paris hotel recommendations for 25th anniversary

If it were my 25th wedding anniversary (which it will be in a couple of years) I would pry my nose out of the RS Paris book and look around for something a little fancier/more romantic! Rick seems like a delightful man, and he does know his stuff - but let's just say that "romantic hideaway" doesn't seem to be in his wheelhouse. Looking for excellent location and a great, cheap-n-cheerful price? Our man Rick will not steer you wrong. But I'd get other suggestions for a special occasion. :-)

Believe it or not (sorry, do not mean to be snarky) there are lovely hotels in Paris that Rick neither stays at nor recommends. We always stay at a fantastic little 2-star hotel in the Passy neighborhood that I am sure Rick's never heard of - and it is PERFECT.

But I won't recommend it for a 25th anniversary blow-out. I just checked TripAdvisor, and Hotel de Latour Maubourg seems fabulous! Can't beat the location, the rooms look lovely, it gets amazing reviews, and the prices look do-able.

Good luck finding someplace perfect - and happy anniversary!!!

I agree with the above reply....for a lovely romantic and easy-to-find-your-way-back-to hotel in the Latin quarter, there is a small 12-room Hotel Residence Henri IV, at the end of the road that goes behind Notre Dame. There are many restaurants in the neighborhood; we had a two-room suite with a microwave, stove, fridge and tiny balcony. Cost two years ago was $325 per night, but sitting on the balcony and watching the people on the street below, we felt that we lived there! They speak English and are very responsive to email. Good luck!

I agree with the previous poster that the RS hotels are really not appropriate for an anniversary trip! A little too budget minded for that!
We love the Hotel du Pantheon! It faces the Pantheon and is just up the street from Luxembourg Gardens. Small, very pretty boutique hotel with a lovely staff and beautiful little rooms. The metro is just at the bottom of the road, about two blocks down, and there are lots of nice little cafes in the neighborhood. Easy walk to the Seine and everything in the central section of the city.
They recently underwent a full renovation and we haven't stayed there since but are really looking forward to it next time we're in town! From their website it looks like they have spent a lot of time and $$$ to make it unique and beautiful.
http://www.hoteldupantheon.com/en/

I totally agree with all other posters.. I wouldn't stay in a RS hotel myself.. and I have taken a RS tour and loved the hotels we stayed in , but no , romantic they were not.. and funnily.. the one we stayed at in Paris is not in his guide book or in the area he pushes so hard ( 7th).

I will suggest you are going at super busy time.. so book sooner rather then later. I book hotels with good cancellation policies.. never pre pay.. and that way if I find something better in coming months I can switch.. and still have a bird in the hand so to speak.

You haven't mentioned budget . . so I am at a bit of a loss. but will assume under 150 euros a night or so ?

I guess my big thing would be to get a hotel in a romantic area and convenient area. I prefer the 4th, 5th and 6th for first timers. Walk to many sites etc.. cute narrow streets etc.

I will say out of hotels you mentioned I vote for your hubbys choice.. Hotel Latour Maubourg.

As I said, June is super high and super busy season . One thing to consider, if you are in Paris on June 21st they have an amazing music festivale all over the city.. the Fete Musical.. there are bands and groups performing all over.. on the streets, in concert halls and parks.. street performers and pros.. lots of fun.

Also you could consider an apartment.. I know one that would be romantic and cheaper then a hotel .. in a great area. Its likely gone though.. but you can try looking.

VRBO 30505.. the owner also rents it through Parisbestlodge.. and I met and rented from him.. great guy , keeps his places clean and pictures ARE what you get.. I viewed three of his units... all clean and well kept and his english is perfect and he is a lovely man,, his name is Thierry.

Another hotel to look at but a bit pricey for me was the Hotel Aubusson..

My suggestion is an apartment for so many reasons. I don't know why Pat is saying they are all booked up for June 2014??? Maybe the one she stayed in is booked?? It is just not accurate. I am happy to share the names of the agencies that I use. They still have beautiful, affordable convenient locations. Send me a PM and I will share.

Happy Travels and Congrats on your 25th!!

Congrats - what a great way to celebrate your 25th! My husband and I have done four "by ourselves" trips to Paris while our kids are growing up - nothing like getting away where no one is calling you "mom" and "dad" for a few days.

When we went for my 40th a few years ago, I asked people for a romantic, charming pick and two unrelated friends named this one: Hotel D'Aubusson. We stayed five nights and I remember it to this day. Ahhhh

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d194308-Reviews-Hotel_d_Aubusson-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

CAVEAT: I have no idea whatsoever what the price is now...I loved this hotel, as well as the charm of the neighborhood. I thought it was worth what we paid at the time (Paris is not cheap) although I would put it in the "splurge" category.

Best wishes and happy travels.

Debi.. relax . reread my post.. I did not say all apartments were booked,, I said the ones I suggested may be as the owner and agency was referred to only has a few apartments and they go fast (Parisbestlodge has an excellant reputation) and June is a busy month. I booked in january for a July apartment and had only one available option and one available week suggested to me.

My posts are usually not "inaccurate" if I am not sure of something I will usually say so, and I made no definate statement.. I said the apartments may be booked up. and hotels are busy in June,, both statements are accurate. Do you have an motive Debi?

Maria,

My position is a bit different than the others on this point. In the same situation, I'd just be looking for a nice hotel for the occasion, and some in the Guidebook would certainly fit the bill including the ones you mentioned. A couple of others you could look at are Hotel du Cadran and Hotel Duquesne Eiffel which are both in the same general area. As with most of us here, price will likely be a consderation.

