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How far in advance to book Paris Hotel for mid-late May??

How far in advance to book Paris Hotel for mid-late May??

Old Nov 8th, 2001, 07:19 AM
  #1  
Ally
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How far in advance to book Paris Hotel for mid-late May??

I was hoping to have time to narrow down my choices, but I saw on another post that maybe I should be booking now? Do we really need to book so far in advance? I haven't even finished my itinerary yet!
If we can afford it, we're looking at Hotel Millesime, Moderne St. Germain, Hotel Verneul, Hotel Danube or Hotel Relais St. Germain. If we decide we don't need to spend that much, then maybe Hotel Regent or Brighton. See, I have not even narrowed down the hotels yet, nor do I have an EXACT date for Paris...other than Mid to late May. So, do I really need to book now?
Thanks
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 07:58 AM
  #2  
Fred
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Is it necessary? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the hotel, the popularity. If you make a selection it's always a good idea to book the room as early as possible. That way you won't get locked out of a place you want to be. Understand also that many hotels don't take reservations very far in advance in which case you'll have to ask when you can make the reservation and contact them at that time. For more Paris information e-mail me ? [email protected]
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 08:06 AM
  #3  
Nancy
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Ally,

I've tried for the last weekend in May at Hotel Vernuil (sp?) and a couple of other hotels and they are already booked. I've found that in Provence and Cote D'Azur as well. Agree with Fred, it depends on the popularity of the hotel.
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 08:18 AM
  #4  
Greg
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Ally,

Paris can be difficult, it just depends on where you want to stay and what you are willing to pay. I found a good Website with all sorts of good hotels and other things you can book well in advance of your trip. The site is "www.ely1212.com". You can pick your hotel by location and it gives you the cost and whether it is available or not. You may want to check that out to see what things are looking like for the times you will be there. Good luck.

Greg
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 09:13 AM
  #5  
Ally
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Thanks all. I was sorry to hear about Hotel Verneuil already being booked for May, as it was on my list. Thanks Greg for the web site. I'll check it out. I know it will be at least a week before my Husband and I can even figure out when exactly we'll be in Paris, so thanks for the 'push'!
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 09:29 AM
  #6  
Patrick
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One year I spent all fall planning a long European trip for the following summer. After careful consideration I had my lists of hotels picked for each city and started contacting them in January. For a week in May in Paris, all five of my choices were fully booked so I had to start over. I have already booked my Paris hotel for next September! Right now I'm having trouble getting the hotels I wanted in the Dolomites and Corsica for next August.
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 09:53 AM
  #7  
Christina
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I never book a hotel that far ahead of time, even in Paris--however, I don't stay at the most popular ones you'll find mentioned on here or in guidebooks like Rick Steves. Your list is probably in the middle--popular and well-known but not overly mentioned. I book a couple of months ahead for Paris in the summer and have never had problems. I wouldn't give up on the Hotel Verneuil as it makes a big difference what time in May one is talking about. Hotels are booked much earlier for popular events (ie, special trade shows) and holidays. The weekend of May 24-27 will probably be booked much sooner than early parts of May because there is a national holiday on May 24th (Ascension Day) and I believe many Europeans will make that a holiday weekend, many going to Paris. So, dOn't assume just because a hotel is booked for one day in a month that means the entire month is booked up already. I would try to book by Jan-Feb. to get something nice.
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 10:52 AM
  #8  
Renee
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Wow, this is disturbing...I guess I don't have as much time to book a room as I'd thought and I'm going in mid to late May as well. I'm planning on staying at the Hotel Champs de Mar which I understand is very popular.
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 11:04 AM
  #9  
Yvette
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Don't forget the French Open! It's usually the last week of May - first week of June. We ran into that situation in 2000. Book as soon as you can and be prepared to not get your first choice.
 
Old Nov 8th, 2001, 11:16 AM
  #10  
Ally
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Christina, I don't suppose you'd share your hotel info here? I don't HAVE to stay at the most popular place...my list is based partly on what I've read in this forum the last couple months. All I need is a clean room with shower and either two twin or one queen bed...with a/c...and in the 6th. I'll bring earplugs so traffic noise won't be too much of a problem. I will also need a window that opens as I smoke but husband does not, so I need to be able to open the window. Thanks!
 
