Saint Germain-des-Pres hotel or Rue Cler?

Ann, What time of the year are you looking at going to Paris? Our family stayed in Rue Cler because it was cheaper, than other areas. I found the area to be okay. On our next trip to Paris we will stay in another location.

Thanks, Joel. It will either be July or August.

Saint Germaine area is the ideal location and would be my first choice. But we have never stayed there because we need a well priced hotel so the Latin Quarter or Rue Cler is where we stay. One hotel that seems to be well liked in SG is hotel Bonaparte but the price exceeds what we pay in the other areas-and these are nice hotels.

I agree that St. Germain-des-Pres is a great area but it is upscale and prices reflect that. I don't care for the rue Cler area. For lower priced hotels I would look in the Marais (4th arrondissement) or the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement) instead of rue Cler.

I returned from a trip to Paris last week and stayed in a hotel/hostel right off Boulevard St. Germain near Notre Dame. PERFECT location. Easy metro rides to other places, plenty of places to eat and great for people watching. I strolled along the Rue Cler and personally didn't see what the big deal was, (I didn't see much as far as shops and food that I couldn't find everywhere else in Paris) but I may have been there too early in the day to get the right vibe. In any case, I highly recommend the Latin Quarter. I was fortunate enough to find a great deal on a single room at a place called Hotel du Commerce, but it's probably not a place I'd recommend for a family. I was traveling solo as a young 20-something, so the "bare bones" of the place (no provided breakfast, shared showers, no maid service, no TV/poor wireless) was not a problem. Happy Travels!

In the St Germain area I've stayed at the Best Western 'Left-Bank-St Germain' Hotel that has A/C and some family rooms... it's right beside the Le Procope Restaurant and is about a 5 minute walk to Notre Dame. Lots of other restaurants in the area. Easy to book on the BW website.

For some reason, Rick sends people to the rue Cler area, but it's not central. I recommend the Marais. You can find hotels in your price range in Rick's book. It's fun and hip and you can walk easily to the Ile St. Louis (small romantic island behind Ile de la Cite) and then to Notre Dame and the Left Bank. Lots of variety in restaurants and museums too. Have fun!!

Anywhere but Rue Cler.

Thanks everyone for the great info. Does anyone know anything about these places? Hotel Millisime at 15 rue Jacob (6th arr), Hotel des Saints Peres, Hotel d'Angleterre, Hotel de Seine or Hotel des Deux Continents ?

I have stayed in the Rue Cler neighbor hood several times. I like it there and it IS convenient to transportation and the Eiffel Tower. I will stay there again when I return to Paris.
Some folks say it is overrun with RS folks with their blue books but I have never found that to be the case.

All of Paris has great transportation options. Rue Cler has no better transportation options than any other area.

Ann Another vote for Saint Germain. You can check on other Best Western hotels on their website and then do Trip Advisor to pick one. Best Westerns in Europe are much better than the ones in the US. Often in older buildings with modern interiors but great service, etc. As you probably already know, triples are harder to find. You just can't add another person in a double. Rooms are too small. Act quickly when you find something! Bobbie

Of all my trips to Paris, le Marais is my favorite to call home. Saint Germain and Rue Cler are too touristy. I stayed a block from Rue Cler a few months back and I guess I just don't get it. I have never heard that about le Marais. The metro makes everything central. I would also consider renting an apartment if you are there a few days. Your teen will appreciate it, and in the long run, so will your wallet.