Hi Everyone! <BR>I'm planning a trip to Paris and am desperate to get advice regarding what district to stay in and what hotel to reside in. I'm looking to pay no more than $120 US dollars per night for a hotel. And, I need to have an air conditioned room. More specifically, has anyone ever stayed at the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais? I hear very good things about it. <BR>In terms of areas, is the left or right bank better? Also, I want to stay in a central district where I feel comfortable and where I can walk to many sites. Keep in mind that I've never been to Paris and don't speak French <BR>I know many of the websites that offer hotel advice, but I would love to hear people's personal recommendations. <BR>Thanks a million! <BR>Christina <BR>

Found a picture and description of the hotel you’re asking about at the following website As for location, it’s in the 4th arrondissement (Paris is divided into different districts or arrondissements); and that’s centrally located. <BR>As a first time visitors you also may want to look in the 5th, 6th or 7th districts (on the left bank) or possibly the 1st or 8th (on the right bank). Of these selections, you’ll find the better hotel prices in the 5th, 6th and 7th arr. You also may want to consider what you want to see / do. Overall, Paris has an excellent metro system, and it’s easy to get around. But you probably do want to stay in the “lower number” arr. <BR> <BR>http://www.hooked.net/users/shepbob/...umarchais.html <BR> <BR>Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais <BR> "This is the hotel Caron de Beaumarchai, our favorite hotel in Paris. Besides its beauty, it is located just steps from the rue de Rivoli in the Marais (4th). It is located nearby the Picasso museum, Place des Vosges, and the Beauborg museum." <BR> <BR>According to a search on “Fodors” (not the forum, rather the main portion of website), they recommend your hotel. They list the prices at between 600 francs and 1,000 francs. Don’t know what the exchange rate is, but think that 600 francs may be a bit more than $120 per night. <BR> <BR>http://www.fodors.com/search/d541f0a...225b7f4ad.html <BR>"A “ * “denotes those hotels that we highly recommend." <BR>Caron de Beaumarchais <BR>12 rue Vieille-du-Temple <BR>Paris 75004 <BR>Phone: 01-42-72-34-12 <BR>Fax: 01-42-72-34-63 <BR>600 frs-1,000 frs <BR>Marais/Ile St-Louis (4 Arr.) <BR>"The theme of this intimate hotel is the work of Caron de Beaumarchais, who wrote "The Marriage of Figaro" in 1778. First-edition copies of his books adorn the public spaces. Rooms faithfully reflect the taste of 18th-century French nobility, right down to the reproduction wallpapers and upholsteries. Fresh flowers and fluffy bathrobes are a bonus for the price. Bathrooms are outfitted with heavy antique mirrors and hand-painted tiles. Streetside rooms on the second through fifth floors are the largest, while the slightly smaller sixth-floor garrets under the mansard roof have beguiling views across Right Bank rooftops. AE, DC, MC, V. 19 rooms" <BR> <BR>

I just stayed for 5 nights at the Caron de Beaumarchais (search for my posting for more info) and it is wonderful. Great location, nice service, beautiful rooms, etc. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel. I'm at work or would post more info (some people hate when you say search). Email if you have questions.

For Rob: At about 7FF/$1, 600FF is less than $90. <BR> <BR>For Christina: I think you'd do best staying in the 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondisements. You should feel comfortable in any of them and will be close to the sights and transportation. Now, which sights you're closest to is another story, and you should look at a map to see what appeals to you. Many people say the 5th (Latin Quarter) is loud, but I think it depends where you stay. We stayed near the Jardins du Luxembourg (at the Hotel des Jardins du Luxembourg, which is about $120 and has AC; we really liked it), and it was very quiet and well-situated. If you search this forum under specific hotel names and under "Paris hotels," you will get tons of advice and reviews. Note that you probably want to look at 3* hotels for AC. As for which area you would like best to stay in, I don't think you can know for sure until you go and experience them yourself, but you can't really go wrong in any of these. Again, look at a map, and decide which things youwant to be closest to--because unless you really want to walk, not everything will be in walking distance no matter where you stay!

I will also vote that you can't go too wrong in the 4th-6th arrondisements; it's just personal preference as to which is better, there is no one answer or opinion. I have a good friend who stayed at the Caron de B and said it was wonderful (and she has good values and critical abilities but does not expect luxury--she moved there from a crummy place Rick Steves' recommends in the 7th); I have never heard a bad thing about that hotel, really. However, I think the rates have gone up from Frommers' citations and start around 725F now, but that's still in your price range.

Just returned from five days in Paris - absolutely loved it. We stayed at the Dacia Luxembourg hotel, if I recall correctly, you should be able to find their website pretty easily. The room was under $120 (approx. $100) for a double rooms. The bathrooms are completely remodeled with marble floors & walls, plus a large tub and new shower (a plus in Europe!). A/C, elevator, small but quaint rooms with nice antique furniture (not shabby, like many other 3-star hotels.) I liked it much better than the Elysa Luxembourg hotel which was also in the same price range and with similar amenities. This was also a clean, quiet hotel. <BR> <BR>The location is ideal, in the 6th (Latin quarter). It has 3 metro stops all around and no more than 2 blocks away. Plus, Notre Dame, St. Chappelle, and the Louvre are no more than a 15-20 minute walk. It's also a nice area in the evening with shops and many restaurants.