Hey all,

Just got my AA FF tickets for Paris next April (11-19).

Just curious...I have narrowed my choices to a few hotels, but was wondering how early I should consider making reservations?

Do most hotels fill up in April? If I have a first choice, should I go ahead and make reservations now?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Mike

You may find that some hotels won't make reservations this early, as they haven't fixed their rates rate. But it's worth trying so you're assured of getting the hotel--and room--that you want.

Thanks for your input...

Small hotels won't do it this early, however large chain hotels will, i.e. Holiday Inn, Marriott, Hilton. Most will book about 330 days out.

You can always contact the hotel you are interested in directly and ask what their policy is and when they will start taking 2007 reservations.

Thanks

You don't give the location, or name the hotels that you're considering. If they are charming, small hotels (around 30 rooms) in great locations, they will fill quickly.

Contact the hotels and ask when they take reservations and what their cancellation policy is.

I wouldn't book a hotel almost a year ahead of time myself -- the only exception would be some resort or unusual area like that where they get booked up way ahead of time on certain holidays or something.

I'd probably book a hotel around the end of the year, but even January should be okay. I don't book mine in Paris until about two months ahead.

I think the Easter holiday is the problem period in Paris during April. A lot of Europeans will be on vacation that week, and its a school holiday, and many of them may go to Paris. Now April 11th is a few days after Easter, so I don't think that would still be the peak period for that reason.

I guess if you have some special hotel you want to stay at, no harm in asking, why not.

I was in Paris in April last year. I booked my hotel two or three weeks before I left through a last minute website and got the hotel I wanted at a very good rate. In fact, once there I decided to stay a few extra days but the rate they quoted at the front desk was much higher that I had paid, so I went round the corner to an internet cafe and was able to book the same hotel again at the low rate. I've gotten last minute deals in September, October, January and May.

I use ratestogo.com

Of course not everyone likes to "live dangerously". If you MUST have a particular hotel, you may prefer to book earlier.