Posts Tagged ‘Paris’

Im doing a project for school and i was wondering which hotels are the best and the coolest to see?

I need the best services and most modern hotels in London and Paris.
I don’t want to go stay in a hotel that looks like its’ some crazy victorian style. I want something similar to the Mayfair hotel which is also in London. Money isn’t a concern =]

Where can I find some really good deals on a trip to paris- hotels and airline tickets, for june of this year. I obviously know about travelocity, priceline, etc, and the comparison features, but are there any really good, insider websites, or is there a good time to book everything (early or late). Any related info would be greatly appreciated.

what is a good escorted tour site for just paris that includes hotels and flights?
i’m planning on going next summer at the end of may/beginning of june. sites like contiki or goaheadtours. i’m looking around for the cheapest one. also when would be a good time to book it. now or next year?

Paris welcomes gays! With the blessing of many Paris citizens, gay culture is the fabric of trendy Le Marais.. Just spend a Sunday shopping in bustling gay Marais.
Paris has 20 Arrondissements or districts. Each Paris district has its own unique character, and it helps to understand the Paris districts. 16th, 17th, & 8th (Etoile, Arc de Triomphe, Champ-Elysees)If you want to be near the the Arc de Triomphe (at one end of the Ave. Champs Elysees).1st (Concorde, Tulieries, Louvre)to be near the Louvre, The most acclaimed museum. 9th (Opera)to be near the world famous Paris Opera, and the infamous Paris department stores Galleries Lafayette and Printemps.
6th (St. Germain) is the most requested Paris arrondissement because of the multitude of charming boutiques, restaurants, bars and art galleries. The 5th (Latin Quarter, Notre Dame ) is famous for Paris antiques, and its many restaurants and it proximity to Notre Dame. 4th (le Marais) is known as the pulse of Paris. Le Marais is the only Paris neighborhood happening on Sundays and best of all it is recognized as the mecca of gay Paris.
The best thing to do is avoid Paris hotels and book a vacation apartment in Paris. For luxury dwellers, check out Paris Luxe Apartments and those on a budget visit, Book Your Apt . Before you book, make sure to know exactly what you are renting. Most buildings in Paris have a courtyard of some sort. So something to consider if you are not from a big city, is to look for Paris apartments with bedrooms which face the courtyard, thus minimizing nighttime noise.
What floor? 1st floor, means you have to go up one floor (NOT the ground floor). Is there an elevator? Many buildings in Paris don’t have elevators, or have VERY small ones. If you are visiting Paris in the summer, find out if the Paris apartment has air conditioning (it is unlikely).
If not, make sure it is an old Paris building (made of stone), then open the windows first thing in the morning, and close the exterior window shades once the sun fully comes up. Most old Paris buildings can manage to stay cool for 24-36 hours. It is only if there is a heat wave where there may be a problem keeping a Paris apartment cool.
If you are visiting Paris in the fall, or winter check to find out how the Paris apartment is heated. If the Paris building is heated centrally, ask to find out if the heat will be turned on by the time you arrive. Paris apartments rarely have thermostats Usually Paris apartments are heated by radiating heat in front of windows.
Make sure you get all the details before making a commitment to rent a Paris apartment. How will you be paying? Is there a deposit, are you paying via cash, credit card or Paypal? How will you get the keys to the Paris apartment?
Do you have the cell phone number of the person in charge of your Paris apartment? Will someone be available to welcome you in your Paris apartment if you arrive on Sunday? If so, be prepared for how you will make calls once you arrive in Paris. And finally make sure to read the terms and conditions of your Paris Apartment contract very carefully.

