Thanks for the perspective Adrienne. As for budget, we can probably do almost anything that is truly worth it. Frankly, Pat likes upscale, while like homey. We tend to meet in the middle. I guess that's how we have made it through 52 years. I guess what I like to look for is hotels that people like me have loved, not because of its opulence, but because of an intangible something. Does that sense? Are there any that YOU just loved?

Mostly I go on the cheap! Friends stayed at the hotel below and really liked it. It's very convenient for sights, bus, metro, and there are lots of cafes just down the street for an evening glass of wine or coffee before retiring.

http://hotelabbayeparis.com/?ald=1_E...9OgodgVcAdQ#/4

I've stayed at the next two hotels but I like the location of the one above better. If you choose this one then ask for rooms in the building across from reception as they are larger. There's a garden with tables for breakfast or dinner (plenty of take out places not far away).

http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/

I've stayed here before they redecorated when it was "shabby chic" and I liked it better then - old world Parisian; I'm not one for sparse and modern decor. Sent friends here and they said it was good. Again, prefer location of the first one.

http://www.balcons.com/

I think it would be great to see Paris before and then relax on the cruise after.

Can you split it up? If so, I think that's what I'd do. You'll get some sightseeing and acclimating in on the front end and when a cruise colleague mentions that gem of a site or restaurant you'll still have time to hit it on your return.

We also stayed at hotel-grandes-ecoles on our last trip to Paris in Oct. 2011, and recommend it. I think you can't book ahead more than 3 months, but check their website to confirm this.

We tried to book grandes-ecoles on an earlier trip, but it was full, so timing your reservation is important.

And I agree with Adrienne that you want to stay in the building across from reception. Our room was spacious and included a sitting area. The garden area was perfect for relaxing with wine in the afternoons.

My thought in seeing Paris last is that it will be much more of a highlight than the cruise. Put the best at the end.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about all of the posts and have decided on moving the stay in Paris until after the river cruise. The deciding factor was the ability to be taken from the plane to the boat and easier days on which to recover from the trip from Los Angeles. At the moment we are focusing on two hotels The Agora and The Designe Sorbonne. Would love to hear of any experiences and recommendations, positive and negative, relative to the two. Thanks for past help and I eagerly await more good ideas.

Hi Sid - it helps if you give links to your hotel choices. That makes it easier for the responders to look at the hotels and give advice.

SidWlt, so 52 years with your DW? We can top you by some years and are still speaking. Ah, yes, the compromises we make...
just which restaurant or movie or vacation choice, e.g.

Just this note...wished we had more time in Paris (again) but our time was mostly on Seine R. Wise to do Paris after the cruise I think. Can't advise on hotels. I should mention two cruise highlights were in Normandy, the D Day beaches and the Bayeau Tapestry.