Where to stay and what to pay in Paris.

There are countless hotels and pensions in Paris. You can find anything you want at any price. In the de luxe group are: the Ritz, Plaza Athenee, George V, Meurice, Crillon, Prince de Galles, Royal Monceau, Raphael, and Bristol. Slightly less luxurious but very good are the Claridge, Vendome, Continental, Westminster, Napoleon-Bonaparte, Queen Elizabeth, and others. Rates at official exchange run from about 50 euro a day and up single with no bath (no meals) at the top hotels. Less in the swank group, and so on down from there. In the center of Paris, for businessmen, there are the Scribe and the Ambassador. Rates at official exchange run from about 80 euro a day up. Hotel space is hard to find in Paris from Easter until the end of October. This is the “on season” when the capital is thronged with visitors and prices rise accordingly. From December 20 to March 1 most hotels in Paris and on the Riviera reduce prices as much as 20 per cent.

Plaza Athenee

Location: At Avenue Montaigne, at the ultimate crossroads of fashion and entertainment.
Atmosphere: Cosmopolitan, with flowers on the balconies – as if you were in a palace.
Who goes: Those who know the game of luxury and those who are not easily satisfied.
Rooms: Classic, in Louis XVI style, but also art deco, to choose the one that suits you.
Restaurants: “Alain Ducasse”: a true gastronomic paradise.
Highlingts: The Christian Dior Spa, Ducasse in the kitchen and aesthetic perfection.
Info: +33153676665, www.plaza-athenee-paris.com. From € 740

BOUTIQUE – ART HOTELS

Petit Moulin Hotel
Location: In the northern part of the lively Marais, in an old bakery.
Atmosphere: A bit baroque, a bit “zen”, a bit playful, nostalgic but also funky – yes, all that together.
Who goes: Those who are tired of the usual hotels, hip guys.
Rooms: 17 rooms, 17 different concepts, inspired by and designed by Christian Lacroix.
Restaurants: He misses the restaurant, but we do not need it – we are fed up with the style …
Highlights: Its kingsize beds and the paradoxical coexistence of baroque with pop art.
Info: +33142741010, www.hotelpetitmoulinparis.com. From € 190

MODERN

Kube Rooms

Location: Very close to the always noisy Montmartre, camouflaged in a neoclassical building.
Atmosphere: Plexiglass cubes, synthetic fur sofas, plasma TVs and charming lighting.
Where to go: Fun travelers who want to experience a modern holiday in Paris.
Rooms: 41 spacious rooms that open not with a key, but with your fingerprint!
Restaurants: The “Kube Restaurant”, in a design setting with simple flavors, awesome foie gras and a linguine with mushrooms.
Highlights: Its strong point is the “Kube Ice Bar”, the only ice bar in the city, where loud DJ sets are set up.

BUDGET

Clement

Location: Somewhere between the galleries, bookstores and fashion boutiques of St. Germain des Pres.
Atmosphere: Character that “ties” with the area and warmth of a picturesque Parisian house.
Where to go: Its prices make many people live “la vie en rose” in a very elegant environment.
Rooms: Unique wallpapers, sconces and warm shades. Some with a view of Agios Soulpikios.
Restaurant: Breakfast with homemade crunchy croissants and food in the brasseries of Bd St. Germain.
Highlights: Everything you can get to the Louvre, the Luxembourg Gardens or Notre Dame in 10 minutes