Today savvy luxury vacation owners are stocking their vacation apartment with Frette linens, central air conditioning, fluffy bathrobes and high end artwork on the walls are traditionally found in first rate hotels but now savvy Paris apartment owners are offering these extras to the guests of luxury Paris vacation apartments.
As the euro increases, the number of Paris vacation apartments on the market rises since guests are considering other options. The growing competition for guests is driving out the worn furniture, tacky decor and unfashionable details. Many home owners have considered offsetting costs by making their unoccupied vacation apartments or homes available to short term guests.
Michael and Kathleen Morgan recently rented a 2 bedroom apartment in the Marais from Paris Luxe Apartments. They were amazed by the amenities of the Balthazar apartment which included two thick terry cloth robes, Viking stove in the kitchen, DVD player, museum quality art on the walls and fine china usually reserved for newlyweds. The last time they five years ago, the furniture was worn, the kitchen had a few pots and pan. Everything is so much nicer said Ms. Morgan, an accountant from Des Moines, Iowa.
To stand out from other Paris vacation rentals, new owners are spending more than $500,000 on upgrades and new furnishings including Italian leather sofas, plasma televisions and designer linens. Owners, Jane and Sam Rhodes understand ears that to attract the right clientele, they need to offer the same quality as a five star hotel. Every few years serious upgrades, such as a new kitchen, new bathroom or landscaping is required.
No matter how many perks the owners provide there are always guests who see fit to complain and want even more. Guests rant about allergies to feather stuff pillows or a distained for the Italian Nespresso machine. To some the extra pampering in Paris vacation apartments makes vacation guests spoiled. Some apartments even include a concierge service that will welcome you into the apartment and ensure that your airport transfers are prompt, restaurant reservations confirmed and answer any Paris lifestyle questions.
In June 2006, Victoria and William McCellan paid $2.5 million for a 2 bedroom in the St.Germain des Pres arrondissement of Paris to use as a family getaway. To help pay the mortgage they started renting in out through Paris Luxe Apartments when they were not using it. The apartment was well equipped; it came with a washer/dryer and a sunken Jacuzzi tub. Now when they need to attract affluent guests, the McCellans top quality cookware, high end bedding with lots of silk pillow. This tactic worked and the McCellans secure their desired weekly vacation rate.
The McCellans realized that some guests can be sticky fingered especially when they noticed $100 bathrobes missing fortunately they had taken the security deposit from the guest. And this year, a guest took a Turkish pillow which Ms. McCellan confronted the guest, she admitted to taking it and apologized. Ironically the guest never returned the pillow but once again the security deposit covered the cost of the pillow.

Ask any seasoned traveler, he or she will insist the only way to experience Paris is in your own vacation apartment. Fortunately, there is no shortage of vacation apartments in Paris but where do you begin and what questions do you ask?
First decide it if you want to rough the waters on your own or book with an agency.If you decide to deal with owners directly, the golden seal of vacation rentals is Vacation Rentals By Owner, vrbo.com. You might strike gold or you might be stuck with a dud. Unfortunately, most owners will not be able to accept credit cards and will ask for cash directly. If you wire funds to a personal bank account and the apartment does not fit your standards of what you expected, you have absolutely no recourse. If that frightens you at all, I strongly suggest working with a US based agency that accepts credit cards.Your credit card company will fight for your rights , if you feel that you have been ripped off.
For value focused apartments, a medium range agency is Book Your Paris Apartment, www.bookyourapt.com, they offer a selection of comfortable, value focused apartments in prime arrondissements in Paris. For those with a high end taste and a wallet for luxury, I cannot think of a better agency, than Paris Luxe Apartments, www.parisluxeapt.com , their luxury portfolio consists primarily of larger size, luxury apartments in Paris. Expect a collection of Paris apartments ideal for affluent families wanting to experience Paris as a true Parisian family.
Regardless of the direction you choose, make sure you ask these questions:
1: How many people will the apartment sleep? Is there an additional charge for use of the sofa bed? What is the bed configuration, twin, double or King.
2: Is there a 7 night minimum stay? If you are staying over 4 weeks, ask if there is a discount?
3: Does the apartment allow children under 15? Are pets allowed? Is smoking permitted?
4: What is the nearest Metro? Where is the nearest taxi stand?
5: Is there a supermarket nearby? Is there a noisy restaurant or bar on the ground floor?
6: What floor is the apartment on? Is there an elevator in the building?
7: Does the apartment have a washer/dryer? Does the phone allow for International calls?
Does the television have English speaking channels? Is the kitchen fully equipped?
8: Whom can you call in case of problems or emergency? Is the person fluent in English?
Will he/she be available around the clock or for a limited time?
9: Are sheets and towels included in the apartment? Does the apartment come with a starter kit including a few groceries and toiletries.
10: What is not included in the rental fee? Is Internet and housekeeping included?
11: Do you have a booking contract that I can review?
12: Can I contact previous guests either via phone or email?

Did you know that there are over 3,000 vacation apartments available in Paris? Yes, there are many sources on the Internet to explore such as VRBO and Craig’s List but how do you know if a source is reputable? It’s internationally recognized that Paris is known for having the smallest standard hotel rooms (average is 100 sq ft). If that information doesn’t steer you to world of vacation apartments, nothing will.

