We are suckers for a room with a killer view. We find that we are even more likely to forgive some minor hotel inconveniences if we can stare out the window at something pretty--yeah we are that shallow. Let's help out our fellow hotel mavens by uploading rooms with killer views to the HotelChatter/Flickr photo pool, or by sending the photo along to us. We will feature our favorites in this space from time to time. Remember to tell us the name of the hotel and the room number of the hot view.
Thanks are due to Zoe, today's HotelChatter tipster who sent in this killer view from her stay last month at the Hotel Des Academies Et Arts in Paris. As well as having what she described as a very pleasant stay, Zoe was particularly taken with the view out of her hotel room window:
The roofs of Paris have a je-ne-sais-quoi that I really like.
The hotel itself is very artsy-Paris: the first section on its website is all about its philosophy, and it gets described as being dedicated to the creative arts.
It's a boutique hotel in Montparnasse and you are still allowed to stay there even if you're not an artist--in fact, most artists probably couldn't scrape together the nightly rate of over €200 (US$315) a room, plus €15 (US$23) for breakfast in the morning.
So Eliot Spitzer chose the Mayflower for his sneaky after-work business with an Emperors Club VIP prostitute.
It's not an easy question - where does a well-known man take a high-class hooker so that no-one recognises either him or what he's up to?
A hotel's got to have at least the basics: a large bed, a good shower, flattering bathrobes, soundproofed walls, a well-stocked mini-bar, some kind of music system and discreet staff. Got to be located near enough to the city centre to be easy to find and quick to leave, but not be so conspicuous that everyone can see guests' comings and goings.
And an Emperors Club VIP prostitute ain't gonna be happy with a cheap motel - she's wanting jacuzzi tubs, top quality toiletries and champagne on ice at the very least. You can't google a hotel like that.
So where would a Parisian version of Eliot Spitzer take his madame for a few hours?
[Ed. Note: This is the Bad Rate in our Good Rate/Bad Rate feature. The screenshot above was taken on May 2, 2006 and rates are subject to change. Enjoy.]
SmarterTravel.com takes a stand against European hotels advertising guaranteed dollar rates "as if such a guarantee were somehow a huge benefit for American travelers."
One such offender is the three-night package at the Esprit St. Germain in Paris which charges $1,666 per room for two people. The extras included in the package are private car airport transfers on arrival and departure, daily full breakfast, open bar, and use of ``wellness'' and business centers. But the package still breaks down to $555 a night.
Additionally, the hotel's regular rates start at $375. As SmarterTravel points out:
In effect, the guaranteed dollar rate adds $180 a day to cover two breakfasts, airport transfers and a bar bill. Obviously, you could get by for less.
The hotel has a flamboyant design by Jacques Garcia and this extends from the small lobby to each of the guest rooms. A small pool and sauna can be reserved for private use in the vaulted basement. Service is discreet and very accommodating. The concierge can get reservations at many popular restaurants and is quite handy at finding great experiences for travelers. My personal favorite are the towels, they are so thick and fluffy. Beware though, the best creperie in Paris is just down the street and it is very tempting.
The hotel also has made history by being the deathplace of Oscar Wilde, who apparently never settled the bill.
By now you know that the Post is overly excited about the engagement of Paris squared.
It turns out the paper is so excited they are giving away a trip to Paris. All you have to do is predict the correct date that the lovebirds will call off their nuptials. If the Parises do get married, the Post will pick a winner at random sometime this summer.
All entries must be received by 7.22.05 and the winner will score the following:
* First class roundtrip airfare to Paris (2)
* 4 nights at the Relais-Hotel du Vieux
* $500 spending money
Our question, naturally, is: what is the Relais-Hôtel du Vieux like? Well it is a centrally located boutique hotel that caters to couples. Romance in Paris, go figure. Here is what one recent couple had to to say about their stay:
My husband and I travel a lot in Eurooe and are always on the look-out for small boutique type hotels with character and comfort. The Relais-Hotel du Vieux Paris exceeded our expectations. It was a delightful stay.
Good on 'ya NY Post. You aren't giving away a lemon. Now all we have to do is predict the date of the Parises inevitable demise--what if we predict the date of Paris's honeymoon sex tape leaks to the Internet--do we still get to go to the Relais-Hôtel du Vieux?
...as long as you are ok surfing in a broom closet.
Blogger Darren Barefoot reviews Hotel Clos Medicis near the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris.
Your usual boutique fare: tiny rooms, good location, hit or miss amenities, but the interesting part was how the Hotel Clos Medicis dealt with Internet access.
There was no wireful access--just wifi at a truly abusive 22 euros per day. Or, rather, it was until 2:00pm the next day, which isn't quite the same thing. Regardless, they had me over a barrel, so I paid.
They did have a public Internet terminal in a tiny closet off the lobby. Charmingly, the closet also doubled as the ironing room, so you want to plan your Internet usage around peak ironing hours.
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by amandak
We always appreciate reviews from Paris and this one comes courtesy of 
