It’s also important to pay attention to the check in time. Many people from the U.S. will arrive in the early morning and many hotels in Paris are not as flexible with early check in like you may find is the case in America.
This is exactly why the last tip of this video was useful. I was allowed to check-in early without extra charges because I had booked directly from the official website of hotel.
We never plan on being able to check in if we arrive mid morning. I like to get out and get going anyway so we leave the luggage and get on our way. Get the metro passes and get oriented in the neighborhood, see where to eat to maybe grab a coffee and so on. So it's no big deal. We usually book directly with the hotel, but last trip we got a great deal from Costco and took it. Wonderful hotels and included breakfasts, and no glitches.
My hubby and I loved the twin beds pushed together in France so much that we’re buying the same setup for our USA home! In France, we never woke each other up if one of us tossed and turned at night. And the separate sheets and blankets made it even better. We still felt cozy together for sleep, but slept like champs because of the individual beds!
This is such an excellent video, so thoroughly covering highlights or mishaps that can take place. Bravo you are doing a great service for Anglo Tourists in Paris and France. Merci Bien!!!!
I live for Saturdays & the video visits to France with Les Frenchies! This was another good one with lots of useful information; it’s important for U.S. travelers to know about the potential room size of the charming local hotels, but also that “everyone in Paris speaks English” is NOT true. Merci Colleen et Antoine!
Thank you for this video. I came across your channel during Christmas and I’ve been binge-watching your content ever since! I particularly love your restaurant guides/reviews - for some reason I’ve become obsessed with watching you both eat 😂! Great channel overall, very informative
Great video as always! Much love! For the tiny elevators . . . . my son and I did this. He went up first to the 3rd floor. Then I sent the bags to the 3rd floor. He got the bags. Then I went up. If you're alone . . . . send the bag alone and run up the stairs . . . . I guess. :-)
We found a great hotel that when we arrived, had not been able to charge our card because it was overseas (even though we called a head to the card company to inform them we were going out of the USA) the Ibis hotel still had our room just in case and didn’t cancel the reservation! We were so thankful and put the room on another card until we figured out the problem with the previous card. Our room was spacious enough for us 4 and we didn’t stay in the hotel that much anyway. Visiting France was such an amazing time and we can’t wait to go back for a longer stay this summer! We chose a hotel over B&B for those reasons plus being able to hold our luggage while we went sightseeing seeing until check in time. ❤
Some hotels offer an early check-in for an extra fee. After my red eye flight I was exhausted and needed a nap. For only €30 extra, I could check in at 10:00 a.m. instead of 3:00 p.m. That was well worth the money. I will definitely look for that option for any European hotels.
Excellent video. Yeah I travel alone, so room size means nothing to me. I will say this though...I booked my trip a little late, so availability was not great. When I go again, I will definitely book further in advance. I also might go in the off season to save some money. I ended up staying at Novotel Paris de Eiffel. The price was great, it was 2 blocks away from a metro station, but it was away from most of the attractions...which I was ok with, because it was quiet...plus, I got sick my 2nd day...there was a Monoprix right next door to the hotel. I got all the orange juice I could drink to get better. The hotel room also had a bathtub, which also feels good when you have a fever. Given the circumstances, I definitely lucked out. Granted, I wish I didn't get sick..but you can't control those things. Lastly, ALWAYS try to speak the language of the country you are in. It's just a simple matter of respect.
Never had a problem with room size in Paris, but I’m from the UK where I’m used to houses being small. The thing that I take for granted when using British hotels, ie tea/coffee making facilities, is often not available in France, at least not without asking. I had to pay a €20 deposit on a kettle, and buy a jar of coffee, milk etc when I stayed in Nice! Another thing to bear in mind is city tax. When the UK was in the EU, Brits didn’t have to pay it. So find out how much it is, and budget for it. At the aforementioned hotel in Nice, they wanted to swipe my card, so they could take out a €50 fee in the event of any damage to the room. I’d decided it was safer to leave my card and wallet at home and just use contactless on my device. So that caused a problem. Thankfully I had some cash, which they kept and refunded at the end of my stay. So check for hidden extras like that. And bring tea and coffee with you!
As a person with disabilities and a wheelchair user, it’s vital to check the size of the room! Most European rooms cannot accommodate a wheelchair or power-chair. Personally, I always email or text the hotel for clarification on accessibility and never book a room that isn’t on the ground level. If the hotel elevator goes out and they do), you risk being stuck, which makes for a miserable vacation.
Paris seems to be a city where it would be very difficult to navigate with a wheelchair. For example, I’ve never noticed elevators in metro stations. They may exist, but given how many series of stairs there are in metro stations, it’s difficult to imagine that they are completely accessible.
@@ariannewdnotbe I was concerned about that but I was surprised by how accessible Paris is. I skipped the metro and used accessible taxis and their buses. As a family, we also walked a lot (I rolled). Compact city, not a lot of cobblestone (We also went to Rome and that was a nightmare in comparison), and curb cutouts made Paris a breeze! Not all restaurants are accessible but I emailed in advance and we made all dinner reservations and sat outside at cafes for lunch. People watching was so enjoyable.
