Room-Finding Tricks: 2008
The town is packed, you don't have a reservation, and night is quickly approaching. What are your emergency room-finding tricks?
- Please don't post questions here. Use our Travelers Helpline.
Check the hotels own website
I like the Venere.com website to make reservations. But I also found that once you find a hotel/B&B that you are interested in then look and see if they have a website. For my B&B in Venice, booking on their website instead of Venere.com was about $50 cheaper a night.
Keri <email>
Tucson, Az USA Tue 12/02/2008
French budget rooms
I discovered Etap Hotels by accident in France. All major cities and most smaller ones with a tourist or business economy have at least one, and they are usually directly across from, or very near the train station. You pay one price for up to 3 people in one room (with private shower and toilet). Best deal for convenience and price. They've recently expanded to some locations in Belgium, Germany and Spain too: www.etaphotel.com
Michael Boerm <email>
Waco, TX USA Tue 09/16/2008
Hotel in Rome
We just returned from a five day stay in Rome. While there we stayed at the Nardizzi in the Termini area. Our stay was very enjoyable thanks to the friendly staff. They were more than willing to help in any way. I would certainly recommend this hotel !
Cynthia Murphy
New Tripoli, PA USA Thu 09/11/2008
Skip the Holiday Inn Express at Brussels Airport
We had an early morning flight to Kenya from Brussels, and wanted to stay close to the airport. Unfortunately, I picked the Holiday Inn Express for the free breakfast and hotel shuttle. When we arrived at the airport in the afternoon, we discovered that the shuttle to the hotel was only available after 5 p.m. and a taxi may cost up to 30 euros for the 5-min. drive! Not wanting to spend another 3 hours at the airport, we opted for the taxi (which ended up being only 12 euros). The next morning, there was no coffee or breakfast (too early), but a huge number of taxis were waiting for all the scammed tourists wanting to go to the airport. There were so many people, and traffic was so heavy at 5 a.m., that the trip ended up costing us nearly 20 euros. So the money we "saved" by trying to be frugal with the hotel was spent on the included options that weren't. Check the details when you book a hotel near the airport!
Linda H.
Ft. Worth, TX USA Sun 09/07/2008
Hotel in Rome
Just returned from 10 days in Rome and Sorrento. While in Rome we stayed at Hotel Oceania in the Termini area. Location was fantastic and the staff was great! I would certainly stay again while in Rome!
Dave McDivitt
Kokomo, IN USA Wed 07/30/2008
hotel in Rome
Just got back from a trip to Rome and stayed at Hotel Italia in the Termini area. The hotel was great, location excellent, but the best thing is that they have an ice machine! This is a first for me and I've lived and traveled in Europe for the past eight years. To be able to drink ice water in my room made the 130 euro a night double room well worth it.
Julie Miller
Vilseck, Germany Wed 07/16/2008
small hotel near Locri, Calabria
La Casa di Gianna is a small, 4 star boutique type hotel in Gerace. It was the nicest room (Jr. suite) we stayed in during our month-long trip to Italy that took us from the bottom to the top of Italy. This is a very special hill town (about a twenty min. bus ride from Locri) steeped in ancient history and beauty that can't be explained. My wife and I have been to hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany but this takes the cake. The town's people are gracious and seem to know they are fortunate to live where they do. There is little info. in books and even on the web about this entire southern area of Italy. Not much tourism but this makes it special. We took the train system the entire time and had no problems getty anywhere we needed to go, including to Gerace. La Casa di Gianna can be found on the web under same name with .it on the end.
Steve
Littleton, CO USA Wed 07/16/2008
Gerace, Italy near Locri in Calabria
There is very little info. in books or on the web about the entire southern region of Calabria. A 20 min bus ride from Locri, Calabria puts you in the incredible hill town of Gerace overlooking the sea. The town is steeped in ancient history and gracious townspeople who seem to know they live in a very special place. In the town is La Casa di Gianna, a small, 4 star boutique type hotel that was the nicest room (Jr. Suite) we stay in during our month long stay in Italy for a very reasonable rate. We've been to hill towns in Tuscany and Umbria but this one takes the cake. We will never forget our stay there.
