Monday, March 21, 2011

Facility and Accommodations in France

Hotel Ritz Paris
General


Hotels in France
Tourist hotels are approved and examined by the authorities. They are split into 5 categories according to their facilities, areas and services. The categories are 1-star, 2-star, 3-star, 4-star and - for hotels of great comfort - 4-star L (luxury). Prices displayed outside the hotel and in bedrooms must be inclusive. They are unregulated and a surcharge can be levied for an extra bed or for breakfast. Rooms must usually be left by noon on the day of departure. There are about 17,500 hotels, inns and motels in France.

Finding a Room

It's always easier to reserve your accommodation through a travel agent before coming to France. You can also contact local Tourist Offices or the Syndicats d'Initiative: they will inform you on the local possibilities of accommodation.


Hotel Chains
There are dozens of hotel chains and reservation services for hotels in France which group standardized hotels or hotels each with its own character. The range covers all categories, from 'Relais & Chateaux', 'Chateaux et Hotels de France' hotels (3- and 4-star) or more economical hotels near major cities (Hotel Formule 1, Etap Hotel, Balladins, Bonsaï, Liberté, Première Classe). Hotel chains usually have central reservation facilities.




Rates
Quoted for per night for a single or double room. Rates are quoted per person if they include room and board. Hotels include taxes and service.

Reservations
Reservations should be in writing (letter, fax or email). At that time, an advance deposit should be sent to the hotel. Your reservation, room rate and receipt of deposit should be confirmed in writing, by the hotelier. To avoid problems, reservations should never be made orally.

Deposits
An advance deposit is required to secure your reservation. The exact amount is not fixed by law but, in general, the deposit amounts to the equivalent of 25% of the total cost and one night for shorter stays.Whatever the type of accommodation you choose, pay a deposit. The deposit will not be refunded unless the contract stipulates it. If the hotel cancels your reservation, he must pay you the double of the deposit.
Arrival Time
Guests are expected to arrive at their hotel no later than between 7 and 10 pm. To avoid misunderstandings, it is best to let the hotel keeper know the approximate arrival time, especially if it might be late. If you a telephone reservation has been made without a deposit, the hotelier is not required to hold the room after 7 pm.


Cancellations
The French Civil Code, Article 1590, regulates the rights of hotel guests and hoteliers regarding cancellation. In addition, many hotels follow stipulations laid down by the international Hotel Convention. Be sure to request details of the hotel's cancellation policy along with the reservation confirmation.

ON-THE-SPOT Reservations

Passengers who want to book accommodations upon arrival may consult the Automatic Central Reservations Board in Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport. Reservations can be made for the day of arrival at the Syndicats d'Initiative or Tourist Offices in Paris and other cities.


At a campsite

France offers more than 9,000 fully equipped campsites officially grated from 0 to 4* and 2,300 farm campsites. The Official Campsite Guide is on sale at bookshops, newsagents, FNAC [national chain of department stores selling books, CDs, computers …] and all good retailers, as well as by mail order (postage and carriage: 3 euro per copy).


Fédération Française de Camping-Caravaning [French Camping and Caravanning Association] (tel +33 (0)1 42 72 84 08). http://www.campingfrance.com

Camping off-site is permitted with the authorization of the landowner, but prohibited on beaches, roadsides or at designated sites.

For information, please ask at Tourist Offices or the Gendarmerie.

In tourist apartments

These are buildings housing apartments for rent, fully equipped and with a choice of hotel services.

Visit the website www.snrt.fr
In furnished accommodation

These are fully equipped holiday villas or apartments for rent to tourists: information from Tourist Offices and estate agents.
In Gîtes or Guest Houses

By renting a room in the owner's home (per night or per week, with breakfast and, occasionally with evening meal), you will have the chance to discover more about, and share in, the French way of life. www.gites-de-france.fr

In Holiday Villages

Non-profit making organizations who offer especially designed accommodation for families and groups, the holidays Villages also have excellent leisure activities. A stay in a holiday village is a great way to meet French people in a friendly environment and at the same time keep a feeling of individual freedom.
www.unat.asso.fr

In Monasteries

The following guides are of help :

Le Guide des Monastères
Maurice Colignon - Editions Pierre Horay

277 rue Saint-Jacques
75006 - PARIS
Tel: +33 (0)1 43 54 53 90
Fax:  +33 (0)1 56 24 76 27
Email:
editions@horay-editeur.fr

New guide in 2001 (15th edition). Price: 15.09 Euros.