Old Nov 9th, 2001, 05:34 AM
  #11  
Nancy
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Ally

You may want to try www.Pariserve.com. I just booked Hotel Le Regent with them. They have agents online that can let you know if hotels are available and they have quite a long list of charming hotels.

You can give them your specifications and they will do a search for you as well.Hopefully no one has had a bad experience with them that I am not aware of.
 
Old Nov 9th, 2001, 06:49 AM
  #12  
Patrick
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To get back to your original question of how far ahead to book? If you really don't care where you stay, then you can book any time. I just hit a big block this morning by trying to book the Prisenhof in Brugge for four nights the last week of June and it is fully booked. We really had our hearts set on that hotel and were simply waiting to confirm our dates, but now it is gone. We have similarly had that problem in Paris. The answer to your question is "As soon as you possibly can!" At least I'm glad we already have our Paris hotel (Le Regent) booked for a week in September.
 
Old Nov 9th, 2001, 10:19 AM
  #13  
Christina
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I don't stay in the 6th and don't care about AC, so seldom get it. And, I do need more than a clean room... it's funny but I'm not that picky in location or AC (in fact, prefer less busy areas and don't like AC much) but won't stay in a very small, ugly or real cheap hotel as I care about nice and comfortable surroundings as my vacations mean a lot to me because I don't get much time off. Because I don't want the most popular tourist areas and don't require AC, I get a much nicer hotel for less money.
 
Old Nov 9th, 2001, 11:57 AM
  #14  
Ally
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Thanks for writing back Christina. I guess I'd better stick with my Hotel choices or at least stick to the area of the 6th.
We are only planning on being in Paris for 2 nights...MAYBE three since we'll be so tried from the flight on our first day to do much. Therefore, we need to be close to the attactions we want to see, with no driving, taxis or trains involved. Like I said, it looks like we'd better stick to the 6th, but thanks again for checking back!
 
Old Nov 9th, 2001, 02:13 PM
  #15  
Patty
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Ally
Stick with the 6th but make your plans as soon as you can. We booked on Feb 1, 2000 at the Millesime for early September. It turned out to be a great choice but my travel agent went through at least 12 hotels in the 6th before we found an opening there. E-mail Le Regent, I did and they were very responsive. By the way, the rooms at Le Regent come in two sizes and prices. The rooms facing the street are larger and cost 1150F in 2001. The rooms facing the rear are smaller and cost 705F in 2001. 750 is a great price for that area and the hotel was refurbished a few years ago. I happened to be traveling with a friend and we needed two beds, so we had difficulty with availability and it also raises the price up substantially.
Good luck.
 
Old Nov 11th, 2001, 11:06 PM
  #16  
lze
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Hello Ally, We contacted the Hotel Champs de mars (that Renee mentioned) and in return E-mail they said it was to early to make a reservation now. We were told to inquire again the first of Feb. We are going with another couple who has stayed there several times. It is good to know about events planned around the time you are going.....French Open etc. That would have some bearing on things I am certain. I agree with previous poster that it depends on popularity of hotel. I suggest you get a firm date and then start your search. I am sure you can check out a lot on the Internet and also in books. Good luck to you. lze
 
Old Nov 12th, 2001, 02:52 AM
  #17  
Sam
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We just made a reservation for June 5-9 in Champs de Mars hotel where we stayed two times before
 
Old Nov 12th, 2001, 03:07 AM
  #18  
xxxx
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Hey, what gives with Champs de Mars?
 
Old Nov 12th, 2001, 09:14 PM
  #19  
lze
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This is a question for Sam. Re: Hotel Champs-de-Mars how did you make your reservation? By snail mail or by E-mail? Just curious. I wrote them an E-mail last night but have not had a reply as yet. I will let our friend know they accepted your reservation. Thanks for telling me.
 
Old Nov 13th, 2001, 03:01 AM
  #20  
sam
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