Why do you pay E200, E300, E400 or more for a Paris hotel room?
Mar 23rd, 2006, 05:09 AM
#41
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OK, now I need to ask you Target lovers...where do you get coupons for Target? Seems it is never coming. I need some Italian chairs only Target has and I am absolutely refuse to pay full price and get 20% off coupon next day in mail. Please, advise.
And you know, as much as I cherrish comfort - I love to travel in groups and we always have to find something affordable for everyone and it is worth it. In whoever's room we are gattering waiting for others to join us - we have so much fun, who cares about room price!!! Try it once!
And you know, as much as I cherrish comfort - I love to travel in groups and we always have to find something affordable for everyone and it is worth it. In whoever's room we are gattering waiting for others to join us - we have so much fun, who cares about room price!!! Try it once!
Mar 23rd, 2006, 05:20 AM
#42
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If you want a hotel room that is always very clean, well appointed and totally enjoyable try the Accor chain of hotels throughout Europe. They have a brand for every budget beginning with the super budget Etap chain with rooms as low as 32 euros then the Ibis, Mercure, Novotel and the top of the line Sofitel. You can stay at the better Novotels and Mercures in many cases for 65-100 euros. No bad surprises at any of their hotels.
Larry J
Larry J
Mar 23rd, 2006, 06:09 AM
#44
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If I can effort the best why should I take the second best??? When I am in New York I want a view of the Central Park, when I am in Berlin I love to have a view of the Brandenburger Tor. Staying in my favourite hotel in Barcelona I have the whole city in front of my window and the ocean on the other side. I spend more than 400 Euros a night on that. Try it and you would never ask this questions again.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 06:29 AM
#46
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Some really interesting responses and emotions. Some of the justifications make absolute sense.
Suze - Thank you for the wonderful compliment (I think).
The room 100 Euro is Air Conditioned. It has A/C. There is AC.
kappa - I am 60. We spend 5 months a year in Florida, one month a year in France.
In support of the "we don't spend much time in our room" argument - My own feelings are that if we are asleep in comfort and remain asleep in comfort, then I have saved the extra money. Now the extra time you spend in your room - there you have a point. We do NOT have fluffy robes, room service, a large bathroom (pretty tiny really), a large living area(barely adequate in size honestly), private areas within the room, gym, huge elevator, restaurant within, many fluffy towels, hot and cold running maids....
What we do have - AC, clean, quiet, quaint, balcony, great location, fantastic view, our own bathroom, friendly helpful personal service, bar fridge and an extra 3000 - 9000+ Euros to spend on restaurants.
I do concede that it is a personal matter of taste and preference and none of my business.
Suze - Thank you for the wonderful compliment (I think).
The room 100 Euro is Air Conditioned. It has A/C. There is AC.
kappa - I am 60. We spend 5 months a year in Florida, one month a year in France.
In support of the "we don't spend much time in our room" argument - My own feelings are that if we are asleep in comfort and remain asleep in comfort, then I have saved the extra money. Now the extra time you spend in your room - there you have a point. We do NOT have fluffy robes, room service, a large bathroom (pretty tiny really), a large living area(barely adequate in size honestly), private areas within the room, gym, huge elevator, restaurant within, many fluffy towels, hot and cold running maids....
What we do have - AC, clean, quiet, quaint, balcony, great location, fantastic view, our own bathroom, friendly helpful personal service, bar fridge and an extra 3000 - 9000+ Euros to spend on restaurants.
I do concede that it is a personal matter of taste and preference and none of my business.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 07:13 AM
#49
Wow. I've never seen "effort" used as a verb before (see KarenE's post above), particularly when used to mean "possessing the abiity to pay for something". I'll have to axe my English professor about this new usage.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 07:25 AM
#52
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As a sort of side note, now that I have really traveled extensively in Europe, my tastes sometimes vary. Back a few years ago I'd definitely seek out the small, charming, atmospheric hotel. Give me a stone wall or exposed beams and I'm happy. If the floors creak and slope, so much the better.
But here's a good example of how I guess I'm changing. We stayed in Munich once at the atmospheric and delightful Platzl Hotel, with exposed beams and old world furnishings. We loved it. When we were going back to Munich we planned to stay there. But it was now over 200 euro per night. On the internet I found a deluxe room on special at the Le Meridien Hotel for half that, so we took it. OK, so we could have been in a deluxe hotel in New York or Los Angeles. We didn't need the huge room, the walk-in marble shower, or the giant plasma TV and free internet service, but guess what? I loved it. Why would I pay more for the "rustic" atmosphere when I could live in such luxury for half the price? I guess it's a matter of "been there done that" with the atmosphere, so I'm no longer opposed to going with class and modern comfort and convenience.
And interestingly somewhere along the line I think the European hotel owners know that rustic, cramped, and even claustrophobic is fine for Americans who are willing to sometimes pay EXTRA for that "atmosphere". Meanwhile smart European budget travelers seek out the modern sleek or simple hotels (like the above mentioned Mercure and Novetel options mentioned above). To many US travelers, those would be horrible -- too much like a Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn back home.
Don't get me wrong, I still love those rustic beams and sloped floors, but sometimes I think I'm crazy to stay there when there is a very comfortable modern characterless hotel right next door for a whole lot less.
