Paris in May

We stayed un the Londres Eifel. In August this was quite reasonable, but may be pricey at other times. I cost is no object, a memorable birthday dinner would be a dinner cruise on the Seine. Not cheap, but for a once in a lifetime treat it is one not to be forgotten

How long will you be there? It may be more affordable to rent an apartment if you are there long enough. Hotel rooms are very small and there would be room for both of you to have some "space" in an apartment. As for transportation, Paris is very walkable. The metro is very easy to use and has many stops. Our first trip to Paris we bought 5 day passes on the batobus (a boat-bus) that was a lot of fun. It has stops all along both sides of the river and is near almost everything except Monmartre. Have a great time.

We will be in Paris for 7 nights. I am having a tough time trying to find a hotel that is charming and very clean clean clean. How do I figure out how to fing an apartment that is the same and accessable to the major attractions. I found a hotel that seems to have numerous favorable reviews. It is the K & K Hotel Cay???.

Thanks for the info on the waterbus.

Karen,

In order to provide Hotel recommendations, it would help to know what price range you're considering? Paris Hotels are rated with a "star" system which I believe is determined by their facilities and cost. A two or three star might be perfectly adequate for your visit. It's difficult for any of us here to recommend something based on your criteria of "very clean, clean, clean", as we may all have different opinions on that.

Some Hotels you might have a look at are the Hotel du Champs de Mars, Hotel Duquesne Eiffel or Hotel Muguet.

Cheers!

We had a great time on a Segway tour of Paris. Check out Fat Tire Bicycle Co. They have bike tours as well. It's a way to see the main monuments on both sides of the Seine with an English speaking (probably American college student) guide. Have a wonderful trip.

A dinner cruise would be nice, but if you don't want to spend quite that much just a regular cruise is not too expensive. I'm thinking 10 euros or so... I like to take the cruise right around dusk so you can see the cruise in light on the way out and then Paris is all lit up on the way back.

Hello Karen

I just took my 12 yr old DD to Paris last summer. She enjoyed the "usuals" , climbing the Tower at Notre Dame, going up the Eiffel Tower, up the Arc De Triomphe,St Chapelle and of the Musuems we saw( Louvre, Orsay and Cluny) she enjoyed the Orsay the most.
She loved sitting outside at the cafes, she loved stopping for ice cream( try Amorinos, they shape the cones into "roses" ). Food was not difficult at all , it is not all frogs legs and innards,,, LOL . She loved crepes, the nutella and banana ones, and the sugar and lemon ones best of all. For dinners she had steak, mussels, roast chicken, pizza, and of course fries , fries , fries,, ( my least favorite accompaniment for meals, but very common with simple meals in cafes,bistros etc.

We did not do the Bike Tour to Versailles, although I have done the Fat Tire Versailles tour the year before with a friend, I felt for my dd it might have been a bit effort then she would enjoy,, ( its not that hard, I mean, I did it and I am old, LOL ) and I wanted us to spend more time there then tour allows. She loved Versailles, especially Marie Antionettes Hamlet. I have done the FT day bike tour of Paris and think that is the easier ride, plus they have one to Giverny( Monets gardens) that is easier as you do not have to take bikes on train or carry them up and down stairs( Versailles yes) .

As for hotels, I have found all the hotels I have chosen in Paris( all 2 or 3 stars) to be clean. I do not know what , "clean clean clean" is.. do not mistake "old" for dirty...
I would center my search by location, it is so nice to be in a touristy central area for a first visit, consider the 4th, 5th or 6th arrondissmonts
and although this one is in the first arrondissmont , the view from the "view" rooms are spectacular,, the Hotel Brighton,across from Tuilleries Gardens, with views of ET and Lourve.

I suggest the Metro daily pass (about 5 Euros each), get on/get off all day long. If she loves art, try the Orsay Museum or the Orangerie -- lots of lovely impressionist art. Make a reservation at Lex Deux Magots -- a really famous cafe or go there for lunch. Lots of history, wonderful place to people-watch. If she is adventurous, take the Evening Segway Tour -- she, and you, will really enjoy this! Good luck!

Karen, If you are interested in an apartment I can recommend the place we stayed for 10 nights over New Year's. It was perfect, just like the pictures you see on line. It is in the Latin Quarter, a safe neighborhood, and at both ends of the small street there is a metro stop. It is very well located. It is on the top floor of the building with a view of Notre Dame. I found it on VRBO. It is listing #5967. If you would like more info, just PM me. We very happy with the apartment and hated to leave.