Steve
Littleton, CO USA Wed 07/16/2008
Hotel Maxim
I just stayed at the Hotel Maxim in central Florence, Italy for 1 night. I chose this hotel because I stayed there 4 yrs ago after seeing it in the guidebook. It has certainly gone a bit downhill. The bathrooms were not very clean with mold and hair (not mine) on the shower walls. The mattresses needed to be replaced, too. Now, with that being said, it's location is perfect and they have something that is worth it's weight in gold...free internet! Just wanted readers to know.
Robin <email>
Millersville, MD USA Fri 07/11/2008
Great hotel in Paris
I just returned from Paris for the first time and can't say enough about Hotel de La Motte-Picquet on Avenue de la Motte-Picquet. The room was small and the bathroom even smaller but it was clean, very convenient to the Eiffel Tower and around the corner from Rue Cler. The staff, Mo and Sandra, could not have been more helpful. I would definately recommend it. You can get there from the airport by taking the Yellow Van.
Sue <email>
Darien, IL USA Sat 07/05/2008
Rome's Termini area
I just got back from a trip to Rome with my wife and my 83 year old Italian born father. We stayed near the train station, right across from Santa Maria Maggorie. It was a big mistake. I was in the same area in 2001, but do not recall having the same experience. The neighborhood has taken a turn for the worst. We were afraid to go out at night and walk the area. We did the first night, but came across prostitutes, and people strung out on drugs. The area was also filthy with litter and had an overall grime worse than any oher part of Rome. On the up side the hotel was very good, and close to the metro lines. We were able to see all Rome's top sights. In talking to several locals, they validated my observation. Afterall, I was beginning to think maybe it was just me.
Phil
Tampa, Fl. USA Thu 06/26/2008
Split your stay
In June 2007, we stayed in London for a week and in Paris for a week. Rather than commit to one hotel for the entire stay in each city, I made two reservations in each city to reduce the risk of a long stay in a bad hotel. It sure paid off in London. We unfortunately stayed a few days at the Lime Grove Hotel but very fortunately didn't have to stay there the entire week.
J. Sinclair
Vallejo, CA USA Thu 06/19/2008
Pensione Canada - check it out
Neela, check out Pensione Canada. Can't say enough good things - don't know why it isn't in the Rick Steve's book. Great price (68 euro/night) and great room w/ bath/shower and pretty big room, very quiet. Walk 100 ft and you are at the duomo. Lady is very friendly and speaks good english. other sites are only 10-15 min. walking distance. Very central to everything.
I believe I booked them through Hostelworld.com (which is interesting b/c they are not a hostel)
Pls. note you can't arrive after 1am.
Pensione/Hotel Canada
Florence, Italy Mon 06/09/2008
Florence hotels - book direct or use agent
Would anyone know if using a travel agent to book hotels (in florence) is more expensive than booking directly with the hotel? I will be traveling in late september and the hotel website quotes room per night as 100euro which equates to 158 USD. The agency is quoting 305 USD/193euros for the same room. Would you recommend booking directly with the hotel?
Neela
NYC, NY USA Tue 05/20/2008
We were in Italy for Apr 25th national holiday and without a reservation. Went to booking.com and found a fabulous Villa in Montefalco for 110 Euro less than posted rate on a suite. This was after the travel agent in Montelcino found nothing within an 80km radius. In-hotel free internet use is a beautiful thing!
Joan and John
Vancouver, Canada Fri 05/09/2008
Euro Accommodation at Silly Prices
I agree with the earlier comments about taking a chance and not pre-booking a room. Most European airports, especially the main gateways like London, Paris, Rome, Madrid, etc. have hotel reservation desks where you can often pick up a room for a fraction of the normal cost, because they have access to special deals or unsold inventory. Of course, you may be unlucky and find they have nothing suitable, but that's the risk you take.
