As I may have mentioned one or two (or thirty) times, I am planning a very special trip this fall with my sister-in-law. We are taking a cruise around the Greek Isles that leaves out of Venice and then as long as we are in Europe, we are spending four nights in Paris.
My husband is a five star hotel guy so when I travel with him, I end up sampling the best of the best and he doesn't complain too much about the cost of the room (although I always try to find the best deal I can). I have never taken a trip of this magnitude before without my favorite traveling companion/husband, but he opted out of this one (he isn't a fan of cruises), so it's just the two of us girls.
When my sister-in-law and I decided to add Paris on to the end of our trip, I pictured us finding a quaint and inexpensive little hotel in a convenient arrondissement, reminiscent of my backpacking days, but with the comforts I have come to enjoy while traveling with my luxury loving husband. She hasn't been to Paris since she was a teenager and I can't wait to show her around my favorite city.
Little did I know that what we are looking for (a charming, clean, reasonably sized room with twin beds in a great location) would be so hard to find in the price range we agreed upon. I have looked into renting an apartment but most of them require a one week rental and we are only there for four nights.
When did Paris become SO expensive? I live in the NYC metro area so I am very familiar with overpriced hotel rooms. I know Paris is pricey. But, when I was last in Paris in 2009, I stayed at a five star hotel just off the Place Vendome for less than $500/night...the same hotel is quoting me over $800/night for October. Another four star hotel where I stayed when I took my daughter to Paris for her high school graduation was very reasonable back in 2007 - now it's over $500/night. It isn't the currency exchange - the dollar is actually stronger against the Euro than it was back then. What gives?
So, my dear readers, I am turning the tables...if any of you can recommend a reasonably priced, charming small hotel or apartment centrally located in Paris, please let me know!!
