OK, here's the dilemma: I'm going to Paris this summer. Actually booked 2 hotels, different areas, since I wasn't sure which area I wanted to be in. Now I've decided, but haven't yet cancelled the other. Anyway, I was able to hook up with a friend in the middle of my stay, and we're going to rent a car and do about 5 days of touring outside of Paris. I'll return to Paris for a few days before leaving for the States. Don't want to take all my luggage on this excursion because I've read horror stories about cars being broken into, etc. So... <BR>Do I just double-pay for lodging (Paris and elsewhere) so I can leave my stuff in the room at hotel #1 - or - <BR>Do I try to cancel 4 nights in the middle of my reservation at hotel #1, ask them to store my luggage, and return there for the remaining nights of my trip - or - <BR>Do I cut short my stay at hotel #1, change the dates of my reservation at hotel #2, leave my baggage in a train station locker, and, upon return to Paris, go to hotel #2? <BR>Are there baggage lockers in train stations? Are they safe? <BR> <BR>HELP!!!!

As I read your question, it seems that the issue of having two reservations at two different hotels is not relly relevant. You should decide between the two. <BR> <BR>I see no need to pay for a hotel room just to store luggage. Either take it all with you (is it that hard to carry it in, wherever you're going?) - - or remember to provide a reasonable (generous?) gratuity to the staff of the hotel that stores it for you while you're gone. The hotel isn't going to begrudge you for wanting to stay with them on nights 1 and 7, with five nights somewhere else. It's two stays to them, and they'll be pleased you chose to come back to them on night 7. <BR> <BR>And although you didn't ask, here's an idea of a base place to stay for your touring to the south and west of Paris - - www.chateaudejonvilliers.com - - I've never stayed there, but it's high on my list of places I hope to get to visit in the near future. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

If I were you, I'd try to contact Hotel #1 and see if they would store the luggage and change the reservation. It certainly would be the easier option. If yoo are going into the countryside and have your luggage locked in the trunk I don't think you'd have any problem, itseems mainly things left inside the car in view that cause problems. <BR> <BR>If they solve that problem for you , it would be nice of you to cancel your second reservation shortly, as I've heard rooms are in short supply already and maybe your 2nd hotel can rebook.

Cancel the reservation in the hotel you don't want to stay. It's the polite thing to do. <BR> <BR>Change the reservation in the hotel you want to stay and ask them to store your excess baggage. I haven't yet been in a hotel or even youth hostel where this isn't a normal part of the service.

I've stored bags at hotels in a similar situation, and once I arranged for Hotel #1 to transfer the bags to Hotel#2 (they were "sister" hotels). The staff should be willing to accomodate whatever you need. But don't retain any rooms you are not using. That's unfair to everyone.

Thanks to all for your helpful responses. Rex, I appreciate your suggestion for the Chateau de Jonvilliers. I went to their website and was very impressed. Unfortunately, we're not headed in that direction. Maybe next trip. <BR> <BR>Happy trails, <BR>Mike

Just did similar thing in London- Left luggage in hotel #1 in their storage room-had my name tag on it and their check receipt on it--came back to SAME hotel 8 days later and picked up old luggage and re-checked into same hotel for 1 other nite- no problem at all-hotel was VERY accommodating--by the way, it was the Sheraton Skyline at Heathrow.