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Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

September 16, 2008 at 5:27 PM | by juliana | 18 Comments

So we're headed off to the City of Light in a week and while we are fortunate to have an apartment of a family friend to crash at for most of our stay, we still want to check in on the Parisian Hotel Scene.

We've covered Paris extensively, thanks in part to Parisian correspondent Monica Guy, and going back through our stories, there are so many places that we want to stay at. And we're finding it difficult to make a decision. That's why we decided to leave it up to you. Yes, you! You should tell us where to stay.

Keep reading to find out more.

Below are three suggestions from our trusted Paris experts as well as one of our own choices for you to select from. Vote up whichever one you think we should check into in comments below.

If you don't like any of these choices, we are giving you the option of writing yours in. And despite the presence of one of Paris' most expensive hotels on our suggested list, we would appreciate it if you picked a hotel with a rather reasonable room rate.

So start voting for your favorite suggestion in comments below!

We will book the hotel that earns the most comments and we will do a complete video tour and a full review of the place. If it's your write-in suggestion that we pick, then we'll do the above and send you a little surprise treat back from the hotel. It could be shampoo, chocolate or slippers. Who knows! That's the beauty of entering in your suggestion.

MONICA GUY:
· The Petit Moulin

This hotel is really cute, inside an old bakery in the Marais, one of the newly trendy parts of Paris. All have tiny rooms, but that's what you'll get in this city!

CONCIERGE.COM:
· Plaza Athenee

Renovations a few years back reinvented the stalwart as the freshest property in the city, while still preserving its terrific sense of place and style. Trust us: You never forget that you are in Paris.

VIP REVIEWER ERIC ROSEN:
· Hotel Le Clos Medicis

Le Clos Medicis may only have three stars--which can be pretty iffy in Europe--but its immaculate rooms, modern décor, historical architecture (it was built as a private residence in 1773), and friendly staff (also a rarity in Paris) make it one of the best values in the city.

HOTELCHATTER:
· Hotel Balzac

We have an American Express card and usually at Preferred Hotels, we can get a room upgrade if we book with our Amex. We did this in London and it was pretty sweet. Plus, this hotel, located near the Champs-Elysees, was fully restored in 2007. So it's like new!

WRITE YOURS IN:
Don't like any of the suggestions above? Write in your own suggestion.

TELL US WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS

[Top photo: Stevenvanwel]

18 Comments

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  1. abigailmschilling

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    Gah! Too many choices! I have to follow my heart for free stuff and vote Balzac for the upgrade. Bon voyage!
    September 16, 2008 at 5:39 PM
    #Permalink

  1. AndrewC

    HotelChatter Contributing Editor

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    Ok, ok. So this goes against the "rather reasonable room rate" but you have to go to the Crillon.

    I mean, its like the cream of the crop.

    Maybe you can even play piano on Marie Antoinette's piano if you ask really nice...

    September 16, 2008 at 6:16 PM
    #Permalink

  1. jennm

    HotelChatter Editor

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    I vote for the Petit Moulin. It's inside an old bakery for Pete's sake! Imagine the how good the croissants must be... Pastries over upgrades any day.
    September 16, 2008 at 6:30 PM
    #Permalink

  1. patricksw

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    I'm going to vote against Petit Moulin... The neighborhood is a tad weird, and the service is terrible. If you want that kind of "fun" hotel experience but don't want to sacrifice quality, go to the Park Hyatt. I think that's where I'd stay.

    ...but I also tend to feel that if you've never stayed at Four Seasons George V, you really need to do it once in your lifetime. p.

    September 16, 2008 at 8:22 PM
    #Permalink

  1. amandak

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    I trust Monica Guy so it's the Petit Moulin for my vote. The words "inside an old bakery" also got my attention :-) Hope there are still good baked goods around for guests.
    September 17, 2008 at 4:39 AM
    #Permalink

  1. iamdanny

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    def crillon or four seasons.
    September 17, 2008 at 9:17 AM
    #Permalink

  1. MrMBenz1

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    +1 for the Four Seasons George V. Flawless every time, especially if you can score a room with a terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

    For a more modern option, the Park Hyatt Place Vendome is certainly worth considering as well.