@@ariannewdnotbewe didn’t find any accessibility in the metro for my dad. We had to use the bus or taxi (foldable wheelchair or Walker) The buses are nice, clean and efficient. And when we tried to rent a scooter, that option just did not exist to like in the rest of Europe.
Good advice. Most of your tips hold for all major European cities. Your advice to book direct is great. In addition some of the booking sites are sketchy.
Not one single hotel we talked to, likes Booking.com or Hotels.com Their commission structures are 22% to 30% So Hotels are pretty much damned if they do and damned if they don't
I have been to Paris many times, and a lot of your tips are redundant to me. However, I still like watching your videos as a pleasant escape from our most UNpleasant U.S. politics. Bless you for posting 🙏
What an excellent video! I lived in Paris for 18 months, but before and after I've been to the city inumerous times. We (a couple) had a pleasant experience at the Beaubourg. Later (3 people) we stayed at the Hotel Le Royal (Bd Raspail) which became our "family hotel", having been there a handful of times. On business I stayed sometimes at the Mercure Paris La Defense, which offered a more international experience, but was conveniently close to the office. I definitely do not recommend AirBnb in Paris, as some friends had the unpleasant experience of booking places months ahead and had their bookings cancelled by the owners very close to their trips. AirBnb gives a financial compensation, which doesn't make up for the burden of having to find accommodations too close to your trip.
I live in Canada but travel a lot so I know how accommodations can vary but for those who haven't been overseas...for those at the back of the room ... breakfast may not be what you're expecting. They're lovely but you're not going to get Denny's in the older hotels. Many breakfasts are continental and you'll have to wait 'til you're home for your steak and eggs. Also, if it's important to you, ensure the room you're staying in has an ensuite. Many of the buildings are close to 300 years old and putting plumbing in every room would be impossible or would compromise an already smaller room than you expect. If you need toilet facilities through out the night, they may be down the hall.
Thank you for the thoughtful video. I feel like finding a whole is truly a research project. Because I don't need the historical ambiance, I find that choosing an American chain is somewhat safer because the service and the accommodations are somewhat more familiar. Yes, A/C, noise....top on my priority list of selecting a hotel.
Yes, you are correct. While visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina, I chose an American Chain Hotel. At first, I chose the American hotel, thinking, if I had a billing issue, I could settle my complaint on State-side if the concern extended itself when I returned home. However, in foreign cities, I found the American hotels tend to be efficient, offered a meal plan, most staff spoke English, had elevators, lobby located restaurants, AND a small money exchange bank. I'm not saying the American chain hotels will have the same in Paris, but it is worth inquiring into those first. When I travel, I need convenience and ease. This helps me to enjoy my traveled location. I enjoy the visiting city better knowing most of my ducks are in a row. Happy travels!
Many years ago I visited Paris for work, and stayed in many smaller local hotels. My main criterion was that along with the price was breakfast included. Generally I enjoyed the quirkiness and the miniscule elevators (usually installed in old stairwells. My worst stay happened on a short-notice visit during the time of the auto show. The only room I could find was a 0-star dump with the bathroom down the hall.
I've made 2 trips to Paris in the last 2 years. I stayed at 2 different hotels, both smaller and in the Latin Quarter. What I did was to book directly through their websites and they had all charges with a grand total listed in the booking. So, I knew what i was going to pay. They aren't fancy, the both have elevators and small staircases, and queen beds. They're both roughly a block from the Luxembourg Gardens and Metro/RER stations. And both were fairly inexpensive. Once thing I noticed was, most hotels will give you discounts for staying multiple nights. So, if you find a hotel on a booking website, check the hotel's website and see if it's cheaper. It usually is.
We stayed in a hotel in Arr 17. Plenty roomy with a kitchenette that had a nice refrigerator, microwave, and stove. Also a table and chairs for eating. It also a balcony with chairs and a small table. We were very pleased.
@@shelaghjackson9577 Residhotel Impérial Rennequin. We were there a few years ago. It's not a tourist hotel. Seems most of the people there were traveling on business. The neighborhood around it is mostly residential. It's about a 15 to 20 min walk to the Arc de Triomphe
I have only ever rented flats while in Paris. Never tried a hotel. The flats are very small and in some cases, smaller then some hotel rooms. Mind you, I travel alone with just carry-on luggage so it isn't an issue for me. I don't mind the stairs at all. The last place I stayed in I was rooftop level. There was an elevator that went up to the 6th floor and you had to take the stairs the rest of the way. I almost always took the stairs. I liked the exercise
Arrived at a major hotel to find that there was air conditioning, although it had been turned off as summer had officially ended. It seems as though this is a common practice in Paris, with heating and cooling systems being turned on or off at fixed dates irrespective of unseasonable climate change. It was stifling hot in the room, and the windows faced a busy street so having windows open, let in a lot of noise. Even so, there was no cross ventilation so the room didn't cool at all. Fortunately they had an alternate room in a ground floor annex, no aircon either but it was much cooler and in a quiet courtyard.
I had an enoyable trip last November and stayed at Hotel Max which is in your hotel guide, so thank you for the recommendation. It was a charming place to stay with helpful staff and very handy for the metro and local eateries. However, the bed in my room backed on to the window (due to room size) and that was uncomfortable because it meant it was impossible to sit up in bed with nothing to lean back on. I wouldn't have thought of that beforehand.
