Location/Hotel for first time visit to Paris

Both look like very nice hotels in good neighbourhoods.
Do be aware that rooms in Paris tend to be small, and in both the standard rooms are only 18 sq m, so you will need to book superior (more expensive) rooms for more space.

Welcome to the Forums!

I don't know either of the two hotels but after many trips to Paris I can say that 28-30 metres square is huge in Paris.

I am very happy if I get 20 or 22, and many Paris hotel rooms are under 20.

I hope you have a great trip with your niece - and come back here with your questions - we have many people here with loads of experience and we have folks who live in and around Paris.

I am considering the Deluxe size rooms in either hotel which advertise as 28 sq m assuming they are truthful and accurate in their web site descriptions. I realize they are a bit more expensive but need the added space if possible.

Lots of hotel choices in Paris. Your "reasonable" room size is huge by Paris standards.

If you want to walk to most sights, I would look for a hotel within a 15 to 20 minute walk of the Seine. If you provide a nightly budget in Euros and any other must haves, we could give better alternatives.

Monsieur Cadet approximate walking time

• Notre Dame 40 minutes
• Louvre 25 minutes
• Musee d'Orsay 35 minutes

Hotel Rochester approximate walking time

• Notre Dame 60 minutes
• Louvre 35 minutes
• Musee d'Orsay 30 minutes

Almost anywhere in Paris is safe to walk at night.

Have you ruled out staying in the very center of Paris? If you stay on Ile St. Louis, you'll be right in the heart of Paris and about as centrally located as can be. It's right behind Notre Dame, a metro stop is close by, and there are several places to eat on the main street.

There are a number of hotels on the island. We've stayed at Hotel des Deux-Iles and were very pleased. They also have a sister hotel on the island.

If you decide to stay on the island, we can tell you about a several places to eat.

Ile St Louis as noted great location, you can choose to visit either bank. I also don't think of Paris as being all that large, tourist-wise at least, most things are close to most other things. And there's the Metro.

I spent 6 nights in Paris with my (15 & 18 year old) daughters last June, and remember agonizing over the decision of where to stay!

Based on Rick's and various internet recommendations, I focused my search in the 1st and 4th to 7th arrondissements. We ended up staying in the 6th at the Millesime Hotel, and were very happy with (the hotel and) our 15-18 minute walking times to the sites jeanm mentioned, along with our transport options to sites further afield.

Our group of 3 stayed in a 35 sq m suite; with just 2, I would have been equally happy with 2/3 that space.

We'll be returning to Paris for 1-2 nights next summer (at the tail end of a road trip from Bordeaux), and plan to stay in the 4th to visit Le Marais and (re-visit) Notre-Dame de Paris.

Good luck with your search, and enjoy your trip!

I think that you should make a list of what you plan to do during your week in Paris and use Google maps to see how walkable these sights are from your current hotel options. I know nothing about the Hotel Rochester other than its location and would not choose to stay there. It's just not close enough to the major sights for walking to them. I love Monsieur Cadet Hotel for a bunch of reasons (decor, the piano bar, the spa, the location) but I would not choose it for a first visit to Paris. Both your choices are too far IMO from the main attractions for a person who wants to "walk as much as possible." Instead you will be taking the metro to every major sight, which is fine but not what I think you want to do. There is a reason why the tourist heavy areas of Le Marais, the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain are popular: it's because you can actually walk to a lot of sights from those areas. I second the suggestion of the Hotel Millesime and also suggest Hotel Odeon Saint Germain and Hotel Da Vinci.

Spent a week in Paris end of August. Stayed at the Fauchon Hotel in the 8th and our deluxe rooms were 30sqm. Rooms were modern with good aircon and lifts (elevators). We were a group of 3 -all of us mid to late 60s and were able to walk everywhere in Paris, including the Notre Dame from the hotel. The 8th is not everyone’s first choice, but we were happy with the location. Had no need to use the metro, but a taxi once, only because it was raining. We stayed in the 9th two years ago and found the local restaurants inexpensive and not as crowded as other areas. Everyone has their own preferences about where to say when it comes to Paris. Good luck

I stayed with my 20 year old niece in a twin room at Hotel Albe St. Michel in the Latin Quarter, about one block from Seine and three blocks from Notre Dame. The room was about half your desired size, and that seemed big for a hotel room in Paris. It was cozy but perfectly fine. If you want more space you might consider an apartment or aparthotel. We were out late several nights and always felt safe. I recommend using CityMapper app on your phone for navigation, it was extremely helpful especially in metro stations with multiple entrances and exits.

My husband and I are currently staying in an apartment with Guest Apartment Services on Île Saint-Louis. It is centrally located to Notre Dame and many other desirable sights. There are a number of restaurants, Metros, Berthillon locations, etc. The apartment is only 240 Euros per night with the additional city taxes per person. It has a large bedroom with a king bed, a curtained alcove with a double bed off the living room/dining room, a washing machine and WC separate from the bathroom. The minimum stay is seven nights. It is very quiet as it is in a courtyard.

Just googled the Hotel Rochester and remembering walking past it a couple of times. It looked very nice and is close to the metro. There is a large Monoprix in the same street and some nice bakeries very close as well. If you are a Starbucks fan, there is around the corner. It is a five minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe and 20 minute walk to the Eiffel Tower. Depending on your fitness level you could easily walk to Notre Dame etc