Hello!My parents will be traveling to France for the first time. They’re in their late 60s and plan to spend most of their time in Paris, with maybe a couple of day trip to nearby towns.

Could you please recommend a good hotel in the $280–$300 per night range? I’m not sure which area would be best. I’ve heard the 6th and 7th arrondissements are ideal, but most hotels there seem to be over budget.

I’m looking for a safe neighborhood with bakeries and shops nearby, easy access to the metro, and not too much walking required, as they can’t walk long distances. Would you be able to suggest some well-rated hotels that might be a good fit for them?

How long do they plan to be in Paris? When are they planning to go?

Have a look on booking.com in the 9th arrondissment. It’s much less touristy so tends to be less expensive, more residential but still central.

Hotel Atmospheres in the 5th should meet your criteria.

Hi, they will be there during the first week of April for 9 days. I'll check out both areas. Any particular hotels you'd recommend?
Thank you for your help!

Maybe not the best time for visiting Paris. There are school holiday in some part of France, and also school holidays in Germany, so a lot of Germans will be in Paris.
To add: the weekend of April 5 is a 3 day weekend, therefore much more visitors.

If they are somewhat independent (no need for a concierge) you could look at Paris Vacation Apartments dot com. They have one in the 6th arrondissement available for several days at the beginning of April that is well within your budget - its their Saint-germain Chic Studio. I'm surprised it isnt rented yet. It runs in the €150 per night range, includes a small kitchenette with an elevator. I picked 9 nights and it came to a total of €1,299.

We've always enjoyed the service and the set up of these apartments.

They already booked tickets.
I found these hotels, maybe somebody stayed here and let me know if they're any good..
Hotel de Seze
Hotel Adele & Jules
Hotel des Grandes Ecoles

Hotel des Grands Ecole is quite a bargain, but inconvenient to many things as tucked away near the Pantheon, Cloisters, on western end of the Fifth, bordering the Sixth. I never recommend travelers to stay in the outer arrondissements of Paris either (from the 9th and higher) simply because there are fewer Metros, and a longer walk to the Seine. I would think that strolling along the Seine is one of the simple delights of Paris frankly, especially for first timers. On our last trip to Paris (our 7th) we finally opted to the ideal 6th, in St. Germain des Pres. It was Xmas week, so pricey, but our hotel was in about the oldest section of Paris with Roman walls still to be spotted, the Eglise St. Germain des Pres, and a block from Blvd St. Germain des Pres where sits the Metro, along with Le Deux Magots which many may call a tourist rip-off, but we did not agree. Sitting outside having lunch under a cozy robe people watching along the Boulevard was another outstanding free activity, at prices common in Paris and far from astronomic. Our hotel was:
Hotel d'Angleterre on Rue Jacob, half a block from Rue Bonaparte and block and a half from the Seine, the Mint, the bookstalls, etc. Ideal location. It formerly was the British Embassy. Rooms lovely with antiques and large modern bathrooms. Full buffet breakfasts, small lounge w bar, lovely personal service. We faced front entrance on Rue Jacob but is a very quiet narrow street, somehow off the beaten path, but front and center of major draws. Musee Delacroix tucked nearby in Rue de Furstemberg, a gem for an hour that few discover as well as lovely boutiques in same neighborhood. Ile de la Cite a very short walk over the Seine to Notre Dame, For Sainte Chappelle. I suggest you check it out for them.

I thought for a moment you meant the other Hotel d’Angleterre in the 8th, which may have been renamed Hotel de Boétie, after the street it’s on. We found it compact but charming, and another good location.

Thank you, I'll look into the places you suggested.

Given the current state of tourism, the crowds, I consider that recommendation seriously dated. The 9th, for instance, is far from “outer” with the southern part as close to the river as parts of the 5th, 6th & 7th. And depending on what interests a traveler, closer to some sites. If by “1st timers” you means the lemmings, fine, but choose your audience & give people, including 1st timers, some credit for possibly wanting to be in a more Parisian environment while still being well-located.

I looked at Hotel Adele & Jules for my trip in June/July but chose their sister hotel, Hotel Recamier instead which is in the 6th and was fantastic, great location.
However Hotel Adele & Jules is also in a good location and I'm sure would be nice as well.

