For me and The Traveling Professor's small group tours to Paris, the first consideration in selecting a hotel is location.   Of course it goes without saying that a hotel must be clean comfortable and quiet.   After that, I may take a look at the star ranking of a hotel:

• No stars – You don’t want to stay here.
• 1 Star – Probably no private bath.  No A/C.  Other than the hotels mentioned below, you probably don’t want to stay here either.
• 2 Star – The better ones have private baths and are clean and comfortable.  An interior decorator has probably never seen the inside of these hotels.  Good ones have hair dryers, elevators, but maybe not A/C. To be safe, don’t book a 2-star unless it comes recommended, like the ones listed below.  85-175 euros.  Hotels in this class are usually smaller properties.
• 3 Star – Sometimes small and charming, but some can have well over a hundred rooms.  Private bath.  135-270 euros.  Most have A/C.  Usually a safe bet.
• 4 Star – Quality, full service hotels.  Still, rooms may be smaller than what is found in the U.S. 185-325 euros.
• 4 Star luxe and 5 Star – The Ritz, Meurice, Costes, Lotti, Intercontinental, etc.  Some of the best luxury hotels in the world.  325-900+ euros.

Again, star rankings minimize the location and size of room.  It is primarily used for amenities offered.  For instance, a hotel without A/C may have all the amenities of a 4-star, but because it lacks A/C it might be rated as a 3-star.  This might be a better value then, if traveling in months when A/C is not needed since higher prices are usually charged for hotels with higher star rankings.

For more information on The Traveling Professor tours to Paris, see www.travelingprofessor.com