Fortunately, I haven’t stayed in a hotel where the front desk staff weren’t fluent in English. Another issue with booking through a 3rd party website is that if you have a problem at the hotel, they can’t take anything off your bill, because they don’t have your credit card information in their system.
Also the elevator if there is one may not actually be wheelchair accessible. I was once in a place where the only spot where they could retrofit the elevator was up some steps. As to room availability, I suggest people check online calendars for Paris for events that could affect room rates during otherwise slow months.
We stayed at a great hotel in the Latin Quarter. The area was perfect as a home location for touring. The metro and buses were very close as were restaurants and shops. I enjoyed the area.
Hi Antoine and Colleen! How about making Colleen’s iconic red scarf🧣 the logo for your channel? It’s such a signature part of her look, and since she’s the face of your videos, it would perfectly represent Les Frenchies! Just a fun idea to consider!😊
First step: pack lighter ;-D I feel you on the tiny lifts! I prefer travelling off season. As a manhattanite, small rooms don't bother me. I'd rather that 16th cent building and the smaller room over that lifeless holiday inn with the 2 queens. Completely correct about the transit points. Non negotiable.
Can you suggest a hotel at /by Airport? Our tour starts next morning at Airport. Would like nice restaurant at hotel then going to bed ,lol. Your channel so helpful 😊😊
In some cases, depending on your expectations and the number of people traveling, it may be best to forget the charm and book a more modern hotel. I have always had an elevator and am glad. All of Paris has charm so you don't need to live in it to see it.
Hi i stay in a nice hotel , Hotel Royal Opéra 5 Rue De Castellane quiet Street metro Madeleine very close super clean the staff so gentle and its between 123 to 175 euro a night
My last trip to Paris I booked a single room at a hotel that according to the reviews often upgraded people who booked direct if they had the space. Sure enough my single room was actually a large double as big as what you might expect in America. Needless to say I was quite happy and will likely book with them again.
Just come back from a great 3 days in Paris, your channel was very helpful. We had to pay an extra 33 euros on top for the city tax at the hotel, not sure if this was mentioned though.
One other detail is that don't assume that if the hotel has a centralized air conditioning system that it will be functioning should hot weather hit outside of the summer months. While it was not in Paris I went to Madrid in April one year where it was 30+ yet the hotel ac was not working because they don't ever turn it on before May even if it gets very hot earlier.
The language barrier is one of the biggest concerns I have for our trip over there in October, but my wife is learning a few key phrases and I've gotten Google translate on the phones. Just need to get sim cards when we get to CDG.
What is the name of the hotel @7:56 where Antoine is relaxing in the chair? I have friends traveling to Paris in March, and they need a larger room for everyone.
We stayed on a quiet street and the Latin quarter very nice hotel with elevator except for the shower tub combo extremely high and no grab bars, it was dangerous
Even if the hotel has AC, don't expect it to work well. Energy is expensive and the hotel may set the thermostat at a level that some will find unacceptable. This may even apply to five star hotels. Elevators: the coffin sized one shown in the video is typical of many in Paris. I was in a Paris hotel with an elevator like that. I am claustrophobic and there was no way that I was going to get into that nightmarish space. The desk clerk found a room on a low floor that I could walk to.
Love your videos! Is it possible you can do a tour of the Toy Stores in Paris preferably for collectors? I've been to the one in Galerie Vivienne. Thank you for any info.
I just booked a VRBO today on Île Saint-Louis for this fall. Seems ideal for walking to nearby sites on rives gauche et droite. We're hoping it's as calm and quiet at night as the reviewers claim it is. Have you ever used the Batobus? Hubby has never been to Paris, so I'm thinking that taking in views and photos from the Seine would be fun. TripAdvisor reviews on Batobus are mixed though.
One of the worst places we stayed in Paris was near Les Halles next to a butcher shop. Early morning (5am) deliveries and smells were off putting. All of the hotels we stayed had tables and at least an armoire. Of course, these places were under $5/day.
Similar experience when booking a hotel on Rue Cler, a well known foodie street with beautiful outdoor markets - that start setting up around 4:30am and my room right above it 😬I laugh about it now, but not so much then 😉
Bonjour from 🇨🇦. Do you have any opinions about the Citadines Apart-Hotels? Specifically the one on Ave Rachel in Montmartre. This will be my 6th visit to Paris, so I know Pigalle is just down the street…….. Merci beaucoup!😊
You should assume a hotel will not have wash cloths because that’s an American thing so unless you’re staying in an American chain hotel you’re probably unlikely to get a washcloth. I just go to the local monoprix or someplace and buy one of those mesh sponges and use it. Or bring one from home. You can buy them for a dollar at my local grocery store
I was trying to get a sense of costs last year for a trip to Paris this year. I was using different hotel’s websites, not a 3rd party site, it seemed like many of the hotels would reject my dates (10 days) and give me an error message that they wouldn’t allow more than 3 nights. This happened with multiple hotel sites. Is that normal? Do they want you to contact them directly for stays greater than 3 nights? Also, many of them didn’t seem to allow you to book online too far out. Do you have a recommendation on how far out to book - 6 months or 3 months or something else? We’re planning to visit at a quieter time of year. At least we hope it will be (late October to early November). Merci.
