Reservations: Keep in mind that Paris is the most visited city in the world, and you want to be sure you have a bed. So, don’t go without a reservation. Most Parisian hotels have websites and you can reserve a room online. Or , you can use the fax form included in this website to reserve via fax, which is my preferred way to reserve a room. Include the dates of stay, time of arrival, number of people, type of room you desire (double or twin beds, suite, etc.) facilities you require (shower and/or bathtub) and location (with view, on the courtyard, facing the street). Once confirmed, be sure to mark your dates and be aware of the hotel’s cancellation policy. Remember to bring a copy of your reservation (whether it was made via fax or email) when you check in.
Rates: Hotel prices will vary by season. The most expensive times of year are during fashion week in mid-January, Easter until the end of June, September, October and the Christmas holidays. You will want to reserve further in advance to guarantee a room, and you won’t benefit from the hotel’s cheaper rates of the other months. Also, remember that when it comes to your hotel you almost always get what you pay for. I don’t believe a cheap room or a very expensive room is always the best option. To me, a middle of the road room rate will make me feel like I’ve spent my money wisely. BE SURE to check the hotel’s Web site. Very frequently hotels offer promotions that can save you up to 45% on your room.
Size and amenities: Parisian hotel rooms are small. Be advised. Don’t expect what you would find at home, that’s not why you are traveling. Especially if you are staying in a quaint building that is centuries old, your room will be small. In addition, your bathtub/shower stall will probably have no wall or curtain. The showerhead is always removable and it takes some amount of dexterity to use the shower without flooding the bathroom. This is very typical, consider it a cultural experience. Elevators are also rather small in these buildings, and stairwells narrow. If you have a lot of luggage (or people), it might take you more than one trip to get it all in your room. But this is all part of the European experience!
Breakfast: Your hotel will usually offer you breakfast. If it’s included in your price, great. If not, it might be more economical (and more fun) to go where the Parisians go: the cafe on the corner. Hotels make a great deal of money on breakfast, and too often it’s not very good. And remember that breakfast in France will be different from breakfast at home. It usually consists of coffee or tea, a croissant, a baguette with butter and jam, and maybe some yogurt.
Check-in: Coming from the U.S., your flight will probably arrive in the morning. Your hotel will probably have a 2-3 p.m. check-in time. Most hotels will store your luggage for you while you get a bite to eat and walk off some of the jetlag in the neighborhood. Additionally, you will want to notify the hotel if you expect to arrive after 6 p.m. If not, they may give your room to another guest. If you absolutely must have a bed as soon as you land in the morning, go ahead and reserve the room for the night before you arrive so you can go to the hotel immediately and relax. But be sure to let your hotel know you are doing this, otherwise they will consider you a “no-show”.
Procedures: It is very common in a French hotel to be asked for your passport. The concierge will simply write down your passport number and return the passport. Don’t fear this procedure. Additionally, you will probably be asked to leave your room key at the front desk when you leave for the day, and ask for it when you come back (a good idea to learn your numbers in French!). Late at night, your hotel door may be locked. There is usually a buzzer you can ring and the concierge will come to let you in. Don’t be afraid of being locked out, this is merely a security procedure. When you pay your bill at the end of your stay, most hotels will take Visa or Mastercard. Lower priced hotels only take cash. Know what your hotel accepts as payment.
Stars: France’s hotels are rated by the government, from no stars to four stars. The number of stars has to do with the size and basic amenities of each room. Cleanliness, atmosphere and service are not considered part of this rating. So it is hard to judge the quality or price of a hotel by its stars. But you can use them as a basic guideline.
Hotel Recommendations: To see a list of hotels I would recommend for your stay in Paris, simply click here.
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