INTRODUCTION - France 2014 - page 29

S = Single room (or price for one person in a double).
D = Double or twin room.
T = Triple (generally a double bed with a single).
Q = Quad (usually two double beds; adding an extra child's bed to a T is usually cheaper).
b = Private bathroom with toilet and shower or tub.
s = Private shower or tub only (the toilet is down the hall).
* = French hotel rating system, ranging from zero to five stars.
According to this code, a couple staying at a “Db-€100” hotel would pay a total
of €100 (about $130) for a double room with a private bathroom. Unless otherwise
noted,breakfastisnotincluded(butisusuallyoptional),hotelstaffspeakbasicEng-
lish, and credit cards are accepted.
There's almost always Wi-Fi and/or a guest computer available, usually for a
fee.
Prices can soften if you travel in the off-season or stay at least three nights. You can
also try asking for a cheaper room. To save money off-season, consider arriving without a
reservation and dropping in at the last minute.
Driverscansavebigbysleepingincharacterless—butcleanandcheap—chainhotels
outside of cities (some are located in town centers, in which case I usually list them; see
“ Modern Hotel Chains,” later). For most of the hotels I list, I provide a website (which
oftenhasabuilt-inbookingform)andanemailaddress;youcanexpectaresponseinEng-
lish within a day and often sooner.
Types of Accommodations
Hotels
In this topic, the price for a double room ranges from €40 (very simple, toilet and shower
down the hall) to €400-plus (grand lobbies, maximum plumbing, and the works), with
most clustering around €80-110 (with private bathrooms).
The French have a simple hotel-rating system based on amenities and rated by stars
(indicated in this topic by asterisks, from * through ***** ). One star is modest, two has
most of the comforts, and three is generally a two-star with a fancier lobby and more elab-
orately designed rooms. Four and five stars probably offer more luxury than you usually
have time to appreciate. Two- and three-star hotels are required to have an English-speak-