Chers Colleen et Antoine, Il y a un aspect que vous n'avez pas abordé dans cette vidéo et qu’il faut vérifier avant de partir : Les WC et les douches. Plusieurs petits hôtels, du reste charmants et abordables, aménagés dans des immeubles anciens, offrent quelques chambres avec salle d'eau et d'autres chambres sans WC ni douche. Ces établissements sont plus nombreux qu’on ne le croit. Cela force les clients a sortir de la chambre et partager les lieux avec les voisins de palier. Certaines personnes habituées a une stricte intimité domestique pourraient ne pas apprécier. Par ailleurs, cette situation est, soyons francs, un handicap sérieux pour les personnes qui se réveillent la nuit avec une envie d’uriner.
❤🇫🇷Nannybag Luggage Storage, 400 locations in Paris, great to store your luggage, these are local store owners in every quartier who will store your luggage. There's an app. Thank you Colleen and Antoine♥️♥️♥️
There are virtually no bugs in Paris. You would think with all the food around, garbage bins and dog crap on the sidewalks there at least should be flies but curiously there are none!
Thank you for this helpful video. I’m wondering if you could touch on ‘right-of-way’ on walkways. I’ve just returned from Nice - but I’ve noticed this in Paris as well - (and other European countries for that matter) - that the US rule of ‘keep to the right’ is not universally regarded. I feel as though I’m constantly dodging people, and it’s not unusual for a wall of walkers - known to one another - seemingly intending to force me into the street to avoid getting run down. They do not break up their formation front to back or left to right - but will rather create space for an ‘on-comer’ by opening up a passageway between people in their group. Of course this is not done until the ultimate moment - and so there’s a lot of anxiety until the apparent solid wall on Platform 9 3/4 gives way. I also had an experience where a male runner - quite muscular and intimidating and aggressively running - was headed for a direct hit. I was walking on the far right side of the Promenade des Anglais. No mistaking where I was. And there was little room for me to get ‘more’ right. He had at least 6 lanes to his right. Odd, I thought to myself - given how hard he was going. While he was a ways off I veered a bit further to the right and he did the same, so, thinking there was a mistake in the mutual maneuvering, I veered a bit to the left but he followed suit and so by the time we were about to collide, we were still head to head. He at the very last moment - like I could feel the hairs on his arms - made a rapid avoidance move to my left and yelled something as he passed me. My French hasn’t advanced to curse words yet - so though I didn’t understand his vocab - I got the drift. Did I mention that there were at least 6 lanes available to him on his right? He was clearly in my space and somehow I was in the wrong? What’s up with that?
While I'd say that most people across Europe will instinctively gravitate to the right on sidewalks or whatever a walkway is supposed to be (with the possible exception of the British and Irish), there is no "keep to the right rule". You can walk on the Promenade des Anglais or any pedestrian-only area on the right, on the left, jump on one foot in the middle, .. no rules, sorry. When several people walk next to each other and force you into the street, that's not nice, though. I assume that they were talking to eachother and not caring about the rest of the world. When I see such a "roadblock" coming in my direction, I make eye contact and keep my speed of walking. If that does not work: The usual English curse words are universally understood.
Thanks, but i will never book a Paris hotel, or any hotel out of the USA, and more than likely, never book a hotel in the USA either. But thanks anyway.
Get your list of Les Frenchies favorites hotels with deals on this page 👉 bit.ly/LesFrenchiesHotelsDiscounts
It’s so bad right now. I agree these are a most welcome distraction.
It’s also important to pay attention to the check in time. Many people from the U.S. will arrive in the early morning and many hotels in Paris are not as flexible with early check in like you may find is the case in America.
Very true. Many (most ?) will allow you to check your luggage until check-in time.
I’ve never been able to check in early in the US, so I never expect to elsewhere either. 🤷🏻♀️
This is exactly why the last tip of this video was useful. I was allowed to check-in early without extra charges because I had booked directly from the official website of hotel.
lol this is a non-issue. They’ll store your bags
We never plan on being able to check in if we arrive mid morning. I like to get out and get going anyway so we leave the luggage and get on our way. Get the metro passes and get oriented in the neighborhood, see where to eat to maybe grab a coffee and so on. So it's no big deal. We usually book directly with the hotel, but last trip we got a great deal from Costco and took it. Wonderful hotels and included breakfasts, and no glitches.
My hubby and I loved the twin beds pushed together in France so much that we’re buying the same setup for our USA home! In France, we never woke each other up if one of us tossed and turned at night. And the separate sheets and blankets made it even better. We still felt cozy together for sleep, but slept like champs because of the individual beds!
Oh wow! I can totally get that.
This is such an excellent video, so thoroughly covering highlights or mishaps that can take place. Bravo you are doing a great service for Anglo Tourists in Paris and France. Merci Bien!!!!
You two are always so thorough. Thank you.
I live for Saturdays & the video visits to France with Les Frenchies! This was another good one with lots of useful information; it’s important for U.S. travelers to know about the potential room size of the charming local hotels, but also that “everyone in Paris speaks English” is NOT true.
Merci Colleen et Antoine!
