Best rates for flights to/from Europe?/hotels in Paris?

kathryn

kathryn

Cathlete
I'm going to a conference in Belgium this summer (and spending a couple of days in Paris as well), and am looking for the best deals on flights (unfortunately, now is not a great time, but I'm stuck with doing it now). I'm planning to fly in to Brussels and fly out of Paris. I've looked at Orbitz and AARP (which goes through Travelocity), but was wondering if any of you have any other suggestions.

Also, I haven't been to Paris for oh-so-long, and wonder if anyone has reccomendations for a hotel (prefereably, of course, cheap but clean and well-situated!)
 
I always use www.kayak.com

I get awesome prices on this website for airfare AND hotels. I just paid $85 for a JW Marriott (Those are usually $200 per night) in Palm Springs, CA.

You might have to check back now and then to see what the prices are doing. A few airlines just announced price increases due to the price increase of fuel (again!!! sigh...)

Good luck!
Jenn
 
RE: Best rates for flights to/from Europe?/hotels in Pa...

I'm not sure about cheaper flights but I can recommend a hotel. We stayed at the Novotel Paris Tour Eiffel in 2002 and had a good experience. It's about a 5-10 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower right on the edge of the business area. The outside is hideous as it's in the section that was built in the 70's with really modern buildings but the room was clean and well appointed and breakfast was included each morning. You have the Seine River right outside as well. The site shows pricing starting at $129 a night (not sure if that is USD or Euros). Here is a link:

http://www.novotel.com/novotel/fichehotel/gb/nov/3546/fiche_hotel.shtml
 
RE: Best rates for flights to/from Europe?/hotels in Pa...

Sounds like a wonderful trip Kathryn. I just talked to my 17 year old daughter Marley about an hour ago. She's in Paris right now and staying in a hotel on the upper east side and says it's kinda 'sketchy' but just 10 minutes to 'everything' by the Metro. She is loving the city but really enjoyed Lyon, tomorrow they are off to Versaille. They had an unexpected field trip to Geneva and I'm thrilled that she's been able to enjoy this exchange experience without using her English at all. :)Not much help, I know but thought your post was timely and wanted to share:)

Good luck with your arrangements!

Take Care
Laurie
 
RE: Best rates for flights to/from Europe?/hotels in Pa...

It does sound like a wonderful trip...but hmm, summer is high season, so I don't think you're likely to find an inexpensive fare to anywhere in Europe. For flights, I like pinpointtravel.com, which is I think the same as kayak. And for hotel accommodations, I swear by research on www.tripadvisor.com. It's led me to some little-known hotels/inns which don't show up on the major travel sites but can save you some serious coin. Happy travel planning! :)

[font face="heather" font color=black size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

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Hi Kathryn,

I usually use Orbitz for airfare, however I recently read a blurb from a travel e-zine that some airlines are starting to offer good airfare deals if you book directly through them, so that may be worth checking as well.

Trip Advisor (www.tripadvisor.com) is a good place to get a feel for hotels. I've used it before.

I'm going to Paris next month and will be staying in a hotel near the Louvre, so I'll be happy to give a report! :)
 
Hi Kathryn,

I'm glad to hear you plan on going to the conference. I probably will not go, but I do really want to.

As for flights, I'm sorry but I have no advice. I'm hoping to travel to Europe this summer with my former Paris roommate whose father is a retired Delta pilot. She still gets some amazing flying perks, and if it works out, she and I can fly stand-by for only 10% of the cost of a ticket. Otherwise I am positive that it will be super-pricey.

But as for hotels in Paris, have you ever hear of the FIAP Jean Monnet? I know they are very popular with the AATF, members and staff alike. I've never been there but I know some of the staff and they are great. It's sort of a meeting place/art gallery/conference center all in one. It's really popular for students and for teachers traveling with groups of students, but I know many teachers who have stayed there sans eleves (it's open to everyone). From reports I have heard, it's very clean and there are bathrooms in the rooms. I think they are simple rooms, and the rates are supposed to be reasonable. But they also book up well in advance. The FIAP is in the Left Bank, in the 14th arrondissement, between Place Denfert Rochereau and Place d'Italie. Here's their link:
http://www.fiap.asso.fr/uk/index.html

It may not be what you're looking for but then again it might work out well. Have fun in Paris and Belgium!!!

Amy
 
RE: Best rates for flights to/from Europe?/hotels in Pa...

Kathryn,

It occurred to me to let you know about the veg*n places we went to the last time we were in Paris, which was in Jan. 2002. We were vegetarians then, but I recall there being lots of good vegan choices at the two places we found. One was called Le Grenier de Notre Dame and was, obviously, really close to the cathedral. The food wasn't 100% veg*n but they did offer lots of vegan choices. From what I recall the place was tiny but cute. The food was simple and very healthy, and we all enjoyed it. The second place, La Victoire Supreme du Coeur (cheesiest name ever!), was excellent and 100% veg*n with tons of vegan options. They actually have a website too: http://www.vscoeur.com/

I'm sure there are lots more places now. I'd go to happycow.net to find them (and you can read reviews of the 2 places I recommended.)

So, do you want to take me with you??? :p
 
RE: Best rates for flights to/from Europe?/hotels in Pa...

Thanks for the recs, everyone!

Amy, I picked up a copy of "Paris Végétarien" from amazon.fr, and those two restaurants are in there. I'll check them out.

Also, thanks for the info on the FIAP. I've heard of them, but didn't related them to travel.
 
We were just in both Brussels and Paris in October, actually.

For flights, we have always found it better and cheaper to use our travel agent, who has access to the flight consolidators. Typically, he can get us about $100-150 below what the internet shows for fares.

For hotels, in Brussels, if you're staying during the week, it's cheap! I love the NH hotel line over there (similar to a W here).
We stayed at the NH City Center in Brussels this past year, and the weekday rate was $67 euros/day. They are great hotels, very comfortable and the amenities are fantastic!
They are also international - across Europe.

In Paris, we stayed at a Best Western off of Champps Elysees. We found that most hotels were in the 170-220 Euro/night range, so we decided to base our choice off of what we wanted in a hotel. The room was HUGE by European standards, very clean and comfortable. But breakfast was an additional 20 Euro/day, and that is purely ridiculous for meat/cheese/yogurt in the morning.

Have fun!!!!
 
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