Hi Natalie,

They're not the only hotel to not accept reservations this far out. I'm sure if you email them in December you'll get your reservation. Your school vacation week is probably not the same for everybody so I wouldn't worry about it.

Just remember, if they won't take your reservation, they won't take anyone else's, so you're safe.

Enjoy Paris!
adrienne

I would book another hotel now as a backup to be safe. CHeck the cancellation policy first, but most hotels let you cancel at least 2 days in advance without a penalty. I just booked hotels in Europe (not Paris) for April (also school vacation) and didn't have any problems.

Although you seem not to be the kind of person who can wait a while for a better deal, I'll bet you a dollar to a doughnut that you will get a better deal waiting until late in the year (or even into early 2004) for some combination air/hotel offers from various airlines. They inevitably come, and you just have to watch for them. Good luck.

ilovelabs2003:

I'm sure it will be fine to wait until December. I had several hotels tell me to "call back later" when I was trying to make reservations WAAAAAAAY in advance for my trip that starts tomorrow. In every single case, I contacted them on the very day they said they would be opening up reservations and I got one with no problem.

I think you'll find that, many times, small hotels do not book more than a few months in advance. I really don't think it has to do with them holding out for a better rate. I think it's just easier for thos places that don't have large computer reservation programs and databases to deal with reservations on a shorter time-frame.

Good luck,
Jennie

I am not a big advance planner, but I usually have some flexibilty with dates which you don't in this case. I have looked back over old posts about this hotel & it seems they used to book 7 months out. If you are taking your kids & require a family room, since the hotel is small & there may not be many family rooms, I'd try to email them back & ask for a room commitment from them with price TBD in December. If they won't do it, I agree with MFNYC, you should book a backup now that can be cancelled. Well priced afmily rooms are not easy to find.

As to the airfare, you may find a better price, but you might also find a similar price later on, on a direct, non stop flight (it appears both Air France and Delta fly nonstop Boston/Paris). Unless you're purposely stopping in London, this might be more appealing. Also, have you considered/checked flying Boston/NY/Paris for a better fare? If you need to change planes, I personally would prefer changing after only an hour flight rather than after a 7 hour transatlantic flight-just a thought.

glad you decided. I think that's a good choice for location (in ref. to my other comments, as it's not right on rue Cler but nearby).

I have a little different opinion on these. For one, I think that is a pretty good fare for Spring season myself. BA has been having a lot of cheaper fares on routes I've checked, so I would not expect you to get it cheaper myself. It's a gamble, I know, just in my experience. I don't know who flies Boston to Paris, but I pay a premium for nonstop. I think AF/Delta flies nonstop on that route, so I'd probably wait a bit to book airfare and compare as AF often has fares as low as BA. I wouldn't wait too long, but perhaps a bit.

As for the hotel, you'll probably get the room in December and since that's the hotel in particular you want, I don't think a backup is necessary, as it would be second choice. If something happens and you don't get a room in Dec, then you should still be able to book a backup room.

That is a peak holiday season, however, and covers school holidays through much of France, also. Their school holidays are staggered but last longer than a week so most of France will have school holiday during that time, also (eg, Paris and Bordeaux 4/10-4/26, Lyon and Montpellier 4/3-4/19, Aix/Dijon/Strasbourg 4/17-5/3

You might try contacting the Relais Bosquet Hotel. It's also in the 7th Arr and when we stayed there they took our reservation 10 months in advance. I can understand you wanting to lock in on a reservation and you probably would be safe with Hotel Champ de Mars, but then again if you are a worrier like me I'd go with another hotel. To be honest that is why I like hotels like Holiday Inn, they let you book online 11 months out and if you monitor your reservation and the rate goes down you can just call them and they adjust. This year when we were in Paris we stayed at the Holiday Inn Republique and I cannot recommend the hotel high enough, everything about it from the building itself to the staff, etc. was great. Relais Bosquet was very nice too.

As for airfare, you might get it cheaper, but you might not - it's a crap shoot. If it makes you feel more comfortable then book it now.

