Hotel in Paris for 10th Anniversary/General tips

[jamaisjedors]

Hello knowledgeable Parisian ladies (and anyone else who would care to help me!).

DH and I (put off by the ash cloud) have decided to spend our 10th anniversary this summer in Paris (2hrs by train from us).

I would love tips on things to do, places to go, areas to visit/avoid.

We are looking forward to a child-free 2 nights and days.

We liked going to museums/galleries, sitting in cafés, walking around cities.

We don't want a five star hotel, I would feel uncomfortable with gold-plated doormen (!) but hope to spend some time at the hotel so want to avoid the typical cramped box in Paris.

Not sure of budget, mebbe 100-150€ a night max.?

We like small and quirky rather than big and impersonal/luxurious.

Thanks a million.

God I love Paris. And I love child-free days. Am v jealous.

DH and I stayed in this place a few years ago - it wasn't amazing, but it was very nice, and the location was fab - we walked everywhere (which is surely the best thing about Paris).

Le Brettonerie

We've stayed at Hotel Nicolo in Passy (16e) near Trocodero a few times. They always seem to have rooms when other in 5e/6e are booked up. It's nice, rooms are not giant, but bigger than one we've stayed in on rue Cardinet (8e).
Only thing is breakfast wasn't so great...Ok, but not worth it. Better to go to a cafe nearby.

I have a clipping from a newspaper article from 2004 with 'hotels du charme' recommendations. That's where we got Nicolo. I'll go look up the others! Back in a tick!

Can't find the clipping but searched my old emails from previous Paris visits.

Hotel d'Orsay (7e) DH's cousin stayed there and liked it. 175euros via internet, 200 if you book via reception. (Complet when i've tried.)

Hotel de la Bretonnerie (4e) in the Marais recommended by a friend, but when I've called no rooms. This is great location for romantic weekend, Marais is great area for museums, restau & nicht life (in moderation--nice late cafes with live guitar music, but over by 12.30)

Hotel Royal Magda Etoile, near Champs Elysees is also recommended by same friend who stayed there when visiting us once.

Have a great time!

thank you rabbit and rosie!

If you hurry up, you might be able to book tables at two fabulous restaurants that opened a year or so ago - Frenchie and Yam'Tcha. I cannot recommend highly enough!

Thanks Bonsoir.

I have looked at your recommendations too and they look lovely.

Just a quick question, a lot of the nice hotels seem to be near the Latin Quarter which I remember as heaving with tourists and a real rip-off for the slightest cup of coffee.

Do the advantages (walking distance to most places) outweigh those drawbacks?

PS what's "early" for August?

Haven't fixed our dates yet.

Book as soon as you know your dates, basically! Yam'Tcha is quite good for lunch and is cheaper at lunchtime, too.

I would stay in the centre of Paris (any of the three hotels I indicated are very central); everything will be expensive, but you don't have to spend your time drinking cups of coffee in cafés - a bottle of water on a bench in the Jardin du Luxembourg or Jardin du Palais-Royal is a lot cheaper and a lot nicer, IMVHO!