Can anyone recommend a mid-level hotel for an American visiting Paris for the first time?

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saas

I think it's a bad idea to stay "on the peripherique" and then take metro into Paris even though it is inexpensive, especially when you can afford something that is more than "basic." This is the same reason why I feel bad for the people who come to Paris for the first time on a group tour which tend to book people in hotels far away from the city center in order to save money (or maximize profits for them). Staying out there will rob you of the quiessential Parisian experience. You cannot experience Parisian ambiance during the day, cannot experience Paris at night, cannot go to a nightclub, ballet, show, cannot even enjoy a decent dinner at a restaurant since you have to hurry back to your hotel located far from the city center.

For your first trip to Paris, I recommend that you stay in the Paris center at one of the designer boutique hotels located in one of the quiessential Parisian neighborhoods such as the Marais/St.Germaine des Pres where you can experience the pulses and ambiance of Paris both during the day and at night with nice restaurants, boutique shops, museums, nightclubs etc. These hotels are more expensive than Best Western for sure, but they are cheaper than Ritz Carlton and they offer style, comfort, excellent service, fashion, and the feeling that you are in Paris (this is important) which the Ritz Carlton sometimes cannot even offer.

Instead of recommending a particular hotel, check out Tablet Hotel using the link below. I travel the world and I am constantly looking for interesting hotels to stay in and I find Tablet Hotel has a really good selections, especially boutique hotels centrally located with charming local characters.

Also check out my website on Paris, I wrote it for a first time visitor who visits Paris and doesn't have time to see everything in one visit. I used to live in Paris for awhile so this is my $0.02 thought on the hightlights of Paris.

Draga M.

When I was living in Paris as a student, my parents stayed at: Hotel du Midi
4 Ave Rene-Coty
Paris 75014

The 14th District is close to everything you want to see without being in the main tourist area. It's right across from Denfert Rochereau Metro and very close to orly airport (20-25 minutes).

It's a clean hotel, and each bedroom has a/c and its own bath. The people there were very nice and friendly (my parents don't speak much French and the hotel staff was very kind and helpful to them).

It looks to be about $87 a night from the search I did on Yahoo Travel (see link below).

Enjoy your stay in France!

KK Oz

Try the Mercure chain of hotels. Get one on the peripherique near a metro as they cost much less than those in the city and the cost for travelling on the metro is inexpensive.

vegas95

I used to check this site for hotels in France; it could be cheap
http://www.hotel-france.com/liste.asp?ville=PARIS&cacces=1

Thomas H

May I recommend a charming little independent hotel located in the 7th arrondissement (a ten minute walk to Invalides, St Germain des PrÃ¨s) on the left bank called the

Hotel Montebello
18 RUE PIERRE LEROUX 75007 PARIS

+33 1 47 34 41 18
Rooms with bath run for under EUR 60.

Convenient shopping on the adjacent rue de SÃ¨vres.

rosiegirl93

I've been to Paris a couple of times and the one I liked the most was the Le Pavillon. It's about 15 min walk to the Eiffle tower and it's not that expensive.

Gem

Try the Hotel Relais Bosquet, the rooms are small but nice. It is very centrally located, within walking distance to the Eiffel Tower. The staff is very friendly and helpful. It is also right by Rue Cler which has tons of cute shops and great bakeries. There also have free Internet and a good free breakfast. The hotel is small but very cute. Rooms are about 150 Eros a night.

j.c.

IBIS hotels:at the city center,prices between 55 and 90 euro per room..
http://www.ibishotel.com

Granny Boo boo

Try staying in the outskirts of Paris, then you will have a more definite feel of the French-ness of the place. If you stay downtown in a tourist hotel all around tourists you will see the tourists in Paris. If you stay in the suburbs you can wake up to fresh smell of coffee, bakeries, go shop in shops, fruits and then take RER to the city center to see tourist traps. You will like the visit much more.

lilyinparis

best western on rue de faubourg(not shure in sp) Near Arc De Triumph

Mintee

Holiday Inn is always the good 'ol stand by in case you dont know any place else

M.Tillou

Have a look at http://paris.c-lafrance.com/ (then click on english, and "hebergement" which means accomodation). You may then browse through all the hotels available or use the searching engine to aim at the range of prices you are aiming at. Be careful : prices may change according to the days !

Of course Mercure, Ibis, etap, Novotel, Sofitel .....Accor hotels are available with a direct link to their booking system

Daniel M

You could try one of the Etap chain of hotels - which is the McDonalds of hotels! - The rooms have no charm and are standardised. But they are clean and have the basic things you need such as en suite shower and toilet. The prices are great value, even at busy times, and they have some central paris locations.

www.etaphotel.com/

Nayali

Ritz or George V ;)

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