Good advice from MFNYC in terms of booking something else just in case. A couple of years ago I tried to book a room in Venice at the Academia, which is a very popular hotel, so I started early. They advised me to check back in several months. I tried to book again earlier than they advised and received an e-mail that they were fully booked!

I was furious and disappointed at the same time. We found a nice place to stay and enjoyed our visit very much. But better to be safe than sorry and at least have a hotel room waiting for you, even if it isn't at that wonderful hotel you wanted to stay at for years!!!

Hi, I also travel to Paris from Boston with my family. I've tried to book at the Champ de Mars each time we have gone to Paris and have always been unsuccessful . I think that I am booking far enough in advance but they are always full. I would book a back-up choice. Air France/Delta are the only non-stop's out of Boston to Paris these days. American used to run an non-stop. We are going to Paris for the Christmas holiday and we also found the best prices on the British Airways via London flights. I checked the Bos-NY-cdg routes and the bos-london-paris flight was by far the best price. We have paid less than the price you are looking at and more on various trips. I would say the fare you found is average! I also like to have everything in order well in advance of our trips so I understand your questions and frustration. Bottom line -- everything will work out, fall into place and you will have a blast!!

One other thought. Don't know what a Boston/London ticket on BA would be, but BMI (British Midlands airline-britishmidlands.com) flies from Heathrow to CDG. On your dates, they have fares as low as 12 GBP each way/person. Roundtrip that's 24GBP/person or about $36. If you have to change planes in London anyway, it might save some $. Yes, you'll probably have to change terminals at Heathrow, but you'll probably have to do that anyway on BA.

The Champ de Mars is not the only Paris hotel with the five-months-out booking policy. We ran into the same thing last year. And, as previous posters have suggested, we booked our second choice hotel as our "just in case" lodging. When it came time to book our first choice, I did so. After getting my confirmation, I cancelled the other reservations, not feeling guilty, since it was still five months out and, I'm sure, they would be able to get a booking.

Thanks to all of your responses---I don't what I would do without you all. I am so as well traveled as most of you, so unfortuneatly I cannot give much advice back, but I will when I get back from Paris!

I may book another hotel just in case. Is sent Champ de Mars another email, and they said the earliest I could book is December 1st. It think I will send them an email at 6:00 pm EST (midnight their time) on November 30th just to make sure we get the room!

Lori, I checked out the Relais Bosquet. I thought it looked really nice, but way out of our price range at 145 euros per night. We cannot afford that on two teachers salaries!

Thanks again to everyone!

Some of the hotels may be charging more in April because it's Easter time (prime time for tourists)! I know the 7th Arr. pretty well as we have family living there and I'm trying to think of hotels in the area that might fit your budget. There is one called Kensington (on Ave. Bosquet I think) that is a 2** that was around the corner from Relis Bosquet and there is one called Hotel St. Dominique on Rue St. Dominique. You might also look into rates at Cadron - it is down the street from Relais Bosquet (I cannot believe Relais Bosquet rates are so high, they really have raised them in the 2 yrs since we stayed there).

Another suggestion is checking the Best Western website. BW has lots of affiliated hotels in Paris and again you can book 11 months ahead with no deposits or anything. You might find something in your range there. Most are smaller hotels and we've stayed in a few of them in the past too.

I work in education ... I can relate to budget constraints!!!

Good luck with the planning, it will all work out.

Hotel Kensington is on Ave. Bourdonnais (not Bosquet as I previously said). Sorry!

Well, at least they didn't take your reservation. Once I made a reservation in France even further ahead. I had the printed out confirmation with me when I checked in, but they informed me they had no such reservation. When I proudly pulled out the confirmation, she looked at it and finally said, "Oh, I see this was done 10 months ago. We don't keep reservations that long." Then why did they confirm it to me???

But I've run into the same problem you're having also. I'd follow their suggestion and reserve in early December, reminding them at the time that you are following their suggestion they gave you when you tried to book in September.

Another thought - Hotel Muguet, also in the 7th and a favorite of many on this Forum.

I had the same problem last year. In frustration, I asked a friend who's a travel agent to try booking the hotels for me, and voila! she was able to get back confirmations on everything I'd asked for. Just thought since it is school vacation week that you might want to go this route. If not, I agree with the other posters recommendations to book a second choice.