But here's a good example of how I guess I'm changing. We stayed in Munich once at the atmospheric and delightful Platzl Hotel, with exposed beams and old world furnishings. We loved it. When we were going back to Munich we planned to stay there. But it was now over 200 euro per night. On the internet I found a deluxe room on special at the Le Meridien Hotel for half that, so we took it. OK, so we could have been in a deluxe hotel in New York or Los Angeles. We didn't need the huge room, the walk-in marble shower, or the giant plasma TV and free internet service, but guess what? I loved it. Why would I pay more for the "rustic" atmosphere when I could live in such luxury for half the price? I guess it's a matter of "been there done that" with the atmosphere, so I'm no longer opposed to going with class and modern comfort and convenience.
And interestingly somewhere along the line I think the European hotel owners know that rustic, cramped, and even claustrophobic is fine for Americans who are willing to sometimes pay EXTRA for that "atmosphere". Meanwhile smart European budget travelers seek out the modern sleek or simple hotels (like the above mentioned Mercure and Novetel options mentioned above). To many US travelers, those would be horrible -- too much like a Holiday Inn or Hampton Inn back home.
Don't get me wrong, I still love those rustic beams and sloped floors, but sometimes I think I'm crazy to stay there when there is a very comfortable modern characterless hotel right next door for a whole lot less.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 07:32 AM
#53
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If it saves you €3000 to 9000 for food, then I know that I, for one, would absolutely rather spend it on food. After all, you don't remember what happens when you're asleep, but I do remember some of the best meals of my life (tastes will, of course vary, and I'm sure there are some great stories of wonderful hotels, I've got a few of my own, too).
Mar 23rd, 2006, 08:30 AM
#54
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Once I stayed at a beautiful, charming, old 4* hotel on a business trip. Then I got up in the morning, and wanted hot water, naturally, to get ready. And there wasn't any! That could happen anywhere, but I think it was mainly an age and maintenance issue with this hotel. I'd much prefer a modern 2* or 2.5* suite hotel by Marriott or Wyndham or even a Holiday Inn Express where everything is in perfect working order. Or if in Europe, an Accor brand hotel, etc. I know many 4* hotels are both old and well-maintained, but like in Neopolitan's case, I would choose that modern Meridien anytime over a more expensive, supposedly more atmospheric hotel.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 09:03 AM
#55
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€3000 to 9000 for food??? For how long?
If you traveling with you wife - how many times you have to eat to spend 'extra' €3000 to 9000 for food?
And you asking WHY people staying in expensive Hotels while chewing EXTRA €3000 to 9000 of food???
Some people just amaze me!!!
If you traveling with you wife - how many times you have to eat to spend 'extra' €3000 to 9000 for food?
And you asking WHY people staying in expensive Hotels while chewing EXTRA €3000 to 9000 of food???
Some people just amaze me!!!
Mar 23rd, 2006, 09:04 AM
#56
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I think it all boils down to what different people are used to.
Living in a very expensive city, and having grown up in the same said city as a very, very poor child, I realized how to survive on what others would scoff at.
I think because of the whole issue of gentrification in my city and the ways that I have seen certain affluent people look down upon the poor, I tend to have disdain for status symbol items and I go for a midway--something clean and comfortable, yet not overpriced.
Everyone is different...what some people consider too "low class" for them, I would revel in.
Like the car debate...sure, if a person wants to spend 30,000 bucks on a car, that is their business. But I would rather use that money on a world trip and stick with my very dependable car that is around 16,000 dollars cheaper!
But I am also aware, that as a college grad and no longer a child living below the poverty level, that many people would think I was being a bit too snobbish when I have my 12 dollar dinners and buy my 3 dollar lattes.
It is all relative. I have no problem with people spending what they choose, it is their money, afterall. I am more concerned with wether or not that person has an accurate world view or if their wealth has led them to not see all different economic strata.
Living in a very expensive city, and having grown up in the same said city as a very, very poor child, I realized how to survive on what others would scoff at.
I think because of the whole issue of gentrification in my city and the ways that I have seen certain affluent people look down upon the poor, I tend to have disdain for status symbol items and I go for a midway--something clean and comfortable, yet not overpriced.
Everyone is different...what some people consider too "low class" for them, I would revel in.
Like the car debate...sure, if a person wants to spend 30,000 bucks on a car, that is their business. But I would rather use that money on a world trip and stick with my very dependable car that is around 16,000 dollars cheaper!
But I am also aware, that as a college grad and no longer a child living below the poverty level, that many people would think I was being a bit too snobbish when I have my 12 dollar dinners and buy my 3 dollar lattes.
It is all relative. I have no problem with people spending what they choose, it is their money, afterall. I am more concerned with wether or not that person has an accurate world view or if their wealth has led them to not see all different economic strata.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 09:14 AM
#57
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Oh, my! If I could send you personal email i would but I can't so I am asking
what is with name birthday-girl-strip?
I find this very offensive, don't you?
You said you are
'a college grad and no longer a child living below the poverty level' - so what is with the NAME???
what is with name birthday-girl-strip?
I find this very offensive, don't you?
You said you are
'a college grad and no longer a child living below the poverty level' - so what is with the NAME???
Mar 23rd, 2006, 09:18 AM
#59
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Easy Ziana - It is the difference in the language between "an extra 3000 - 9000+ Euros to spend on restaurants" and "an extra 3000 - 9000+ Euros which we do spend on restaurants". It is hypothetical. The amount works out to the 100 to 300 Euros a day one can save.
