A practical guide for opera patrons, not discriminating tourists. Hotels are walking distance to opera houses. Restaurants if listed are those few, if any, near the opera houses that serve food at late hours.

Aix-en-Provence
Istanbul
Los Angeles
Lyon
Monaco
Marseille
Montpellier
Nice
Paris
Pesaro
San Francisco

Aix-en-Provence

Grand Hotel Negre Coste, www.hotelnegrecoste.com. A once-upon-a-time grand hotel. Three stars with a down-trodden two star feel though the rooms are air-conditioned. For morning coffee go to the excellent brasserie next door, the Bastide du Cours. $$

Istanbul

Emine Sultan Hotel, www.eminesultanhotel.com.
There is probably some opera in Istanbul but I don't know what it is. The Istanbul airport is however a hub on your way to a city known for opera. This is an attractive, well located hotel in the traditional wood of the old city. $+

Antis Hotel, www.antishotel.com.
An attractive, well located hotel in the old city with views of the Bosphorus from the rooftop breakfast terrace. $+

Los Angeles

The Biltmore, www.millenniumhotels.com/millenniumlosangeles.
The Biltmore! There are sometimes unusually affordable weekend rates. Stop by the lobby bar for a nightcap and sometimes very good jazz. $+ [!]

The Gorbals, www.thegorbalsla.com. Step around and over the bums to get to this uber-chic, strange eatery on a redeveloping Skid Row. Cool food and a cool clientele. It is completely safe! In the long-time-ago grand, now low cost housing Alexander Hotel. $$

Lyon

Le Phenix Hotel, www.hotel-phenix-lyon.fr. A festive three star hotel right on the Saone river near the old city. Across the picturesque pedestrian bridge it is a short walk to the Opéra Nouvel. $$+

Les Muses de l’Opera, restaurantlesmuses@orange.fr. Sitting atop the porch of the old opera facade this restaurant in the opera house serves before and after all performances by reservation. $$$

Brasserie les Arcades, www.brasserie-les-arcades.com. Simple brasserie food. Exit the opera, turn right (north), pass the fountain, walk up the steps. $

Monaco

Hotel Olympia, www.olympiahotel.fr. Basic affordable three star hotel in Beausoleil but just a seven minute walk from the Salle Garnier, the Café de Paris and other late night or all night eateries just around the corner from the Café de Paris.

Marseille

Tonic Hotel, www.tonichotel.com. Accommodation is not easy in Marseille. Your best bet for location and price is this undistinguished hotel on the Vieux Port. Some nights are affordable, others less so. $$

Brasserie O’Stop. Marseille is not known for its hospitality institutions. This very simple brasserie across the plaza from the opera house captures some of Marseille’s once rough reputation and makes it sort of charming. $

Montpellier

Hotel Le Guilem, www.leguilhem.com. A festive three star hotel with a breakfast terrace that overlooks the Saint Peter’s cathedral and the historic Faculty of Medicine. The walk to and from both opera houses is lively and scenic. $$$

Ibis Centre Comédie, www.ibishotel.com/Montpellier. Not the usual Ibis (but still Ibis colors) with larger rooms that overlook the very festive Montpellier promenade. $

Nice

Hotel Ambassador, www.ambassador-hotel-nice.com. A four star hotel of three star quality and price that offers views, some very good, from most rooms. Easy walk to the opera and old town and to the grand hotels on the Promenade des Anglais. $$

Paris

Hotel Castex, www.castexhotelparis.com. Simple three star hotel, within walking distance of the Gare de Lyon and the Bastille. In room instant coffee provided so no need to go to breakfast room for the usual French hotel coffee. $$

Hotel Quai Voltaire, www.quaivoltaire.fr. This is where where Liszt and Wagner stayed. Now a simple two star hotel, a bit dour, it looks across the river to the Louvre. The Metro 1 line runs direct from the Louvre to the Bastille (and Gare de Lyon). $$+

Bofingers Brasserie, www.bofingerparis.com. Festive brasserie popular with tourists. Old world ambience, hearty food, huge desserts. Near the Bastille. $$

Pesaro

Hotel des Bains, www.innitalia.com. Where the critics stay, and there always seems to be a room. Swollen prices for the festival.

San Francisco

Hotel Whitcomb, www.hotelwhitcomb.com. Popular with groups, sometimes festive with pre-theater diners and drinkers this "historic" hotel can be depressing in dark and damp weather. A brief walk through Civic Center to the opera house. $$

Inn at the Opera, www.shellhospitality.com. Cozy. An hostelry of enduring charm and quality. $$+

Absinthe, www.absinthe.com. On Hayes near the opera house. You will need to cut the curtain calls short so that you can hurry to get a table. A bar food menu is offered. $$

De La Rosa, www.delarosasf.com. Post opera sustenance is hard to find in San Francisco, thus you may have to make your way to the Marina for designer pizza, etc. Parking is usually, not always possible. $+