Le Guide Saint-Christophe
Association Saint-Christophe
22 bis, passage Dauphine
75005 - PARIS
Tel: +33 (0)1 56 24 76 00
Fax: +33 (0)1 43 54 63 50
http://www.lodace.com

Hotel Reservation Services


HOTEL RESERVATION SERVICES
 
COMPANY DESCRIPTIONS

EXPEDIA

Expedia, Inc.
13810 SE Eastgate Way, Suite 400
Bellevue, WA 98005
Website:
Expedia.com
 
A good selection of hotels in France.  A solid and reputable online reservation system.

HOTELS.com

10440 North Central Expressway, Suite 400,
Dallas, Texas 75231
Website: Hotels.com
Many hotels in France, in Paris and other main cities of France

TRAVELOCITY

Travelocity  
3150 Sabre Dr. 
Southlake, TX 76092

Website:
Travelocity.com
 
Probably the largest selection of French hotels that can be found online.  Availability searches and reservations can be made online.

ONE TRAVEL

OneTravel.com, Inc
801 North Grant
Odessa, TX 79761
Website: Onetravel.com
 
Many hotels in France, and last minutes deals.  Online reservation system is available.

COSYTEL SMALL HOTELS OF
FRANCE
4935 Queen Mary, #404
Montreal, QC H3W 1X4
Tel: (514) 738-4040, (888) 41PARIS
Fax: (514) 738-6112
Website: hostotel.com
E-mail: abotel@hostotel.com

 

250 privately owned & family run hotels (10,000 rooms) from 2* to 4* located in the heart of Paris & throughout France. Optimum comfort.
ACCOR
350 5th Ave., #4310
New York, NY 10118
Tel: (212) 631-0100, (800) 221-4542
Fax: (212) 631-0510
Website: accorhotels.com
 
 
European leader & worldwide group in hotels & services with over 3,700 hotels worldwide. Member groups: Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Libertel, Ibis & Formule 1. Sofitel is a group of upscale hotels & resorts located in key business & leisure destinations.

 

BED & BREAKFAST
PARIS
Tel:(619) 531-1179, (800) 872-3632
Website: parisbandb.com

 

Over 100 private family residences throughout Paris offered by experienced company. Charming hosts, lovely homes, convenient locations, attractive rates and a great introduction to the culture.
 

CLUB MED
75 Valencia Ave., #900
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Tel: (305) 925-9000, (800) 453-2582
Fax: (305) 925-9042
Website: clubmed.com
E-mail: us.groups@clubmed.com

 

Expanded the concept of American plans worldwide. Over 100 destinations worldwide incl. Guadeloupe, Martinique, Bora Bora, Corsica & France. Specializing in 3* & 4* ski, sun & mountain resorts.
Great food, exotic destinations, unique & extensive sports/activities/ excursions offered.

 


CONCORDE HOTELS
1 Penn Plaza, #2127
New York, NY 10119-2127
Tel: (212) 935-1045, (800) 777-4182
Fax: (212) 752-8916
Website: reserve from hotels.com
 

Smaller hotel chain with over 30 first-class & deluxe hotels in France (over 75 worldwide). Six hotels in Paris.  Hôtel de Crillon in Paris and  Hôtel Martinez in Cannes are part of the chain. Special seasonal promotional rates available.

CROWN INT'L MARKETING
12 Rte. 17 North, #203
Paramus, NJ 07652
Tel: (201) 265-5151, (800) 628-8929
Fax: (201) 712-1279
Website: crownintmark.com
E-mail: res@crownintmark.com

 

Reservations for deluxe hotels in Paris, Beaujolais, Vence, St. Tropez, Evian,  St Barth's and other islands of the French West Indies.
 
