My wife and myself are going to Paris and Amsterdam this year but have no idea where is the best place to stay or even what time of year to go. Can anyone give me any recommendations?

Went to Paris last year during end of May/beginning of June. Stayed at the Millesime on Rue Jacob. Excellent hotel and location. Weather was okay.

Such a vague and uninspired post! Why are you even going if you have absolutely no knowledge of Paris, what you want to be near or see, or even when to go? And we certainly don't know if you are looking for a hotel for $50 a night, or a deluxe apartment to stay in for a month at $12,000.<BR><BR>Since you obviously don't have any preferences, I'd suggest that you go in mid February, when the city is at its least crowded. And by all means stay as far from the center as possible. Perhaps in a residential area near the airport. There are lots of taxis so it will be easy to get back and forth, and you will be able to get to know locals, not feel like a tourist.

We were there in late March; cold, but not as crowded as in April. Of course, April in Paris is everything the song promises! We stayed at a delightful small hotel on the left bank, Hotel St. Germaine, that had actually been recommended on this forum. Within a block of the subway &amp;/or walking distance to lots of places we wanted to see. Take the subway whenver you can - it's easy to learn. Our favorite museums were the Rodin home and the Cluny. Favorite restaurant: Le Petit Columbier. May be more info than you requested, but the last responder was so rude, it inspired my helpful side!

For Amsterdam - I would suggest the Canal House hotel - it's a wonderful place, very charming. I would suggest traveling in late March or April. For Paris, I have heard that Hotel de la Brentonnerie is a charming, moderately prices option. Both are located in charming neighborhoods near the city center. My favorite website for hotel suggestions is www.karenbrown.com. For travel ideas and itineraries, try www.ricksteves.com - both the main site and the graffiti board are great sources of information. <BR><BR>Have fun!

Johnny, <BR>I am going to Amsterdam myself later this year for the first time, so can't comment yet on accommodations there.<BR>However, on my very first trip to Paris, I stayed in a neighborhood which I still think of as being ideal for a first-timer. I was in the &quot;border&quot; area between the 5th and 6th arrondissements, near the Blvd. St. Michel and about a block away from the Luxembourg Gardens. I walked down to Notre Dame every day in about 20 minutes, walked everywhere in St. Germaine, the Latin Quarter and the Jardin des Plantes area, and took the Metro for any other destinations.<BR><BR>I stayed at the Hotel St. Paul on Rue Msr. Le Prince. It's a 3-star, an old and charming building with small rooms but nice bathrooms. The resident cat and dog were usually snoozing in the lobby when I'd come &quot;home&quot; in the afternnons. This trip was in mid-June, very warm and thunder-stormy.

Thank you for all of your help. Notice the second person who left the nasty message didn't leave his/her name &amp; <BR>e-mail address? Poor miserable soul. Unfortunately I wasn't asking for help to try and ammuse anyone. Idiot.<BR>Thank again to everyone else!