Congratulations on your anniversary!

A resounding plus 1 for the first response. The best of your choices to celebrate this wonderful occasion is the Hotel de la Tour Maubourg. It has a great location and is lovely and, with only about 17 rooms, very personal. I would do more research before deciding. You have a good budget if you are thinking of getting a double superior room in June so maybe Hotel Le Petit Paris or Luxembourg Parc may be in your budget. Either would be terrific for a special trip. Congratulations on your anniversary and no matter where you stay, have a great time.

Pat, relax, you re-read my post. I said maybe the agency-apartment that you use is booked. It is one of those agencies that doesn't have a whole lot of apartments. I have seen you make this statement before. The fact is that there still are many lovely, affordable apartments that this couple could rent. It is great to give advice and opinions but facts are facts. I have nothing against anyone on this site, really.

Happy Travels!

"I don't know why Pat is saying they are all booked " "Its just not accurate"

Debi.. I did not say that. Simple.

Wow Pat, I said maybe you were referring to the place YOU stayed at!! If you want to continue this back and forth, let's do it through PM. We don't need to bore others with it, really.

Debi needs to read her initial post of 26/12 4:50 pm. She will see that Pat is correct and on the side of the angels on this one. Peace and good will.

Guess you do debi since you haven't deleted or edited your inaccurate post and continue to add more posts. I haven't put down others suggestions but you certainly took my post to task. If you wish to continue this.. and I personally do not ,, then fine. but there is no point since you are simply going to insist your post was fine and I am simply going to continue to point out it was inaccurate which I think is fair when one is being accused of posting things that "are not accurate".

Read what I said Norma, I said "Maybe the hotel she stayed in is booked."
I stand by what I said, there are tons of apartments available to rent in June 2014.
Maybe not the specific one Pat stayed in. Gosh this is really silly.
This is why I stay away from this forum. It's so important for some people to be right rather than accurate.

Debi ,, ironic you say that.. lol

Personally think this is getting off topic and not helping the original poster. We have always stayed in hotels in Paris but in apartments in other cities, depends on what the poster is comfortable with.

Hi everyone,

I am so very appreciative to all of you for taking the time to answer my post. You really have given my husband and I some great insight into different options as well as "thinking outside the box" when it comes to Rick's fabulous guide. I think that we will take your advice and consider options not in the book for a more romantic place to stay, but follow most other recommendations with regard to best times, routes, etc. We are so very excited at the prospect of Paris for our 25th (time really flew, it seems like just yesterday that we said "I do!") and I am especially excited about finally visiting Versailles! Again, thank you all for your kindness in replying and your willingness to share your insights with us. Take care!

Maria ()"o)

Maria,

"and I am especially excited about finally visiting Versailles!"

Try not to visit Versailles on a Tuesday, as it won't be a pleasant experience getting into the Chateau. I believe it's closed on Monday, so any other day should be fine.

I can't think of a better place to celebrate an anniversary than Paris! It's my favorite place. I LOVE staying in hotels and I enjoyed renting and staying in two apts in Paris, but I'd recommend a hotel vs an apt for a first time visitor.

TripAdvisor is a very good resource for finding hotels. Much better than a guidebook.

My favorite neighborhood in Paris is Ile St. Louis, the little island east of Notre Dame in the 4th arrondissement. It's very romantic. Surrounded by the river and beautiful views. It's like a little village unto itself in the very center of Paris within easy walking distance of so many places you'll want to see.

My 3 favorite hotels in Paris, all on Ile St. Louis, are: Hotel Saint Louis en l'Isle, Hotel de Lutece and Hotel des Deux Iles. All very romantic.

Other good hotels for an anniversary that I've stayed at are Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, Hotel St. Jacques, Hotel des Grands Hommes, and Hotel du Pantheon

Enjoy!

OOO...since you mentioned Versailles I would love to share one of my favorite things to do there! If you walk out the back of the palace, down the stairs and through the gardens toward the Grand Canal, going to the right of the water, there is a little bike rental place. It is WONDERFUL to rent bikes and really see the grounds! They are extensive and include beautiful collonades of trees, wheat fields, open pastureland, and hidden statues and bodies of water. It saves a ton of time if you are also interested in seeing the Petite Hameau, Trianon or any of the other places of note around the grounds. It takes forever to walk to see these things so consider biking! June will be a beautiful time to ride!

Totally agree with Anita, my favorite thing to do too! Riding a bike everywhere, stopping wherever you'd like... so fun.

Hi Maria,
Have you considered renting an apartment? We have had good luck with All-Paris-Apartments.com each time that we have stayed in Paris. VRBO.com and homeaway.com are great too. It gives us lots of room and usually for less than the price of a hotel. Happy Anniversary!

I'd recommend the hotel that we stayed at in Paris on our last trip: the Hotel Saint Louis en l'Isle which is located on the Isle Saint Louis - just a pedestrian bridge walk away from the Notre Dame and minutes away from The Latin Quarter and the banks of the Seine River. It is not only a romantic hotel with beautiful stone floored rooms, large beds, and views looking out onto the sophisticated Rue Saint Louis (known for ice cream shops, creperies, and clothing boutiques), but it is located in an incredible location in old historic Paris. I've stayed in the past in more budget locations closer to the Eifel Tower, but this was a really enjoyable experience that encourages short walks to Notre Dame, exploring the Latin Quarter, and stumbling across the bridge with the locks to find Shakespeare and Company. The staff are very helpful and they picked us up at the airport to provide a stress free entry and exit into Paris. I highly recommend this hotel for a special occasion. And congratulations on your anniversary!