My husband and I will very soon be traveling to Paris for the first time. We are leaving in 3 weeks and will be staying for 8 days.

In searching for hotels online, most have a "Winter Special" rate that is significantly lower than the regular rates that are offered during the high season. The catch is that you have to pay upfront at the time you are making the reservation. Even though these advertised rates are generally half the typical cost, it would still be for us approx $2000. That is a LOT of money to spend without even being there. We have two young children and are afraid if something happens unforseen, we would lose all that money. It's because of these "winter specials" we are able to afford to stay in places we normally would not be able to.

Advice? Thank you!

Try insuremytrip.com and squaremouth.com and buy cancellation insurance.

$2000 for 8 days is $250 a night. I trust you are aware that there are lots of hotel choices in Paris that are far less than that per night even during peak season? Maybe you're only looking at luxury hotels, and that's fine, but just saying....

We are not normally "extravagant" but after 20 years of marriage we want to make this an extra special trip. For ONCE we don't have our kids (we took them to Italy for a month 2 years ago.) We know it'll be cold and maybe without the kids we will spend some time alone together IN the hotel room.I'm totally open to suggestions...

$250 a night isn't a luxury hotel, that's for sure. I don't know what to suggest, you can get discounts for prepaying, so that's what you are seeing. If you aren't comfortable doing that, don't, but you can't get the same rates without prepaying. Most hotels don't have winter discount rates, although there are some in early December, which I guess is what you see. $250 is only about 175 euro, you aren't going to get an extravagant hotel room for that. You can find 3* hotels for that in early December, though, that's for sure. But if you want an extra special trip, which sounds high end, don't expect to get that for 175 euro if you don't want to prepay. A lot of those "winter specials" are just specials for prepaying and booking several nights, they have them all the time and change the name of the season. 4* hotels in St Germain will be more than that, I expect, even for specials. LIke the Hotel Aubusson is 255-275 euro even for their "winter promotions."

What do you want to pay for this extra special hotel? Myabe some folks will have some ideas, but it it's 125-150 euro, I don't think you'd get anything special for that rate.

you can try looking at booking.com, they don't make you prepay and have some deals. I did get a 4* hotel on there about half rack rate last September, but it wasn't extravagant. It was around 175 euro finally, I believe.

Personally, I would never pay that amount if it's not refundable. You can be assured that no matter what happens, it will not be refunded. I think it's just too risky. Someone in your family could become ill (flu season), your childcare arrangements could fall through, job crisis, etc.
I would check the hotels individual websites to see about refundable specials. Good luck.

What about the Victoria Palace, this hotel gets good reviews and they often do specials.

Lynnaustin, best to always take out travel insurance for those un-expected surprised! Especially now with the way travel is.

Hi Travelmom,
You could rent a cozy apartment for less than $2000 - no room service but a lot of pluses to look at. Check out Paris Perfect - their apartments look so beautiful and roomier than a hotel room.

I would also second the suggestion to rent an apartment. My husband and I have done that in Rome and Paris and it was wonderful both places.

I wouldn't prepay the whole amount, either - it's way too risky. Lots of hotel have internet specials, where you might have to pay the first night as non-refundable deposit. I just got back from two weeks in Paris, where I got a good deal at a nice (not luxury) hotel that did that. There are lots of nice little "boutique" hotels in Paris for $250 per night, but I agree with Christina, you won't get luxury - but still quite nice (but think small rooms, remember, this is Paris!)

I think extravagant was the wrong choice of word. In cities where we have traveled and been sightseeing all day, it doesn't matter too much where we stay as long as it is not a chain (we like to support locals)is clean, and in a good location. I just know that on this trip we want something a little more special. I know the rooms are small- I don't care about that. I'm just looking for cozy and romantic and want to take advantage of staying in an expensive city in a low season.

If you're getting a $700 hotel room for $250 then you probably will need to prepay to get it. But to get a $300 hotel room for $225 you should be able to book closer to the time and not prepay. It depends on how special you want the hotel to be - and if you can find travel insurance that covers what you fear may cause you to cancel the trip.

I think that's great advise- thank you. I think the excitment of going to Paris was clouding my mom responsibilites. We will wait to get the hotel and if don't get a great "deal" then we can live with that. It's just not worth it.

travelmom -I know you said you do not want to stay in a chain hotel but if the only reason is because you want to support the locals, you are missing out on great deals!

You can stay in the Ibis Esplanade La Defense for 48euros from a Friday to a Monday and 69euros for the other days of the week. The hotel has beautiful views of the River Seine from it's windows and the metro is very close.
From the promenade above the metro there is a large paddling pool where we often see moms sitting on the benches watching the children have fun.
It's vast area has a small vineyard and the view of the Arc de Triomphe & Tour de Eiffel all at once!

Do go to the Ibis Hotel website where you have to book online for these special deals. Good luck and have a lovely holiday!