I admit I haven't been back since 2022, but geez! I wanted to visit my son who lives overseas and we decided to meet in Paris. I found great airfare and grabbed if, before ever looking at hotel rates. Just figured I would book my regular standby. I am going to be travelling with my partner and his 14-year old son who has never been over-seas. We leave mid-March. I was in total shock at hotel prices for that time. Apartments are even worse! I have always stayed at my favorite Paris hotels, and this trip, we just decided we aren't going to pay double pricing. (A triple was going for $700 a night at Relais Bosquet, my fav!) My son has no interest in sharing a quad room, so the option now is to find a triple and a separate room for him (he will pay his way.) I have been on booking to look, and did book a cancellable room for the first two nights we arrive and a not so hot place but will continue to look to see if we can find a better option. The place we booked, the room is so small that between the double and the single there is no room to move, and it looks like it definitely needs a refresh. The rate on that one was That being said, we decided we would escape Paris pricing and visit elsewhere for the extra five days, only to return to Paris the day before we fly out of CDG. I have been to Alsace many times, as well as the South of France, but looking for suggestions that a 14 year old might like (not a museum guy). I don't mind repeating going somewhere if that is the consensus on what we should do. I thought about Strasbourg for a couple nights so we could day trip over to Germany one day, or going to Geneva and possible that region? Even considered London but sure their rates are just as bad. Appreciate any suggestions!
Posted by
Idaho, USA
9348 posts
Hi JR,
Looking at the big picture, you saved money on the flights. Going elsewhere will cost train fare & time. If you want a less expensive location, I would go there for your initial two nights while you’re getting over jet lag & save Paris for your last 5 nights.
Did a quick check mid-March. Check out Hotel De Suez. Rated an 8.8, and a triple room for three nights mid-March is $709 & the single room is &560.. Plus it’s in the 5th arr, so you’re close to sites.
Posted by
Chicagoland
1816 posts
Yes, prices keeping creeping up. And the better rates are booked up months in advance.
If you're still interested in Paris, take a look at another area. Perhaps an aparthotel. Check availability at Citadines. The Trocadero location has 2 bedroom apartments available mid March for around $500usd/night. Perhaps they have your dates available.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
4351 posts
Have you looked at Hotel Des Nations Saint Germain located on Rue Monge? They should be around $450 per night for a quad room which I think would work for the three of you and give you a bit more space than a triple.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16660 posts
I’ve noticed some hotels including Relais Bosquet hike prices when there are just a few rooms left in a category. I’m booked for Relais Bosquet the end of April in an ET view room and paying 280E - 297E depending on the day. This is one that can be a triple with an additional bed.
If you’re just now booking for a month away I think it’s because it’s a kind of last minute booking.
Prices have never gone all the way back down to pre-Olympic levels. They came down some but not to that level.
Posted by
Maryland
1093 posts
In 2025 when I was booking our July trip to Paris the first reservations were made in March at one exchange rate, and by the time we arrived the cost had gone up more than 10% because of the fall in value of the dollar alone, not counting for any increase in their costs. In 2022 the the exchange rate was .95 Euro per dollar and now it is .83-.85 Euro per dollar...
Posted by
Chicago
9498 posts
This fall we had 5 nights in Paris after a sidetrip to Metz after being in an apartment for a month. The apartment was not cheap but we paid over 200 E a night for an apart hotel which had all the space and charm of a failing hostel -- and no amenities. It was awful. I often stay in aparthotels for short stays and they are usually adequately comfortable and good value -- this. was not. And our old standby hotel was about 400 a night. Prices of food are also about double what we once paid. So yeah expensive. we are now paying for premium economy airline seats what we once could get business seats for.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2910 posts
JR,
I am guessing that you are only finding high priced rooms because anything with a better price was booked some time ago. Last minute booking is never easy on the pocketbook. Try some other arrondissements, perhaps, or an aparthotel, as others mentioned.
Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Gulf Coast, usa
1245 posts
Thanks all. I will look in to the suggestions. @jeanm - we looked in to the Citadines and thought it a good fit but they are only offering a non-refundable rate which I am skeptical to do, paying it all up front. @Pam - That 280€ rate is what I was used to paying, so I was completely shocked when my fave Relais Bosquet wanted 700! Just couldn't do it. I would have stayed the entire trip there if the rate had been reasonable. We ended up with Beaugency for now for the first two nights, but then they are booked the third. Thus, looking to stay a couple nights then head out. Just where is the question. I know it is last minute, and usually we plan further in advance. But, I jumped at the chance to go never thinking it would be so crazy!
Posted by
3157 posts
Hotel rates in Paris can more than double between January and July. They retrench a bit in August, before reaching their September peaks. When you visit depends greatly up what you pay. 150€ rooms in January will cost 300€+ in September, and you'll need to book early.
Not that long ago, many restaurants offered an entrée/plat/dessert diner for 30€ - 35€. Now you'll pay 40€ to 50€ for an entrée/plat. Crêperies have held costs rather well and can be a good alternative. Dining in the double digit arrondissements can save a lot of money.
If you pay in USD's, economic policies over the last year have caused the dollar to fall noticeably, making travel all the more expensive.
One strategy to economize on hotels is to avoid the tourist ghettos of St Germain, the Latin Quarter, and the Marais. Consider hotels in Oberkampf, such as the top rated Grand Hotel Français or Le Général Hotel. Check the 14th for hotels such as Léopold Hotel or Les Artistes Hotel. Most of these hotels offer significant discounts for booking directly through their websites.
I am always very surprised by the number of tourists who take Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow rather than the métro, which is not only much faster, but costs a fraction of the price. Even better, walking is the best way to see Paris.
Just a few suggestions to save money. Yes, Paris can be expensive but I think it is worth it.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
2533 posts
A big part of what you're seeing is due to the devaluation of the dollar vs. the Euro. That alone has raised prices over 20% in the past 18 months. Add inflation into that (which our guy in charge says doesn't exist) and yes, things have gotten expensive. I pay pretty much the same amount of euro as before, but when converting it it's very noticeable. As of yesterday 300 euro cost $365 US. Two years ago the cost was $307.