs but it would be nice to just walk.

Price per night???

ok, if you are looking at Peninsula, you're talking $$$$.

Actually, the 16th is a beautiful arrondissment (I would stay or LIVE there in a heartbeat) but for first timers, you might not appreciate it.

Yeah think Pretty Woman. haha! I'm usually very frugal but this is a big celebration. It's also my hubby's bday so I want to go all out. How about the Plaza Athenee or Le Meurice? The Shangri-La looks nice too. Which has the best location?

Plaza Athenee is a bit closer to the action; Le Meurice is right in the heart of it.

That's where we want to be. Right in the heart! This will also be our vacation so we don't want to overcrowd our days. A few museums, good food, that kind of stuff. Have you heard of the boat cruise? A friend of mine mentioned a cruise ride with dinner but doesn't remember the company she bought tickets from.

Yes, but don't do a dinner ride. The food isn't very good. Do the boat separately. Have a fabulous dinner before or after. Find out what time is sunset and try to go then; its really nice. We've done sunset and night ones. Both really good.

We use this company:

http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

IF you want a memorable meal, many will say eat at Eiffel Tower. We've done it and the service and views are spectacular. We had dinner, the food didn't match the price. Lunch is less expensive.

We ate Montparnesse Tower this last trip and we really like it a lot. Much less expensive and the view is as good, or better because you can see the Eiffel Tower!!

http://cieldeparis.com/ {Montparnesse}

http://www.lejulesverne-paris.com/en {Eiffel Tour}

Thank you DebitNM for the suggestions and sorry for the delay in replying. I didn't see the additional info. But we plan to follow your advice and will not have dinner on the boat.

Another very nice view is at Institut du monde arabe.
There is a lebanese restaurant which is quite nice.

Speaking of $$, la tour d'argent was always considered as one of the best restaurants in Paris - never been myself, I thought it too expensive for me but never really checked.

If you do things in 'grand style' and like shows, I've been told recently that the Lido is great. They added a Frecnh Cancan for the Chineses, but the show is apparently of quality, what may not be the case of Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse, again, second hand info but somebody who is in the sow business.

I think la Tour d'Argent actually has reasonably priced prix fixe lunch menus, at least for the experience and restaurant.

Rick Steves has quite a few midlevel hotels, if not higher, they aren't all 2* types. But no, I guess probably not luxury hotels. Shangrila is good if you want to mainly do designer shopping, and have millions, not for regular tourists doing sightseeing. All those hotels are expensive, hope you know what kind of $$$ you are talking about.

In Madrid, no, PUerta del Sol would not be the best area for what you want (not sure there even are luxury hotels around there) -- look at something over in the area between the Prado and PUerta del Sol, roughly.

I'd stay in the 5 6 or 7th, the hotels you mention are way out of my pocket and I'd kinda of miss being in Paris if I stayed there.

Another vote for "Institut du monde arabe.
There is a lebanese restaurant which is quite nice." the views are good and it transfers you to a Morroco that never was with fine views along the Seine.

I prefer the Rough Guide of Paris and where I've read RS found him visiting another city to the one I know.

Take the bateau but eat on shore.

Do take the Segway tour, despite it being run by Americans they do seem to know what they are talking about and the learning experience is good.