Which hotel would you consider for Paris?

Stacy,, do this.

Enter the name of those hotels on your seach box,, and the word "reveiws". You will find many reviews( don't limit yourself to just Ricks Steves picks, please!)

I have never used a ta to help me find a hotel in Paris,, unless she has actually been to hotel herself,, there is nothing you can't find out yourself,, plus you will find some better places then she will know about! I have booked all my hotels myself using this method. I have stayed in at least 7 or 8 different ones. I have stayed alone, and alone with a child, as well as with friends.

tripadvisor.com has great forums too,, and I always look at their hotel reviews( plus a few other sites too).

Stacy,, when is trip? I can look up some of the places I have stayed at,, but prices do vary alot by season.

Ps.. just by the reviews I have already read on these places,, I would lean towards the Hotel Opera Cadet.. but the Hotel Nicolo looks good too. Do note,,they seem to be rather traditional small Parisian rooms,, which I don't mind at all,, but some North Americans find very shocking.

stacey,

I'd suggest at least checking the Guidebooks to get the names of some Hotels in various sections of Paris. Once you have the names and websites, you can start narrowing down the choice to those in the area you want to stay and in the price range you prefer. I usually have a look at the reviews on TripAdviisor as well.

The Rue Cler neighborhood is favoured by many of Rick's readers. I find it a very convenient area, as it's within walking distance to some of the main attractions (Eiffel Tower, Musee Rodin, Invalides, etc.). Walking to the Musee d'Orsay is possible, but it's a bit of a hike. Rue Cler is a bit "touristy" but has a good selection of ATM's, restaurants, small shops, laundry facilities and easy access to the Metro (Ecole Militaire).

I've stayed at the Grand Hotel Leveque in the past and would certainly recommend it. It's not luxurious but very comfortable and the staff are great! I'm not sure if they fit your price range, but you might also have a look at Hotel Duquesne Eiffel or the Hotel Muguet.

The France 2010 or Paris 2010 Guidebooks would be good investment, as there's LOTS of information there not only on Hotels but also the various Museums and other sites in Paris. You might check the website for the Paris Museum Pass as at least the two day version might be a good idea; it will at least minimize your time in queues.

Be sure to wear a Money Belt and be especially vigilant near the Eiffel Tower and in the Metro. Check the "Scams" section on the Graffiti Wall for info on the "bracelet scam" and others.

Good luck and happy travels!

Pat,
We will be going April 2-10. Thanks for your help. I really did not want to use a TA but with this being our first trip to Europe, I wanted someone else to guide us. I have spent two years reading this sight and following everyone’s advice and suggestions and I think I have over loaded myself with too many suggestions to the point that "I WANT IT ALL"! So, I need to walk away before it gets too late. The TA makes suggestions and I research RS's website for any pro's or Con's. Like Ken said, I need to narrow it down to the areas of interest.
I would love to take one of the RS tours, but my child would need to be 12. The family tour would be too overwhelming and not enough personal freedom.

stacey,

Since this is your first trip to Europe, it would be a good idea to have a look at the Guidebook Europe Through The Back Door before travelling. That will provide you with lots of information on things like language issues, currency, getting around in the cities and especially "rail skills".

If you need suggestions on how to get to Paris from CDG, also have a look at the parisbytrain.com website as that provides some great tips! Using the RER B from CDG to Gare du Nord (or one of the other major stations) is the method I prefer.

Cheers!

Stacy,, you do know that a TA will generally only suggest places that pay a commision to TA's.. you miss out on a lot of great places that way. Has this TA actually stayed at these places?

Thanks Ken. I asked the TA about the hotels that you mentioned and their company does not work with those hotels. This leaves me with the question, “Should I work without a TA?”. Her first choice was Hotel Concorde La Fayette, which was out of the question. I have read some positive things about the Opera Cadet. Thanks for the advice.
I have found that finding a hotel is my biggest hurdle.

Pat,
She said she stayed at Opera Cadet.

stacey,

Have a look at the website for the Grand Hotel Leveque. It will show availability and prices. You can easily make the booking yourself with a few clicks of the mouse.

If you need directions on how to get there, post another note.

Cheers!

OK, I think I will take the word of seasoned travelers and ditch the travel agent. Her cost for the Opera was $3324 (USD) for seven nights and she did not ask me if I had a preference for where I wanted to stay nor airline. Now I need to let her know I am not interest in her help. I check Leveque and there is availability and cost half what she is asking. Thanks for all your help. I will be asking other questions as the time gets near and the reading material gets over whelming.

At the current exchange rate, your travel agent was charging you about 330 Euros/night

If you book directly with the Opera Cadet, the rack rate is only 240 Euros/night with a special that would lower some of those nights to 150 Euro.

Ditch the travel agent and fast.

Stacey, please don't over-think this. Go to the Hotel Leveque website and make your reservation. This is a great place for new travelers; it's "training wheels for Americans," to characterize the hotel and rue Cler. The staff at the hotel speak fluent English. If still in doubt, make a phone call to the hotel. I've stayed at H. Leveque many times and still feel more at-home there than anywhere else in Paris. The street is still plenty French. A large percentage of guests at the Leveque are American and Canadian.

Thanks for all your help. Some of you have suggested (to others)about an apartment. Is that something we should try or just stay with the hotel suggestions? Thanks.

I have stayed in a hotel in the Rue Cler area (1st trip) and in an apartment in the Latin Quarter - 5th arr. (2nd trip). The hotel was fine and the area nice, but I loved staying in the apartment and being in the 5th. It was very well located. Hotel rooms are very small. Do not think of them by American standards. It was nice for the 3 of us to have room to spread out in the apartment.

If you would like information about the one bedroom apartment I rented you can PM me. It is in your price range and you pay in USD, not euros. The owners live here. Someone met us, showed us around the apartment and was available for any problems, although we didn't have any. There was a washer & dryer too and free phone calls to many countries, including the US.

I hope you have a fantastic trip. We were there a year ago. NYE in Paris was something we will never forget! I miss Paris soooo much!!!!

If you plan to stay in Paris for a week I would suggest an apartment. Look at vacationinparis.com. They are based in New Jersey and you pay in USD. They have lots of apts to choose from in a range of prices and locations. St Germaine is, IMO, a very desirable location but a bit more costly. We stayed in the Marais on the last trip and would stay there again.

Our stay is for one week and if the rooms are small, we may need the room to spread out. Thanks.

I would second the recommendation for getting an apt. You have more room to relax without the intrusion of maid service daily. We like having a kitchen available for breakfast & snacks. Besides vacationinparis.com I would also recommend looking on holiday-rentals.co.uk

I, personally, am a big fan of the Trip Advisor site.
Google 'Paris Hotels Trip Advisor' and check out the recommendations.

I think it really depends on what you;re looking for. We're going to Paris in April, & I choose a hotel. Convienance, having someone to clean up, breakfast already done, etc...those things were important to me. But I think if you really want to get into the culture & live the life of a Parisian (if only for 7 days) then an apartment would be my choice.

I tried to use a TA as well, & all I got were super expensive, super american hotels...I ditched her

GOOD luck!

Chris