What to do When you Can’t Find a Hotel in Paris
December 18, 2007 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under European Travel, Places to Stay, Travel Tips
When I headed off to Paris a couple months ago, it was a bit of a last minute trip. I had been wanting to make the trip for quite some time, but had to make some changes to the actual travel dates at the last minute. You can make things work at the last minute, so if you find yourself in this position, don’t abandon your plans, just dig in and make it work.
When I set my travel dates, I set them around my schedule, and didn’t pay attention to what was going on in Paris. It turned out that the Rugby World Cup was being held during the time I planned to be there. The downside of that was that all the moderately priced hotels were booked up. In fact, I couldn’t find hotel availability at all, even stretching the budget to $500 night.
While my traveling companion would have been perfectly happy to stay at a local American chain, and that was the back up plan, I was determined to find something oozing with French charm and ambience.
Undaunted by the seemingly Herculean task in front of me, I checked out all the hotel websites that had anything in Paris. I sent off lots of emails and reservations requests. The answers were all the same — no availability for the time I was going to be there.
Next I emailed friends and bloggers who were in Europe, or those who had recently visited France, asking for suggestions and ideas. I got a ton of responses and helpful suggestions, but I still didn’t find any place with availability. Until one friend suggested trying to find an apartment.
Hmmmm! I hadn’t thought of that. What a great idea! With less than 48 hours before I had to get on an airplane, it was an idea that needed to be acted upon quickly.
There are a number of companies that handle apartment rentals in France. If I had thoroughly checked them out, I would be happy to list and link to them here. But I didn’t do any due diligence (something that I never recommending skipping), instead trusting my bank of travel karma to make it all work out.
I found a listing for a studio apartment in the 4th arrondissement, close to the Bastille métro, that sounded promising and affordable. There were photos, and although I tend not to trust these type of photos, I wasn’t in a position to be too choosy. It was conveniently located in a nice neighborhood, so it had to be full of the charm and ambience that I was looking for.
I placed the call, spoke to Michael, a very nice guy in New York, and with hours to spare we handled the business end of things. Before you could say bon voyage I was on a plane en route to Paris.
So how did it work out? Keep reading to find out. . . .
Upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle airport, I took the train into the city, made one transfer, and found myself coming out of the station for my first view of Paris.
The apartment was a very short walk from the métro but because of my bumbling about it took me about half an hour to walk the block and a half. I chalked it up to flying all night, little sleep, and my lack of French language along with a healthy dose of excitement about FINALLY getting to Paris.
The entrance was through a large green double door that opened into a terrace with a couple of small tables and chairs. I’m sure that during the warmer weather this is a very popular place to sit and have morning coffee or a glass of wine.
The apartment itself was just as described, with a lovely salon, a remarkably spacious and efficient bathroom (with shower), and a small kitchen (which I only used for opening wine and keeping water and cheese in the refrigerator).
Over the week that I was there, the neighborhood became familiar and comfortable. I felt safe walking around during the day and in the wee hours as well. I found my favorite cafe for my morning coffee and croissant, a frommagerie and wine shop, and some local restaurants. It was a perfect location for my days of exploration, whether by train or foot. It was everything that I had hoped for more.
While I certainly don’t recommend that you wait till the last minute to plan a trip, don’t let the fact that it’s a last minute opportunity get in the way. There are ways to make nearly everything work.
I didn’t stay in the hotel room that I had originally planned. But what worked out was even better. For a very short time I could feel like a resident of Paris.
NOTE: For anyone interested in specific information about the apartment, contact me directly. I’ll be happy to share specifics and contact information.
***UPDATE***
If you are interested in information about this apartment rental, you can email Michael at paris@idiom.tv.
Photos: personal collection
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Staying in apartments in Europe is great, makes you feel more like a local and can be a great deal. When I was younger I used to just rock up to cities with no accommodations booked and my buddy and I did that in Prague and this random woman from the train station took us to a cool apartment. She had pictures and stuff and gave us a ride so it worked out perfect.
But people have to be careful pre-booking some of these apartments. My wife and I were looking at short term apartments in Amsterdam on Craigs List and noticed some obvious scams. Luckily we have someone from the university organizing a place for us so we don’t have to worry about the short term thing anymore before our move.
I would definitely consider an apartment again, Alex, and while I like knowing where I’m going to be that first night (especially when I’m exhausted from traveling all nignt), being spontaneous and leaving plans unmade is part of the excitement of travel.
Scams abound, though, you’re right. It pays to be cautious, get referrals, check references, and talk up both the good and the bad.
I still think it’s pretty weak not to be able to find a hotel for less than $500 in ANY city. Even by wandering the streets for an hour and asking in a few bars here and there you will always find something, especially if you have to commute to the centre (thereby immersing yourself in the culture every day). The Best Western we stayed at was Louis XVI doctor’s house, about 200m from the Arc de Triomphe and was
Giles: Different people want different things when they travel, and that’s one of the fun things about travel blogging — you get a chance to sample a little of everything.
I am sure that the reason the reasonable priced hotels were sold out and unavailable was because of the World Cup. Lots of people in the city looking for modestly priced rooms, and they were soon snatched up. Like everything else, supply and demand impacts room rates. Those folks who wandered and hoped to find a hotel were disappointed and slept crammed into rooms with friends.
That was not what I was looking for.
I’ve had plenty of experience staying in modest accommodations, and that’s usually my choice for most of the reasons that you cited.
But, again, for this vacation that was not my choice. I wanted to see this capital city, and all the good and bad that it had to offer. I wasn’t looking to find the essence of France in Paris, I was looking to find the essence of real people who live and work in Paris.
I stayed in a real neighborhood, with real people, and watched moms and dads take their kids to school in the morning before heading off to work. I watched kids play ball on the street, and sat and had wine at the bar with people who lived down the street. Real people, doing very ordinary things – the kind of things that happen in my neighborhood at home.
Another time I’ll return to take in the countryside, and opt for a different experience. And it will be great as well – although at heart I am more of a city girl, and that will always have more of a draw for me.
It sounds like the city just isn’t for you – which is why you make the choices that you prefer. However that doesn’t mean that it’s not an enjoyable choice for many.
I would never presume to tell anyone that their vacation preferences were inappropriate. To each his or her own. Sharing my experience of finding an apartment was merely an attempt to show that there are options.
Giles-I’ve stayed in everything from dingy youth hostels with 32 beds in the room to luxury hotels and everything in between.
I have to agree with Mary Jo-it all depends what you are looking to get out of your vacation. If you want to feel like a local, an apartment is the best way.
You have a point in that if you are out to explore explore explore it’s a waste to spend a lot of money on a hotel room since you won’t enjoy the room that much. But a true vacation is meant to be a bit more relaxing.
I think it’s good to diversify trips and vacations (and something that falls in between). But some people just take cruises and that’s it, it’s relaxing and you don’t have to worry about anything. All depends what you enjoy and want to get out of your journey.