Paris, France is so irresistible that it seems every family, no matter their budget, wants to expose their children to the City of Light. At FamilyTravelForum.com, we hear one of the biggest challenges is finding a family-friendly hotel with rooms large enough to accommodate the brood. That may be changing.

For summer of 2007, a few of the city's most elegant hotels are welcoming les petits as the next masters of the universe. These hotel offers are more about marketing to families than saving money, but what you get is a famously French grand hotel, accommodations for a family of four, and a catalog of treats for all ages both inside and outside of the hotel.

Marriott Paris Champs-Elysées

One of the newest hotels to turn "family" is the elegant Marriott Paris Champs-Elysées (33/1/53 93 55 00, 800/90 83 33) located at 70, avenue des Champs Elysées. Tucked behind the Registered Historical Monument built in 1914 to house the offices of legendary luggage designer Louis Vuitton, the contemporary, seven-story hotel tower boasts 18 one- and two-bedroom suites that are ideal for larger families. The one-bedroom suites sleep 3-4 guests and the two-bedroom suites sleep 5; all have spacious bathrooms with separate shower and bath facilities so everyone can get ready quickly. It's easy to request a crib or rollaway and many rooms have sofabeds. Amenities now considered standard among luxury hotels of this stature include a pillow menu, ironing board setup, three phones, Internet access, WebTV, pay-per-view movies, video game players, babysitting on request and a fitness center with saunas.

Additionally, 172 well-planned rooms range from 30 to 50-meters-square. Connecting rooms enable families to book an executive double room with two double beds, or a standard room with two twin beds, and adjoin either to a king-bedded room. Five of these rooms are handicap-accessible.

Don't worry about the math; according to sales director Thierry Torrents, since its 2003 renovation, the Marriott Champs-Elysées has welcomed so many families with children of all ages -- he boasts, "It's 100% family in summer!" -- that on-site reservation agents are expert at booking the most suitable room for each family's specific needs, as well as suggesting current rate offers.

While this Marriott's four restaurants have children's menus, we recommend a stop for sandwiches or drinks under the historic glass atrium or an early dinner on La Terrasse, the hotel's open air sidewalk cafe. What better way to introduce the kids to the Champs-Elysées?

For summer 2007, families may take advantage of the hotel's new guided program "Promenade des Sens'tours." Customized for groups of up to five guests as half-day or full-day walking tours, the Promenades des Sens focus on fulfilling the five senses with all that Paris has to offer. Whether your family has come to admire the current art scene, art nouveau architecture, nouvel cuisine or the latest fashions, having an "insider" at the helm will enrich the experience and help the kids practice their French. Two notable itineraries cover le Marais, the wealthy yet hip quarter surrounding the Musée Picasso, to see private showrooms and little known boutiques; and Montmarte, the cobblestone neighborhood of Catédral Notre Dame, "Moulin Rouge" and custom clothiers. There's heat, humidity and walking involved, but all itineraries are customizable to the clan's interests and stamina. If the family elders (or little ones who tire easily) are on board, Marriott's concierge can arrange instead for a vehicle to transport everyone to requested sights.

The Promenade des Sens package is priced according to the lowest prevailing guest room rate plus a fee for the tour at €200 for a half-day or €400 for a full-day tour. Families can book this and arrange for connecting rooms through a travel agent or directly at the Marriott Paris Champs-Elysées.

Tip: Those in Paris with a teen -- or looking for a holiday sans enfants -- should consider the Renaissance Paris Vendome (33/40 20 20 00), a 97-room Marriott property in the fashion district. This boutique gem with a lap pool has been designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon to highlight a fabulous spa. Black, white and a splash of bold color dominate the sleek lines and furnishings of the très chic decor. 

Hotel Le Bristol

In keeping with market demand, Hotel Le Bristol (33/53 43 43 25) at rue Faubourg St. Honore in the 8th arondissement is welcoming children, too. Le Bristol has a charming and imaginative children’s amenities program focused around the hotel's mascot Hippolyte, a rabbit named after the hotel’s founder, Hippolyte Jammet.

Upon arrival, children receive their very own Hippolyte plush rabbit and welcome packets that include activities, such as suggestions for fun-filled, educational walking tours around Paris, as well as games and activities to play while at the hotel. A Hippolyte-themed treasure hunt is led by hotel staff, who prompt children to find the rabbit's hidden gardening tools. Finders, keepers... and the recovered bucket, watering can, flower seeds and terracotta pot may be transported home.