You are so welcome!
Thank you for this video. I came across your channel during Christmas and I’ve been binge-watching your content ever since!
I particularly love your restaurant guides/reviews - for some reason I’ve become obsessed with watching you both eat 😂! Great channel overall, very informative
Great video as always! Much love! For the tiny elevators . . . . my son and I did this. He went up first to the 3rd floor. Then I sent the bags to the 3rd floor. He got the bags. Then I went up. If you're alone . . . . send the bag alone and run up the stairs . . . . I guess. :-)
Bonjour Antoine and Coleen. Thanks for your informative and entertaining content. As always 😊
We found a great hotel that when we arrived, had not been able to charge our card because it was overseas (even though we called a head to the card company to inform them we were going out of the USA) the Ibis hotel still had our room just in case and didn’t cancel the reservation! We were so thankful and put the room on another card until we figured out the problem with the previous card. Our room was spacious enough for us 4 and we didn’t stay in the hotel that much anyway. Visiting France was such an amazing time and we can’t wait to go back for a longer stay this summer! We chose a hotel over B&B for those reasons plus being able to hold our luggage while we went sightseeing seeing until check in time. ❤
Some hotels offer an early check-in for an extra fee. After my red eye flight I was exhausted and needed a nap. For only €30 extra, I could check in at 10:00 a.m. instead of 3:00 p.m. That was well worth the money. I will definitely look for that option for any European hotels.
Excellent video. Yeah I travel alone, so room size means nothing to me. I will say this though...I booked my trip a little late, so availability was not great. When I go again, I will definitely book further in advance. I also might go in the off season to save some money. I ended up staying at Novotel Paris de Eiffel. The price was great, it was 2 blocks away from a metro station, but it was away from most of the attractions...which I was ok with, because it was quiet...plus, I got sick my 2nd day...there was a Monoprix right next door to the hotel. I got all the orange juice I could drink to get better. The hotel room also had a bathtub, which also feels good when you have a fever. Given the circumstances, I definitely lucked out. Granted, I wish I didn't get sick..but you can't control those things. Lastly, ALWAYS try to speak the language of the country you are in. It's just a simple matter of respect.
Thanks!
Thank you!
@ ❤️
I always choose based on reviews. Other criteria such as the number of stars and the price are no guarantee that a hotel is any good.
Never had a problem with room size in Paris, but I’m from the UK where I’m used to houses being small. The thing that I take for granted when using British hotels, ie tea/coffee making facilities, is often not available in France, at least not without asking. I had to pay a €20 deposit on a kettle, and buy a jar of coffee, milk etc when I stayed in Nice! Another thing to bear in mind is city tax. When the UK was in the EU, Brits didn’t have to pay it. So find out how much it is, and budget for it. At the aforementioned hotel in Nice, they wanted to swipe my card, so they could take out a €50 fee in the event of any damage to the room. I’d decided it was safer to leave my card and wallet at home and just use contactless on my device. So that caused a problem. Thankfully I had some cash, which they kept and refunded at the end of my stay. So check for hidden extras like that. And bring tea and coffee with you!
This channel is intended for Americans.
As a person with disabilities and a wheelchair user, it’s vital to check the size of the room! Most European rooms cannot accommodate a wheelchair or power-chair. Personally, I always email or text the hotel for clarification on accessibility and never book a room that isn’t on the ground level. If the hotel elevator goes out and they do), you risk being stuck, which makes for a miserable vacation.
thank you
@@LesFrenchiesTravel De rien.
We had a fabulous time in Paris! Your channel is a wealth of knowledge and we used many of your recommendations. Merci!
Paris seems to be a city where it would be very difficult to navigate with a wheelchair. For example, I’ve never noticed elevators in metro stations. They may exist, but given how many series of stairs there are in metro stations, it’s difficult to imagine that they are completely accessible.
@@ariannewdnotbe I was concerned about that but I was surprised by how accessible Paris is. I skipped the metro and used accessible taxis and their buses. As a family, we also walked a lot (I rolled). Compact city, not a lot of cobblestone (We also went to Rome and that was a nightmare in comparison), and curb cutouts made Paris a breeze! Not all restaurants are accessible but I emailed in advance and we made all dinner reservations and sat outside at cafes for lunch. People watching was so enjoyable.
@@ariannewdnotbewe didn’t find any accessibility in the metro for my dad. We had to use the bus or taxi (foldable wheelchair or Walker)
The buses are nice, clean and efficient. And when we tried to rent a scooter, that option just did not exist to like in the rest of Europe.
Great information! Saturdays are always off to a great start with Les Frenchies.
Thank you so much!!
Great information, thanks!! 👍😁
Good advice. Most of your tips hold for all major European cities. Your advice to book direct is great. In addition some of the booking sites are sketchy.
Not one single hotel we talked to, likes Booking.com or Hotels.com
Their commission structures are 22% to 30%
So Hotels are pretty much damned if they do and damned if they don't
I have been to Paris many times, and a lot of your tips are redundant to me. However, I still like watching your videos as a pleasant escape from our most UNpleasant U.S. politics. Bless you for posting 🙏
Happy Saturday! Thanks as always for your great videos ❤
You are so welcome!