A Paris vacation apartment allows you the freedom to immerse yourself in Parisian culture, much like role playing. There are no distractions, and best of all, loads of privacy. As a renter, one is faced with risks. Yes, arriving in Paris and finding things have been exaggerated is definitely a possibility, and having no recourse. It’s actually mind boggling when you begin to think about all the potential for disappointment even in Paris, the City of Light when booking a Paris vacation apartment.

It’s no secret that crime is common in hotels. The new twist is that some hotel thieves now take just one credit card when they find a wallet in a room and leave everything else untouched. Often, the victim doesn’t notice the card is missing until the credit line is maxed out. No one will ever enter your vacation apartment unless you have scheduled additional maid service.

Hotel rooms are infested with germs. Certain items in hotel rooms never get cleaned. Trouble spots include the TV remote control, telephone and clock radio. Also while reputable hotels provide fresh linens, bedspreads mights e cleaned only once every few months. Vacation apartments tend to provide a more extensive cleaning since the staff is focused on one apartment. Nonetheless, I recommend traveling with a package of antibacterial wipes and clean these items when you arrive.

So, what’s the bottom line? There are obvious things to mull over when considering a Paris vacation apartment rental, should you stay in a value focused vacation apartment in Paris or a luxury apartment in Paris or a luxury Paris hotel, but in the end a reputable agency with real references from previous clinets, you can actually check is golden. Anyone can use a friend as a reference, but former guests will always tell you the good, bad and ugly about the Paris vacation rental.

However, this is not always an easy task and you’ve got enough on your mind planning your Paris vacation to have to worry about your Paris apartment. My solution, and the reason agencies like Paris Luxe Apartments exist is to offer you peace of mind. Do yourself a favor and seek out a professionally managed US based agency offering multiple Paris rentals. Make sure the agency accepts credit cards and doesn’t over exaggerate how perfect the apartment is. Another good bet is try to bond with your booking agent. Most likely the agent has seen the apartment and if he or she is any good will give you the honest lowdown, since they are paid on commission and referrals. Most importantly, an agency specializing in Paris apartments is accountable for your experience and have on-site Paris staff to deal with any issues. Yes, there will always be issues,don’t kid yourself, nothing is perfect but who know maybe you are very low maintenance but it is a vacation apartment in Paris so look for a company that will extend the needed TLC.

The reason I recommend Paris Luxe Apartments over other Paris Luxury Apartment agencies is that they are determined to offer luxury extras traditionally found in a Paris hotel. This is guaranteed to make your Paris vacation apartment stay unforgettable. If there are problems try to immediately have them resolved in Paris since the agency wants your repeat business, they will go overboard to satisfy you.

article by Mon “Hotel” New hotel classification in France

A reform of the hotel classification has been on the news since more than a year: Indeed until now there were no five stars hotels in France, but since the beginning of 2009 the change is on: Hotels that volunteer will be rated from one to five stars for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years. The evaluation will be done, at the expense of the volunteers. Moreover the ratings will have to be approved by the French government

The point of this new classification system is simply to mix different point of views related to norms and understand and respond better to the clients’ needs by responding better to the comfort criteria that are a “must have” and other criteria that can please the clients.

The move was of course orchestrated by the French government whose goal is to place tourism “at the heart of the economical growth “ by defining a new political plan concerning tourism: “destination France 2020 “the matter was discussed this summer at the “Assises nationale du tourisme” that took place this summer.

The challenge is to support tourism which is the first industry of France: With the globalisation and the client’s changing needs France has to be competitive with other destinations concerning the clients’ behaviours and needs. (Not having a five star rating is a serious handicap considering that the client doesn’t always know the fact that France’s highest class of hotel is “four star luxe”).

Objectively what is going to be different about this new classification? Firstly it is interesting to know that it is the first time in twenty two years that the classification grid is being changed: And indeed clients needs have changed a lot in twenty two years!.

The new classification is bringing major changes to satisfy the clients: - no star hotels will disappear: The hotels that volunteer will all be classified one star consequently a fifth star has been added to replace the “four star luxe” appellation. This is useful to hotel owners; it will allow French hotels to be competitive compared to hotel in competing countries. - The new classification system promises to be more exigent : let’s do a little comparison with the old classification

Old classification New classification For a first star rating 30 criteria were needed First star rating:61 criteria needed For a two star rating 30 criteria were needed two star rating:68 criteria needed For a three star rating 30 criteria were needed three star rating:75 criteria needed For a four star rating 33 criteria were needed Four star rating:94 criteria needed For a four star luxe rating 33 criteria were needed Five star rating:124 criteria needed

