We have a 'standard' room booked at D'Aubusson in May. I will give feedback. Stayed at their sister hotel Milessime (sp) 3 years ago. Of course it was my first trip to Paris and I was apalled at how small the rooms were, but the bathroom was great. BTW, when I say sister--I think the D'Aubusson is classed higher. If they show me a room I'm underwhelmed with, I've been wondering if it's discourteous to ask to see another -- to choose. Any experience there?

The Millesime has the same owners, I believe, but it isn't the same level of hotel, it's cheaper.

It's not discourteous but it may or may not make a difference. I have better luck with that in small, family run hotels (maybe they seem more like pleasing guests). I also do it a lot at one Paris hotel I stay at frequently, so they know me there and it's easy to ask them what is free that I could choose from when I'm checking in. They have no problem just giving me some keys and telling me to go check out a couple, but they know me there. On the other hand, at another small family run hotel, the owner who was at the desk just eyed me coldly and replied shortly that I didn't have any choice (that was none of the hotels mentioned in this thread, or I"d say so). No harm in asking, though (usually). I am not super picky, though, so don't drag them all over for no reason viewing many.

Hoping to travel...

I concur with Christina about asking to see another room. I am often amazed at what a better room I get when I say I'd like to see another one. Sometimes it's not worth the time/effort but if you don't like the room why not try for a better one especially when you are paying a lot.

After reading so many great reviews of Hotel Aubusson, I'm convinced I just got one of their less attractive rooms. I didn't bother to ask to see another one, but I should have. BTW, I did book for the superior versus the standard. The size was no issue - large room, large bathroom.

gruezi

I stayed at Les Marroniers 2 years ago and although the room was smallish it was delightful - looked out to a courtyard. The bathroom was large enough and had a separate shower. I loved being so close to restaurants, cafes and the metro. I am booking there for a few days next year. The windows could open as well as having air conditioning.

Stayed at Luxembourg Parc this weekend and had a very pretty, cheerful room with 2 large windows. Location was good but not great as compared to Hotel D'Aubusson - would be ideal in spring or summer as it is right on the beautiful park - but it was a cold March weekend so didn't spend much time there. Still, relatively close to St. Germain shops and restaurants.

Good linens, large and very modern marble bathroom with a very good shower and a shower curtain. Lots of water pressure. Shower was in the tub if you like a bath.

AC

You could hear street traffic - our room was in the front - but even as a light sleeper it was not a problem.

Breakfast was not included. It was 15 Euros and included cereal, coffee/tea/hot chocolate, the standard croissants etc, yogurt and cheese and ham.

We had 2 very small twin beds - I was staying with my daughter. The room had a chair for reading and a nice desk, a flat screen TV, well-stocked mini-bar and was very nicely decorated. Cost per night was 260 Euros.

There is a small bar and a library with a fireplace as well as a courtyard which is scheduled for renovation this year.

Overall, I was very pleased. The room was much more pleasant than the Hotel D'Aubusson IMHO.

One night (Easter) we had turn-down which included a chocolate hen. The other night turn-down was omitted... forgot I guess? It was my birthday, and my daughter's as well, and staff was aware but no amenity or drink or anything like that...

Happy to answer any questions about HLP and definitely recommend it as a charming, clean, updated small hotel.

gruezi

Sometimes I'm amazed when I read such bad reviews of places that my family has loved, in this case Hotel D'Aubusson. We stayed in one of the Grande Luxe apartments, so I guess that category of room must be very different than what Gruezi stayed in. Our room was really lovely with gorgeous hand-hewed beams, an extremely comfortable bed, and yes, a shower and a bath.

If it matters at all, we used to stay around the corner at Relais Christine, but stopped going there when the price (!) got way too expensive and the room quality varied widely. By comparison, Hotel D'Aubusson, in the same neighborhood, is a real gem, and a great location for exploring much of Paris.

Weadles,

Hope I didn't mislead with my post. I have given a "lukewarm" review of HA here on Fodors not a "bad" one... The other comments here referred to a compilation of bad experiences at various hotels. I just didn't think HA was "great" just "okay"... and yes, it was mostly to do with a dark, unattractive (but clean) room...although the common area by the fireplace was pretty dingy...

I agree the location is wonderful and very convenient and the concierge service was very good.

For the price, the rooms at Luxembourg Parc were just a lot nicer - and we got the wood-beamed ceilings missing from HA...

gruezi

Gruezi,

You're certainly entitled to your opinion of Hotel D'Aubusson. We just had a completely different experience. Although we travel quite a bit, I'm constantly shocked at the room discrepancies in the same hotel (s). You wouldn't believe, for example, the room that we were once shown at Relais Christine. Maybe a step up from the Holday Inn?! But I guess many hotels feel they can get away with it since that location, just a few short blocks from St. Germaine, is so central.

Just noticed this: I spent about 3 weeks at the Hotel Bretonnerie about 10 years ago and would recommend, with the caveat that you pay close attention to the choice of rooms as they vary quite a bit. (I had one of the suites)

Also, someone commented above that it was a gay area. While this is true, this in no way impacts your stay..there are no sleazy strip clubs or outlandish behavior on the streets of the Marais, or at lest none that I have ever seen..

Les Marronniers is also a lovely place to stay..

Thanks TRAVELNUT for the suggestions. The Hotel-St-Vincent looks very interesting for our next trip.

We have stayed at the Lutece,Madison,Raspail,Relais de Medicis,Ferrandi, (all because of special deals we couldn't resist) and rented apartments. All had pluses and minuses. It's nice to pick a different neighborhood (even if all on the left bank). Isle St Louis was our favorite(in an apartment), but with the dollar being so bad, it's nice to have some alternatives.