5 nights in Paris - first time visit

You didn't mention your budget, but don't rule our staying in the very center of Paris. Check our the Hotel des Deux-Iles. It is as centrally located as can be on Ile St. Louis. There are a couple of other hotels on the same street, and one of them is a sister hotel. Cross the river one way and you will be in the Marais -- cross it the other way and you'll be in The Latin Quarter. Walk to the end of the island, cross the bridge, and you'll be at the back of Notre Dame which is still being reconstructed. The Metro is nearby and getting anywhere is not a problem. There are several restaurants on the island. If you stay there, we can steer you to a great little place for breakfast as hotel breakfasts seem to be over priced for what one gets. We can also tell you about several places for lunch and / or dinner on the island as well.

In 2015 we stayed at Hôtel Duquesne Eiffel. We liked the location and were able to walk to most sites. It’s a block from a metro stop. No idea what it’s like now.

I stayed in two Astotel hotels, both in the same street (Monterosa and Joyce, rue Bergère), and was happy with both. Closest metro stations are Saint-Georges, Trinité and Pigalle. Very easy to walk to Opera Garnier, Galeries Lafayette, Place Vendome, even Concorde. Many restaurants nearby. Also close to a bus stop to go up to Montmartre (bus 40).

Found reference to Astotel chain in this Forum and intend to stick to them when I go to Paris.

To add - the hotels I'm looking at right now are in the 250-350 euro per night range and I am OK with that, although I wouldn't want to go a lot higher if I can avoid it (and would be happy to go lower if it meets the clean/comfortable/confenient requirements). My usual philosophy is that I'd rather spend the extra money on something other than the hotel. We just don't have a lot of time in Paris - 4 full days, one of which is Labor Day - and so I am really torn about spending the extra money to be more in the center of Paris.

ETA - It looks like Hotel des Deux-Iles is full while we're there, but thanks for the recommendation! I'm looking at the others recommended here.

Here are a few more recommendations;

https://odeonhotel.fr/en/

https://www.relaisdumarais.fr/en/

https://www.hotelgrandcoeurlatin.com/

If budget is your concern and you get better rates further out, having a metro station nearby is key. And of course most importantly a safe area. Honestly traveling with a 22 year old for a mother/daughter trip, I'd want a "cute" neighborhood near great shops and restaurants, which doesn't mean expensive shops or restaurants, but just something with a nice neighborhood feel.

I’n with TC on staying in a hotel on Ile St Louis. ISL is in the heart of Paris with amazing views. All four of the hotels there are great, 3 are in your budget i believe… i’ll put them in order of my favorites: Hotel St Louis en l’Isle, Hotel de Lutèce and Hotel des Deux Iles, as TC mentioned. The 4th is Hotel Jeu de Paume, might be out of your price range though.

My other favorite neighborhood is the Marais. One of the oldest neighborhoods and super charming. I think your 22 yr old would be very happy there. My son loves it. Very vibrant, very appealing to your daughter’s age group. Lots of great shops, boutiques, cafés, restaurants, historical buildings, parks, etc. Don’t miss seeing Place des Vosges.

Then there’s the Latin Quarter and the St Germain des Près neighborhoods. All 4 of these neighborhoods are ideal for a first visit.

The area near the Eiffel Tower is not central Paris. Yes, you can easily take the métro anywhere in Paris, but depending on how far you are from the center, the longer it will take.

We use Booking.com to find good hotels.

Wherever you stay, don’t miss leisurely walking through the Luxembourg Gardens.

Your daughter is right, the best way to enjoy Paris is by walking and exploring.
The best of Paris is not the tourist sights, it’s walking and exploring the neighborhoods,

OK, I'm now reevaluating and leaning toward either the Latin Quarter or Ile Saint-Louis. We definitely want to be able to just wander around and experience Paris, and I think these are better locations, especially given that we have relatively few days there. I appreciate everyone's input!

I have often stayed at la Place de la Republic because its Metro station serve five different lines. That makes it easy to connect elsewhere. The large square itself is a hive of activities from skateboard to ballroom dance. No particular landmarks, except for the demos that often occupy the space. But the Canal St. Martin flows nearby, with its banks drawing local strollers.

Good to hear Susan. I think you both will be very happy with ISL (4th arrondissement), the Marais (4th arrondissement), the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) or St Germain (6th arrondissement). The last 3 as close to the river as possible.

You know what arrondissement a hotel is in by their address postal code, the last two digits tell you the arrondissement. And you can see where in the city in relation to Notre Dame (the center of Paris) on GoogleMaps.

Check out the place I've booked for our trip in September - Grand Hôtel de L'Univers Saint-Germain. It has very good reviews, great location in Saint Germain, lovely interiors, and it's $285/night. Booked it on booking.com.

I loved Hotel le Régent 61 rue Dauphine in the 6th St Germain des Pres. Lots of restaurants nearby. Easy walk to Notre Dame or Luxembourg Gardens and Metro Odeon. 260Euros last week. Free breakfast for booking directly with the hotel. Rick Steves had it in 2006 guidebook. We stayed there then. Just went back 18 years later. Still great. Very helpful staff. Clean and convenient.

Rick has been highlighting rue Cler for decades, it has more American tourists than anywhere else in Paris in my experience. And it’s not central Paris. I grew up in Paris, it’s my hometown, so it’s home for me.

Last year, we stayed at Hotel Baume near the Odeon Theatre and Luxembourg Gardens. 4 star, nice but a little above our normal budget … and perhaps yours.

When we thought we’d left Paris, we got to the airport and found our flight cancelled so we had to make a very quick decision and we were pretty satisfied with what we found, Hotel St Severin near Place St Michel in the 6th. It was about 225 a night (with breakfast), very near the Metro, 3 star, quite reasonable and convenient. Well rated and reviewed. Worth a check.

Yes, it’s in a central touristy area, but quite convenient to much of what you will want to see in Paris. Major and not so major museums, the 1st ,4th, 5th and 6th Arrondissements, the Seine, Ste, Chapelle and the Luxembourg Gardens.

I think this could serve you much better than Rue Cler. Do not get full board at St Severin. The mostly Italian restaurant connected to the hotel is pretty hum drum. Fine for breakfast. Not dinner. There are also boulangeries near Place St Michel where you might have a breakfast.

As for Rue Cler, it is on the Rick Steves map of wonderful places now over-run by folks walking around with Rick Steves guidebooks in hand.

Based on what you’ve said, Le Marais seems like a great spot for you and your daughter. I could also see you enjoying a neighborhood a little off the beaten path and then catching the metro into the center, as needed. Wherever you stay, pick a spot near a metro stop and you’ll be able to get anywhere easily.

We’ve stayed in the 6th and 14th and like to split time between hitting highly popular tourist sites - after all we are tourists when there - and exploring “less” touristy neighborhoods. There are benefits to both of these activities as the popular areas are popular for a reason (i.e. amazing beauty) and it is fun to explore and discover things without a plan, too. I recommend doing some of both.