The classification will also comprise of optional points: Every hotels that volunteer to get reclassified will have the chance to have optional points, these optional criteria will give establishments the chance to differentiate themselves from their competitors and to show the client the diversity of French hostelry (These optional criteria will not be imposed, hotel managers will choose them). Let’s take a moment to summarise and understand this new classification: To be rated hotels will have to respond to the following exigencies: - they will have to be compliant to a number of obligatory criteria (See above page) - they will have to be compliant to a number of optional criteria

These criteria will give hotels points, and it will be the points that will be taken into account for the ratings:

Note: hotels will be given a 5% flexibility margin: if they can not comply to all the points needed to be rated in one category they can make up for these criteria by adding optional points ,but optional points and obligatory points do not have the same value: One obligatory point is equal to three optional points. The heart of this new classification is the client: While the previous classification paid particular attention to surfaces and equipments the new classification pays particular attention to services proposed to the client (in addition to paying attention to the equipment and surfaces.) In addition to that the client will be informed about the new classification and can be solicited to make suggestions about it. Note: hotels will be given a 5% flexibility margin: if they can not comply to all the points needed to be rated in one category they can make up for these criteria by adding optional points ,but optional points and obligatory points do not have the same value: One obligatory point is equal to three optional points. The heart of this new classification is the client: While the previous classification paid particular attention to surfaces and equipments the new classification pays particular attention to services proposed to the client (in addition to paying attention to the equipment and surfaces.) In addition to that the client will be informed about the new classification and can be solicited to make suggestions about it. monhotel.fr

In terms of competitive positioning a change was inevitable: The hotels of the world’s first tourism destination could no longer afford to avoid comparisons with their international competitors! Indeed the creation or more appropriately the adoption of the fifth star will change this fact.

What exactly does the fifth star represent? It will represent the best of French hostelry, the fifth star will be the distinction of excellence and it will of course offer a better readability to international clients. What exactly does the fifth star represent? It will represent the best of French hostelry, the fifth star will be the distinction of excellence and it will of course offer a better readability to international clients.

monhotel.fr

A new classification procedure: If the new classification is supposed to make French hotels compliant to international standards the attributions of stars would also be made according to the techniques used by our international competitors. The evaluation will be done by specialised audit firms which will visit hotels regularly and will be more or less exigent (depending on the rating of the hotel), moreover surprise visit will be made to hotels rated four stars and above

Every five years the classification will be subjected to changes (according to the progress or regression of the establishments). The “Agence de developpement touristique” or Tourism development agency in English will have to support the procedure and animate it. Transition phase: Given the time that hotels will need to adopt the classification the new and the old classification will co exist during three years strating from the publication of the “Loi Tourisme” or tourism law (which I will present later in this article). After three years the old classification will cease to exist.

A point on investments: As I said earlier the point of this classification is mostly to modernize French Hotels and it will ssdetermine new economical parameters on which establishments will build their new economical system, and to build a new economical system one needs funds. Two organisms will help hotels to find funds: -OSEO -caisse des depots The Loi Tourisme This law will modernize the regulations for professionals working in the travel business to allow them to be more competitive in the international sector. This law’s aim is to make easy the sales of tickets for travel agencies: -this law will suppress the four steps that one had to pass to have authorisation to sell trips – Every operator wanting to sale trip formulas will have to declare his activity to a national register managed by the future “Agence de developpement Touristique”. The law will be according to reports constituted of thirteen articles. an article by “Mon Hotel” Don’t forget to visit our website: monhotel.fr

article by Mon “Hotel” New hotel classification in France

A reform of the hotel classification has been on the news since more than a year: Indeed until now there were no five stars hotels in France, but since the beginning of 2009 the change is on: Hotels that volunteer will be rated from one to five stars for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years. The evaluation will be done, at the expense of the volunteers. Moreover the ratings will have to be approved by the French government

The point of this new classification system is simply to mix different point of views related to norms and understand and respond better to the clients’ needs by responding better to the comfort criteria that are a “must have” and other criteria that can please the clients.

The move was of course orchestrated by the French government whose goal is to place tourism “at the heart of the economical growth “ by defining a new political plan concerning tourism: “destination France 2020 “the matter was discussed this summer at the “Assises nationale du tourisme” that took place this summer.

The challenge is to support tourism which is the first industry of France: With the globalisation and the client’s changing needs France has to be competitive with other destinations concerning the clients’ behaviours and needs. (Not having a five star rating is a serious handicap considering that the client doesn’t always know the fact that France’s highest class of hotel is “four star luxe”).

