I have narrowed my choices of Paris hotels to these three:<BR><BR>Hotel Grand Leveque (7th)<BR>Hotel Champ de Mars (7th)<BR>Hotel du Mont Blanc (5th)<BR><BR>I'm torn between the 7th and the 5th. I will be traveling solo and staying for 7 nights in the fall. Any advise on these hotels would really be greatly appreciated. I have done a text search, but it would be good to hear from anyone who has stayed at these places recently.

Hi<BR>can't comment on the hotels (though the first two are very popular on this message board) but as to the 5th vs 7th:<BR>5th is heart of the Latin Quarter, student country, lots of cheap places to eat, has a cheerful, busy, and congested atmosphere.<BR><BR>7th is quiet at night. During the day there is great food browsing on rue Cler.<BR><BR>IMHO,for me, going solo, between the two I'd pick the 5th. (but I prefer the 6th actually)

Thanks Elaine, I am leaning to the 5th too. Has anyone stayed at du Mont Blanc? I have some info on the other two hotels, but really nothing on Mont Blanc. The web page says Hemingway stayed here when he wasn't at the Ritz? The pedestrian street looks nice and it seems in good location to see the sites on foot. Anyone?

Barb I would stay in the 1st or the 7th. The lion d'or is my family favorite smallhotel - it is close to everything and good restaurants nearby.

One more word on the 1st: it is nice to stay in an upscale area on a budget price.

Hi Barb,<BR>I stayed at the Leveque when I was there in March 02. I thought it was a great area - lovely street - food markets across from the hotel, and down the street. Not far from a Metro stop, walking distance to the Eiffel Tower. The staff was wonderful - we were able to check in and get a room right away (even though it was before normal check in time). I would definately recommend this, and would stay here again!<BR>Monica

My wife and I were in Paris for awhile last summer with another couple. They stayed at Grand Leveque and felt the room was tiny but liked the area. My wife and I stayed at Le Sainte Beauve which was very nice and in the 6th which we prefer. Check it out.<BR>

Thanks for the great responses. Sure wish I could hear from someone who has stayed at Hotel Du Mont Blanc. I will check out Le Sainte Beauve.

The Mont Blanc is on rue de la Huchette, an area I actually avoid. It's full of cheap (but I believe not particularly good) restaurants, with touts out front trying to get you to come in. It would be noisy until very late at night. The atmosphere is not Parisian - more like Times Square or Fisherman's Wharf; think swarms of nonnative tourists.<BR><BR>There are lots of other budget choices in the 5th, many of which are recommended here. The Familia or Minerve come to mind. A text search for &quot;paris and budget and hotel&quot; will get you lots of threads which you'll have to sort through a bit. <BR><BR>I don't know your price range, but I've stayed solo at the Hotel de la Sorbonne and the Hotel St. Jacques in the 5th and would return to either.

This thread has many suggestions for someone who was looking for a Paris hotel room for under $75/night:<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34399349

Lesli thanks so much. That's exactly the kind of information I wanted. I will scratch that one off my list. Also thanks for the web page. I will check it out. Hotel Saint Jacque looks good, how is the location for walking to sites?