The following site lists a load of budget accommodation options all over Europe, some starting for as little as $25, as well as links to the websites of hundreds of hotels, apartments and hostels in major European cities:
http://www.acarnos.com/
Another good option is Laterooms, which sells surplus hotel inventory at bargain rates:
http://www.laterooms.com/
Kredit Krunch
Houston, TX USA Wed 04/23/2008
Italian Riviera -Portofino
We found a lovely 1 bedroom apartment at the price of a hotel room and we saved since we were able to cook meals instead of eating out.
Was clean, affordable and close to the beach. The owner is italprof53@yahoo.com
Rosy
Long Island City , NY USA Sat 04/19/2008
Don't book a room!? It was risky but it worked out!
I have been to Europe twice in my life, once in 2006 and once in 2007. The first time i went I went to Germany only and booked a small hotel in a small town called Norden up by the North Sea. I booked the room 2 months ahead and locked in a great price of 52 Euros a night. The room had TV large bed, full bath and a great restaurant w/ free breakfast. In summer 2007 I went to UK, Paris, Amsterdam, and again to Germany. I book ahead for my London hotel(expensive) and when i got to Paris i found The Hotel Esmeralda located just 100 yards from the Church of Notre Dame across from a small park. I just used my AAA guidebook and found this great hotel. I also found a small utilitarian hotel in Amsterdam on the cheap since I would be out all night. And back to Germnay I found a wonderful hotel in Norden once again but I did not book ahead. There was a great room available in this town complete with large room refrigerator, and lots or other amenities. Though I am single and traveled by myself it was a great time and with my backpack I walked around with no problem finding these gems. Good Luck all!
Steve
Bellmawr, NJ USA Sun 03/09/2008
planning
FYI I am planning a German Christmas . by booking way in advance we have a centraly located Hotel, full service with own bath, Ibis Brand In Nuremberg old town during Christmas Mart. $ 60 a night double breakfast extra . I think this an amazing deal
PLAN AHEAD is my advice. PS I had to pay now but I am a bit of a gambler.
John Brangwin <email>
Bellevue , USA Sun 02/24/2008
Hostal in Barcelona
Many thanks to Rick Steve & staff, I highly recommend Hostal Opera that was mentioned in the 2007 Rick Steve's Spain guide book. The staff was very helpful,especially David, the elevator worked well, the room was most adequate,clean sparsely furnished, at night noisy but we were so tired slept through it, so ask for a room away from the street, centrally located, a half block off the Ramblas, steps from the Liceu Opera House and the Boqueria (market). We stayed 5 nights in early October 2007. Enjoy Barcelona we did.
Betty
Seattle, WA USA Fri 02/08/2008
Re:for a last minute stay, check out vacation apartment rentals!
My boyfriend and I also stayed at casa spinelli. we thought it was very cute and a really good price. we loved the neighborhood, it was nice to hang out in the piazza with the locals. we stayed in mid november 2007. they offer cheap rates during the fall because of an old leaky roman pipe that is below the master bedroom that occaisionally fills up with spring water and causes a small puddle. we didn't experience this, but thought it would be a cool quirky thing to see! over all it was a great place to stay.
Caroline
Boston, MA USA Tue 01/29/2008
Finding hotels in France
When travelling in France, the Logis de France (see their website)is invaluable for finding affordable hotels which have to come up to a certain standard.
Jane
Launceston, Cornwa UK Tue 01/22/2008
Tips on Choosing a Hostel
Another article has been posted on a travel site I've been keeping up on and I think it has some really good ideas about what to think about when choosing a hostel. Check it out if you are planning a trip. The article is great and the site has some really good tips too.
http://noambit.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/01/it-is-easy-to-g.html
Steve
Seattle, WA USA Tue 01/08/2008