Scarlett, every mention of Paris makes me want to jump on the next plane there!

Francophile said : Rue Monge is smaller than the rue Mouffetard.

Rue Monge is a larger and longer street with lots of (usual) car traffic while Mouffetard is shorter and narrow with lots of shops and restaurants. Francopile is right about the two streets being approximately pararel (they will meet at one end). If you get out of Hotel Monge, cross the street and go to the let for just 10 meters or so. You will find stairways going up with a (sometimes flowered) small fountain at the base. Take it uptsairs. You will be on a street (don't remember the name) where a French Philosophe Decartes(spl?)lived (you can see the sign on a building on you right in the middle of this short street of about 100 meters.) At the end of the street, you will also see a signe that says "Hemingway lived here with ..." sign. There turn to the left and you will be at a square surrounded by cafes and restaurants. I think that's La Place de Contrescarpe where Rue Mouffetard passes.

I have stayed at Monge twice both in August, this year and lst. Last year I had a room facing the street. Bathroom was shower only and surprisingly the the towles I got werw real threadbare. This year I had a room in the back (had a glimpse of the Arena from he room window). The bathroom was larger with a tub and the towles were normal.

The only reason I chose this hotel was I really wanted air-con in August in fairly centrally located area and it's not so common for 2* (you say 3*. I'm not sure. Maybe I'm wrong.) at the price of EURO 80 to have air-con. Since I had not much expectation besides that, the rests were bit of bonus : close to Mouffetard, Arena (this is interesting but not that impressive) and easy walking distance to IMA (Arabe Insutitute Museum) - interesting architecture and try the great view of la Seine and Notre Dame from the terrace of the top floor restarant there.

At both rooms, I had one large bed although I was alone so I think they don't really have sigle rooms. In any case you pay for the room, not per person.

> approximately pararel (they will meet at one end)

they will meet at one end THOUGH.

> cross the street and go to the let

Go to the LEFT.

Thanks for correcting me, kappa. I have spent more time walking on rue Mouffetard instead of rue Monge which I visited this summer for the first time. Apparently I didn't walk the whole length of the street.

Francophile, you are welcome but I was not expecting a reply at this hour! I was assuming you live in USA. Here in Switzerland, it's 9.30 am.

Please see my comment on the usa board

As I said on the USA board, do you even know whether these very popular hotels are available? That is a busy time and a very short time away. They may very probably be booked.

My vote goes to the Grand Hotel Leveque. It is not true that there "is no light life" in that area, unless you mean there's no clubs roaring with teenagers into the wee hours of the night. There are plenty of cafés and bars and restaurants open until midnight or after. It's not "hopping," but there are certainly places to hang out after dark. And it's "atmospheric" as well, being a mix of residential and commercial properties.
And there are better restaurant choices in the immediate vicinity, IMO, than in the rue Monge area.

Recently a co-worker and his fiancee went to Paris for one week. They purposely split their stay between 2 hotels in different parts of the city. I thought it was a crazy idea, but now see why it might be a great plan... to get to know a couple different neighborhoods of the city better.

As mentioned by another poster, are you sure there is availability at all 3 hotels? October is just around the corner. Before you fret too much...

Thanks all - yep, availability at all 3 hotels!. Sent ccard to Hotel monge yesterday and one of the numbers were wrong! - they emailed me to send again so still waiting for confirmation. If the rooms now gone then itll be Leveque. Im now happy with either so hopefully the delay hasnt lost them both.
(decided against using both incase I kick myself if I leave one to find the 2nd one not so good.. ignorance is probably the better choice here so there's no chance for regret..hee hee.. very stressful this hotel choosing isnt it!!...haahaa.. life should be so tuff.
thanks again all

YOu decided so my vote is late -- but I would have voted for the Monge. I have heard of the Sunny, but don't think people are generally as pleased with it. I have never heard anyone but Scarlett's son say the Monge was too bad to stay in, although it depends what you expect.

I like that area and was also going to remark that rue Monge is bigger than rue Mouffetard, not smaller. It's a major thoroughfare. I just don't like rue Cler that much myself, and prefer the area around the Monge. I would never want a hotel right on a pedestrian market street like that, regardless. It's all personal taste. I also do not think restaurants are better around rue Cler at all, but again, that is probably taste and expectations and what one considers in the area or nearby, and what kind of restaurants you like. Rue Monge itself is quite long, so I wouldn't refer to the entire street as just one area.

I do think the hotel near rue Cler probably has a slight advantage in transportation versatility and convenience. Not a big one, though, and it does depend where you are going.

Thank you everyone for your help. Hotel Monge just sent firm confirmation.
I appreciate you all helping to take the agony out of the decision
..heehhee. I hope to return the favour to others on our return.

I stayed in the Residence Monge this past March and enjoyed it very much. The room was tiny but very clean and Julie at the desk is very helpful. Let us know how your trip goes.