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Most hotels in France are government rated. They are inspected and rated with respect to their level of comfort, amenities, and quality of service. There are six hotel categories: 0-star, 1-star, 2-star, 3-star, 4-star and 4-star L (luxury). The government will soon be adding a Five-star rating to indicate the most luxurious hotels. Prices, which are displayed at the hotel entrance and in the bedrooms, must include taxes and service. Hotel rates are unregulated and usually there is an extra charge for breakfast and a surcharge can be added for an extra bed. In most cases, rooms must be vacated by noon on the day of departure. Please note that it is normal practice for the hoteliers to ask for your passport at check-in.
There are over 18,300 hotels, inns and motels in France. The following are links generated by our home page search engine, "A la Carte Travel": average room rates per night.
Grand Luxury/Deluxe Hotel
Average rate per night in Paris: 405€
Average rate per night in France: 300€
First Class Hotel
Average rate per night in Paris: 340€
Average rate per night in France: 180€
Very Comfortable Hotel
Average rate per night in Paris: 151€
Average rate per night in France: 78€
Comfortable Hotel
Average rate per night in Paris: 84€
Average rate per night in France: 60€
Budget & Economy Hotel
Average rate per night in Paris: 52€
Average rate per night in France: 28€
Finding a Room
You can easily reserve your accommodations through a travel agent, book on your own by contacting the US hotel representatives of hotel chains and associations, or by visiting their website. You can also contact local Tourist Offices or the Syndicats d'Initiative; they will inform you about the availability of local accommodations.
Associations of privately owned hotels
In France, there are many associations of privately owned hotels that organize privately owned hotels by quality and rates. The range covers all categories, from the upscale (4L to 3-star) chateau-hotels, inns and manors of Relais & Chateaux and Chateaux et Hotels de France, to the more mid-range priced Relais du Silence (4 to 2-star country inns and manors), and the very affordable Logis de France hotels-restaurants (3 to 1-star). These asssociations can be contacted in the U.S.
Hotel Chains
There are dozens of hotel chains in France that group standardized hotels. Again, the range covers all categories, from upscale to mid-range like Accor Group (Sofitel, Novotel, Libertel, Mercure & Ibis) or Concorde Hotels, to more economical hotels near major cities (Hotel Formule 1, Etap Hotel, Balladins, Bonsaï, Liberté, Première Classe). Hotel chains usually have central reservations facilities.
Rates
Quoted per night for a single or double room. Rates are quoted per person if they include room and board. Hotels include taxes and services and the minimal per person, per day tourism tax.
Reservations
Reservations should be in writing (letter, fax or email). At that time, an advance deposit should be sent to the hotel. Your reservation, room rate and receipt of deposit should be confirmed in writing, by the hotelier. To avoid problems, reservations should never be made verbally.
Deposits
An advance deposit is required to secure your reservation. The exact amount is not fixed by law but, in general, the deposit amounts to the equivalent of 25% of the total cost or one night for shorter stays.
Whatever the type of accommodation you choose, pay a deposit. The deposit will not be refunded unless the contract stipulates it. If the hotel cancels your reservation, they are required pay you the double of the deposit.
A deposit amounts to a contractual obligation: if you cancel your stay, you may be asked to pay for the entirety of your reservation.
Always ask for details on the conditions of rental or reservation before you commit, and make all reservations in writing.
Arrival Time
Guests are expected to arrive at their hotel no later than between 7 and 10 pm. To avoid misunderstandings, it is best to let the hotel manager know the approximate arrival time, especially if it might be late. If a telephone reservation has been made without a deposit, the hotelier is not required to hold the room after 7:00 pm.
Cancellations
The French Civil Code, Article 1590, regulates the rights of hotel guests and hoteliers regarding cancellation. In addition, many hotels follow stipulations laid down by the International Hotel Convention. Be sure to request details of the hotel's cancellation policy along with the reservation confirmation.
If guests must cut their visit short, the hotelier may keep the deposit. If a stay is shortened because the guests feel that the hotel is inadequate, they must provide proof of the hotel's inadequacies to the French hotel authorities to reclaim the deposit or seek other restitution.
If guests arrive before 7:00 pm on the day of confirmed reservation and find that no rooms are available, a hotel is obligated to find them a room at a comparable price. If they arrive later, the hotelier has no such obligation.
ON-THE-SPOT Reservations
Passengers who want to book accommodations upon arrival may consult the Automatic Central Reservations Board in Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.
Reservations can be made for the day of arrival at the Tourist Offices or Syndicats d'Initiative in Paris and other cities. |