parisian party

plaza athenée, paris

If you were anywhere near the Champs Elysées this weekend, you know first hand that Paris tourist season has officially begun.  If there’s one thing that Paris isn’t short on, it’s hotel rooms. Whether it’s for your wedding or honeymoon- or just a much-needed family vacation, when you’re looking for a hotel in Paris, it’s important to be knowledgeable AND realistic. Here are some excerpts from a post from the parisian party way-back machine which may give you a little insight into choosing a hotel in Paris (*Prices listed have been updated to current 2010 rates):

carrie in versace

By now, who hasn’t fantasized about being Carrie Bradshaw in her fabulous Versace gown languishing in that gigantic suite at the Plaza Athénée. But with a rate of 3,800.00€ per night for the Prestige Suite, the Plaza Athénée is a bit out of budget for the average soon-to-be newlywed couple.  But you still want to splash-out for your wedding night, right? $500 - $600 seems to be about the average price that many of my clients have allotted towards their honeymoon suite (which is roughly between 400€ - 500€). But where $500 will get you a 35 sq meter Superior Room on the 27th floor with a lake view at the Four Seasons Luxury Hotel in Chicago, that same $500 will only get you a 20 sq meter Standard Room on the 6th floor of the Hotel Westminster in Paris. The Hotel Westminster is a very attractive hotel, right on the Rue de la Paix, but it’s not the Four Season’s- that’s all I’m saying…

I think it’s important to be informed and to stay realistic when you’re looking for a hotel in Paris. You can find cute, functional and clean hotel rooms in Paris for $125 (roughly 100€)  a night, but they probably won’t have a view of the Eiffel Tower, and you probably won’t be greeted with fresh, fluffy towels every night once you get back to your room. One of the best sites that I recommend is www.tripadvisor.com. This is a website where past guests can post reviews of hotels. They have a section on each hotel page where people can upload candid photos of the property, so you can see what the hotel room really looks like (without the fancy camera angle and professional lighting!)

brochure vs. real life photo

Also, you should keep in mind that size isn’t everything. I visited an adorable hotel yesterday called the Duquesne Eiffel Hotel, which was tiny, tiny, tiny. I can’t even tell you how tiny this place was, BUT it was so pretty, so clean, the staff were SO friendly, AND some of the rooms have a view right on the Eiffel Tower! And for Paris standards, it was pretty cheap- rooms start at 180€ (around $220) a night. I know that that’s not “budget-bride” prices, but show me another triple threat at that price! Actually, that’s a good idea- if you know of a cute, affordable, room-with-a-view in Paris, drop me a line! I’m curious to know what else is out there.