What an excellent video! I lived in Paris for 18 months, but before and after I've been to the city inumerous times.
We (a couple) had a pleasant experience at the Beaubourg. Later (3 people) we stayed at the Hotel Le Royal (Bd Raspail) which became our "family hotel", having been there a handful of times. On business I stayed sometimes at the Mercure Paris La Defense, which offered a more international experience, but was conveniently close to the office.
I definitely do not recommend AirBnb in Paris, as some friends had the unpleasant experience of booking places months ahead and had their bookings cancelled by the owners very close to their trips. AirBnb gives a financial compensation, which doesn't make up for the burden of having to find accommodations too close to your trip.
Thank you 😁
I live in Canada but travel a lot so I know how accommodations can vary but for those who haven't been overseas...for those at the back of the room ... breakfast may not be what you're expecting. They're lovely but you're not going to get Denny's in the older hotels. Many breakfasts are continental and you'll have to wait 'til you're home for your steak and eggs. Also, if it's important to you, ensure the room you're staying in has an ensuite. Many of the buildings are close to 300 years old and putting plumbing in every room would be impossible or would compromise an already smaller room than you expect. If you need toilet facilities through out the night, they may be down the hall.
Thank you for the thoughtful video. I feel like finding a whole is truly a research project. Because I don't need the historical ambiance, I find that choosing an American chain is somewhat safer because the service and the accommodations are somewhat more familiar. Yes, A/C, noise....top on my priority list of selecting a hotel.
Yes, you are correct. While visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina, I chose an American Chain Hotel. At first, I chose the American hotel, thinking, if I had a billing issue, I could settle my complaint on State-side if the concern extended itself when I returned home. However, in foreign cities, I found the American hotels tend to be efficient, offered a meal plan, most staff spoke English, had elevators, lobby located restaurants, AND a small money exchange bank.
I'm not saying the American chain hotels will have the same in Paris, but it is worth inquiring into those first. When I travel, I need convenience and ease. This helps me to enjoy my traveled location. I enjoy the visiting city better knowing most of my ducks are in a row.
Happy travels!
Thank you so much for your recommendations and suggestions! It helped us find hotels when we went to Paris last year.
Bonjour! Which hotel had the Frederic Malle toiletries, please? Thank you.
Thank you!❤
Many years ago I visited Paris for work, and stayed in many smaller local hotels. My main criterion was that along with the price was breakfast included. Generally I enjoyed the quirkiness and the miniscule elevators (usually installed in old stairwells. My worst stay happened on a short-notice visit during the time of the auto show. The only room I could find was a 0-star dump with the bathroom down the hall.
I've made 2 trips to Paris in the last 2 years.
I stayed at 2 different hotels, both smaller and in the Latin Quarter. What I did was to book directly through their websites and they had all charges with a grand total listed in the booking. So, I knew what i was going to pay.
They aren't fancy, the both have elevators and small staircases, and queen beds. They're both roughly a block from the Luxembourg Gardens and Metro/RER stations. And both were fairly inexpensive.
Once thing I noticed was, most hotels will give you discounts for staying multiple nights. So, if you find a hotel on a booking website, check the hotel's website and see if it's cheaper. It usually is.
We stayed in a hotel in Arr 17. Plenty roomy with a kitchenette that had a nice refrigerator, microwave, and stove. Also a table and chairs for eating. It also a balcony with chairs and a small table. We were very pleased.
Can you share which one?
It’s what I’m looking for!
@@shelaghjackson9577 Residhotel Impérial Rennequin. We were there a few years ago. It's not a tourist hotel. Seems most of the people there were traveling on business. The neighborhood around it is mostly residential. It's about a 15 to 20 min walk to the Arc de Triomphe
@@bobp5523 Thsnkd. I’ll look it up.
Thanks!
Thank you for all the information. You are right about the ADA needs and elevator size !
You guys are good!
I have only ever rented flats while in Paris. Never tried a hotel. The flats are very small and in some cases, smaller then some hotel rooms. Mind you, I travel alone with just carry-on luggage so it isn't an issue for me. I don't mind the stairs at all. The last place I stayed in I was rooftop level. There was an elevator that went up to the 6th floor and you had to take the stairs the rest of the way. I almost always took the stairs. I liked the exercise
Loved the Oratio, fantastic location 🙂
The best!
Top marks to a most pleasant, informative couple.
just came back from paris and yes the hotel room is small compared to the usa.
Arrived at a major hotel to find that there was air conditioning, although it had been turned off as summer had officially ended. It seems as though this is a common practice in Paris, with heating and cooling systems being turned on or off at fixed dates irrespective of unseasonable climate change. It was stifling hot in the room, and the windows faced a busy street so having windows open, let in a lot of noise. Even so, there was no cross ventilation so the room didn't cool at all. Fortunately they had an alternate room in a ground floor annex, no aircon either but it was much cooler and in a quiet courtyard.
I gave stayed at Hôtel Odéon Saint Germain several times. A bit pricey, but I love it.
I had an enoyable trip last November and stayed at Hotel Max which is in your hotel guide, so thank you for the recommendation. It was a charming place to stay with helpful staff and very handy for the metro and local eateries.
