Paris in May - AC needed?
 

I'm planning on staying in a hotel that doesn't have AC, but does have a fan in the room. I'm going to Paris around May 22nd, and I was just wondering how hot it gets - do you think AC is needed?

No.

My opinion on the subject is a little different because I find that A/C makes my room more comfortable for several reasons. One, I can keep the windows shut thus reducing street noise by a considerable factor. Second, buildings seem to get very warm in cities even when the temperature outside is less than 75º F. Even if the outside temperature is comfortable, the room often is not. Third, in Paris rain seems to be common. As a result I am forced to the shut the windows. The room then becomes not only too warm but also very humid. When the rain quits you can of course open the windows, but unless you have a corner room there is no cross ventilation.<BR>One of the most comfortable hotel rooms we have had in Europe was in Vienna last September. The windows were double glass and the a/c unit had a switch so we could easily control the room temperature. <BR>If the outside temperatures are cold enough to reqire heat in the room, then of course the a/c unit is not needed at all. I don't think I would need any a/c, not even for an hour or so, in mid October.<BR>The end of May is sometimes cool, sometimes warm. <BR>

Anna: I was in Paris the last week in May of 2001 and highs were in the 70s & 80s. I was comfortable with the window in my room open for the breeze. However, at night that made it a bit hard to sleep because it let in the noise from cars and scooters outside (and I was on a very quiet sidestreet). If I closed the window because of the noise, then I was too hot. Next time I'm there in May I will probably choose a room with air conditioning just to make it easier to sleep at night.

Anna - I was there last May around the same time and the A/C was absolutely needed for a good night's rest. There are so many reasonable hotels that offer A/C...I would change my plans if I were you!

no

We were there in May 1998 and did not need AC as it didn't get any warmer than 75 degrees while we were there. Of course, we also stayed in a area that was more residential than tourist (halfway between Bastille and Place de Republique) so it may have been a bit quieter. Next April we will be staying in Saint Germaine. I doubt we'll need AC at that time of year. I did think May was the best time to visit.

I am amazed at the luck some people have had with high temperatures in late May.<BR>Just for an alternate opinion, I've been there in May a couple of times, and<BR>although on one trip we had temps around 70F during the day, on another trip during the last week of May the temps<BR>never got above the mid-50sF during the day and we had 4 days of cold rain. Weather is always a matter of luck of course, but even the low temps I've experienced weren't freaks or record-breakers as far as I know.<BR>You can check websites like<BR>wunderground.com for "historical" temps<BR>in May.<BR>As others have said, the main advantage of having a/c even in moderate weather is being able to keep the windows closed if noise is an issue.<BR>Anna, if you're still there,what hotel are you staying at?<BR>Is it on a busy street?

Yes

Elaine, <BR><BR>The hotel I was thinking of staying at was Hotel du Bois which is on 11 rue du Dome - is this a busy street?<BR><BR>Thanks!

Anna,<BR>I haven't stayed there but I'd guess not, just based on the following description from my Cheap Sleeps in Paris book:<BR>"The entrance to the hotel is in a passageway reached on foot by steep steps from the street level, or by car on an upper level through one-way streets from behind." <BR>Hotel has been praised; just want to remind you that there's no elevator.

Just more anecdotal info, but we definitely did not need AC in late May of 2000. Needed heat, in fact.