Left Bank, 5th Arr Hotels in Paris, Rue Mouffetard still ok?

You have posted on the RS travel forum for France that is visited by fellow travelers and not to the writers of the books. Perhaps, someone from RS will see your questions and reply.

Let me rephrase the question. Since RS recent editions say very little about the Left Bank, Rue Mouffetard area of Paris, has anyone had a recent experience staying in that area, and if so, any hotel recommendations?

I haven't stayed in that area for many years but there's nothing wrong with it. My understanding is that Rick Steves just decided to focus his recommendations on the other neighborhoods his books have covered, like the Marais and Rue Cler. I think this is too bad but they're his books. You'll find many hotel recommendations in the 5th, including Mouffetard area, on other threads in this forum, including from experienced travelers who know whereof they speak.

My recommendation would be the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles. It's been a long time but I'm sure it is still a very good choice, as are others no doubt.

RS does not cover very much of Paris, especially when it comes to hotels and places to eat.
I love rue Mouffetard. Hotel des Grandes Ecoles is very close to rue Mouffetard, I stayed there for a month years ago, it hasn’t changed much. It’s a decent hotel, over-priced and not my favorite but there are posters here who recommend it.
Not far from rue Mouffetard is Hotel des Grands Hommes and Hotel du Pantheon, both next to the Pantheon, they’re both very good.
There are many hotels in Paris I can recommend but not on, or very close to, rue Mouffetard.

My favorite way to find a good hotel is through Booking.com. Only people that actually stayed at a particular hotel can review it, so no fakes. It also has filters which is helpful. You don’t have to book a hotel through Booking.com but it’s how I like to find them.

Back in the day, I’d go to a bookstore and sit with all their guidebooks of where I’m going and write down all the names of recommended hotels in each book. If more than one book recommended a hotel, I knew it was probably good. I’d also research each one on the list online.

This hotel recommended by another poster looks lovely, much nicer than Hotel des Grandes Ecoles and similarly priced.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france-reviews/great-left-bank-hotel

I asked the same question several months ago. Consensus was Rick has his preferred neighborhoods. As Dick said above: his books, his choices. The thread should help you. Based on Tocard’s recommendation I booked a room in Hotel de Clement in the 6th Arr. for 4 days in September.

Our go-to hotel(s) in the last several Paris stays, in the Left Bank, have been the Hotel Familia, or their next-door, slightly higher-priced sister Hotel Minerve. I can’t imagine that the Rue des Ecoles street, or neighborhood, are still anything other than ideal.

All these mentions of Hotel des Grandes Ecoles make me smile because I stayed there in the 1970s on my first trip to Europe. At the time, there were a couple budget rate rooms under the eaves in an attic. I thought it was perfect. I haven't stayed there since but I have walked by. Seems to still be a great location close to metro, restaurants, fresh produce market, etc. If RS is not recommending the neighborhood, maybe it will become less touristed.

Remember Rick's books are not a totally complete bible, he himself will tell you he favors certain areas and certain hotels. I found the Frommers Paris guide very useful last week, if you combine that writer's info and Rick's you will be able to plan a very good trip.

As noted, I just posted a rave for the Hotel Luxembourg Parc. Check it out.