However, the bed in my room backed on to the window (due to room size) and that was uncomfortable because it meant it was impossible to sit up in bed with nothing to lean back on.
I wouldn't have thought of that beforehand.
Fortunately, I haven’t stayed in a hotel where the front desk staff weren’t fluent in English.
Another issue with booking through a 3rd party website is that if you have a problem at the hotel, they can’t take anything off your bill, because they don’t have your credit card information in their system.
Also the elevator if there is one may not actually be wheelchair accessible. I was once in a place where the only spot where they could retrofit the elevator was up some steps. As to room availability, I suggest people check online calendars for Paris for events that could affect room rates during otherwise slow months.
good point!!
We are a family of 4 and recently stayed at the Hotel Queen Mary. Would recommend people to check it out. Great location, and great accommodation.
Bonjour ❤ Merci ❤
😁
We stayed at a great hotel in the Latin Quarter. The area was perfect as a home location for touring. The metro and buses were very close as were restaurants and shops. I enjoyed the area.
What was the name of the hotel?
@ucbearcats1978 Hotel Dame Des Arts
Ummm, why are the Pringles in the fridge?
Not sure, that's a good question!!
Hi Antoine and Colleen! How about making Colleen’s iconic red scarf🧣 the logo for your channel?
It’s such a signature part of her look, and since she’s the face of your videos, it would perfectly represent Les Frenchies!
Just a fun idea to consider!😊
First step: pack lighter ;-D I feel you on the tiny lifts! I prefer travelling off season. As a manhattanite, small rooms don't bother me. I'd rather that 16th cent building and the smaller room over that lifeless holiday inn with the 2 queens. Completely correct about the transit points. Non negotiable.
Can you suggest a hotel at /by Airport? Our tour starts next morning at Airport. Would like nice restaurant at hotel then going to bed ,lol. Your channel so helpful 😊😊
In some cases, depending on your expectations and the number of people traveling, it may be best to forget the charm and book a more modern hotel. I have always had an elevator and am glad. All of Paris has charm so you don't need to live in it to see it.
Hi i stay in a nice hotel , Hotel Royal Opéra 5 Rue De Castellane quiet Street metro Madeleine very close super clean the staff so gentle and its between 123 to 175 euro a night
My last trip to Paris I booked a single room at a hotel that according to the reviews often upgraded people who booked direct if they had the space. Sure enough my single room was actually a large double as big as what you might expect in America. Needless to say I was quite happy and will likely book with them again.
Wow. Can u share the name please. Thx.
Just come back from a great 3 days in Paris, your channel was very helpful. We had to pay an extra 33 euros on top for the city tax at the hotel, not sure if this was mentioned though.
oh that's a good point, but some will disclose that and is included in their price
Good info! I hope that my hotel will be ok!
And you mentioned aircon. I visited Paris in July and it was so cold that I had to buy a sweatshirt 😂
😂 trust me, we get it, we're from Florida!!
@LesFrenchiesTravel haha and I am in Spain! 😅
One other detail is that don't assume that if the hotel has a centralized air conditioning system that it will be functioning should hot weather hit outside of the summer months. While it was not in Paris I went to Madrid in April one year where it was 30+ yet the hotel ac was not working because they don't ever turn it on before May even if it gets very hot earlier.
The language barrier is one of the biggest concerns I have for our trip over there in October, but my wife is learning a few key phrases and I've gotten Google translate on the phones. Just need to get sim cards when we get to CDG.
You do *not* really need to speak French in Paris as a visitor! Just a few basic expressions and a greeting will do.
Get an e sim and activate it at the start of your trip. Cheaper and easier!
What is the name of the hotel @7:56 where Antoine is relaxing in the chair? I have friends traveling to Paris in March, and they need a larger room for everyone.
that's Hotel Odeon Saint Germain listed on this page
lesfrenchiestravel.com/where-to-stay-in-paris/les-frenchies-hotel-deals/
We stayed on a quiet street and the Latin quarter very nice hotel with elevator except for the shower tub combo extremely high and no grab bars, it was dangerous
Even if the hotel has AC, don't expect it to work well. Energy is expensive and the hotel may set the thermostat at a level that some will find unacceptable. This may even apply to five star hotels. Elevators: the coffin sized one shown in the video is typical of many in Paris. I was in a Paris hotel with an elevator like that. I am claustrophobic and there was no way that I was going to get into that nightmarish space. The desk clerk found a room on a low floor that I could walk to.
If you arrive early will they store luggage until check in?
yes all hotels offer to store luggage
Love your videos! Is it possible you can do a tour of the Toy Stores in Paris preferably
for collectors? I've been to the one in Galerie Vivienne. Thank you for any info.
Great idea!!
I just booked a VRBO today on Île Saint-Louis for this fall. Seems ideal for walking to nearby sites on rives gauche et droite. We're hoping it's as calm and quiet at night as the reviewers claim it is. Have you ever used the Batobus? Hubby has never been to Paris, so I'm thinking that taking in views and photos from the Seine would be fun. TripAdvisor reviews on Batobus are mixed though.
One of the worst places we stayed in Paris was near Les Halles next to a butcher shop. Early morning (5am) deliveries and smells were off putting. All of the hotels we stayed had tables and at least an armoire. Of course, these places were under $5/day.
