Hey you'all, <BR> <BR>Can someone please give me a "ballpark" figure on what a Paris Hotel room will cost us (non-reservation; flying standby), for two adults and two children (10 & 14), in early October (1999)? We have never been outside the US before. We would like to stay as close to the center of the major 'attractions' as possible (limited time), but we may have to stay further out, huh? To be more specific: <BR> <BR>1) For a one star hotel (is there less, besides hostels?)/with a private bathroom? <BR> <BR>2) Without a private bathroom? <BR> <BR>3) For a two star hotel/with a private bathroom? <BR> <BR>4) Without a private bathroom? <BR> <BR>5) Both (or either) of the above, with or without private bathroom(s), IF WE WILL NEED TWO CONNECTING ROOMS? <BR> <BR>6) An apartment for 5-6 days? <BR> <BR>7) Any reccomendations? <BR> <BR>You folks are so kind and I will appreciate any help you may offer...thank you very much. <BR>Sincerely, <BR>Mr. CDC

Dave, you are going to be pleasantly surprised as to what is available. Here is one that advertises a triple room for 525 FFr or about $88 which is in the 7th arrondissiment near the Eiffel tower. There are others as well. <BR> <BR>http://www.adx.fr/hotel-du-champ-de-mars/champs4.html <BR>

Dave, you are going to be pleasantly surprised as to what is available. Here is one that advertises a triple room for 525 FFr or about $88 which is in the 7th arrondissiment near the Eiffel tower. There are others as well. <BR> <BR>http://www.adx.fr/hotel-du-champ-de-mars/champs4.html <BR>

Try this website: <BR>http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/75paccue.htm <BR>It lists many hotels with price ranges. <BR>My general feel for the situation is that a decent hotel room for 2 can be had for $80 even in prime tourist season. <BR> <BR>If you want something else, cheaper but farther out from the center -- such the Champs Elysee and the Eifel Tower -- <BR>the Berkeley Guide to Paris, which is part of Fodors lineup, gives budget listings. It is student oriented, however. <BR>

Dave: Two good web sites to check out:WWW.paris.com and www.paris.org. Each have connections to hotels in Paris with much rate information as well as pictures. Location in Paris is a matter of personal preference. I would not suggest travelling with your family without reservations as you can waste alot of precious time looking for a room.Skip the one star hotels for sure. THey are usually places you would not want to be at especially with your family. I personally prefer the 5th ,6th or 7th arondissement for convenience and for being able to walk out to door and dive into Paris! DO some homework on the web and pick up a detailed map of paris to orient yourself. I will be staying in the St. Germain neighborhood when I go in a couple of weeks and I picked the Hotel Du Danube for its location and its large suite accomodations. I will be there for 8 nights with my mother and daughter and wanted a comforatble spot where we could all have some space.Rate is $191/nt for 3. Be AWARE- hotels rooms in Paris are often very very small- not like US motel and hotel rooms at all. Fodors guide is also a very valuable source of info. You must also be very specific about booking a room with private bath IN THE ROOM.I would look into the Grand Hotel Jeanne d"Arc on the rue Jarente in the 4th as I was quoted a price of about 105/night for 3 people and the rooms seemed a bit more spacious than most.I would be hesitant to choose a hotel on price alone! Fodor's Rivage guide to Hotels of Charm and Character is a great source of info also. The Familia Hotel and The Grand Ecoles on the 5th are also mentioned alot on this forum. Sorry to run on but last of all- October can be a very heavy tourist travel time in Paris and it would be wise to have reservations! Also as a note- someone mentioned the Hotel Champs du Mars- nice hotel but very small rooms!Staying outside the center is not necessarily cheaper and you can waste time and money always having to metro or taxi to where you want to go. I love to stay close to the center as I love to just walk and wander to really enjoy many hidden parts of Paris. Whew! Sorry to be so long winded- if you would like more detailed info email me at the above address and I will email you info and informations sources. <BR>

Congratulations on planning your first trip outside the country to Paris! You will love it. <BR> <BR>I personally would be a little unnerved not to have a reservation for the first night, but then I think it would be OK to search around for accomodations. That way you could actually inspect the rooms, and there is definitely variation in rooms and features that you could best determine on the spot. October IS a busy time in Paris, I think there is a major trade show there in October, but there are LOTS of hotels and LOTS of rooms. <BR> <BR>Hotel rooms are small to miniscule in size, and you might be happier with two small rooms in a less expensive hotel (Say, $60-$90 per room) than in a bigger one in a more expensive hotel, although price is not a determinant of size. You would be unlikely to find connecting rooms, in my experience though. <BR> <BR>I fondly remember my first trip to Paris in 1978--I was determined not to be a "picky American," so I carefully selected a hotel from Frommer's described as "popular with the ladies" near the Tuilleries Gardens. You don't need a private bath, scoffed the Frommer book, for a small charge the maid will give you a fluffy towel and usher you into the hall bath. HAH! The hotel HAD no hall bath--my room, which I believe cost about $9, had only a sink. After one night, I enquired whether they had any better rooms, as in addition to no bath this room looked out on an air shaft. For a mere $15, they gave me a room with shower, sink AND toilet, plus French windows overlooking a beautiful church. So I remain commited to selecting my hotel room on the spot!

