3. Desiree's Paris Hotel Star System

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3. Desiree's Paris Hotel Star System

Last Update January 23. 2003

** France now uses the Euro. Presently ( January 2003) the exchange rate to the Euro is very close to the $US Dollar.

Ok, this is a tough call. Recommending a Paris Hotel is not easy. It all comes down to priorities

Their “star” system does not mean the same as our star system. I have stayed at more than the few Paris hotels with a three star rating, and have been disappointed, because the rooms where not equal to US. Three star ratings.

However, was this my fault or their fault? I guess it was my fault,

I should have figured it out the first time. You know the saying” Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”.

I was comparing our star system to theirs. Well Ok, this was a mistake. Their rating system is not based on our own. I knew this after the first hotel. Nevertheless, I, chose again, another three star hotel, I viewed the photos of the room on the Internet. When I saw the room on the screen, a thought, ahhh much better, I had viewed the room, felt informed , and booked it.

I arrived, opened the door, and, almost feel over the bed! The room was Ok, it had everything that one could need, all, within arms reach, literally.

Now, I have my “Own Star System” that apply to any Paris Accommodations.

The French star system on the outside looks like our own. “Four Stars “, being the best. I have yet to see anything French with Five Stars.

I have booked Paris hotels on my own, through the Internet, through friends recommendations, and through travel agencies. Moreover, I have seen the “pretty bad”, to the now this is a lot better” rooms. With that experience in mind, I give you below my French Star system.

(All Prices are in US Dollars)

Star.

Your basic youth hostel, fronting as a hotel. I have never stayed at

a hostel, but this is what I would compare a “one star” hotel to. The only thing different is you will get your own room. A closet size room, no bath, mirror, or phone. Toilet down the hall. May or, may not have heat. These hotels are also at least 1oo years old. Remember Paris is old. And, if you stay at one of these hotels you will know just how old. Price single rate, 45-65.00

Stars.

Still scary, Expect, old, the same closet size room as the “one Star”. You will get a bed, and a sink, toilet, most likely down the hall. No phone. You can probably pay 50 extra francs for a shower in your room. On the other hand, the shower could be down the hall, and still cost extra.

Price single rate, 70-85.00

Another +Stars

** +Price single rate. 85.-90.00

This rate is not at *** stars yet. But if you find a room for this rate. Slightly larger than the closet size rooms, everything will be in your room. TV, yes, but no English speaking stations. If you are lucky, it will list, “breakfast included”. This is not an American Breakfast. It is croissant, coffee and juice. If it is not included. It will be listed as, available for 60-80ff extra.

Stars

Still, very small room, new paint, everything included, compare it to a very small “Hilton cheapest rake rate room”.

Not quite a Marriott. The room will disappoint you, but it will do. Price single rate, 125-165.00

+ Stars

. Price single rate. 170-185.00

Small. But nice, has everything, But you will still be disappointed for the price. Breakfast will usually be extra.

Stars

Anything over 1250ff will be listed as 4 stars. You will get everything. You can stay a block off the Champs-Elysees, you can have your CNN in English, and they will even have a portable electric converter for you to use (for a fee). Will you think your room is pretty ? Yes, you will, because it should be at that price! However, will you think it is worth it? Only you can decide that. Price single rate, 200-300.00

Stars

The Ritz Carlton

If you know right off the bat, you will have to spend more than you want to get a room you can live with., decide, what you can do without, and, then, what you can not live without, and know that once you actually see your room, you will be a little disappointed. You will manage just fine.

Decide if you just have to stay in Paris, or if say, example you would not mind staying in Montmartre? If that is do-able.

Just take the Metro

Remember that the metro is always within a few blocks in either direction. No matter what area you stay in, there will be plenty of cafes, bistros, restaurants, and nightlife.

For me, it would be Paris. And a Low high-end two star, or low end 3 star.

Basics: For US. Dollars.

(BELOW AMOUNTS ARE IN US. DOLLARS $$)

The first price is the low end then up to the high end

45-65.00	Will get you
70-90.00
175-250
250-300	Will get you high end	+
300-400	Will get you low to mid end

For the best deals, if you have a computer. Surf.

A good place to start at is, the search engine:

www.dogpile.com

Dogpile is a search engine. It will list all the Paris hotels that all the other search engines have listed. Just type in “ Paris France Hotels” then click “fetch”. This is one of my favorite sites to locate information.

I have used an agency that gives a discount if you list through the Internet.

I booked a hotel with them, and was pleased with their service.

Caroline Choukroun , is the agent I have worked with. I stayed at the:

Hotel De Saxe

75007 Paris

33.1.44.49.40

I got it for 490ff per night instead of the 690ff. ( US.80.00 or 80 Euro)This was the special offer for netsurfers.

Breakfast was optional at 80ff per person per day.

Their fax number is;

33.1.44.51.19.59

Phone number is:

33.1.44.51.19.52

This was a great location. I was about three blocks from the Tower Eiffel. I did not have a view. In fact, it was an ugly construction view. But for the price, it was the nicest Hotel, were I felt the price was fair. I was not unhappy with my room there. I have stayed at that Hotel twice. The first time the room was small but nice. The second time, my room was a lot smaller, for the same price. When I asked for the same size room. They explained that I had been given the large room because they were actually out of rooms that my lower rate was confirmed for. They were both Ok rooms, I just wished I had not stayed in the other room first.

I have spent a lot more money, for a lot less room. In addition, I have spent very little money, for almost the same amount of space as the higher end rooms.

I have also gone through Cheaptickets for good hotel rates.

The only draw back with them is you have to prepay. Well at least you now your room is already taken care of.

I stayed at:

Hotel Rochmbeau

4 Rue La Boetie

Paris 75008

Super, super small room you would not believe how small the room and bed were, the room had everything, but it was tiny. It was at a very nice location, near the Champs-Elysees.

You can go through Cheaptickets at:

www.cheaptickets.com

Or try:

www.copatel.com

The email address for Rochambeau:

rochambeau@copatel.com

Tip

The French seem to love “Faxes”. They do not like the phone. I faxed and emailed them, and received the nicest flowery faxes and emails from them. If anything should go wrong, they are going to ask you if you received a fax. I would fax them twice before I arrived. This will help them remember you when you check in. And who knows, you just might get one of those better rooms.

Remember your Arrondissements and decide how far away from Paris center that you are willing to stay:

Tip

How to remember which bank is which. Or “HEY! Just which Side of the Bank am I on anyway? Help!

Remember which side your heart is on. Think romance, love, the Eiffel Tower, things that effect and touch your heart.

The Left Bank.

Your heart is on your left (the romance side, so is the Eiffel tower)

The Right Bank.

Remember which side of the pants a person will carry his/her wallet in. The Right Bank will effect the amount of money you will be spending.

Everything cost more on the Right Bank. Just remember ,your wallet is on your right.- so are, The Louvre, Designer shops, and Champs-Elysees!

Tip

The last two numbers of the “zip code” will tell you your arrondissement.

Tip

Quick guide to your Arrondissements.

Left Bank Arrondissements.

5th

6th

7th

13th

14th

15th

Right Bank Arrondissements.