Diabetes and Paris Hotels

Hello dahuffy,

When I have stayed in Paris once on my own and once on tour both hotels had mini fridge. Large enough to keep bottle water and some snacks. I do not know how much space you need but I would think you will be fine. The hotel should list that on the website too.

Enjoy Paris,

Kathleen

If the hotel website is not clear, sending an email should get you an answer. Just be aware any dimensions they provide will be metric.

Certainly in your correspondence with the Hotel, you can verify, I do not think this will be an unusual request. To play it safe, you could look at the Holiday Inn chain, they have several hotels scattered around, usually stay there for business, but have always had a fridge. Other hotels, somewhat hit or miss, I would not say that a fridge is standard, or even common, more so in Business hotels much less so in Mom and Pop type places.

I was able to store my insulin supplies in the hotel refrigerator during the part of the RS tour I was on at the time it was in Paris. They even allowed me into the kitchen area as I needed to retrieve my supplies. Later in the stay, they notified me I could find everything in the small fridge behind the bar used to store juice and other non alcohol items requiring refrigeration. The rooms were too small to have refrigerators in them. They were a very accommodating place.

I agree that since it is absolutely essential for you to have a small fridge, you need to email ahead of time with whatever hotels you are considering.

It may be worth extra checking now. Hotels in many places have removed many non-essential extras from the rooms to make covid sanitising easier and clearer. Worth an email or phone call...

Because of the importance of this to his health, don't rely on our well-meaning opinions or guesses: get something in writing from the hotel, or pick another hotel that will give you a written assurance, and print out that hotel communication and bring it with you when you check in.

In general, in Europe, you should not assume that hotel room amenities will be similar to here.

Thank you everybody for your quick and kind responses to my little "issue". I was able to find a hotel that offers mini fridges in the rooms (according to their website) and I will be sure to ask for confirmation in writing. Now, does anyone have any experience with the Hotel Tourisme Avenue? That is the one I booked. I was able to get a standard room for under $200 a night.

Thanks again!,
Debi

I will also add that insulin needs to be maintained at a constant temperature per manufacturer. A small refrigerator thermometer might be helpful. This could avoid the medication becoming compromised. All refrigerators are not the same. I have managed insulin & immunizations in my practice for decades. Your pharmacist or Health care provider is your best resource.

You probably know much of this but always good to review.

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/emergency-preparedness-drugs/information-regarding-insulin-storage-and-switching-between-products-emergency

https://www.google.com/maps/place/H%C3%B4tel+Tourisme+Avenue/@48.8494903,2.2984918,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipO1UE8AwwOfLrly-d3H95N18Q7H_T1usqSakAkm!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipO1UE8AwwOfLrly-d3H95N18Q7H_T1usqSakAkm%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i3120!8i4160!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0xfc2c4d965d3ff9e4!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d48.8496048!4d2.2983119

To follow up on the temperature issue, I have many times had food freeze in the mini-fridge. So first thing on arrival is to check the mini fridge temp and if below freezing get another room. You don't want to spend time monkeying with it.

My experience with mini-fridges in Italy and France is that they are often some degrees warmer than a typical North American mini-fridge. When you check into your room, you may want to very soon open the mini-fridge and (using the thermometer that other posters mention) check that it is not too warm.

On a side note, your chosen hotel seems to offer Japanese style toilets in some rooms. If you get one, and you haven't tried them before, you are in for a treat.

Also note the A/C is seasonal and may not be turned on in May even if it is hot.

I havent stayed at your hotel but have stayed a block away. Busy area with lots of places to eat--plenty of Cafe's--and a supermarket just down the block. (In the Monoprix). Metro stop a block away as well.

Thank you for all the great advice, I will take it to heart. Japanese toilet? Not sure I know what to expect. Is this perhaps the ones without seats, just the basin? :-)

Japanese toilet? Not sure I know what to expect. Is this perhaps the ones without seats, just the basin

I think what they are referring to are the deluxe toilets that wash and dry you while you sit...no need for toilet paper.

Just skip the hot wax finish.

The above toilet is amateur compared to the Toto.

https://www.toto.com/en/wtjapan/exp/index.htm

Heated seats, wash and dry multiple areas from underneath, possibly plays music, etc.

Consider renting an apartment with kitchen facilities. Have done this several times in Paris. It allows a more local experience and you will have better control of your situation.

hey hey debi
as others have mentioned, think about an apartment with kitchen/kitchenette that provides a fridge.
how many days are you planning to stay in paris and where else are you planning on going.
cross-pollinate.com
tripadvisor.com (under vacation rentals)
alcove&agape.com
with your research you can decide where you want to stay, mobility issues (many without elevator/lift with stairs/steps and what floor - USA 1st floor is EUROPE 2nd floor), reviews, cancellation do's and dont's, fees and deposits, early checkins and if luggage holds, getting keys.lots to think about with hotel/apt. before booking ask the posters here for good bad and ugly and they will tell you. knowing and understanding all your info will lead you to a great vacation and not stressful. we have all been in your postion once and are willing to help, just ask. enjoy
aloha