Thursday, April 5, 2012

Lodging

Hotels

It can be difficult finding a family room for an affordable price in Paris. You have to start looking early and book as soon as you find something. Of course you can find thousands of rooms, but not all have air conditioning and Paris is a big and noisy city. The hotel rooms tend to be very small. Also if a room is really cheap verify if you have to share the bathroom.

Cleanliness and neighborhood are also of concern when traveling with kids. I wouldn't stay right by Place Pigalle for example, but 2-3 streets to the West is a much quieter neighborhood in the 9th. So, consulting reviews will help to know the hotel style. If the reviews are by solo travelers, it may not be a place for a family.

It is not worth hunting for a hotel with included breakfast. Most of breakfast provided would consist of a low quality croissant, a bad coffee and an artificial juice. I would also recommend not paying for a breakfast at a hotel, which will cost you starting 6E and up, but just cross the street and have the most delicious café croissant from the bakery or a patisserie for as low as 2E.

In other regions it is relatively easy to find either a family room or 2 rooms for lower prices. Breakfasts can be delicious too especially in the countryside.

Many castles are also renting rooms in the hotel section, and some are very affordable.

Rentals

As we travel for longer stays, we usually rent an apartment, but occasionally are staying at the hotels or bed and breakfasts for 1-2 days. Recently we tried staying in a camping and since we are also staying in campings. Gites or gites villages are country homes and are another option. Apartment hotels do exist also but often are more expensive than hotels and rented apartments.

Apartments and mobile homes are usually rented by the week, but in low season (outside July and August) it is possible to rent for just a few nights.

There is a security deposit to pay. Some offer cleaning services at the end of the stay, but this is expensive 40-60E. Most require you to clean yourself at the end of the stay.

The arrangements can be done by Internet and the payments are by bank transfer or credit card for the camping’s. Some homeowners, mostly foreign, as they don’t live there and use services of an agent, ask to prepay all amount in advance. This is normal practice; however we prefer dealing with French owners who only ask for a deposit to make a reservation. There are also rental agencies advertising on Internet. I used them in Italy and in France.

Our experience was good so far with British and French homeowners. I browse the web for a couple of months before finding something. The best places and more affordable can be booked more than one year in advance, so start searching early.

In terms of rentals themselves, they are not hotels. They are mostly located in old buildings, which is part of their charm. So, the toilet is often separate from the rest of the bathroom for example. Many French old towns or villages have narrow streets, so you won’t find many terraces in this area. If any, they are part of the roof, which can sometimes be very hot or windy. Old French balconies are tiny, and usually to protect a door/window rather than sitting there.

So, for having a terrace, one may need to walk longer distances to the modern part of the town, or rent a villa floor with a garden. For a few rentals in old towns with a terrace the prices can be prohibitive.

There is a caution to be paid for any damage, and is refundable on departure. Usually a check is requested or a lower amount in cash. I was shocked at first when some of the ads request a 2000E caution. I mean, what can be broken in a place that is worth it. So, you have to be selective, because if someone values so much their belongings, shouldn’t be renting to strangers or shouldn’t be using such expensive items, paintings or statues in a rental apartment. Not sure I want to live in a museum, especially with kids, but even by myself.

When reading a rental ad, verify the exact location, the distance in meters to landmarks, not in minutes, the cleaning fees or arrangements. Particularly in France, very tiny rooms are rented at times. One sort of bedding very popular there are bunk beds, but they are often placed in a tiny room with no windows, called a cabine. I am personally reluctant sleeping in a closed space.
Another popular invention there is a mezzanine. Some owners are using this to subdivide the existing studio, by installing a second floor in the same room. This ends in two rooms with low ceilings and in practice is 1 room as you can’t close the door in between. This type of room is not handy with children. The stairs or the lather is not too safe even for an adult. However some home owners consider they doubled the living surface and the rates are high.

Ask questions and insist to have a description or a floor plan.

Some apartments are subdivided to a ridiculous extent. For example a 35m2 can have 2 bedrooms and a separate kitchen. Each room is tiny.

Many homeowners are asking for 900E or more, but expect you to sleep in a sofa bed which can be less comfortable than budget IKEA sofa beds.

Some request a ridiculously high number of transfers. I had to explain to some how much an international transfer costs. Most of the time it is just because the owner has never left his village or heard of anything foreign. Generally, French owners are nice and want to rent, it is just they don’t know. And usually they will agree to change their policy. Just ask.

Linens and towels can be rented, but at the price you can get new ones.

In other words if something is important to you, ensure it is clearly stated.

Although I occasionally call an owner, if I am particularly interested in renting, I am not chasing anyone. Someone who answers emails and calls me is really interested to rent and the service is usually much better with these people.

For those who want to stay longer in one location I recommend referring to Slowtrav.com for reviews, trip reports and advice.

Resources:
www.summerinitaly.com www.varvacances.fr/ Homeaway with the French branch Abritel
Homelidays
Holidaylettings
Amivac