    September 17, 2008 at 10:40 AM
    #Permalink

  1. JetSetCD

    HotelChatter Contributing Editor

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    Nobody has any love for the Plaza Athenee? I say go whole hog - if not the George V then the Athenee. And do you know why? Because the Athenee has really nice hangers. They are this hefty wood, with the hotel's crest right in the center. Just a glance at the hanger (don't ask me how i have one) sends me into time-wasting daydreams of La Ville-lumière. And if the Athenee can do that with a hanger, then imagine the rest of the place.
    September 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
    #Permalink

  1. pbb

    HotelChatter Contributing Editor

    I'll Show Love for Plaza Athenee

    I don't know anything about the hangers, but I love hotels that actually reflect the city they're in.
    September 17, 2008 at 4:41 PM
    #Permalink

  1. KatieK

    HotelChatter Contributing Editor

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    My vote goes to either the Hotel du Petit Moulin or the Hotel du Nord Le Pari-Velo near Gare du Nord. It's a small hotel decorated with flea-market finds, and the owners lend bicycles to guests for free. If you go, ask for an upper-level room.
    September 17, 2008 at 5:41 PM
    #Permalink

  1. travelingmcmahans

    HotelChatter Contributing Editor

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    I sure do like the Marais, but sometime in my life I'd like to stay in the Plaza Athenee. For now I'll live vicariously through you, so my vote's with the Plaza.
    September 17, 2008 at 6:52 PM
    #Permalink

  1. patricksw

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    This silliness about hotels lending free bikes is pretty irrelevant. You can borrow a bike on the street thanks to the Paris bike program! Call up the George V and work something out already-- you'll be glad you did. I mean seriously-- the floral arrangements, the smell of the hallways, the tiny little nooks and elevators, the delightfully overpriced breakfast (where they will provide you with an ottoman for your purse), the seamless service, the amazing bartenders who will make you a cucumber martini even though it isn't on the menu, etc.
    September 17, 2008 at 11:01 PM
    #Permalink

  1. Jenna

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    I vote Plaza Athenee, because HELLO Sex and the City and also didn't they have a deal where they gave you a whole entire CHOCOLATE SHOE to eat? like, I don't see why there is even a CHOICE as to whether or not to stay there. Chocolate and shoes are a few of HC's favorite things...
    September 19, 2008 at 1:39 PM
    #Permalink

  1. your mom

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    As someone who visits Paris 6-8 times a year on business, I try to find great, up to date hotels that have been renovated or restored in outstanding neighborhoods with great restaurants around.  Tiny and "quirky" rooms may be charming, but they are not fun to stay-in if you want to be comfortable and are not a contortionist.
    I use three that haven't been mentioned...Hotel des Mathurins, Hotel Baltimore (Sofitel) and Hotel Rochester.  All are in the 8th or 6th Arr. You can check them out on fastbooking.com, a neat French booking portal that usually has 2 min videos on every property they represent in Paris. Be prepared to play the room shuffle game almost everywhere you go in Paris...the hotels often try to assign their tiniest rooms when you check in...if it's too small, tell them you're claustrophobic and ask for a better one.  Most of the time, they'll oblige, as this "dance" seems to be expected.
    As for the Crillon, Georges V, Plaza Athenee, Bristol: yes these are grand hotels in every sense of the word, and are heart-stoppingly expensive. Many Americans also feel they are "Precious" and more often than not, they are pretentious, officious and come with huge helpings of "over the top" attitude.  Given the legendary peronality "baggage" that the French tend to carry, do you really want to deal with this if you're trying to vacation or sight see?  
    Have a good trip!  "The Assistant Editor's Dad"
    September 20, 2008 at 8:50 AM
    #Permalink

  1. wallacegirl

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    I also travel to Paris, regularly, but I love boutique hotels like the The Five and Petitin Moulin, I now know exactly which room I like and always try to book it which the hotels don't like you doing.  If you're looking for new and local bistro I found this great site www.myweekin.net that lists places where locals like to eat.
    September 21, 2008 at 2:46 AM
    Parent #Permalink

  1. nychotelguy

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    Paris is my favorite city...but depending on where you stay it can be even better. I have to agree with some of the reviewers above... the Four Seasons George V is the best hotel in Paris.  If you have the money there is no better place to stay!
    September 22, 2008 at 2:38 PM
    #Permalink

  1. patricksw

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    I dunno who thinks the George V has attitude... Maybe they'd give you attitude if you tried to skip out on the bill or if you panhandled in the breakfast room... but tanks and sneakers were cool for me the whole time and I got treated like a king by all.
    September 22, 2008 at 6:16 PM
    #Permalink

  1. jletter

    HotelChatter Member

    Re: Pick a Hotel in Paris for HotelChatter

    The Hotel Costes is the boutique hotel that started the boutique hotel craze.  Situated perfectly in the 1st district and right off the palace Vendome, everything is within walking distance.  The restaurant is a great spot for brunch and the rooms really feel Parisian like with the red velvet walls and antique furnishings.  Although the staff usually gets reviews for their surly service, I have had nothing but great service there.  I chalk up those poor reviews to insecure travelers.  After all of these years I know people think the Costes has passed its prime, but I think it is a classic.  If you don't stay you should at least stop in for brunch or a late night drink (just 1 drink though because they are 20 Euros a piece).
    September 23, 2008 at 9:26 AM
    #Permalink

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