Paris Hotel Rooms

In all but the smallest accommodations, the rate you pay for a room depends on many factors — chief among them is how you make your reservation. A travel agent may be able to negotiate a better price with certain hotels, with the best Paris Hotel deals than you can get by yourself. (That’s because the hotel often gives the agent a discount in exchange for steering his or her business
toward that hotel.)

Reserving a room through the hotel’s toll-free number may also result in a lower rate than calling the hotel directly. On the other hand, the central reservations number may not know about discount rates at specific locations. For example, local franchises may offer a special group rate for a wedding or family reunion, but they may neglect to tell the central
booking line. Your best bet is to call both the local number and the tollfree number and see which one gives you a better deal.

Room rates (even rack rates) change with the season as occupancy rates rise and fall. But even within a given season, room prices are subject to change without notice, so the rates quoted in this book may be different from the actual rate you receive when you make your reservation.Be sure to mention membership in any travel associations, seniors
organizations, frequent flyer programs, any other corporate rewards programs you can think of — or your Uncle Joe’s Elks lodge in which you’re an honorary inductee, for that matter — when you call to book.

You never know when the affiliation may be worth a few dollars off your room rate.

Bartering for a cheaper room isn’t the norm in France’s budget hotels.Most establishments are small and privately owned; they post their rates in the reception area and may not be willing to negotiate. To be fair, they may not be able to afford to let rooms go for less. Here’s some advice to keep in mind when trying to save money on a room.

Don’t forget that your travel agent may be able to negotiate a better
price at top hotels than you can get by yourself.

Always ask whether the hotel offers any weekend specials, which
typically require you to stay two nights (either Fri and Sat or Sat
and Sun). In Paris, you can find this kind of deal from September to
March at almost all price levels.

Forfaits (fohr-feh) are discounts that require you to stay a certain
number of nights — perhaps a minimum of three or five nights.
Sometimes something else is thrown in (such as a bottle of champagne)
to sweeten the deal. If you’re going to be in a city for more
than three days, always ask about a forfait and then pick the hotel
with the best deal.

Visit Paris during the summer low season. That’s no typo. Room
rates in Paris tend to be lower in July and August, which, though
big tourist months, are considered low season by Paris hoteliers.
November and December also are low season, while October is
heavy with conventioneers, making it difficult to find a room.

Visit regions outside of Paris during the shoulder seasons of spring
and fall when prices can be considerably lower, particularly along
the Riviera.

In hotels outside of Paris, the best room in a medium-priced hotel
usually is much better than the worst room at a high-priced hotel,
and it’s usually cheaper. Ask for the price of the best room, the
room with the best views, or the quietest room.