Two Paris hotel choices

I personally prefer the Henri IV's more central location. Muguet is more on the outskirts of central Paris.

I've been to Paris 5 or 6 times but haven't stayed at either of those hotels. But my choice would be the Rive Gauche. Why?

• Location is key to me and the Rive Gauche is exactly where I like to be in Paris.
• The room size difference is significant. I would hesitate to book a 170 sf room for 2 people but for 3 that's just too small.

I hate the tall step in tubs too, but I think the other factors would outweigh that for me. Enjoy your first trip to Paris!

I often recommend the Henri IV when people ask. It gets very good reviews and it practically dead center of the city, being just across the river from Notre Dame.

I would also say that, unless your budget confines you to them, don’t eat in any of the restaurants across the street, along the rue de la Harpe and rue de la Huchette. There are much more charming restaurants with better offerings almost anywhere in the city.

Hôtel Muguet is one of my go-to hotels. I also like the walk in showers. The other hotel I like has tubs and I hate the "step-over" for them! The Muguet is women-owned - 3 generations are now involved with it. I like that there is always someone on the front desk and they notice everyone who walks in. It's the kind of hotel that you need to leave your key at the desk when you leave so they know who is in and who is out. The sheets and towels here are the nicest of any hotel I've stayed in. They also have very good towel heater so if you need to sink wash jeans they will dry in hours here instead of overnight.

I am very fond of Sergio, the staff member on the front desk Mon-Thurs. He is just awesome, speaks many languages (says he is taking night classes to learn Japanese but it's pretty hard, lol) and had good advice. Yes, he told me it was chilly out one morning and I needed a heavier jacket. I smiled and thought...I'm an Idaho gal, I'll be fine. Sadly I froze my bee-hind off sitting in the metal chairs in the Luxembourg Gardens and had to confess to him he was right, lol.

I'm not much of a breakfast eater but they have the usual fresh croissants, baguettes, some cold meat and cheese, scrambled eggs, I think perhaps hard boiled eggs, fruit, one of those wonderful fresh OJ squeezers and the typical hotel coffee machine. They do ask that you don't eat in your room.

There are a number of restaurants I like in the neighborhood. I first stayed in the area on a RS tour in 2014 and it feels comfortable to me. I can have a glass or two of wine for dinner (I'm a pretty light drinker!!) or a Saint-Germain spritz and still make it "home" with no problem, hahaha.

The Muguet is on a smaller side street so not a lot of traffic noise if you want to sleep with the windows open. There is good AC which you might need in June.

Many feel it's "too far" away from things but I use the Metro a lot. I also usually walk when I'm going to the Orsay and it's about a 28 minute walk.

I've had the smallest room in the hotel and I make it a point NOT to book the single because it is REALLY tiny. The other rooms I've had are a range. I actually had one one time that had a small love seat so was plenty big. I can't remember what category it was. Some of the rooms have a view of the Invalides Dome, some have a small view of the Eiffel Tower but you can't count on that.

Your choice as to what will work for you!

Henri 4 is more centrally located for first time Paris visit I’d say, I haven’t stayed there though. I do like Hotel Muguet and will be staying there again my next trip to Paris Jan 2027. Every thing Pam said is true. Very friendly, very quiet, very nice. I have a theory that you imprint like a baby duck on the first arrondissement you stay in on your first trip to Paris. I guess that’s only if you fall in love with the city, which I did. I’ve stayed in the 6th, the 13th and the 4th other trips but I’ve come back to the 7th because I like it best. Less hustle and bustle, wider sidewalks, just feels comfortable to me.

I hope you will love Paris like some of us do and come back and tell us all about your impressions.

Tipping points for Hotel Muget.

It’s an easy 5-10 minute stroll from the Metro at La Tour Maubourg. No cobblestones so wheeled bags are easy to navigate. Hotel is quiet. It’s professionally run with someone at the front desk 24/7. Windows used to open to let air in. Uncertain of that still the case. I would inquire.

Napoleons Tomb at the Invalides is 10 minutes away. Tower Effiel 20 minutes. The wonderful Rodin Museum is 10-15 minute amble.

The hotel has an elevator. It’s not huge ( think of the Cary Grant/Audrey Hepburn film Charade) but IMHO adds to the Hotel’s pluses. So are the walk in showers.

It's been more than 20 years, but the Muguet is a lovely hotel. But, I prefer the Latin Quarter, especially for first time visitors. You are within walking distance to so many sights.

And although HappyToBeHere is correct, that most of the restaurants on rue de la Harpe and rue de la Huchette should be avoided, consider making an exception for Hestia for a splurge dinner. It was one of the best meals of my April 2025 Paris stay.

A lot of informative thoughts shared, thank you. While the Latin Quarter location is very centrally located, I wonder about the crowds and touristy feel. We’ll be there for seven nights, so 6 full days to take it all in and maybe do a day trip somewhere close. Does the location of the Hotel Muguet allow for a bit more Paris neighborhood feel?

I would stay at Henry IV, hands down. It's so central that you can walk just about everywhere, and being right by the two islands is a huge plus as walking along the river around the islands has the most iconic and scenic views of Paris.

The Henry IV Rive Gauche was our go to when we still stayed in hotels although it is much more expensive now than it was then. I love the location and I love being able to look out my window at a charming old church. That would be my pick -- I have not stayed at the Muguet, but I prefer the location of the Henry IV. It is right around the corner from Shakespeare and Co if you have that interest and right across the river from Notre Dame. There is a pretty little park nearby.