Focus on paying cash for the flights.

Use the Ultimate Rewards for 3 nights (66,000) at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome. That is good value for the going rate.

For the Amex points, I would look at the Best Westerns. You can probably get 3 nights at a nice Best Western (as you know, they have a different reputation in europe and can be quite nice) - that might be good value.

Cheers.