Going to Paris soon and am curious what your favorite budget hotels are and why. Would love to hear experiences people have had. We had one bad one at Hotel du Globe and one good at Hotel du Lys. I've considered Hotel Lindbergh but there was one negative report on TripAdvisor. Also thought about Caron Beaumarchais (spelling may be off). Just would enjoy hearing other's tales.

I've liked Hotel Cluny Square, right on the corner of Saint Michel & Saint Germain but no problems with noise. Cluny metro entrance a couple feet from the door, Notre Dame a couple blocks walk, plenty of restaurants in the area (some good, some not so). Also have enjoyed Hotel Parc St Severin, about 2 blocks from the above hotel, for all the same reasons. Little more character in the rooms, lovely view onto St Severin, very tiny elevator.

Just returned from a stay at Hotel Monge (5th) for 5 nights and then 3 nights at Hotel Muguet (7th). Both hotels were very nice - clean, well-maintained, friendly staff. Monge was 106 euro for a double and Muguet was 125 for a double. I'd stay at either place again. I have stayed at Grand Hotel des Balcons (6th) twice, not sure of the price now but should be similar to these. I would have stayed there again but needed hotels with A/C. That probably won't be an issue for you. All of these hotels are within blocks of 2 metro lines and have restaurants close by. I'm looking forward to reading the other recs you get. Have a fun trip!

Hotel du College de France (http://hotel-collegedefrance.com/). Good location (on a quiet side street in the 5th), friendly, English-speaking staff. Amenities include a small lift (but, I think, no A/C).

The standard double room I stayed in was on the small side, but no smaller than other Paris hotel rooms for which I have paid much more. A superior double room is still less than your $160 limit (115€ in high season, 95€ in low).

HOtel Jeanne d'Arc in the Marais. Great price, rooms are clean and adequate,location, and pleasant staff.

Another vote for the Hotel Residence Monge.

I sent a friend to Hotel Monge, on recommendation of Fodor's posters this summer. She liked it just fine.

A few years back now, but we liked Dacia Luxembourg on St Mich, in this price range, but I know it gets mixed reviews on Trip Advisor.

www.dacia-paris-hotel.com

Hotel Vivienne on rue Vivienne in the 2nd.