Page 283 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Paris

WHERE T O ST A Y  281

to be about 20 per cent
cheaper than those with.
It is always worth trying
to negotiate a discount. In
some hotels, special deals are
offered, especially for students,
families and senior citizens.
Discounts are often available
when booking online or
when booking a package trip.

Hidden Extras
By law, tax and service must be
included in the price quoted
or displayed at the reception
desk or in the rooms. Tips are
unnecessary other than for
exceptional service, such as if
the concierge books you a show,
or if the maid does some laundry
for you. Before you make a
reservation, establish whether
breakfast is included in the
price. Beware of extras such as
drinks or snacks in your room, A suite at the historic Lancaster (see p287)
especially from a mini-bar,
which will probably be pricey, of accommodation are in the bedroom; most also have
as will laundry services, garage unclassified. Star ratings provide a television. Business facilities
parking and telephone calls an indication of the level of such as conference rooms and
from your room. Some hotels facilities you can expect – for equipment are available in
make an extra charge for Wi-Fi. example, any hotel with more grander hotels, and Wi-Fi is
Check the hotel’s cancellation than three stars should have a standard. Two people who
policy – some hotels charge a lift. Increasingly, the French are sharing can specify
fee for cancellation less than rating system also tries to take whether they want a double
24 or 48 hours before the start account of such factors as room bed (grand lit) or twin beds
of the booking. size, service, attentiveness of (lits jumeaux).
the staff, cleanliness, dining
options and decor.
Hotel Gradings Travelling with Children
French hotels are classified by Families with young children
the tourist authorities into five Facilities will often find they can share a
broad categories: one to five Few Parisian hotels below room at no or very little extra
stars. Some very simple types a four-star rating have a cost. Few hotels refuse to
restaurant, although there is accept children, though facilities
nearly always a breakfast room. specifically for children are not
Many hotel restaurants close in universal. Some hotels will
August. Older hotels may also arrange babysitting.
lack a public lounge area. More
modern or expensive hotels have Apartments
correspondingly better facilities
and usually some kind of bar. Staying in an apartment is an
Inexpensive hotels may not increasingly popular alternative
have a lift – this can be a big to staying in a hotel, especially
drawback when you are if you are in Paris for more than
dragging suitcases upstairs. a few days or travelling with
Usually, only the more children, and it can often work
expensive hotels have parking. out cheaper too. With the
If you are driving, you may advent of websites such as
prefer to stay in one of the airbnb, which allows home
peripheral motel-style chains owners to rent out rooms in
(see pp282 & 283). their houses or apartments,
All but the very simplest of the choice of accommodation
Four Seasons George V (see p284) city hotels will have a telephone has grown enormously.

280-283_EW_Paris.indd 281 03/04/17 10:57 am