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PARIS LODGING ACCOMMODATIONS
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"The best of America drifts to Paris. The
American in Paris is the best American. It is more fun for
an intelligent person to live in an intelligent country.
France has the only two things toward which we drift as we
grow older -- intelligence and good manners."
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940), U.S.
author.
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 In its annual
lodging guide, the Paris Tourist Office lists some 1500 member hotels within the
city's 20 arrondissements. The actual count, though, is closer to 2200
establishments -- offering roughly 85,000 rooms in all. Despite the tremendous
choice of accomodations, you should always reserve well in advance.
During the past several years,
Paris has witnessed a general upgrade of its hotels, so that many previously
lackluster, cheap lodgings have been replaced by good-value facilities in the lower
to middle price range. Air conditioning is commonplace in middle- to higher-priced
rooms, but is not considered a prerequisite for comfort, since Paris' hot weather
season is usually short-lived.  Due to a shortage
of precious real estate, travelers should expect hotel rooms in the oldest
quartiers to be generally much smaller than their American counterparts. A
nominal séjour (lodging) tax of 7FF per person, per night is charged
to pay for promotion of tourism in Paris.
As travelers throughout Europe will
discover, not all hotel rooms offer private bathroom facilities. It is not uncommon
in lower-priced hotels for guests to share a bathroom down the hall. Be sure to read
our property descriptions to determine if private baths are available, and specify
whether you wish to have a baignoire (bathtub) or douche (shower) when
you make reservations.  Assume that suites
have full bathrooms with tubs. Another fixture to which Americans are typically
unaccustomed is the bidet.
Almost all Paris hotels charge extra
for breakfast, with prices ranging from 30FF to more than 200FF per person in luxury
establishments. The usual fare is a Continental breakfast consisting of café
au lait (coffee with hot milk) and croissants; for anything more elaborate, the
price will be higher. You may be better off finding the nearest café.
Visitors on the tightest of budgets
may wish to consider an array of hostels, some privately operated and several operated
by International Youth Hostels (an organization boasting over 5,000 facilities
worldwide). If you plan to stay at least a week or longer, a variety of private
apartments, condominiums, and apartment-hotels offer the convenience of certain home
amenities -- such as kitchens -- at a savings of one-third to one-half of average
hotel stays.
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Lodging Links:
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Paris Hotels, Apartments
Browse our extensive listings of both privately-owned and
international chain hotels, including exemplary values recommended
by Fodor's Gold Guide. Check out the generous array of furnished
apartments & condos available for short-term rental. Use our
search form to locate specific establishments. Book your stay online
with our secure reservations system.
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Boarding Houses (pensions)
Ranging in price from $15 to $65 a day (some include
meals), these facilities are especially economical if
you're sharing with a friend.
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Camp Sites
The French Camping Federation offers nine camp sites near Paris
(some with bungalows available), including the Bois de Boulogne,
Disneyland-Paris, Versailles, etc.
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International Youth
Hostels
If you're on a tight budget, this vast network (5,000+ worldwide)
offers a warm and congenial rest stop to adventurers of any age,
with four facilities within Paris' city limits, and dozens more
throughout France.
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La Résidence
Student hostel in the suburbs, with modern furnished rooms for 1950
FF (approx. $360) a month, all inclusive. A few smaller rooms are
available in the city, near the Portes d'Orléans métro
station, for the same price.
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Student & Youth Hostels
There are presently about 25 youth hostels in Paris, some privately
owned and operated, others run by national and international
organizations, offering clean and economical lodgings. Age and
student status requirements vary.
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The definitive and indispensable guide to Paris, complete with
travel and tourism info, cafés and bistros, museums,
great walks and scenic day trips. Don't leave home without this
book!
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by Natasha Lesser (Editor)
Usually ships within 24 hours.
Paperback, Book & Map edition
Published Sept. 1998 by Fodors Travel Publications
List Price: $14.00
Our Price:
$11.20
You Save:
$ 2.80
ISBN: 067900131X
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