We're thinking of going to Paris in late March, just before the airfares go crazy. I've been to Paris once before (Dec 98) and stayed at the Hilton, ET. I forget what I paid, but it couldn't have been more than $125/nt or so.

Now, checking the major US chains, I'm only finding rates in the $250-400 range, which just seems beyond silly to me. The weather isn't great, crowds should be minimal, etc.

Is late March considered high season, have hotel rates gone up since 98, is there something happening in town the last weekend in March, or is it just too early to bother looking?

Well, March in Paris is definitely not low season. I would say it's either shoulder or high season. The lowest hotel rates in Paris can be found during July and August when toute France, and much of western Europe, goes en vacances. But during that time, some stores and restaurants are closed. In general, hotel rates in large metropolitan areas are more determined by the influx of business travelers and then leisure travelers, to a lesser degree.

It may be a bit early to find discount rates at American chains such as Hyatt, Marriott or Hilton right now. I'd check back in January or February.

I think the rate differential between low and high season in European destination cities is much greater that the differential in US cities. Does NYC even have a "low" season?

The posted rate may stay the same, but the "Holiday season" rate will cut the charge to 1/2.

Although that $250-400 rate may seem silly to you, under normal circumstances, the hotels will be sold out in March at that rate.

I do know that high season rates in Venice have started on March 1 in past years.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by slawecki:
Does NYC even have a "low" season?

</font>

In New York, spring and autumn are generally considered high season. Summer and winter are considered low season.

For example, here are the bed and breakfast room rates at the Four Seasons Hotel New York:

Nov 23–Dec 31
Deluxe Room USD 555
Superior Room USD 495
Moderate Room USD 475

Jan 01–Mar 31
Deluxe Room USD 535
Superior Room USD 495
Moderate Room USD 415

Apr 01–Jun 30
Deluxe Room USD 555
Superior Room USD 495
Moderate Room USD 475

Jul 01–Sept 03
Deluxe Room USD 535
Superior Room USD 495
Moderate Room USD 415

I've had good luck at Citadines Aparthotels. I really like their accomodations! For example, a small 1 bedroom apartment would sleep four people and cost approximately 152 Euros a night. Pretty decent... You can do a search on Expedia for these.

lqdnitin:

I heartily recommend my "home" in the City of Light: Hotel Relais Bosquet in the Seventh Arrondissement.

http://www.hotelrelaisbosquet.com/

Have stayed there a number of times over the past four years and have always been comfortable and well taken care of. Plus the location is convenient to transportation and the neighborhood is quiet and seems safe.

Bon Voyage!

Bill

The most I've ever paid while staying in Paris has been $85 per night. . .my criteria: safe, clean, nice location.

My choices:

Hotel Muguet ($85 for a single now; $120 for a double) located near Rue Cler the market and two blocks from the Eiffel Tower

Hotel LeTourville - 7th as well - $90 for single I believe

There are many other places as well - Hotel Kensington (it's OK, cheap).

There are many lovely places in the Marais as well - Canon duBeauchamps for example (pricier - more like $110 per night).

I guess it depends upon what you are looking for. Again, when I'm in Paris I'm not in the room very often so as long as it's safe, clean, own bathroom, and in a good location i.e., near metro stops I'm good!

The beginning of high season (as far as leisure travel is concerned) can sometimes fluctuate based on when Easter falls, as well.

posted by bbinchi:
"I heartily recommend my "home" in the City of Light: Hotel Relais Bosquet in the Seventh Arrondissement."

Not to mention that it is within staggering distance of all the food shops on rue Cler. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

"checking the major U.S. chains"...

That's your first mistake. Why would you WANT to stay at a U.S. chain in Paris???

Check-out www.expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com) and you'll find scores of reasonably priced, atmospheric hotels that won't leave you reeling when you pay the bill.

I am in Paris starting next weekend and have booked a double room at the Hotel Beaubourg for 98 euros a night. It is centrally located in the 4th andris, close to metro etc. I never even thought of booking a US chain - I want the true Paris experience.

Last year we tried the Comfort Inn Mouffetard in the Latin Quartier.

It was cheap, included breakfast and was located right on the rue Mouffetard which as oodle of affordable restaurants and shopping and is very close to a metro stop.

I think we paid about $70 euros a night in January.

The downside is that the room quality was Motel 6. We will probably look for a little more upscale place next time, but considering how little time we spent in the room it wasn't all that bad.

Check out this site:

http://www.cheephotels.co.uk/paris/index.htm

doglover, we are staying there this coming week. Any suggestions about what we should do, how to get there from CDG, etc.?

All advice appreciated.

A few suggestions, assuming you want to stretch your dollars:

At the airport buy the Museum Pass to avoid long lines at many museums waiting to buy tickets
http://www.intermusees.com/wwwie/index.html

At the airport buy the week long metro pass
(have passport photos taken at home first). If you're not going to be there that long then buy tickets in 10 packs.

Then ride the RER to Gare du Nord and then take a taxi from there. (Don't do this if you can't handle your luggage on stairs. Paris is not HCP friendly)
http://travel.epicurious.com/maps/airportguides/eur/index.ssf?parisdgl.html

When you go to the Louvre don't enter by the dome if there is a line. That is for suckers. Enter at the street level through the underground mall. There is also a quick entrance for people with passes not far from the metro exit. You can also purchase the museum pass in the tourist center at the mall in the louvre.

Our favorite place to hang out is the Latin Quarter. Zagat's guide to paris is very helpful for finding affordable restaurants with decent ratings. Look for 20 food scores and above and you will eat well. A great street to walk in the early evening is the Rue Mouffetard.

Make sure you hit one of the open markets in the early AM.

Have Fun!

You can also buy museum passes in any metro station. They have 1-day, 3-day, etc depending on what you will be doing. FYI, in two trips to the Louvre, no one checked our passes. Arrived by metro both times.