TravelTravel TipsInternational Destinationshotels

Paris Hotels Let Guests 'Pay What They Want' This Summer

Paris Hotels Let Guests 'Pay What They Want' This Summer
By 

Lifestyle Editor, HuffPost

A pay-what-you-want hotel in the center of Paris? Oui, please!

As if a beach on the banks of the Seine wasn't enough, Paris has upped its game again with a special promotion in which guests can pay what they want for a one-night stay at five participating hotels in the city's ninth and eleventh arrondissements. The locations range from a three-star townhouse to a four-star boutique hotel, and all are adorably chic.

So what's the catch?

Nothing, hotelier Aldric Duval told CNN. The plan is designed to promote his new hotel, Tour d'Auvergne, and provide the program's other hoteliers with valuable feedback as guests evaluate how much to pay for their stay.

The rooms aren't totally free -- guests can book a stay in any of the hotels online for a flat fee of 17 Euros, or about $23. Then, after spending the night, they'll decide if they want to pay more, whether that's one Euro (just over $1) or more. It's a pretty sweet deal, considering the going rate for a three-star room is about $180 in Paris this summer.

The "pay what you want" program is limited to one-night stays and runs through August 10. Guests should book quickly, as only two or three rooms per hotel are open for the deal.

Parisian officials recently unfurled a plan to make their city more tourist-friendly -- if this is what a friendly Paris looks like, we're all for it.

Related

Travel TipsInternational Destinationshotelsparis hotelsParis Travel

Before You Go

1
Le Marché des Enfants Rouges
Yelp/Jeffrey C.
Le marché des Enfants Rouges is the oldest covered market in Paris. Built in 1615, it is a bustling and loud market and food hall in the Marais, where you can find pretty much anything you'd want to eat, from Lebanese food to Japanese. It may be visited by tourists, but that doesn't mean it's strictly a tourist destination. Locals love and frequent Le Marché des Enfants Rouges too.
2
Popelini
Facebook/Popelini
Popelini is a small pâtisserie where you can only buy cream puffs. The legendary cream puffs are one of the best things one of Le Huffington Post's editors have ever eaten in Paris. Need we say more?
3
L' Eclair de Génie
Facebook/L' Eclair de Génie,
As if it weren't enough that Paris is home to a store where you can only buy cream puffs, it is also home to a store where you can only buy eclairs. L' Eclair de Génie is partly responsible for the revival of this classic 19th-century pastry that may have been eclipsed by the macaron in recent years. Thank you, L' Eclair de Génie, for reminding us of the glory of this fantastic dessert.
4
Balls
Facebook/Balls
There is a trendy new restaurant in Paris called Balls, it serves primarily meatballs, and we need to go there. Plus, the waiters wear T-shirts that read, "Eat My Balls," or so we hear.
5
La Candelaria
Facebook/Candelaria
If you're looking for a bar that's trendy with Parisians, head to La Candelaria. (You'll have to walk through a taqueria to get there.)
6
Chez Jeannette
Facebook/Chez Jeannette
For French and Mediterranean cuisine favored by Parisians, Chez Jeanette is the place to go.
7
Dédé la frite
Facebook/Dédé la frite
Dédé la frite is where to go to get your French fry overdose. We're in.
8
Big Fernand
Facebook/Big Fernand
Burgers are trendy in Paris right now and one of the most popular places to get them is Big Fernand. There are five house burgers, or you can build your own in true American style.
9
Little Fernand
Facebook/Little Fernand
If you're looking for a hot dog, Big Fernand's little brother, Little Fernand, is here to fulfill your American dreams. You can also get a bag of chips, coleslaw, brownies and Dr. Pepper with your hot dog.
10
Racines
Yelp
A favorite Paris wine bar, Racines serves market-driven food with simple ingredients. It's situated in a 19th-century shopping arcade and is known for its natural wines. A location has just opened in New York City.
11
Pho 14
Trip Advisor/Churrrr
Our French editors think the best Pho and Bo bun (a noodle bowl) in Paris come from Pho 14. Locals love it. As food blog Paris By Mouth says, "It’s easy to find Pho 14. Just look for the line."
12
Le Petit Cambodge
Facebook/Le Petit Cambodge
Cambodian restaurant Le Petit Cambodge is home to the second best "bo bun" (noodle bowl) in Paris, our editors tell us.
13
Café des Musées
Yelp
Café des Musées is a charming restaurant serving classic French dishes like entrecôte steak and house-made pâtés.
14
La Butte Aux Piafs
Facebook/La Butte Aux Piafs
La Butte Aux Piafs opened last summer and is already a favorite among local students who go to school in the area. One of our French editors tells us the bistro sells a special squid ink burger.
|
Submit a tip

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE