Paris Hotel: Hotel Leveque or Hotel Eugenie?

Brenda,, I have been on a RS tour that ended in Paris, we did not stay in the 7th(Rue Cler area)( we stayed at the Hotel Royal in the 14th) and my friend has also taken a RS tour thats hotel was not in the Rue Cler area either ( it was in the 11th!) , so please, do not limit yourself to that area. The tours hotels were all good and in great areas( I had done the 14 day Europe tour) so obviously Rick and his company finds that there are many decent areas to stay in as they would not have put us in a bad area right?" Rick advises people to "find their own back doors" not be a slave to all his recommendations. I have stayed at the Eugenie and the area is wonderful, and the rooms are clean etc, but I will not say they are charming decor, practical and serviceable would be more fair to say. I prefer a nice area over decor myself, but there are a few other hotels I have stayed at that may fit your bill for GREAT locations and a bit more "charming decor". Look at Hotel Diana in the 5th, I have booked there myself this summer. In dozens of visits to Paris I have stayed in many hotels, and all were clean, good areas, good prices, and none were in Rue Cler area. That is not a slam against Rue Cler, but please, there are market streets everywhere, parks, etc, you do not have to limit yourself. Ricks tours don't,, they sometimes stay in 7th and other times do not.

As pat says, you do not have to limit yourself to Rick's recommendations. My first trip to Paris I stayed on Rue Cler because Rick did recommend it. It is a very nice area for sure, but in my opinion it is not centrally located to most tourist sites. If you are looking for an area with a lot of Americans you will find it there. My following trips I rented apartments in the Latin Quarter. It is a much more lively area and close enough to many sites to be able to walk. There are more metro stops too. I would say that staying in the 4th, 5th and 6th arrondissements are the most central areas. Try to stay close to the river. Check Trip Advisor for hotels. Paris has many nice places and Rick can only recommend a few. Ask yourself how much time you plan to spend in your room vs. out and about. As long as the place I'm staying is clean, quiet and well located I am happy.

We stayed at Hotel Leveque on our first trip to Paris. Hotel is nice but rooms can be small. Found the area to be quiet at night which is good for sleeping but not for night life. On our last trip we stayed at Hotel Bretonnerie in the Marais. Much more of a neighborhood feel and much more accessible for transportation both within Paris and to/from the airport.

I agree that there is a reassuring, sorority-like vibe to Rue Cler, and if this is your first visit to Paris, you may find that comforting. But honestly, do you want to find Americans with Rick's book at every table around you? We found the Leveque cramped, sweaty, and noisy, and won't stay there again. The neighborhood is attractive, but Paris is full of attractive neighborhoods, many more interesting than Rue Cler. If it's not your first visit, you must know that there are legions of smaller hotels in Paris, many of which are friendly and comfortable. I've found that TripAdvisor is a fairly reliable way to find them. That's how we found Louvre Sainte-Anne, which we've used twice. It's in a much more tourist-useful neighborhood (Metro Pyramides, steps to the Garnier and the CDG Bus, steps to the BNP ATM (Bank of America...), 8 minutes to the Louvre), but is so small that the staff is really nice and welcoming to Americans. It does fill up quickly, and is closer to 160 Euros than the range you gave. But it is better air-conditioned (!!) than many name-brand hotels (individual split units under your control), and has very new bathrooms. Additional hint: I think Rick explains the "star" system in France, and how it much more reliable than the term is used here. Understand it, and use it as a rough guide to the level of hotel you want.

We decided to book Hotel Eugenie for its great location... Now does anyone have restaurant recommendations for the Latin Quarter near Hotel Eugenie or a restaurant near thhe Arc de Truimphe/Eiffel Tower or the Orsay/Louve (where we might be in the evenings) that they enjoyed and had many options for less than 20 Euros per diner?

Cafe Med, on Ile St. Louis (the little island east of Notre Dame), is really good and less than 20 euro for a 3 course dinner.

Hi Brenda - I'm in the same predicament as you are for our trip to Paris this summer. After reading countless reviews, I've booked rooms for us at both Hotel Diana and Hotel Eugenie and I'm trying to decide which one to keep, which to cancel. We'll be there at the end of August for 5 nights and we're concerned about having A/C & an elevator, as well as location. Hotel Eugenie (2) is more affordable, seems to be much better located to the things we are planning this trip, and gets great reviews on Trip Advisor. Booked a twin bed room for 130Euros/nite. On the other hand: Hotel Diana (also 2) is in a good location too (nearer Sorbonne & Cluby) also gets great reviews, but is further from Notre Dame and Isle de La Cite etc. I booked a Superior room for 160Euros/nite. Decisions, Decisons! Our last trip to Paris in 2007 we stayed at Hotel Du Lys (2** on Rue Serpente) just 2 or 3 blocks from Hotel Eugenie. Du Lys was fine but old, worn & tired but in a great area, front desk not very helpful. Not staying there this trip as they have no A/C and no elevator which are mandatory for us (especially in summer). When are you going? If before August 18 would you please let me know your experience at Hotel Eugenie on your return? Thanks and Bon Voyage!!!