EPOQUE HOTELS
800 West Ave. #335
Miami, FL 33139
Tel: (305) 538-9697, (800) EPOQUE1
Fax: (305) 538-4820
Website: epoquehotels.com
E-mail: info@epoquehotels.com
 

27 Paris hotels offering leisure & business travelers rooms & services with emphasis on a welcoming home-style stay.
 
EUROPEAN HOTELS & TOURS
305 Madison Ave., #1166
New York, NY 10165
Tel: (212) 744-5217, (800) 800-3048
Fax: (212) 288-6947
E-mail: europ@hotels.net
 
 
Select 3* - 4*L hotels situated in cities & the countryside. Customized itinerary planning for discriminating individual & groups including cultural, gastronomic & wine tours, private transfer services are also available.

FRENCH BOUTIQUE HOTELS
8 Knight St.
Norwalk, CT 06851
Tel: (800) 700-9549
Website: frenchboutiquehotels.com
E-mail: info@frenchboutiquehotels.com
 
 
Over 300 small & affordable hotels and inns, including charming mills, castles and manors and throughout the French countryside. An official representative of Relais du Silence Hotels of France.
 
GLOBAL HOME NETWORK
1110 D Elden St., #106
Herndon, VA 20170
Tel: (703) 318-7081, (800) 528-3549
Fax: (703) 318-7086
Website: globalhomenetwork.com
E-mail: ghn@globalhomenetwork.com
 
 
Apartments & small hotels in Paris' Latin Quarter & throughout the city. Luxury to budget serviced apartments & small, elegant hotel accommodations throughout Paris, including the Left Bank, the Champs-Elysées area & the Trocadéro district. SABRE: Y/HHL/HNT & APOLLO: HODHN/INFO.
 
HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD
305 Madison Avenue, Ste 1166
New York, NY 10165
Tel: (212) 744-5217, (800) 800-3048
Fax: (212) 288-6947
Website: europahotels.net
 
 
Select 3 to 5 star hotels and chateaux located in the cities and the countryside. Customized-itinerary planning is available, featuring cultural, gastronomic and wine tours. Private transfer services available for major destinations.
 
ITS CARS & HOTELS
3332 NE 33rd St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Tel: (954) 566-7111, (800) 521-0643
Fax: (954) 566-0036
Website: its-cars-hotels.com
E-mail: hotels@its-cars-hotels.com
cars@its-cars-hotels.com
 
 
Car rental reservations at most major airports & at certain city locations throughout France. Hotel reservations through airline systems & Website only.
 
LOIRE TOURS
366 54th St. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
Tel: (727) 321-6883, (800) 755-9313
Fax: (727) 321-1637
Website: usrc.net
E-mail: loiretoursinc@earthlink.net
 
 
Specialized in handling reservations for palace and châteaux-hotels, deluxe country inns & quaint hotels in historic centers of cities as well as studios, apartments & villas. Also acts as informed consultant on all aspects of the country including best cities, hotels, restaurants & points of interest.
 
LE MERIDIEN HOTELS & RESORTS
420 Lexington Ave., #1718
New York, NY 10170
Tel: (212) 805-5000, (800) 543-4300
Fax: (212) 697-1445
Website: lemeridien.com
 
 
Global hotel group of over 140 luxury & upscale hotels (38,000 rooms) in 55 countries worldwide.

 

 
MILLENNIUM HOTELS & RESORTS
145 W. 44th St.
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 789-7859, (800) 892-7444 (groups),
Fax: (212) 789-7861
Website: mill-cop.com
E-mail: a.marsili@mill-usa.com
 
 
Recently renovated, 163-room hotel ideally located for all the famous landmarks of Paris (Galeries Lafayette, Louvre, Sacré Coeur & the Opera). The hotel's guest rooms are air- conditioned & soundproofed & offer in-suite bathroom, mini-bar, satellite TV, direct dial phone with PC connection, radio, trouser press & hair dryer.

RELAIS & CHATEAUX
11 E. 44th St., #707
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 856-0115, (800) 735-2478
Fax: (212) 856-0193
Website: relaischateaux.com
E-mail: rc-usa@relaischateaux.com


 
 
Organization of privately owned hotels & restaurants 142 of which are located in France. Former castles, abbeys, manor houses, mills, estates, private residences & country houses have been converted into comfortable hotels & elegant gourmet restaurants.

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