In the Louis-style guestrooms, young guests will find rabbit-shaped cookies and strawberry water to enjoy as well as a children's room service menu (doting chef Eric Frechon is also on hand to prepare custom kids' meals on request for those with food allergies). The Bristol toilette provides green apple and orange-scented shampoos, soaps, and shower gels, plus fluffy bathrobes and cozy slippers for apres-bain. Design-conscious infants and toddlers will revel in the Hippolyte-themed sheets, pillowcases, quilt covers, blankets and bibs from the very classy Porthault linen house.

In addition to newly renovated rooms and suites, many of which overlook the inner courtyard garden, and an expanded fitness room with a hamman (these Turkish-inspired steam baths are the rage in Paris), the hotel has redone its lobby and concierge desk, all the better to please the children. Of course, Le Bristol is aware that families need just the right room configuration before they can enjoy a hotel-based treasure hunt, so their Family Program has special rates on two connecting rooms. When available, the hotel offers two rooms each sleeping 2 (tinies in cribs don't count toward this room occupancy) and buffet breakfast for the whole family, for €1,120 per night. Superior and deluxe two-bedroom suites are priced from €1,680 or €1,980 per night respectively.

Le Meurice

Le Meurice (33/44 58 10 09), at 5-stars and seven stories, is another luxury hotel in Paris very close to le Jardin des Tuileries on la rue de Rivoli. In the past, children would stay and feel welcome, but in 2006 the pioneering Le Meurice decided to reach out to families in a très grand way. After its initial summer success, Le Meurice's Family Program package guaranteeing two connecting rooms has been extended year round. Best yet, families who book deluxe category rooms will be upgraded to a two-bedroom suite done in the most luxe of 18th-century furniture and fabrics, if available on check-in.

The Meurice's family package bestows buffet breakfast for four in their Michelin-recognized restaurant or en-suite in a family apartment; loaner DVDs for use in the room; a stuffed animal (the hotel's adorable mascot, Pistache, above); an individual Meurice Kids' Kit that includes child-sized bathrobes, slippers, and puzzles for kids to age 6; a plate of treats in the children's room and a hotel treasure hunt with prizes organized by le concierge.

Parents will find a tray of petit-fours in their room, and complimentary admission to the Spa Claudalie, where they can sneak off while the kids are looking for treasure. Outside the hotel, Le Meurice offers two children's tickets for the carousel in Tuileries per child (sorry, parents buy their own), use of wooden boats to sail on the boat pond in les Tuileries.

The rate for the two-room package varies by accommodation runs about €1,390 per night; for two connecting Superior double rooms or €1,490 per night for two connecting Deluxe double rooms (with the possible upgrade to a two-bedroom suite).

Hotel Plaza Athénée

Another of the city's five-star palaces, the Hotel Plaza Athénée (33/53 67 66 67) is elegantly located at 25 avenue Montaigne between the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde, near chic boutiques such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton.  While the hotel does not offer children "much beyond a goodie-laden gift bag," according to their spokesperson, the Plaza Athénée treats all of its society guests with kid gloves, no matter their age. Consider the personal teddy bear mascot to buddy with on arrival; a petit table delivered with little people's room service; and a private courtyard that boasts a custom-made skating rink in winter and a vintage carousel in autumn.

The hotel lavishes attention on the many products and toiletries offered to the young; the Concierge stands ready to book family-centric tours, guides and transportation; and the Housekeeper will arrange for babysitters through a professional local agency used by the hotel for many years.

The specially priced Parisian family package enables visitors to book a connecting room or suite, stay busy with the hotel's playing cards and disposable camera, enjoy cookies and milk on that tiny table, and pick a gift from the Red Collection, which provides a choice of mittens, scarves and other red accessories. For 2008, the Athénée's bed & breakfast package aimed at two adults and two children under age 12, based on a two-night stay, costs €730 (plus €40 per child) per night, including VAT.  Their website often offers substantial discounts with a 'Best of the Best Internet' rates.

Designer chic, sexy mascots, Michelin-rated chefs, private chambers -- what more could les petits need for their Paris sojourn except -- of course -- a hefty allowance.