Hotel reservation - no deposit needed?
 

I requested a hotel reservation at a boutique hotel in Paris and they said they didn't need a credit card to make a deposit or hold the reservation. Is that commonplace in paris? I just want to make sure it is so that I don't lose a reservation once I arrive on vacation.

We go away a lot in Europe and usually hotels require a credit card as guarantee or a deposit to be paid but sometimes they will just say, don't worry, just let us know if you decide not to come. We always think it's nice when that happens, it shows a level of trust.

If you take the email with you showing that they have said you don't need to give them your credit card details, that should be good enough in case of a problem. You could also check any traveller reviews of the hotel on Trip Advisor to see if other people have had any issues.

Kay

It's not common place but it does happen. I have a reservation at a hotel in Orvieto that didn't ask for a cc# or deposit. Re-confirm your reservation a week ahead of time. Print it out and bring it with you. Even if you give them a cc# to hold there are no guarantees. If they don't accept cc's they may not ask for the number. Make sure you are prepared for what they accept..cash or cc. Yes, it is common to only accept cash in boutique hotels.

I have never been asked for a deposit on a hotel booking in France. Offhand, I'd guess that the number of times I was asked for a CC was about 50%.

I think it defeinitely depends on the hotel. Every hotel in Paris I've stayed in has asked for a cc guarantee. This does NOT mean they all do; I am simply relating my own experience as I am sure are the other responders.

I very strongly suspect one reason why hotels DO ask for a CC # is to help ensure that people don't "forget" to tell them they have changed their mind.