First Time France Trip: Lodging in Paris

Look at Hotel Madison in the 6th. The prices go up and down . Lovely place and staff.

I am a big believer in AC but I don't think that you will need it in October. That being said, it's presence can be an indication that you are dealing with a recently renovated place. I am a big fan of Hotel Madison but I sincerely doubt that they will have any rooms for two in your budget in October. In the 5th and 6th in your price range for October, I like Hotel Odeon Saint Germain. A friend stays at Hotel Academie Saint Germain when in Paris and it meets all of your listed requirements. You might also want to take a look at Hotel du Danube on Rue Jacob. I have not stayed at the latter two suggestions but I have been to both to pick up friends who were staying there and I think they are both great properties. The Hotel du Danube is less "posh" than the other two and is still an independent family-run hotel. Speaking of independent and family-run, I love Hotel Signature Saint Germain, which is located in the less touristy part of the 6th, has good metro connections and an absolutely fantastic staff.

We stayed here: https://www.paris-hotel-parcsaintseverin.com/en in 2015 and loved the location and charm.

I stayed in the hotel beejaybeeohio linked to in 2018 and enjoyed my stay there. It was my second time in that neighborhood and though it’s close to a very touristy area you wouldn’t know it. It’s conveniently located.

In addition to the suggestions here, you might run the hotels you're vetting through Booking.com for reviews from other people who have actually stayed in them.

Also, if you're going to be spending several nights in Paris, you might consider renting an apartment. You can find them on Booking.com as well as on the platforms listed in this recent Forum discussion: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/apartment-rental-website-for-paris

As a solo traveler, accommodations are always comparatively expensive for me since they are typically priced for two people and never half-price for one. My "rules" are 3 nights or less = hotel or B&B, 5 nights or more = apartment, 4 nights = ??? 🤔

I hope you find a great place to stay. Be sure to look at many pictures of the places you're considering. Google map them to see their immediate areas and neighborhoods and look at pictures and street views of them as well. I've rejected more than one place due to walking distance or public transportation issues or due to discomfort with their immediate environs.

I was surprised to see your concerns about Tripadvisor reviews for Hotel Residence des Artes. I stayed there in 2019 and thought it was the best place I've stayed among my 5 visits to Paris.

Did you notice that the robbery review was from 2004 and the bedbug one from 2009? Almost all recent reviews are very positive.

We found our room to be clean, comfortable, and very spacious in a city where rooms are often very small and I was sad when I went to Paris last fall and it was already full for my dates.

Good luck with your search!

Near Place de la Concorde: https://www.paris-hotel-mayfair.com/en/

Greatly appreciate all the comments, feedback, and help!!! Paris lodging down… I may seek more guidance as we move toward best rental car options on outskirts of Paris as head to Normany and then to Boudreaux!! Thanks again!

Don't discount staying in the very center of the city because you think it might be too expensive. The Hotel des Deux-Iles is as centrally located as can be on Ile St. Louis. Not sure what their rates are now, but you can check it out using several web sites. There are also a couple of other hotels on the same street, and one of them is a sister hotel. If you cross the river 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 -- such as it is now as some of the immediate area is closed off. At night it is a quiet, safe, calm street with just moderate activity. The Metro is near enough that getting anywhere is not a problem. There are also several restaurants on the island. If you decided to stay there, we can steer you to a great little place for breakfast as all 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.

To the OP re: post-Paris
Check out Costco car rentals from both CDG and ORY if you are a member. Alamo and Enterprise do require proof of return flight, though. Or you could train to Bayeux and take a tour to the Normandy beaches if that is in your plans. You could also train to Bordeaux and rent a car from there. At one point in our travel plans for August, we'd booked one thru Budget's Bordeaux train station with return to CDG for a reasonable cost.

We stayed at Hotel Residences des Artes in 2019 and loved it. That was our 3rd trip to Paris. We’ll stay there again if we ever return. The places we stayed previously don’t even come close.

Definitely look at recent reviews. We were there in November 2019, so I don’t know if they have ac. Or if ac is even allowed to operate in October. That would be something for you to look at. Some places don’t allow it to be used after a certain date.

We recently stayed at Hotel Monge at 55 Rue Monge. I think it ticks all the boxes for your desired amenities. Pricing may be at upper end of your range, depending on dates needed. We booked a 5 night stay about 6 months in advance and were able to get a “long stay” promotional rate (including breakfast) which they were running at the time. Price for that stay was about middle of your listed range. Rooms are nicely appointed and recently updated. About 15 minute walk to Isle St-Louis and quick walk to the beautiful Jardin des Plantes. Also a quick walk to Rue Mouffetard with its many restaurants, bars and shopping.
Rue Monge is a busy street, but we were not bothered by noise as windows are all triple glazed. We did occasionally hear the Metro rumbling underground, but did not find it particularly bothersome.

I have no specific hotels for recommendations, I stay in places much less expensive places.

But.

Booking.com is your friend here - you can specify all sorts of things (and even read their reviews) and start your search there. I'd also read the reviews on google and trip advisor.