To confirm my reservation, since they do not accept credit card, the Port-Royal hotel requested that I fed-ex them 50% of the cost of my stay. Since I want to stay 8 nights, this is about $250. And we're not going until July. Has anyone had any similar experiences with sending money well ahead of time? I'm a bit nervous that when we arrive there in 3 months, we might find ourselves fighting to prove we've paid already.

How do you fed-ex them 50%? Do they mean to send them actual Euros, or is there some sort of money wiring involved?

They said they wanted a traveler's check for 200 Euro federal expressed to them. Or maybe a euro check, but he used the world traveler's check over the phone.

Plus I've read nothing but good things about this hotel. Seems like I'm having a unique situation though right? I feel like in the reviews I've read on trip advisor and a newspaper article featured in SF would have mentioned having to pay this way.

I have heard of some hotels which require deposits, particularly in Venice. Mostly there aren't any problems, but a few people have reported that sort of issue you fear.

Maybe your deposit is higher because it's high season, but here is someone who had to pay a deposit:

"Author: allanc Date: 06/10/2004, 11:32 pm
Message: Stayed at the Hotel Port Royal two years ago. It is a budget hotel. I do not think that we had the best room but it was clean and had a toilet/shower. We found the location quite good. Near Gobelins Metro station and a nice walk through the Latin Quarter to Notre Dame. Great internet spot around the corner. <b>They asked for cash and we mailed a one night deposit to hold the room.</b> If you want to see the exterior/area of an address in Paris try www.pagejaunes.fr. Type in the address or do a search by area.&quot;

That seems real unusual to me, although some real budget hotels can have stiffer requirements than others. Probably because they don't accept credit cards. I think I&quot;ve read that the 1* Hotel Marignan in Paris does something like that or even worse -- never refunding money even if you cancel in advance and requiring entire prepayment. I'm not sure, but something.

I wouldn't do that myself, although certainly a one night deposit is entirely normal. Half is a bit much for a long period. That isn't high season, either--July is low hotel season in Paris, actually.

topping

Thanks everyone, I'm going to stay away from making a reseveration. If when we get to the city we want to go check it out in person, and decide to stay then, we will. But I'm making reservations elsewhere for now.