Good luck!

Good luck!

The Hotel Muguet does have triple rooms but I do not know the current price. The triples can be made with a king and a single or three singles. Their triples bath has a large tub with shower and sink and toilet and hairdryer and nice fluffy towels with hand mitts for wash cloths. Their new website is www.paris-hotel-muguet.com

Ilovelabs2003, you've got it down now, with the night-before emailing plan! That's exactly what I did when bookinh my first choice....and I got it.

I was in Paris in July and stayed at the Muguet. However, months prior, I also tried to book the champ du mars, but was told it was too far in advance.
While in the Rue Cler area, I checked out the champ du mars, and Relais Bosquet a block away. Follow Lori's advice and book Relais Bosquet. I believe their cancellation policy is a week ahead or less nad should champ open up, book it and cancel Relais. Both have great locations next to rue cler. I wish I stayed at Relais rather than Muguet. Unlike many people on these posts, I did not care for that hotel. Kind of depressing and they don't let you bring in food from the outside.
Mark

Hi ilovelabs2003,

I fly from Boston to Paris annually, and you can get *much* cheaper flights than $589. Most are either non-stop or only have one stop. The real bargains (less than $300 RT) are usually from January through early April. November can be cheap too, and the rates rise around Christmas/New Years.

Thanks for the info, but we are going the third week in April, which is school vacation time in many areas, so I don't think we will get anything that inexpensive. I am having a crisis with the flights . . . see my most recent post!

Natalie

I think if you want to book a second for security, you might consider one of the choices you had narrowed down to before, even though a different area. I know you wanted something especially charming, and that's a the problem because there aren't very many charming hotels at that price range.

Hotel du Cadran is a rather expensive 3* hotel, more than Relais Bosquet. I think Kensington is a bare-bones Rick Steves choice.

I do think the Hotel Saint-Dominique is probably the best selection for a 2* hotel in that general area that could be described as charming. Here is a link for it:
http://www.pariserve.tm.fr/hotel/saint-dominique/english.htm

The Muguet would be another possibility in the general rue Cler area, at least it costs about the same as Champ de Mars. I think it is more charming than many of the modern, basic ones (if you get a good room, I didn't care for mine).

THere are several other 2* hotels, and they may be decent, etc., but don't have that flowery charming decor as the Champ de Mars. For example, Hotel Valadon or Hotel de France near Latour Maubourg (which is a favorite of St-Cirq), see www.hoteldefrance.com. It might work as a backup, but I'd choose similar backup to what I wanted because if it doesn't work out, I'm sure you can get a hotel room somewhere three months ahead, so there's no need to just book anything.

From my experience, you can book the Muguet as your second choice without any fears if you want to cancel. That was my second choice that I wrote about in my previous post. When I was able to book my first choice, I cancelled the Muguet about 4-5 months in advance without any problem.

About this time last year my son and I started planning for the trip we took in June of this year. Having stayed previously at Hotel du Champ de Mars we tried booking but were told not to do so until December; however I think we were able to book in November once they had their 2003 rates set. A twin room was 78 euros (and for those who like them they now have room safes). My husband called in July to book for the second week in October but they are full so we'll be trying Grand Hotel Leveque and the only room available there was a triple for 114 euros. I've also stayed at Muguet which was very nice (don't pet the white poodle) and we certainly brought food into our room with no problem...baguettes, ham, pastries, fruit, pop.

I have stayed at that hotel 3 times and like it a lot--although the last time the bed was a little to soft but that is me, we didnt take brkfast at hotel as there are lots of nice patisseries in the area, but I would stay there again--great location.

OK Baker, now I have to ask,
why not pet the white poodle

Actually, it's the beige poodle - it snaps.

Hi Natalie,

Check out this site for the Familia Hotel. http://www.hotel-paris-familia.com/index.htm

I stayed here a couple years ago, it was perfect for me and my friend. Great location by Notre Dame, Metro stops close by, just a great neighborhood and really good prices.

You need to call or e-mail your request for dates - can't tell on-line.


Good luck, Eileen

Thanks, djkbooks