PS On Betterbidding, check pinned hotel list and recent bookings for matching ammenities in that area.

Once you think you've determined the hotel, find in on a map at www.pagesjaunes.fr or the hotel's website (while you're at it, check the hotel website rates for your dates), and have a look at reviews of the hotel on TripAdvisor

As Robespierre stated, the Metro and bus system in Paris is cheap, quick and widespread.

That being said, some locations are "awkward" in that you could have to change Metro lines a couple of times to get where you want to be (my bus experience is nil).

There is no right or wrong, part of it will depend on where your hotel is, what is in the neighbourhood,etc..

At night, the 7th will be quieter, not a lot going on...in the 5th or 6th there would be a lot more people on the street, more restaurants, more night life.

I've stayed west in the 16th (beyond Eiffel) and east in the 5th by Jardin des Plantes. The one thing I liked about staying more central is I could walk to a lot of the sights, walk back to hotel before dinner, easy walk from hotel to multiple restaurants.

In the 16th, it was a longer trip to go to hotel, drop off stuff and get back to central area for eating, concerts,etc. But in the 16th, there were no tourists where I was. I had my local cafe for breakfast and planning the day, local theater for a movie, found a good place for seafood (20 min walk)...it's a different pace than staying, say near Blvd St Germain.

Look at a map of Paris and what you will be wanting to visit. Look at map of Metro and see where you are and how you would get to these places. Look at the access to CDG...if you taking the RER in from the airport, something near one of the stops, for example St Michel (5/6th) might be convenient, if taking Air France bus, maybe near Montparnasse (14th),etc....

Hope this helps

Just a bit of help re restaurant comparisons: the 5th and 6th have a combined total of 5 Michelin starred restaurants and 2 bib gourmand, the 7th has 10 Michelin starred and 6 bib gourmand.This is using the 2006 Michelin Red Guide.

Thanks Michel thats excellent advice. Yes we will be taking the train from CDG airport. So yes I will check metro lines & stops before booking a place. Central seems to be more convenient.

As for Michelin star restaurants.. I can't afford it on this trip! maybe if i come back to Paris on a honeymoon one day.

DJKBooks i will check out those websites mentioned thanks everyone for the advice.

Louvre, most definitely. I always think that there is more to do around there! No doubt in my mind.

as a comment on the Michelin Red Guide...while it does list "stared" restaurants, it also lists recommended restaurants that have a special cuisine, regional fare, good quality,etc..It is NOT only high priced restaurants.

I used it acouple of years back and found 'Chez Rene' and 'Chez Henri- Au Moulin a Vent' in the 5th, both small bistros with reasonably priced food. Have a look at your local bookstore, you may find it useful.

Mike

Some extracts can be found at...

www.viamichelin.com

Montmartre is not only far removed from most every tourist destination - it is outside the map boundries of most tourist or walking maps (yes, everything is a quick subway ride no matter where in Paris you are, but stil...)