Hotel & location in Paris

As well as the arrondissement, I always check the proximity to the nearest metro stop. Both of these seem to have metros that are about a 10 minute walk away. The hotel near the Opera is about a 25 minute walk to the Louvre, not 5. I haven't stayed at either of these, but on our last visit we stayed near the Opera ( just around the corner from a metro). The neighborhood was fine. Check out Google Street view to see each area.

I have stayed at neither hotel. I like the Opera location better. The Best Western is in the 17th and is not quite as central but on the plus side you are a 5 minute walk from Charles de Gaulle - Étoile metro station which gives you access to 3 metro lines and RER A for quickly getting around the city. Metro Line 1 is especially useful because it goes to a number of sights. I have been through the Hotel Saint Petersbourg (I pop into hotels all the time when I am in Paris and ask to look around and am rarely told no). Based on my walk through, I have suggested it to people in the past and they have all liked it and thought it was a good value.

I have stayed at the Hotel Saint Petersbourg and it really is one of my favorite hotels in Paris. It used to be a 3-star hotel but since they became a 4-star hotel they're no longer in my budget. Their breakfast buffet is delicious, it's a stone's throw from the Olympia concert venue (stayed here for that very reason). and right by the Harvre-Caumartin metro station (maybe 3 min away) and quite close to the Opera Garnier. To me, this was the best placed Paris hotel I've stayed in yet! I just wish they kept their old prices. It's a beautiful hotel and really is your quintessential Parisian hotel with top notch service. Stay here!

If you just want to wander around the Champs-Elysees and gaze at the Arc de Triomphe, there really isn't anything much to do in this neighborhood. Depending on the ages of your children, it might mean they will get tired of walking or taking the stairs in the Metro. Bus connections are not very convenient.
Hotel Saint Petersbourg will be nearer the upscale shopping districts, as well as the Opera Garnier. There are excellent bus connections, but not too many Metro stations in this area. You could easily walk to the Louvre and Tuileries, though it would take more than the suggested 5 minutes - probably more like 15 minutes. There are some excellent patisseries just across the street from your hotel.

We would never stay near the Champs Elysees. It is a charmless area full of big box stores you have in your mall at home and overpriced poor restaurants and of course very expensive fashionable hotels. And it is not that close to most of the main sights -- although a nice walk to Concord through the Tuilleries to the Louvre, Orangerie or Orsay.

It can be difficult to find lodging for 5 people. Do you have any other options?
If not, I'd choose Hotel Saint Petersbourg.

Hi,

As most others have mentioned here - if you're committed to one of those two properties - I'd choose the location near the Opera 10 out of 10 times. Not sure if you've been to Paris before - but not - that Opera location is the more centrally located of those two choices. And the Arc de Triomphe isn't really located near any other sites you'd likely want to be visiting.

And since you mention the Louvre - I'm guessing you're considering visiting that museum? Just in case you weren't aware - and if you're wanting to visit other museums or sites (the D'Orsay, Versailles, etc) - I'd suggest looking into acquiring the Museum Pass. It'd likely save you hours of simply waiting in line to buy a ticket.

Good luck - and have a wonderful trip!!!

We love Hotel Cecilia in the 17th-some rooms have views of Arc de Triomphe and great breakfast and ambience

Mike
DC