family trip to paris

You could just google "hostel paris" With a little shopping around, you might find an apartment for the same price. Ours worked out to $160/day or $32/day/pperson. But that was for a week...

Hostels can be rather iffy. Good to be getting recommendations.
Check out Rick's suggested Paris hotels (some very nice and thrifty); the Rue Cler area is great because it is a village within the city - cafes, shopping, weekend markets, grocery stores - all within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and the Siene (boatrides). Our kids enjoyed it and often wondered around on their own.

While hostels can be awsome, if it is in your budget, I'd suggest a real hotel. The place we always stay has very affordable family rooms, is in a delightful neighborhood, is about a 5 minute walk from Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower, and has grocery stores nearby. With teenagers - I assume yours can hoover up the food, like most - it's nice to have a place for inexpensive eats as an alternative to eating out. So without further ado, I recommend l'Hotel Hameau de Passy, at 48 rue de Passy. http://www.paris-hotel-hameaudepassy.com Their "quadrupal" rooms start at 71 Euros a night, which is pretty amazing for Paris. The staff is lovely, and the hotel itself couldn't be cuter - or quieter. The last time my husband and I tried a hostel we FLED to the Hameau after on night. I am not a flinch-y sort of traveler, but I need a clean-ish room, and the place we chose was... kinda ratty. For very little for cash, we had a super clean room at l'Hotel Hameau, and a home base in a delightful neighborhood.

Hostel, schmostel. Just don't do it. http://www.hotel-marignan.com/html/p1_a.htm Nice neighborhood, inexpensive, close to the biggies.

If you are willing to try something other than a hostel, I would suggest an apartment. More space for you, a kitchen for (at least) snacks & quick breakfast, much quieter. I've used www.vrbo.com, you can search by area of Paris. I like the Latin Quarter.

In 2007 we spent 3 nights in Paris with our 15 year old daughter and 13 year old son. I found an excellent apartment for rent on line. It was near a metro station, making it simple to get around. There were boulangeries nearby for groceries so we were able to have breakfasts and one supper in our apartment, which helped on costs. If you want to see a few photos, take a look at our travel blog or send a personal message. http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/foothills_bears/1/1183566101/tpod.html

We stayed in an apartment also with our kids and it worked out great! You have more room, you experience life as a local and it can be cheaper! i can't remember which rental agency we used, it might of been www.homeaway.com. Google Paris vacation rentals

We just got back from Paris where we stayed in an apartment for a week - it was great and I think the space you'll get in the apartment would be great for traveling with teenagers!

I just checked out the hotel l'Hotel Hameau de Passy as someone suggested it. Your quote of €71 is a bit low, as the cheapest quad room in May is €205.

If you are considering a hostel, you might want to look into the Hotel Esmeralda in Paris. Ask for a room with views of Notre Dame. Great location for walking to many things. Don't expect modern. It gets mixed reviews of Tripadvisor, so read about it and look at photos to see if it would be some place you would like. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d235558-Reviews-Hotel_Esmeralda-Paris_Ile_de_France.html The hotel's direct website is - http://www.hotel-esmeralda.fr/?lg=en ... You need to book directly from them. To read more about it check out - http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/hotel/hotel-esmeralda.html