My husband and I are travelling to Paris next week. Our flight arrives very early in the morning (around 7 am), but check-in at our hotel (hotel lutetia) is not until early afternoon. What should we do with our luggage in the meantime? We don't mind waiting until check-in time, but we don't want to schlep our luggage around all morning.

Go ahead to your hotel. They will hold your bags, and you might even be able to get into your room sooner than you suppose. Just don't get all huffy and demand something that isn't your "entitlement". <BR> <BR>YKWIA <BR>

Gincy: <BR>By the time you get through customs and get your luggage and get to Paris you will have killed two hours. <BR>I always head right to my hotel. Most times I am able to get my room right away. If not, they will gladly hold your luggage in a secured area for you. Drop it off and take a stroll around the neighborhood and grab a oasty and some coffee in a a cafe. <BR>Start your Paris vacation off with a bit of relaxation. Enjoy your trip!

Been there, done that! And my husband had a horrible cold the morning we arrived in Paris. We got to our hotel at about 9:30 am, but couldn't check in until noon or one. The hotel took pity on us and served us breakfast, even though breakfast was officially over. Since my husband was so under-the-weather, strolling around in the rain wasn't a good option. We got on a regular city bus and just rode around on it for a while. We went by the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame. It was a good way to kill a few hours in a bad situation. And the hotel did hold our luggage until check-in.

Gincy: <BR>I meant grab a pastry and a coffee...forgive me it's been a long work week!

Gincy: The Lutétia is a large and luxury hotel. Don't worry about your luggage. They will take care of it. If the weather should be very bad and you don't feel like walking around to much in the streets, just go and have a look at the only department store on the left bank "Le Bon Marché", which is right next door and more typical for Paris than Galeries Lafayette or Printemps. "Lutétia itself has a nice Brasserie where you can have a little rest. I now, jetlag is bad and eaven worse if you don't have a place for a little nap. But you will make it! The area around "Lutétia" is absolutely lovely. So, just relax!

Hi Gincy <BR>Since the Lutetia is a large hotel <BR>the first couple of posters might be right when they say that your room MIGHT be ready earlier than you were told. <BR>By the way, I have family staying at the Lutetia even as we speak and they've been very pleased with it. It is a <BR>gorgeous landmark building as you know, the rooms are definitely larger than the Paris left bank average, and they have found the service to be quite accommodating. <BR>As others have said, if you can't check in, get some breakfast, perhaps not at the hotel because I've been told the food is undistinguished and quite expensive. <BR>Then take a long walk, get to know your wonderful neighborhood, or browse in the very nearby upscale department store le Bon Marche or go to visit one <BR>site/sight that is "on your list". I personally tend to avoid boat rides, bus rides or museums on the first day because however much I am interested they tend to lull me to sleep on that first tired day.