Which Paris Hotel for Honeymoon?
 

My fiance and I are headed to Paris in June for our honeymoon! We are on budget but are allowing ourselves $200/night. For our dates, these hotels are available:
- Henry IV Gauche
- Hotel Relais Bosquet
- Hotel Brighton
- St. Thomas D'Aquin
- Hotel St. Jacques

All of them have such great reviews that it's hard to pick which to stay in! So I leave it to the wise Fodorites: Of these, which would you choose if you were going to Paris for the 1st time, and on your honeymoon? Keeping in mind that the last two are about 30E cheaper, but have no AC (is that really necessary in June? I heard the ave. temps are ~65 degrees.)

THANKS!!!

It depends on which location you like most. The Relais Bosquet is in the 7th district (close to the Rodin Museum, Invalides, Eiffel Tower), Brighton in the 1st (Louvre, Tuileries, Pl. de la Concorde, Seine), St. Thomas d' Aquin is in the 7th but on the border of St. Germain des Pres which is in the 6th district, and Henri IV Rive Gauche and Hotel St. Jacques are in the 5th district (Latin Quarter).

All districts are nice in my opinion, but for a honeymoon and I guess a firsttime visit, I'd choose the Henri IV Rive Gauche or Brighton (if you reserve a Tuileries view room). St. Thomas d' Aquin is in a fine location but without a/c in case it does get too warm, it may be a bit uncomfortable. It may or may not be so warm in June but it'll be good to have a/c if possible.

I'm sure they are all nice,,,but I can speak for the Brighton. Good location, (noisy street,Rue de Rivoli), but be sure and get a superior room on the front. They have little balconies , swinging
French doors and wonderful view of Tuillierie gardens, Louvre, AND Eiffel Tower a little distance away but spectacular lit up at night)!!! Very nice desk people. Some people we met were staying at the back of the hotel in the "newer" rooms , but no view. Perhaps now, 2 yrs later the front rooms have been renovated. However I would take the front any day with the view...and the room was lovely.

Hotel Brighton only offered us a renovated, courtyard-view room, which I assume isn't the grand view that everyone is talking about. Are these rooms at the back of the building worth it then?

That is a VERY difficult question to answer.(and I won't try)
Am sure the rooms at back of the Brighton are lovely, but without the view, I'm not so sure. I don't know if any of the other hotels have views. I read reviews of the Henri IV riva gauche, and apparently the rooms are VERY small and it;s in the 5th , Latin Quarter. Some people like that area...but I'm not so sure it is a true picture of Paris(but an interesting area nevertheless).. HOWEVER I guess there is NO true section called "Paris"..they are all interesting in their own way.
Some people think the 1st, where the Brighton is located is too BUSSLING and busy...others love the location, close to many things. Some like the 6th, Blvd. GERmaine area. There are so many good places. I didn't realize the Brighton was $200/night. ..we paid under that.
But then it was probaby off season when we usually go. Prices all over will be higher in June!(I would opt for AC in June, just in case!)
Did you call the Brighton directly to ask about a front room.?
'I've heard good things about all the ones you mentioned....so you will have some decisions to make.

Has the Brighton told you that there are NO Tuileries Garden view rooms available? Have you begged for one yet?

Just kidding I guess. On the other hand, we stayed there last September for 3 nights and it was magical. It wasn't our honeymoon, but there were moments when it felt like it was - not bad after 30 years of marriage. ;)

The views ARE incredible - and I mean outside our balcony. The Louvre, the Tuileries, Musee d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower.

There are several photos of the views outside our balcony that you can find the link for on our trip report:

fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?screen_name=knoxvillecouple&f id=2

But seriously, if you can't get a Tuileries Garden view at the Brighton, I'd say a courtyard view room isn't what you're looking for.

Good Luck!

KC