I am planning a trip to Paris with my parents. I have been to Paris a few times myself, but now having my parents, I am looking for something more family friendly.

Not sure if I should rent rent an apratment or stay in a hotel... I like an apartment for the extra space and the availabilty of a kitchen to store light meals or snacks. On the other hand, a hotel will have a concierge who will be able to provide information about the area and things to do.

Any opinions?

Also, as far as a hotel is concerned I am thinking the Champs Elysees area, for although a bit touristy, it is fun to walk around that area even late at night.... any hotel ideas?

Thanks.

Uh...budget? Dates? Duration?

can I also add:
age of parents, your general age, any significant others coming?

Can you define "family friendly"? I take it that you wish to stay away from Pigalle?

I am looking to stay at a moderate hotel... maybe a 3-4 star... I am hoping to travel in September. The dates have not been finalized.

My parents are in their early 60s.

Yeah, Pigalle is out of the question ;-)

Duration - 5 to 7 nights

Since no one else has responded, I will. I am certainly not an expert on Paris; however, I do visit Paris two to three times each year. We prefer to stay in an apartment or hotel with a kitchenette (I am on a very restricted diet so cooking is easier than eating out).

We usually stay at a Citadines Apart'hotel. There are many located throughout Paris in almost all areas of the city. They are a nice meld of apartment and hotel. The units feature a kitchenette with stove, oven, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, glassware, and tableware. The one bedroom unit has a separate bedroom with a full or queen bed. The living area has a couch that converts to either twin beds or a full bed; the living area also has a table, chairs, television (with lots of channels including CNN), and CD player. The bathroom is large with a tub, toilet, and sink. The closet has an iron and ironing board and sufficient storage space.

Linens and towels are changed every four days or so and thereis not daily maid service (you can request it and pay an additional fee).

The apart'hotel has a front desk that is manned 24 hours per day, seven days a week (a feature usually not available with an apartment rental). Staff is also available to assist with special services and tourist advice. There is a laundry area and some of the Citadines offer a continental breakfast (for an additional cost).

This type of apart'hotel would provide you with the features you requested in an apartment but would also provide on-duty staff that is lacking with some apartments. A one bedroom unit would offer enough space for you and your parents.

We usually stay at the Citadines Place d'Italie because it is soooo much cheaper than the other Citadines in Paris. We have paid as little at 65 Euros for a studio (in November and February). We like the location because it allows us to feel (even for just a few days) that we are living in Paris; the area is more residential and we see few tourists. There are lots of small restaurants, a great market, and even a supermarche (Champion). The metro station is across the street from the hotel; barely a minute walk (and that includes waiting for the traffic signal to change to green). The metro station (Place d'Italie) is on three lines so you can be anywhere in Paris with minimal transfers.

There are lots of Citadines in Paris; the website is www.citadines.com.

We have also stayed at the Home Plazza Bastille (usually when AA vacations offers a real bargain). It is located in the Marais area near Bastille. This hotel also offers kitchenettes in most of the rooms. They have another property, the Home Plazza St. Antoine, that is not as nice and is usually not much cheaper.

I am sure that other people will have some suggestions for you. We have stayed at these three hotels and would not hesitate to stay again.

I live in Paris (mostly) and would second FlyForFun's suggestion. For six or seven days it might be better than a hotel. Like him, I'd also go for a local (and cheaper) citadine, but if you wanted to be in one where it's nice to walk around late at night, then try the one on the left bank near St Germain des Pr�s. But I guess it will not be cheap. Note that the one listed as being at Haussman-Champs Elys�es is on a very dreary boulevard, empty at night, and a good walk from the lively part of the Champs Elys�es. If you wanted a hotel in the Champs Elys�es area, I have written about the Keppler in the thread where someone is asking for info about a hotel on the avenue Marceau - it will save me cutting and pasting it all, if you just look there. A double room is around 100� (and you'll need two rooms for the three of you). I don't consider that cheap, and it's only a 2 star hotel. But it is family run and the people are friendly. A lot of English people stay there. For 3 or 4 star in that area you need to pay between 150 and 250� per night. I just don't think it is worth it.

One final point. September is probably the most popular month to visit Paris (and the nicest, with the first half of October). It might be very difficult to get a room this close.

Thank you FlyForFun and rangerss75. I appreciate all the information that is provided. Will definitely look at the citadines apartments.

I have visited a few of the Citadines properties and they vary from one to the next. I saw one where the room was more like a hotel with a small frig and hotplate than a true apartment. I suggest that before you book, you get some advice from someone who has stayed at the property you have in mind. You can usually find help on the TripAdvisor or IgoUgo websites.

We stayed at the Saint-Germain-des-Pr�s Citadines several times. Superb location on the river. (no views) Excellent service, very clean and modern. Fast elevators. Coffee/Expresso machine (huge) in the lobby. The usual frig, hot pot, sink, microwave, etc. 2 blocks from St Michel corner, Metro #4 and RER. Very active at night on the St Michel side and the Latin Quarter side.

The larger 1 bdr would be fine for 3. The sleeper in the large living room/kitchen is pretty compfortable.

I've only been to Paris 1x, but I researched where I wanted to stay from the aspect of accessibility, cost, safety and tourism. We stayed at a hotel in the 8th arrondisment, in the St Germain by the University.

I loved the neighborhood where we were at. We were the only hotle in eye sight and we just 2 small blocks from notre Dame.

I recommend this area highly. There is a small little tourist trap area, but it is easy to avoid.

Have a great trip with your parents.

I haven't stayed at any of these apartments, but here is a link to a site that is owned by some Americans, who have updated them in a sophisticated and charming way.

Make sure you roam around the site. There are tons of pictures.

Good luck. Have a great trip.
Rita

funny thing, for the last three weeks i've been planning a similar trip... all got cancelled right after i finished my research

hope to have time to post some links later today (very tight timing unfortunately, going on holidays tomorrow)

till then, here's some quick help:
- i was unable to find a decent hotel for less than E150/night; if that's the budget, it's a gamble unless someone can recommend a good hotel;
- try Best Western Premier Bradford Champs E... - suites for 3 and 4 pers for less than E200/night'
- i used the following rationale (in my case, we're 3 pers and did not mind sharing a suite for 2 nights): focused on getting a suite for E240-300/night instead of two rooms for E120-150/night each; as a result, for this budget you could get great rooms and packages hotels Napoleon (room with view over the Champs E), Clarion St-James (Rue Rivoli, Jardin des Tuileries!) and even hotel Littre (go for a top floor toom with view).

links:
www.paris-tourism.com :-:
www.parisby.com :-:
www.ratestogo.com :-:
www.parisnet.com
www.tripadvisor.com (for more guidance re: hotel reviews)

hope this helps

cheers!

Another FT thread:
Recommendations for a hotel in Paris?

Sounds very nice. Thanks for sharing this information. It sounds like a perfect fit for me.