Bonjour encore une fois, mes Fodors amis! I am now trying to decide between these hotels for our 3 night stay in Paris in Oct. and as they both are appealing and are ranked closely to one another in tripadvisor, I am wondering if any of you can help me choose.

Merci!

Hi M,

I have been in the Hotel St. Germain des Pres, but not stayed there.

I thought it was very nice.

They are so close to each other, that location doesn't make a difference.

Both hotels are in excellent locations nearby Blvd. St. Germain. It all depends on which one you prefer as to comfort and decor.

My preference would be to NOT stay in an American chain while in Paris, so I would lean towards the Hotel St. Germain des Pres, vs the BW Left Bank. Either way, it's a great area and central to walking everywhere....bon voyage!

You know, the BW Left Bank St. Germain Hotel carries the BW name, but it is independently owned as are all European BW hotels as far as I understand. They are not the same type of BW cookie cutter style motel types we have here in the States. Also I've walked by the BW Left Bank and it looks very nice.

I fully agree with Francophile about Great Western. I have stayed with quite a few in France and can hardly consider them an American chain. there are also 3 distinct advantages in booking at GW.

1. They can be booked in the US with all discount advantages.

2. There is a place to get some help for any shortcomings.

3. They have "points" should one sign up for them.

Yes, I agree that from what I saw, the BW Left Bank St. Germain des Pres did not look anything like what we'd picture a BW to be. It looks quite lovely and charming.

Anyone else want to weigh in?

We stayed at the St. Germain de Pres last summer and enjoyed it. The rooms are fine, a bit small but we don't spend much time in the room anyway. Breakfast was very good and the staff were very helpful and friendly. Good location, an easy walk to the Louvre and other sites. We would stay there again.

The fact that it's a BW is irrelevant. It isn't a chain, just a hotel consortium they join for marketing purposes. It would make no difference if it were BW or Libertel or independent, it's the same hotel. Actually, I don't think BW are cookie-cutter chains in the US, either, I thought they were indepedendent hotels here, also. They just have a lot more low-level motel-type members in the US, and in Europea, it's more regular mid-level small hotels.

Years ago we stayed at Hotel de Deux Continents on Rue Jacob, right in the area you are looking at. If this is still around and hasn't changed much...I think you would like it. Anyone know?

We stayed at the BW Au Manoir St Germain de Pres last year and they are independent hotels. It was very nice...very close to those you mentioned. However, you can use the BW USA 800 number for making reservations and get the BW hotels points...if that means anything to you. The website lists all of the BW around the world.

We stayed at the BW Left Bank a couple of years ago, from memory I think we had room 505. We really liked this hotel, and would go back any time. We got a good price from the BW website, breakfast was included - loved the location also.Staff were very nice, all in all was a good stay.

Thanks everyone -

I'm leaning towards the BW Left Bank hotel at this point, although I could probably flip a coin and do equally well at either!

I agree that the hotel Left Bank is the place to stay at.

www.hotelleftbank.com