Marilyn, $9 for a room? Even in 1978 that was pretty cheap. <BR> <BR>I use to be a fly by the sit of the pants type of traveller and not bother with reservations. I think it was because we didn't have the internet then and I didn't really know what I was going to find and preferred deciding on the spot similar to Marilyn. However, a couple of bad experiences ending up spending the whole day and evening looking for a hotel and not being sure if I would find one cured me of that. While it is true that you can always find something, it is also true that you will get desperate and take anything which is often not what you really wanted to start with. So all you accomplished was spending your valuable time looking for a hotel. It takes time, a lot of time, finding a place you don't know anything about ... prices or quality of the rooms, or if there is a vacancy or not or if there is a better place around the corner or down the street. When it is 9:00PM at night, and dark out, you start getting desperate. A recent poster just posted how they could not find a room and ended up sleeping in the car! Great way to spend your first or any night in Europe. This is what you saved up and planned for? <BR> <BR>No, I believe in doing your homework from the comforts of your home, here in the US, and making your choices and reservations before going. At best, at least have a listing of several potential hotels if you are not sure exactly where you are going to be and make your reservations as early in the day as possible. You can call ahead from one hotel you are staying at for the next night or more. <BR> <BR>I keep reading about these small hotel rooms in Europe and it is not my experience with a few exceptions. I agree that you can find a small room even in the best and most expensive hotels, but they also have larger, more comfortable rooms as well. You just have to tell them no if given a samll one. I stayed at the Hotel Inter-Continental, a 4-star, luxury hotel in Paris many times. I always had a large, very comfortable room. On one occasion, by mistake it turned out, I was given this very small room not much larger than a normal closet. It was late at night and I was tired, but I trouped back downstairs and told them they must have made a mistake and that I found the room to be unacceptable and no t what I was use to. They apologized profusely and in a about 3 seconds gave me a much larger and nicer room. There have been other times, at other hotels, I have not been happy with the room given me and I always have it changed. I suppose I have been lucky that a better room was always available. <BR> <BR>Now, I am more experienced. Now, we have internet and this forum. I always make it a point when making reservations and actually before when I am doing my homework to have a discussion with the hotel as to what they have available and what my expectations are. I find it more omforting and less stressful knowing wher I will be staying and having my reservations ahead of time.

john: <BR>i can imagine what a scene you must make at the front desk!!! thank you very much for perpetuating the uglay american. by the thw way how much time do you spend in yourroom?

Poor guy, you obviously have no idea what you're talking about. <BR> <BR>Mr. Rizzuto is an experienced and savvy traveler. I've seen his postings over the past few years in a number of forums and he's never posted anything that I would say labels him as an "ugly American." <BR> <BR>Mr. Rizzuto was right to request a better room. He stayed in this hotel before and knew better accomodations existed. He would have been a fool to settle for less, if available. <BR> <BR>Enough said -- <BR> <BR>Michael

Michael, thank you for your kind comments. I do appreciate them. <BR> <BR>Doug, I really don't know what made you think I was an ugly American. I can assure you that I am not. I have never made a scene at the front desk or anyplace. The experiences I described were always done in a polite, never disrespectful and never loud tone. I would think that if I were an ugly American, none of the hotels would have been so willing to accomodate me.

John, <BR> <BR>Flying by the seat of your pants CAN be memorable. A good friend of mine flew to Cancun (it was some years ago...but, I think it was Cancun), with his wife and two young daughters, and without reservations. Everything was booked solid and they had to sleep on the beach. His wife was not happy at all (at first). But, it has been all they ever talk about, ever since! The stars and moon. The waves and cool wind. (Since then, they have returned and slept there on purpose) They have been all over the world (Scuba Diving) and it is still firmly cast into their memories! I think we could all use a little adventure in our lives. The last time I had (far away) reservations, I thought I was 'safe' because I paid a little more than I usually do and booked a room with one of thee top-name US hotel chains. We had to wait for the hookers and drug dealers to complete their transactions, so we could pull in and out of the parking lot, every time we went anywhere! During the middle of the night, there were multiple gunshots and screams within two blocks of our room! WAY! (Hopefully this forum helps us avoid those kind of situations) I was raised in that kind of neighborhood, in a 'Big City' so I handled it better than my friends/co-travelers. Luckily, we only reserved the first night. It all depends on what you make of your life, I guess. Even given, especially given the bad neighborhood, we met the cooolest people there and had some really wild (and some sobering) experiences. I will never forget it, that is for sure! <BR> <BR>Life is a journey...hit the road hard, dude!!!

