hotel in Paris

Hi Rachelle, My favorite area to stay is the 4th, 5th or 6th arrondissement which is the heart of Paris. I love being near the river, so my all time favorite neighborhood is Ile St. Louis which is the little island in the center of Paris next to the island where Notre Dame is. Ile St. Louis is like a charming little village surrounded by the Seine and beautiful views. Here's what I wrote for someone else in another thread: Good budget hotels in Paris... I've only stayed at this first one: Hotel de l'Avre. We stayed there for 6 wks and were very happy. Hotel de l'Avre has a wonderful owner and staff, nice clean rooms/bathrooms, a lovely garden and a nice French breakfast. It's a cheerful hotel located in the 15th arrondissement, 3 long blocks from the Eiffel Tower. It's next to a very good Metro station where 3 major lines intersect, an outdoor market and a good Monoprix that has a wonderful grocery store. Hotel Jeanne d'Arc (in the 4th), Hotel Diana (5th), Hotel Eugenie (6th), Hotel St. Pierre (6th) and Hotel College du France (5th) (these last 4 are recommended by another regular poster whom I trust). Less budget but not real expensive (it's subjective and I don't know what your budget is): Hotel des Grandes Ecoles (nice garden), Hotel St. Jacques, Hotel du Pantheon, Hotel des Grands Hommes (all in the 5th). And my favorite hotels of all, in my favorite neighborhood of all (Ile St. Louis): Hotel Saint Louis en l'Isle, Hotel de Lutece and Hotel des Deux Iles

I agree with Susan that the 4th, 5th & 6th arrondissements are the most central places to stay, and the closer to the river the better. I would trust any of her hotel recommendations. I've only stayed in apartments in the 5th so I can't recommend any hotels.

What is your budget.. in euros. A four star hotel may start at 500 euros or more a night.. at least 3 or 4 hundred euros A nice three star should be fine for most unless you really want and can afford a four star.

I agree with Susan's neighborhood advice. For more detailed descriptions, try this: http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/hoods/. For a first visit, I think it's worth paying extra to stay more centrally (the 4th, 5th, or 6th, and near the Seine, as Susan recommends). Be aware that star ratings in France have to do only with amenities. A dirty hotel with tiny rooms and nasty staff, but with an elevator and room service, will get a higher star rating than a lovely place with no restaurant and only stairs. So, it's better to focus on the amenities you need or want rather than the star rating.

Rachelle, I usually prefer staying in the 7th on Rue Cler (near the Eiffel Tower), which I did again a few weeks ago. While it may not be as "central" as some other locations, it's a great area and has lots of nice restaurants, hotels, shops and easy Metro access via the Ecole Militaire stop. Some of the hotels you could look at in that area..... > Hotel Duquesne Eiffel (great rooms, wonderful staff) > Hotel du Cadran (somewhat "upscale", including a decadent chocolate bar in the lobby) > Hotel Muguet (very highly rated on Trip Advisor) Bon Voyage!

Susan speaks the truth, again. I'd add my own plug for the Hotel des Grandes Ecoles in the 5th, very pleasant, well run, well located. I also stayed in the Hotel St-Jacques nearby but it was 50 years ago, I think it's gotten more expensive than the $2 a night I paid! Just "revisited" it watching "Charade" after many years. Closer to the river saves time getting to your sightseeing targets, left bank is more "central" than right because of the river bending. But don't get too picky about location, the metro will take you anywhere quickly and easily as long as you can do stairs. Little places on quieter streets make for easier sleeping than big places on big streets. There are hundreds of good hotels in Paris, some listed in guidebooks, some recommended by these posters, some you might discover for yourself on a future trip. Have fun!

I personnally always advice people who've never been to Paris to stay in central areas like le Marais, and a perfect hotel for you would be the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais in the 4th arrondissement : http://www.petitfute.uk.com/accommodation/hotel/hotel-caron-de-beaumarchais/e-21614.html otherwise you could stay in the Latin Quarter, at hotel du Levant : http://www.petitfute.uk.com/accommodation/hotel/hotel-du-levant/e-21657.html

Since you have a week in Paris, you might try renting an apartment rather than using a hotel. You'll definitely spend less and might enjoy it more. You're guaranteed to have more space, and they are often available in terrific locations. I did a quick search for apartments in the 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissements on Paris Attitude (there are many good sites) for studio or one BR apartments with an upper price of 1200 euros and available Oct 5-12 and got 20+ results starting at 715 euros for the week. Hotel rooms in Paris are notoriously tiny and I enjoy the space and convenience of a flat. Just a thought.

Renting an apartment as a first time visitor to Paris is not what I would recommend. When you are travelling alone a small hotel room is not such a big deal and as someone "not at all familiar with Paris", you will find having front desk personnel to answer questions, provide a map and call a taxi when you need one, invaluable. tomsguidetoparis.com will be helpful I think.