Hotel & buying things

I have no experience with those hotels, and can only offer the advice that if you do some searching for stationary and art glass you should be able to find shops that offer what you're looking for. Shops in Paris do tend to stock items made in France. In Nancy I could be more specific as the the glass, but that city has a history for those items. For gardening tools you need only look as far as the local hardware, but the best of those will be outside the normal tourist routes.

The BHV in Paris is known for it's hardware/tools sections so they might possibly have gardening tools. You might see if what you are interested in is on their web site.

I have found interesting ornaments in the gift shops of museums. e.g. I have a little Monet that I got at the Musee d'Orsay.

https://www.iletaitunefois-paris.com/12-noel. specializes in such things I believe

This is a really lovely shop in the 3rd. I always leave with note cards, or some other treasure.

https://www.lecritoireparis.com/en/

Are you only needing a hotel for you and your wife? $1000usd is currently about €858 Euros.

Which Holiday Inn and Best Western hotels are you considering? Location is very important, IMO.

That late in the year, gardening items/equipment may be difficult to find. For example at the BHV, garden items are seasonal. For French made ornaments, I might check at the Bon Marché which typically features French made Christmas ornaments in the fall. You might also check at the Marin Montagut boutique in the 6th.

http://www.marinmontagut.com/

Not sure how many of the Holiday Inn hotels are left in Paris. The one that was on rue Danton is now the Hôtel Dame des Arts, and the other that was on rue de l'Abbé Grégoire is now the Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs.

https://www.damedesarts.com/
https://www.hoteldesgrandsvoyageurs.com/

Either of these will probably cost 300€ to 450€ per night in early October. September/October is high hotel season in Paris, I would make reservations somewhere now. There are a few HIs in the outer arrondissements but prices are likely to be closer to 250€ per night and up.

I don't understand the urge to stay in American chain hotels in a city like Paris. There are dozens of posts on the Forum recommending hotels. With a little effort and maybe a nudge up in budget, I'm sure you can find something suitable for a romantic birthday getaway with your wife.

Hi friends, Merci to everyone’s replies.

Hi @jeanm, our budget = $US 900 - $1100, all included (vat, taxes) , 4 nights. Seems like the American chains are in that budget. You are correct, we prefer a nice Parisian hotel.

Anyone, what experience & recommendations do you have, with any 3-4 star hotel in 12,13,14,15,16,17 arrondissements?

Merci; this week, time to lock in a hotel…

If you're willing to consider the 11th, Citadines République might fit your needs. It isn't super charming but it's well located in terms of metro stations and walkability to amenities. As an apart-hotel you'd have a kitchenette, and there's a small supermarket nearby, as well as numerous bakeries and a large twice-weekly market (Marché Popincourt, Tuesdays and Fridays on Boul. Richard-Lenoir). The neighbourhood also has a small cluster of vintage shops that might have items of interest, though it's anyone's guess as to whether garden things will be among them on any given day. (Gardening tools, probably not, but maybe things like planters and decorations.)

Paris hotel rates fluctuate wildly in October from night to night. If you share the dates you need, we can be if more assistance.

Hi Jean, dates = 10/7/25 - 10/11/25 (leaving Saturday). Tuesday -Saturday

Merci,

I'm afraid your budget is a bit too low for your dates in October.

Going to France, you must start thinking in terms of Euros. Today's rate of exchange is approximately $1000 USD = €945 EUR

I have not stayed in these hotels, but they are generally well reviewed and only a bit over your budget.

Hotel des Deux Continents is 3 minutes from Blvd. Saint-Germain.

Hotel le Clos Medicis is minutes from Luxembourg Gardens.

Hotel du College de France is in the Latin Quarter a few minutes walk from La Maison d'Isabelle for the best croissants.

Good luck and enjoy Paris. And try to get to Notre Dame. It is completely transformed since your last visit.

pfagenp,
Alas, you are going to Paris when prices are their highest and hotel rooms their scarcest. You may have to bite the bullet and budget more for lodging. The city then is full of conventions, meetings, fashion week, just all kinds of business stuff going on. And you are pretty close to your dates to find something in your budget.
Bonne chance!