I recommend you Residence Jasmin - (36, Rue George Sand - 75016 - Fax +33 1 4050 9077) Just off Mozart Ave. It should cost you about FF 550-600/day for a 5-6 night stay. <BR>I used it some years ago, with my wife and daughter and since then, two friends of mine - all very pleased. The apartment has a good bedroom, a quite big living room (tv, sofa, dining table, etc) where two kids may easily be accomodated at night, a small kitchen with everything you would need to cook for 4 and a complete bathroom. The apartments in upper floors are better (but you will have to face a weird tiny lift - room for two, or one + lugagge type of stuff). The lady manager is very friendly and speaks English. <BR>The 16 eme is a fine residential quarter (no tourists). Metro station is a block away and there are several bus lines than run close bye. You can find grocery stores at walking distance (to prepare a substantial breakfast or a late dinner, if you had a mid afternoon lunch - we had juicy, thick stakes a couple of times) and a Cafe right next door. There are some tiny restaurants in the area. The only possible drawback: at 11 pm, the place is quiet dead! No night life whatsoever. Metro closes at midnight ??? and Trocadero is 3 metro stations away - 20 minutes fast walk. <BR> Although we had a car, it remained parked at the curbside as long as we stayed in Paris! <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR> <BR>

Crazy Dave, that's some story. Talk about an unforgetable memory. I've had my share of adventure as well. Not quite like what you described, but enough to get my heart pumping from time to time. <BR> <BR>Not for nothing or any disrespect intended, good buddy, but remind me not to have you make any reservations for me. I'm not sure my heart could take it. <BR> <BR>Multiple gunshots! Screams! <BR> <BR>Life is certainly a journey. It's just that some roads are more scenic than others. <BR> <BR>Happy trails, Dave. Keep safe.

A message to "Doug": <BR> <BR>In nearly two years, I have yet to come across an "ugly American" on this forum. If there were one available, I would certainly not believe it to be Mr. Rizzuto who has helped many travelers on countless occasions. <BR> <BR>Requesting accomodations that are suitable is not out of the question. Rather it is your god-given right as a "paying customer" and at the very least, it doesn't hurt to ask, which is what he did, not demand, just ask. <BR> <BR>Think about it. <BR>

"lee" <BR> <BR>i also have been on this formum for two years. you've never seen an ugly american on this forum? i guess we read things a little differently. yes i stand corrected on john's post, so shoot me!! its my god given right to make a comment on this forum think about it.

Doug, Lee...gentleman...please. You make me feel so bad for asking the question. Hey dudes, I have been offended a time or two myself on this forum. And, I am sure I have probably offended others, too. We have usually responded to each other 'personnally' at our e-mail addresses. That way, this great forum can be used for constructive purposes, by those whom really need help and advice. (Not counting the genecide, I think that is how Serbia and NATO must have gotten started...arguing. But, that is another story, NOT suitible for bringing up here.) I'm sure you are both nice folks who just hit it off wrong. PLEASE, MAKE PEACE MAN. There is enough hate in the world already! <BR> <BR>Sincerely hoping this will stop, <BR>Mr."C"

crazy dave <BR> i usually do not react to posts in this fashion. peace

Crazy Dave: Let it not be said that I cannot live and let live. Besides, I was never mad at anyone. No reason to be. <BR> <BR>Peace on earth <BR>

Right. And let's get back to the topic at hand. One of the posts above mentions a Paris hotel site..with pictures. Go there. It's fabulous. We booked two hotels from there (with a guidebook or two as a cross-reference), and were more than satisfied with both. (Incidentally, one was $88 a nite- talk about a good deal - and the other was $108, slightly larger room; both w/private bath). Plus, I made trans-Atlantic alls on a weekend to make reservations and (eventually) found English-speaking folks to conduct business with. I'm sure if you explain the nature of your party (two kids) and the need for a more sizable room, you're likely to get what you need. <BR> <BR>And...yes, Paris rooms are a little smaller than your typical American motel. So what? Certainly for a couple, I couldn't see it mattering much. For a family of 4, indeed, it's a bit more of a consideration - if you plan to share a room.

Folks, <BR> <BR>Just a quick note about asking for another room from an expert. I currently work in the corporate office of a very large hotel company and have served as a General Manager of many different hotels from Beach Front Resorts to Transient Corporate Hotels in Mid-town Manhattan. <BR> <BR>In many fine older hotels, there are many different room types that may be classified closely within the hotel itself. Often a hotel does not actually "Book" a specific room for a guest until they actually arrive. They may have 20 different rooms available in that specific type which was booked. The agent themselves may make the decision which room to place your reservation. If the hotel is projecting to be sold out, then the hotel may place all the reservations ahead of time, but depending on whether they are overbooked, they may not be able to do so. <BR> <BR>To request another room is never considered rude or improper. Arriving late in the evening after the hotel has already checked-in most guests may limit the number of rooms that fit your room type and you may be forced to settle for the only available room(s). I always recommend that you try to check-in as early as possible. If the hotel did not sell out the previous night, they have rooms available in the morning. If they did sell out, you won't be able to get a room until close to the posted check-in time (2-3pm). The eariler you attempt to check in, the more potential rooms they have available. <BR> <BR>One more piece of advice, always talk to the front office agent checking you in and ask for a very nice room from the start. They have the ability to choose a nice room from the available inventory of the reseved room type. If your friendly to them and try to make their day more pleasant, they will want to make you happy and give you the better room! <BR> <BR>I hope this helps a little.