Finding a Deal in Paris in January
That's some birthday candle -- or I.M. Pei's glass pyramid outside the Louvre in Paris, France.
Photo: Julien Capmeil, Conde Nast Traveler
Question from reader Kellycress:
"My twin sister and I will be celebrating our 40th birthday in January 2009. We spent our 21st birthday in Paris so we love the idea of inviting our closest girlfriends to help celebrate our 40th there as well. We hope to have a group (up to 14) who would like to join us for 5-7 days in late January. We would like to find a small hotel where we could all stay together. Do you have any suggestions? Are there discounts available for flights and hotel stays if you are in a group of this size? We would prefer a hotel in a great location with lots of charm."
There's no bad time to go to Paris, in my book! And so smart of you to start planning well in advance. To answer your questions, I turned to Howard Lewis of ProTravel International, a France expert whom Wendy and I have named to Conde Nast Traveler's annual Top Travel Specialists list. Here's his advice:
A room at the Victoria Palace Hotel.
Photo: Victoria Palace
"I love to travel in the off-season to Paris, when the rates are vastly less for great accommodations, the airfares are at their lowest point in the year, and you'll have the whole town to yourself -- no lines at museums, no crush of tourists, and restaurants welcoming you with open arms. Just keep in mind that it might be somewhat cold and even snowy.
There are hotel/air packages, but you're better off booking them separately since the packager contracts for a single airfare for the entire year, which is usually higher than the off-season fare.
Hotels will give you a break in rates for a group of that size. Please be aware that the U.S. dollar is taking a bruising against the euro, and I don't see it getting any better in the foreseeable future. At this point, you are losing almost 35% right away.
On the Left Bank, for charming and cozy yet elegant hotels I like the Esprit St Germain, the Hotel Le Senat, and the Victoria Palace. On the Right Bank there is the Hotel de Sers, the Hotel Monna Lisa, and the Hotel Vernet.
Finally, the incredible rail system -- the TGV -- now allows you to do day trips to places as far away as Provence (Avignon)."
Kellycress, an agent like Howard will likely also be able to pull strings with his contacts at the hotels to get you the best rooms in your price range and special amenities. And by the way, happy belated 38th birthday!
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