Top Places to Stay and Eat in Paris

It never hurts to get an expert's opinion, particularly when that expert knows his or her way around your new vacation spot. If you have your eye on a few luxury destinations, then you should try to pair your selections with a list of top hotels to book, according to Sherman Travel. In fact, the Sherman Travel advice mentioned comes from Jim Sherman himself--it doesn't get more real than that!

The first thing to do when booking any venerable city hotel in Paris is to double-check that your booked room has been renovated. Many luxury hotels have undergone stunning transformations in the lobby area and restaurants, but there's also the chance that sections of the hotel haven't yet been retouched. By confirming your room's renovation state, you guarantee your money's worth.

“Be sure, however, to ask for a recently renovated room; these larger hotels are always updating,” Sherman writes, confirming that while luxury hotel rooms in Paris are generally great, what's even better is having a room that's got the latest state-of-the-art details.

For hot, worth-the-money hotels in Paris, Sherman recommends the following properties:

Le Meurice
Can you believe this stunning hotel property has been entrancing visitors since 1835? With a rich historical background and brand-new appointments by Philip Starck, Le Meurice strives to captivate. 160 guest rooms and suites in the hotel provide Louis XVI style with the modern expectations of any luxury hotel accommodations.

Hotel de Crillon
This former private residence is currently getting spruced up for your visit in October 2011. With splendid, sumptuous décor and a celebrated history amongst Parisian hoteliers, the Hotel de Crillon is perfectly situated on the Place de la Concorde. If interested in Paris sightseeing and activities like the Louvre and the opera, there's no better place to stay than the Hotel de Crillon.

Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris
146 comfortable guest rooms and 45 suites provide your stunning Parisian holiday home base. The Hotel Plaza Athenee Paris features windows that open right onto the avenue Montaigne, Cour Jardin, Montmartre, or even a kitty-corner view of the Eiffel Tower. A unique team of 500 employees serve your every whim via concierge and fine dining service.

One of Sherman's top picks is the Pavillon de la Reine, which he calls “Parisian luxury while saving quite a bit of money.” The Pavillon is indeed a quality luxury hotel, complete with perks from WhataHotel.com, but it also suits those not planning on staying in their hotel room much because of its affordability. To balance hotel costs with how long you'll actually be in your hotel room, try a luxe destination like the Pavillon de la Reine. Tucked behind greenery and in a flowering courtyard, the Pavillon is the ideal place to relax while on vacation.

If you have stayed in Paris before, where was your home-away-from-home?