Lautrec Opera - Paris, France     

We too booked the hotel through a Continental Airlines vacation package. We selected it based upon its great location and reasonable price. There are always trade-offs for low price. Our first-floor room was so tiny that when the bed cover was at the base of the bed you couldn't walk around it, only over the bed itself. The room needed paint and there was no dresser. There would have been no place to put it anyway, but it makes it almost impossible to unpack for a multi-day stay. The air conditioning broke down, and we were fortunate enough to be the first to ask for a fan, as it was the only one. The street noise was especially noticeable then, but we were told there were no other rooms available. On the positive side, the staff was helpful and friendly. The hotel was clean, and painting in the public areas was in progress. The bathroom lighting was excellent, the room lighting acceptable. On the Metro 8 and 9 lines at the Richelieu-Drouot stop, it was easy to move about Paris from here. The included petite dejeuner was consistently fresh and nicely displayed. The hotel recommended a bistro several blocks away, La Lanterne. We were ignored by the staff for the first 20 minutes until there was a wait staff collision right over my head that resulted in a heavy-duty white wine spill on me. The steak au poivre was ordered tres sanguine and extra rare, just to insure that it would not be overcooked. It came out extremely well done, and was sent back. If you really want the best of Paris, go to the Michelin 3 starred 'Taillevent' or its bistro sister (and much lower-priced) 'L' Angle du Faubourg.' Another great choice in the 17th is 'L'Entregdeu' with a 30 euro prix fixe menu and creative cuisine.