Hotel Excelsior Opera - Paris, France     

This hotel's location is the last word in convenience being almost on top of a metro station (Chausee d'Antin La Fayette) and close to the Auber RER station. It's about two minutes walk from the Roissy bus stop that connects to Paris CDG airport - very handy when you arrive or depart laden with luggage. It's also on top of the Paris Opera House and the two famous department stores, Galleries La Fayette and Printemps. The accommodation is pretty standard with all conveniences but no frills. My room on this occasion faced a light well, a double bed in a smallish room, but I know that other rooms are larger as I've stayed here before. Unusually for a hotel of this size the rooms have air conditioning, which although not really needed on this particular trip, is worth having in a city that can turn into a furnace in summer. The only downside is that there is an audible rumble from the metro line below the building. But as the metro doesn't run all night, I personally didn't find it a problem There is a bar in reception and a restaurant next door and another directly opposite. I’ve stayed here before and have always found the reception staff exceptionally helpful and friendly. The hotels biggest selling point though is undoubtedly it’s fabulous location as you really are in the centre of pretty much everything.

We stayed at the Excelsior Easter Sunday weekend. The hotel is very clean and the staff were friendly and professional. The desk clerks are friendly and speak english. The room was small for the $$ and the decor outdated but that did not distract from the charm. My only complaints are first, the location of our room faced a side alley near Rue Lafayette; below is a restaurant that makes quite a lot of noise when closing and opening their store. The second, was that the room was so hot that we had to leave the windows open all the time which resulted in our contending with flies and street noise. However, this little hotel is not without it's charm and I would recommend anyone to stay here. Tucked perfectly in the Opera district, the hotel is very near St. Lazare train station and the best shopping in the world if that is what you want to do in Paris. The RER A line and metro stops are also very close. The best movie theaters are in La Defense at the Dome and La Defense is only three stops on the A line from Auber station which can be accessed through the gourmet door at Galleries Lafayette. Food: If you like Indian food, the Ghandi Ji across the street is exceptional. 16 Haussman is more upscale but the food and service is exceptional. For more casual and lively fare, take the metro to Les Halles station, follow Rue Monmarte to Le Tambor. It is open 24 hours a day except on Sunday. Get there early because this is not the kind of resaurant that will rush you out the door, there can be a line down the street, which there often is from Thursday - Saturday and they will never hurry you out. Have fun in Paris.