Holding bags in Paris

Old Oct 8th, 2015, 11:12 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Holding bags in Paris

Hi - I am using a vacation rental in Paris which will not let me check in until 3pm, although my flight arrives at 8am! They have told me they unfortunately have no place for me to store my bags and suggested the train station. However, I am staying in the 7th Arrondissement and that seems pretty inconvenient to me.

My current plan is to go to a hotel that has a restaurant near where I am staying and ask them to hold my bags while I have lunch or a snack (and then leave them there until 3!). Has anyone ever tried this before and to what success? Do hotels hold your bags if you are not staying overnight there?

My second option is to use City Locker. Unfortunately there is nothing nearby in the 7th but I could perhaps use the Notre Dame location and then when I am ready to check in call a taxi or Uber to collect me and my bags. Also wondering if anyone has used City Locker and how that experience was.

Looking forward to responses!
jeannie1234 is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 11:41 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi jeannie,
as far as I know, the hotel probably wouldn't take your luggage. They don't know you, how can they accept your bag even if you have lunch there? Especially in this alerted period of time. If you book room in the hotel, they at least know your ID.

As for City Locker near Notre Dame, I don't know, will wait for others' answers too
FuryFluffy is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:03 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Why would a hotel check the bags for a stranger off the street? Very weird, I would be amazed if they would do that. I have never heard of a hotel holding bags for people who weren't staying there.

But since you plan to go to a posh one with a restaurant (very few do), I suppose they might if there is a lot of space around the foyer type area. After all, some people might be stopping into a place to eat after checking out and while leaving town.

City Locker is a regular company, I don't see why there would be an issue with using a company that does that for a business. Why would you go all the way to Notre Dame from the 7th? You could leave them at gare Montparnasse, they have a place to leave bags (consigne). Here is info on where to leave them in train stations http://www.parisinfo.com/transports/...rcs-de-loisirs

You'd better find out if there is any hotel around where your apt is with a restaurant to begin with. There probably is in that big one right next to the EIffel Tower (used to be Hilton).
Christina is online now  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:04 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You've encountered one of the problems in renting an apartment from someone other then Paris Perfect (now Paris Made Perfect), who will store your luggage at their office until the apartment is ready.

As already noted, it would be highly unusual for any hotel to hold luggage that doesn't belong to one of their guests. Unless you use one of the recommended storage lockers, you'll have to drag your luggage around with you and hope the restaurant you plan on going to will allow you to bring it in with you while you wait for that magic hour to arrive.

Note: restaurants close before 3:00 pm, but bistros are open. You can try Pottoka at 4 rue de l’Exposition, but you'll need to book at least a couple of day in advance.
Robert2533 is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:06 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are you arriving at CDG? If so, you could take the RER to the Gare du Nord and use the self-service baggage storage there. Here's the information:

http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/fr...s-automatiques
MaineGG is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:13 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>>Why would a hotel check the bags for a stranger off the street? Very weird, I would be amazed if they would do that. I have never heard of a hotel holding bags for people who weren't staying there.>As already noted, it would be highly unusual for any hotel to hold luggage that doesn't belong to one of their guests.
janisj is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:21 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Really helpful answers and perspectives. I will continue to research based on some of these responses and links. Thanks all!
jeannie1234 is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:29 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have on one or two occasions whiled away and hour or two in a café while waiting to check into an apartment, but not hours and hours. And my "bags" consist of one very small bag and a purse, so it's not more than some business person might have stopping at a café. I wouldn't count on a hotel allowing you to do this even if you buy a nice meal. I'd take the Cars Air France to the Gare Montparnasse and store them there, go out and have a nice lunch and a stroll, then grab a taxi to the 7th.
StCirq is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:39 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Really, I think StCirq's suggestion to use the Cars Air France to Montparnasse is better than my previous one. The Air France bus service is more expensive than the RER, but very easy and comfortable. You will also be closer to the 7th.

http://www.gares-sncf.com/fr/gare/fr...s-automatiques

http://en.lescarsairfrance.com/
MaineGG is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 12:46 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Oh -- yes -- StCirq makes a good point. I always travel carry on so never have larger than a 21 inch bag to store. That might have made it easier.

>>but not hours and hours.
janisj is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 01:28 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just a remark.
Is Robert working for PMP ?
Curious, since I don't see the point of his answer.
pariswat is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 02:11 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,827
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The point is well run companies make arrangements for their clients. If you're booking your apartment through AirBnB, VRBO, or one of the other operations, you shouldn't expect such service. I know after having to kill a few hours waiting for someone to show up with the key, and having to pay them in cash. With companies like PMP, you pay by credit card and can expect service.
Robert2533 is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 02:33 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 78,320
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It seems any accommodation should be able to store folks bags somewhere when the check-in time is so so late.

I'd consider getting another place so you can really make use of the first day in Paris better than hassling with bags until 3 pm.
PalenQ is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 02:47 PM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
<Do hotels hold your bags if you are not staying overnight there?>


Well I never tried it in Paris, but this is not an unusual or unheard of thing, like some people are making it sound. Many hotels will hold bags for non-guests, either for a small fee or as a courtesy (tip when you pick it up).
suze is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 03:00 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Robert's reply about Paris Perfect is no doubt due to his professional relationship them in his travel business. Interesting that they have changed their name...wonder if that was for legal purposes? They are not so perfect no matter what the name and there are definitely other rental agencies that make arrangements for people to store their luggage...very common.
Lois2 is offline  
Old Oct 8th, 2015, 03:16 PM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
By the time you get out of the airport and into central Paris could well take a couple hours. So really you're looking at ~4 hours to kill somewhere with your luggage. Personally I'd get myself to the neighborhood you are staying and find a place to hang out with your bags. Rather than trying to store them in an entirely different part of the city.
suze is offline  
Old Oct 9th, 2015, 03:08 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
As suze says, leaving bags with hotel doormen is a done thing in many (most? every?) American city hotels. Like suze, I don't know whether it is done in Paris, but €5-10 discreetly folded can often make many things happen.
Ackislander is offline  
Old Oct 9th, 2015, 03:41 AM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Storing bags is a courtesy to hotel guests before or after check out. Frankly I can't imagine walking up off the street and asking to store bags unless the hotel is very large and they just assume you are staying there. As a hotel I would consider that a big security risk and most hotels have enough trouble finding space for their guests' bags. Only exception might be a very expensive hotel restaurant that might suggest the hotel's porter to store them. Personally I think that is a really bad option.
Lois2 is offline  
Old Oct 9th, 2015, 03:59 AM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 49,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I should think that France's vigipirate system would preclude hotel owners from taking bags from a complete stranger, not staying at the hotel, while that person takes off down the road. Way too much of a risk. If you were to stay at the hotel for lunch....maybe. But I think not, unless the hotel has some means of examining the bags in dtail.
StCirq is offline  
Old Oct 9th, 2015, 04:49 AM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do hotels hold your bags if you are not staying overnight there?

If you want the services of a hotel, stay in a hotel.
Sarastro is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -