Tracy Bulla

Paris, je t'aime
May 15, 2008

While I was staring blankly at my computer screen the other day, I found myself daydreaming of Morocco. One thing led to another and I was earmarking hotels in Marrakech at www.tripadvisor.com, already embarking on an exotic adventure in my head.

Needless to say, Morocco is still a pleasant fantasy but it brought back memories of my frantically pulled together trip to Paris for the Maison & Objet (www.maison-objet.com) show last September.

While I sometimes like to think of procrastination as a virtue (it allows you to creatively think things over and do it right the first time, since there probably isn’t any more time anyway), I can assure you that it isn’t when it comes to international travel. While the price of my plane ticket dropped significantly, the cost came in the form of extreme frustration finding a suitable hotel in my travel budget. And then there are the other considerations, such as whether the hotel is situated near fabulous shopping.

If you’re considering a trip to Paris for Maison or purely for pleasure, book early so that the planning will be as enjoyable as the journey itself.

After quizzing everyone of my acquaintance that has ever lived/worked/traveled in Paris for recommendations, I tried direct booking sites like www.hotels-paris.fr, www.francehotelguide.com and www.guidesdecharme.com (if you like charming bed-and-breakfast type places, try this one).

Then I checked out my top picks on Trip Advisor to find out what other travelers had to say. In my experience, the reviews are remarkably reliable (be sure to read down and not just the top two or three) and don’t skip over the candid traveler photos. I’ve unfortunately been misled too many times by hotel Web site “glamour” shots showcasing the prettiest room and a nicely kept lobby only to find the rest of the hotel bears little or no resemblance.

A few minor complaints about service don’t particularly bother me, but if the negative complaints tip the scales then it’s time to move on.

And then there’s the dealbreaker. In my case, it was bedbugs found in a beautiful little hotel that I had set my heart on. C’est la vie.

In the end, it all worked out beautifully. I found a lovely hotel with all my major requirements:  Small and charming with historic French flavor, great location, excellent restaurants and nightlife nearby, and most importantly, a super-size bathtub for soaking in deliciously scented French soap. Hotel des Grands Hommes at www.hotels-paris-rive-gauche.com

Stay tuned … Paris, je t’aime, part two promises a peek at stylish places to see and be seen in the city of lights.

Posted by Tracy Bulla on May 15, 2008 | Comments (0)