Hi, my husband and I are going to Paris for the first time in April. I usually inquire about upgrades when checking into our hotel. I haven't seen anything about this subject for France. Would this be an okay thing to do? I don't want to seem rude.<BR>Thanks.

If you're checking into the Marriot, or some American chain, it might be appropriate, but in a typical Parisian hotel I think you would be greeted with blank stares.

Hi Summer,<BR> Ask to see the room upon registration. If it is really not acceptable, ask for a better room.<BR> Otherwise, you have probably been given the best available room.

I'm not even sure what you mean to do, but many Parisian hotels have a variety of rooms, some called &quot;standard&quot; and some &quot;superior&quot; or &quot;deluxe&quot;. The price list pretty much tells you on that score, the better rooms cost more. If you want a higher-level room, you should reserve that level and pay for it. I don't think any hotel is going to give you a higher-priced room for free if you book the lower-priced one for no reason. I don't know about rude, it just seems unreasonable to ask for something you didn't pay for and kind of nervy (well, okay, maybe that's rude). <BR><BR>I don't think there's anything wrong about asking for a better location or something if you really don't like your room, within the category you booked. I've done that, especially if the room is near a stairway or elevator or something that seems noisy. But if you mean that you will pay for a better room, why wait until check-in to ask for one, book a better room.

&quot;. . .it just seems unreasonable to ask for something you didn't pay for and kind of nervy (OK, well maybe that's rude).&quot;<BR><BR>Ah Christina I think you've just hit the nail on the head as to why so many people think so many Americans are &quot;rude&quot;. What you have described has become the commonplace in the US. &quot;Never pay retail&quot;, &quot;buy one and get one free&quot;, and &quot;what's my discount&quot; are the catchphrases in everyday life in the US these days. Asking for a hotel room upgrade -- as summer is suggesting is not only a given in the US, you're almost foolish not to do so.<BR><BR>Summer you were wise to ask about the practice though. Although bargaining may be something people will still do in France at a market or a flea market, it just isn't done in hotels or regular businesses. As suggested above if you want a better room ask to see one, and if it is larger or more deluxe, you should be expected to pay for it. <BR><BR>Asking for something for nothing -- in other words, carrying a US custom to Europe -- is likely to earn you a &quot;rude American&quot; designation.

Don't even think about asking for an upgrade, it's just not done in European hotels (it's an American thing). Most hotels have categories of rooms, i.e., standard, superior (and maybe deluxe or some such equivalent). You get what you pay for, if you want more you pay for it. Perhaps as StCirq said an American chain such as Marriott, Hilton, Sheraton may be more receptive, but then again you are not going to encounter Americans behind the front desk so I doubt if I'd try it there either. If you want superior book it.

We have been given an upgrade in French Hotels without even asking for it...particularly Relais and Chateaux hotels. We are thankful and grateful, but we certainly don't turn it down.<BR><BR>People on this board frequently try to squeeze out the cheapest airfare they can, but I guess they have a different standard when it comes to European hotels.

It's all in how you approach it. I'd never walk into my Paris hotel and say, &quot;do you have a free upgrade you can give me?&quot; But it is perfectly fine to say, &quot;is that the best room you have for the price?&quot;

Thanks to everyone who responded. I pretty much figured that asking for an upgrade was a no-no but wasn't sure. That's why this board is so neat, being able to get information from people who are knowledgeable of the local customs. I surely do not want to be an ugly american.

In November 2001, we checked into a small Paris hotel for a 7 night stay and were given a room very small by even European city standards. As we left to go to dinner that evening we told the desk clerk that we were disappointed. He apologized with the explanation that they were very busy because of a convention in the area but hoped to do better for us. When we returned from dinner (at the restaurant he recommended) he told us we would be moved the next day into a larger room that was still in the same category.<BR><BR>We've since returned to the hotel for another week and to the restaurant 3 times.