only two days in Paris and need some advice

Try for the Hotel Jeanne-d'Arc, a 2-star boutique hotel in the Marais - a great, friendly, scenic and central neighborhood. I know the hotel has a website. But book soon - it's a very popular hotel ... and probably less than $150.

First, you want to get right in the middle. You will not ride the metro all over the place, since if your're in the middle you can walk anywhere in short order.

The Leveque is way the heck and gone down by the Eiffel Tower, if you stay there you will ride the metro to death -- it's a good forty-five minute walk to Notre Dame. The Marais is better, but that area is a bit to the east of center.

The Latin Quarter makes perfect sense. You can walk absolutely everywhere, but probably would want to take the metro to get to the ET since it's a forty-five minute walk as stated previouslyl.

The Cluny-Sorbonne is right on the NW corner of the university. You'll probably duck in a bit under $150.

I know of no objectionable part of the city.

Hotel Jeanne D'Arc, which Dale recommends, was rated the NY Times 10 best hotels in Paris for under $150.00. I'd definitely try for that one if I were you.

Here's the link to the article: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/travel/hotparis.html?em

My favorite is on Ile Saint Louis, my favorite area, but it's more than your budget.

If you are looking for a single room you should be able to find good rooms for $150 (about 105-110 EU at today's exchange rate). I've stayed in single rooms in Paris for much less than that. Hotels mentioned by others here are all good; the Rick Steves Paris book has more. The Marais (Jeanne d'Arc) or Latin Quarter are good areas for walking. I have stayed at Hotel de Turenne and Hotel Leveque in the rue Cler area. The Metro will whisk you around to places too far to walk to. I wouldn't stay near the Gare du Nord except for overnight convenience.

Hi Jill,

I went to Paris solo in October 2009 and I rented an apartment on www.vrbo.com and it was fantastic. I was able to save money by buying my own food most of the time and live like a real Parisian. PLUS...you can barter over the rent!!! You can email them and I always get them to lower their price. :-D

I wouldn't stay in Pigalle in Montmartre. I ran into some English speakers on the Metro and they didn't do their research before leaving and were terrified of all the hookers at night. LOL!

My apartment was in the 15th arrondissement and it was wonderful and totally Parisian. Very quiet & lovely and very safe. I wasn't afraid at all coming home late alone. I'm going back in April and rented an apartment in the 11th arrondissement. It is also nice.

Have a great time and don't forget to greet each proprietor with a "Bonjour" and a smile if you want decent service. It is considered rude to just walk into a shop and state what you want.

Have a lovely time!
Janice L.
Alhambra, CA

Thank you all for the advice. I am still taking more recommendations. I had already checked Jeanne d'Arc, and of course they are full. :(

Did you check all the hotels on the NY Times list? They all sound really good. Are they all booked?