Objectively what is going to be different about this new classification? Firstly it is interesting to know that it is the first time in twenty two years that the classification grid is being changed: And indeed clients needs have changed a lot in twenty two years!.

The new classification is bringing major changes to satisfy the clients: - no star hotels will disappear: The hotels that volunteer will all be classified one star consequently a fifth star has been added to replace the “four star luxe” appellation. This is useful to hotel owners; it will allow French hotels to be competitive compared to hotel in competing countries. - The new classification system promises to be more exigent : let’s do a little comparison with the old classification

Old classification New classification For a first star rating 30 criteria were needed First star rating:61 criteria needed For a two star rating 30 criteria were needed two star rating:68 criteria needed For a three star rating 30 criteria were needed three star rating:75 criteria needed For a four star rating 33 criteria were needed Four star rating:94 criteria needed For a four star luxe rating 33 criteria were needed Five star rating:124 criteria needed

The classification will also comprise of optional points: Every hotels that volunteer to get reclassified will have the chance to have optional points, these optional criteria will give establishments the chance to differentiate themselves from their competitors and to show the client the diversity of French hostelry (These optional criteria will not be imposed, hotel managers will choose them). Let’s take a moment to summarise and understand this new classification: To be rated hotels will have to respond to the following exigencies: - they will have to be compliant to a number of obligatory criteria (See above page) - they will have to be compliant to a number of optional criteria

These criteria will give hotels points, and it will be the points that will be taken into account for the ratings:

Note: hotels will be given a 5% flexibility margin: if they can not comply to all the points needed to be rated in one category they can make up for these criteria by adding optional points ,but optional points and obligatory points do not have the same value: One obligatory point is equal to three optional points. The heart of this new classification is the client: While the previous classification paid particular attention to surfaces and equipments the new classification pays particular attention to services proposed to the client (in addition to paying attention to the equipment and surfaces.) In addition to that the client will be informed about the new classification and can be solicited to make suggestions about it. Note: hotels will be given a 5% flexibility margin: if they can not comply to all the points needed to be rated in one category they can make up for these criteria by adding optional points ,but optional points and obligatory points do not have the same value: One obligatory point is equal to three optional points. The heart of this new classification is the client: While the previous classification paid particular attention to surfaces and equipments the new classification pays particular attention to services proposed to the client (in addition to paying attention to the equipment and surfaces.) In addition to that the client will be informed about the new classification and can be solicited to make suggestions about it. monhotel.fr

In terms of competitive positioning a change was inevitable: The hotels of the world’s first tourism destination could no longer afford to avoid comparisons with their international competitors! Indeed the creation or more appropriately the adoption of the fifth star will change this fact.

What exactly does the fifth star represent? It will represent the best of French hostelry, the fifth star will be the distinction of excellence and it will of course offer a better readability to international clients. What exactly does the fifth star represent? It will represent the best of French hostelry, the fifth star will be the distinction of excellence and it will of course offer a better readability to international clients.

monhotel.fr

A new classification procedure: If the new classification is supposed to make French hotels compliant to international standards the attributions of stars would also be made according to the techniques used by our international competitors. The evaluation will be done by specialised audit firms which will visit hotels regularly and will be more or less exigent (depending on the rating of the hotel), moreover surprise visit will be made to hotels rated four stars and above

Every five years the classification will be subjected to changes (according to the progress or regression of the establishments). The “Agence de developpement touristique” or Tourism development agency in English will have to support the procedure and animate it. Transition phase: Given the time that hotels will need to adopt the classification the new and the old classification will co exist during three years strating from the publication of the “Loi Tourisme” or tourism law (which I will present later in this article). After three years the old classification will cease to exist.

A point on investments: As I said earlier the point of this classification is mostly to modernize French Hotels and it will ssdetermine new economical parameters on which establishments will build their new economical system, and to build a new economical system one needs funds. Two organisms will help hotels to find funds: -OSEO -caisse des depots The Loi Tourisme This law will modernize the regulations for professionals working in the travel business to allow them to be more competitive in the international sector. This law’s aim is to make easy the sales of tickets for travel agencies: -this law will suppress the four steps that one had to pass to have authorisation to sell trips – Every operator wanting to sale trip formulas will have to declare his activity to a national register managed by the future “Agence de developpement Touristique”. The law will be according to reports constituted of thirteen articles. an article by “Mon Hotel” Don’t forget to visit our website: monhotel.fr