Here are The Traveling Professor's picks for the best hotel bargain in Paris:

Hôtel Chopin.  This is everything a Paris hotel should be.  It is located amongst antique shops and quaint boutiques inside a pedestrian arcade in a lovely part of town.  Good métro and bus transportation is close by.  Owner Philippe Bidal’s Old World decorations of charm and grace makes this my favorite 2-star hotel.  Bright, airy and surprisingly big rooms romantically gaze over the rooftops of Paris.   46, passage Jouffroy in the 9th  arrondissement.  Reasonable rates.  Website: www.hotelchopin.fr.

Hôtel de Nesle. This eclectic hotel in the 5th arrondissement near the Seine is for those looking for something out of the ordinary.   Each generous sized room is different, themed in its own funky style with cool colors, bold furnishings, antique photos/posters, and painted-on wall murals.  It also has its own garden.  Days Inn it is not.  The owners don’t seem to care if, or how many stars, if any, this hotel has.   My photos of this hotel were recently featured in Conde Nast travel magazine and is the hotel featured on this blog intro.  Book only by telephone.  Rooms are 85-120 euros per night.  7, rue de Nesle. Website:  www.hoteldenesleparis.com.

Hôtel du College de France. The word “elegant” has probably never been used to describe this basic but clean, comfortable and quiet 2-star hotel in the Latin Quarter:  Many travelers have given me positive reports regarding stays at the HDCDF and I can personally vouch for them.  It is an excellent value and well-located. 7, rue Thénard in the Latin quarter. Website:  www.hotel-collegedefrance.com.