We stayed close to Adele and Jules at Hotel l'Echiquier, which is nearby in the 10th last May. Yes it is in the center of everything, but not close to much, if that makes sense. I suppose you can jump on the Metro, but we prefer walking. Also, it depends on what sights your parents find most interesting, whether it is strolling along the Seine, or shopping, or museums. Try to choose a neighborhood where they will love getting out on the street in the morning, and not have to pay an arm and leg for a cafe.

I have preferred our previous stays in Paris, as we found the neighborhood around l'Echiquier and east from there not particularly nice. Previously we have stayed in the 5th, 6th, and 7th.

If they do choose Adele and Jules, there is a nice area nearby called Rue Montorgueil. It's very pretty and feels very safe. We enjoyed strolling through and stopping for a bite.

I actually think Hotel des Grands Ecoles could be a great choice - while it's true it's not RIGHT next to the Seine and all the tourist sites, it's 8 minutes away from a metro stop (Jussieu) and about a 15 minute walk to Notre Dame. It's located in one of my favorite areas of Paris - tucked away off of Rue Mouffetard, a charming, lovely market street and very close to Place de la Contrescarpe, a quintessential Parisian plaza. It could be a great choice!

If they REALLY want to be right in the middle of everything though, some other options could be:

Welcome Hotel in the 5th (on busy boulevard but right in the middle of everything)
Hotel Parc St. Severin on Rue de la Parcheminerie in the 5th (tucked away on a quiet corner but VERY close to the Seine)
Henri IV Rive Gauche in the 5th
Hotel de Buci in the 6th
I've heard good things also about Hotel Bonaparte in the 6th

Given that they are in their 60s (like me) and first-timers, I wholeheartedly endorse staying in a central neighborhood convenient to everything ... walkable to Metro and bus lines as well as great museums, beautiful parks, and the Seine. For me, that's the Marais. Sure it's full of tourists, but that's because it's so user-friendly. I stayed at Hotel de Nice, which is a bit funky but fun.

Thank you all for your help. They ended up booking Hotel Saint Dominique. It looks like it is pretty central.

In the 3rd I'd love to stay at Maison Saintonge, Villa Beaumarchais, or Les Jardins du Marais. All available in early April and well within the budget.

We just returned last night from our first visit to Paris in several years, though we have visited more than a dozen times over the years. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Republique, which has been very nicely remodeled within the last few years. It is right on Place de la Republique, with a metro station just outside that offers access to several lines and also well served by buses (which are a great way to get around Paris - they have dedicated lanes to avoid traffic snarls and you see more than traveling underground, plus do not have to contend with the numerous stairs at metro stations, especially when making connections.) Place de la Republique was updated several years ago and feels like a version of Times Square in NYC but without the seediness and dense crowds - lots of fast food places along with a variety of more local places. Fairly central, though not really walkable to the Seine if that matters.

Hotel staff were lovely, rooms comfortable and spacious even by American standards, good breakfast. Definitely good value for money.

Staying in the 7th arrondissement (with Hotel Saint Dominique as a very good option) is a great choice when visiting Paris. In the same neighborhood, Cler Hotel is also a solid recommendation.
The area around both hotels is peaceful and charming, yet full of shops, cafés, and restaurants — especially along Rue Cler, a well-loved pedestrian street. Both hotels are about a 15-minute walk from the Champ de Mars and the Eiffel Tower, and about 10 minutes on foot from the majestic esplanade of Les Invalides, where you get a beautiful view of the golden dome of Saint-Louis des Invalides, home to Napoleon’s tomb. And since you’re close by, definitely visit the Rodin Museum (it’s one of my personal favorites in Paris and a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours).
Another big advantage of staying in the 7th is convenience. The RER C,a regional express train running across Paris along the Seine, makes it easy to reach major sights such as the Musée d’Orsay, Saint-Michel in the Latin Quarter, and Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is just a short walk from Saint-Michel.
You can also reach farther destinations, like the Château de Versailles, directly on the same line. Note: the RER C often undergoes maintenance from mid-July to the end of August. From Invalides, getting to the Paris Opera is also very simple: just take Metro line 8 directly to Opéra, which is three stops away.
Overall, the 7th is a fantastic base for exploring Paris: plenty to see on foot, and excellent transportation options for everything else. Enjoy your trip!