Similar experience when booking a hotel on Rue Cler, a well known foodie street with beautiful outdoor markets - that start setting up around 4:30am and my room right above it 😬I laugh about it now, but not so much then 😉
1:25 Sorry just to double-check, do all room include amenities like closets and desks? (Or desks or closets?)
Bonjour from 🇨🇦.
Do you have any opinions about the Citadines Apart-Hotels?
Specifically the one on Ave Rachel in Montmartre.
This will be my 6th visit to Paris, so I know Pigalle is just down the street……..
Merci beaucoup!😊
You should also check if hotel has a wash cloths or different soaps for body or hair. So frustrated
You should assume a hotel will not have wash cloths because that’s an American thing so unless you’re staying in an American chain hotel you’re probably unlikely to get a washcloth. I just go to the local monoprix or someplace and buy one of those mesh sponges and use it. Or bring one from home. You can buy them for a dollar at my local grocery store
most of them don't have washcloth, better bring your own
I was trying to get a sense of costs last year for a trip to Paris this year. I was using different hotel’s websites, not a 3rd party site, it seemed like many of the hotels would reject my dates (10 days) and give me an error message that they wouldn’t allow more than 3 nights. This happened with multiple hotel sites. Is that normal? Do they want you to contact them directly for stays greater than 3 nights? Also, many of them didn’t seem to allow you to book online too far out. Do you have a recommendation on how far out to book - 6 months or 3 months or something else? We’re planning to visit at a quieter time of year. At least we hope it will be (late October to early November). Merci.
Chers Colleen et Antoine, Il y a un aspect que vous n'avez pas abordé dans cette vidéo et qu’il faut vérifier avant de partir : Les WC et les douches. Plusieurs petits hôtels, du reste charmants et abordables, aménagés dans des immeubles anciens, offrent quelques chambres avec salle d'eau et d'autres chambres sans WC ni douche. Ces établissements sont plus nombreux qu’on ne le croit. Cela force les clients a sortir de la chambre et partager les lieux avec les voisins de palier. Certaines personnes habituées a une stricte intimité domestique pourraient ne pas apprécier. Par ailleurs, cette situation est, soyons francs, un handicap sérieux pour les personnes qui se réveillent la nuit avec une envie d’uriner.
❤🇫🇷Nannybag Luggage Storage, 400 locations in Paris, great to store your luggage, these are local store owners in every quartier who will store your luggage. There's an app. Thank you Colleen and Antoine♥️♥️♥️
There are virtually no bugs in Paris. You would think with all the food around, garbage bins and dog crap on the sidewalks there at least should be flies but curiously there are none!
Pq c'est en français IA ??
I plan to stay at a hostel.
The video froze at the part where you are discussing language in hotels. 🤷🏼♀️
that was probably your internet 😔
I feel bad for people in wheelchairs. No wonder I never see people in wheelchairs in Paris videos. They can’t
Thank you for this helpful video. I’m wondering if you could touch on ‘right-of-way’ on walkways. I’ve just returned from Nice - but I’ve noticed this in Paris as well - (and other European countries for that matter) - that the US rule of ‘keep to the right’ is not universally regarded. I feel as though I’m constantly dodging people, and it’s not unusual for a wall of walkers - known to one another - seemingly intending to force me into the street to avoid getting run down. They do not break up their formation front to back or left to right - but will rather create space for an ‘on-comer’ by opening up a passageway between people in their group. Of course this is not done until the ultimate moment - and so there’s a lot of anxiety until the apparent solid wall on Platform 9 3/4 gives way.
I also had an experience where a male runner - quite muscular and intimidating and aggressively running - was headed for a direct hit. I was walking on the far right side of the Promenade des Anglais. No mistaking where I was. And there was little room for me to get ‘more’ right. He had at least 6 lanes to his right. Odd, I thought to myself - given how hard he was going. While he was a ways off I veered a bit further to the right and he did the same, so, thinking there was a mistake in the mutual maneuvering, I veered a bit to the left but he followed suit and so by the time we were about to collide, we were still head to head. He at the very last moment - like I could feel the hairs on his arms - made a rapid avoidance move to my left and yelled something as he passed me. My French hasn’t advanced to curse words yet - so though I didn’t understand his vocab - I got the drift. Did I mention that there were at least 6 lanes available to him on his right? He was clearly in my space and somehow I was in the wrong? What’s up with that?
While I'd say that most people across Europe will instinctively gravitate to the right on sidewalks or whatever a walkway is supposed to be (with the possible exception of the British and Irish), there is no "keep to the right rule". You can walk on the Promenade des Anglais or any pedestrian-only area on the right, on the left, jump on one foot in the middle, .. no rules, sorry.
When several people walk next to each other and force you into the street, that's not nice, though. I assume that they were talking to eachother and not caring about the rest of the world. When I see such a "roadblock" coming in my direction, I make eye contact and keep my speed of walking. If that does not work: The usual English curse words are universally understood.
2/3 of the way through the video it changed from English to other languages.
❤
Thanks, but i will never book a Paris hotel, or any hotel out of the USA, and more than likely, never book a hotel in the USA either. But thanks anyway.
The AI descriptions are terrible - used to love your films but this is unbearable 😢