All of the hotels are lovely.

My pick would be the Plaza Athenee. Hotel recently refurbished - and several stays there have been flawless. Very traditional french style, without being, imho, too stuffy. Based on my experiences, I would call this the best city hotel I've ever stayed at. My most recent visit was in March, 2004.

The FSGV is fine, too. I spent two weeks there back in 2001. A spec of America (or Canada, I guess) is evident.

I stayed at the Bristol last month for one night - and while lovely, not the place I'd take teenagers.

I would avoid the Ritz - with or without kids. Very stuffy (waiters at breakfast wear tails, and the napkins are so well starched they've lost their absorbtive quality!).

Park Hyatt (just next door to the Ritz) is an interesting pick. Another to consider is the Le Grand InterContinental located at the Opera, just two blocks from the Ritz/Park Hyatt at Place Vendome. (This is a different property than the regular InterContinental).

I would avoid the Crillion for security concerns, it is right across the street from the American Embassy.