Cheap Sleeps in Paris (Paperback)

by Sandra Gustafson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
If you're looking for a book about the cheapest beds in Paris, Cheap Sleeps is not for you. What you will find here is "a highly selective guide to hotels" found to be "the best value in their category, be it a no-star with the shower and toilet down the hall or an antique-filled, three-star Left Bank hotel with a Jacuzzi in a marble bathroom." Hundreds of hotels are featured, from youth hostels to Kiki's haunt (the Hôtel Istria in Montparnasse) to the Ritz.

For the eighth edition, Gustafson revisits each previously reviewed establishment to be sure it's still up to snuff and scours the city for new favorites. The listings are engaging, frank, and often humorous, and they include useful information on nearby environs. Entries are conveniently arranged by arrondissement and cover rates, reservations, amenities, décor, and all the vital statistics--including Web site addresses and the best rooms to request.

What sets this book apart is that it is not simply a list of places to stay in Paris. Cheap Sleeps provides a bounty of detailed information. Each listing offers something unique, from descriptions of 13th-century architectural flourishes to whether a room provides a view of the Eiffel Tower or simply "lots of pink chenille and garage-sale Gothic furniture." The book also includes dozens of money- and time-saving tips that could make a savvy traveler out of even the most inept tourist and a section on "Cheap Chic," featuring deals on everything from cookware to designer hats. --Jhana Bach

Product Description
Arranged by arrondissement, Cheap Sleeps in Paris provides listings for over 100 hotels, pensions, B&Bs and apartments. Entries include details such as facilities, nearby tourist attractions and whether or not English is spo ken. '

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books; 8th edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811818314
• ISBN-13: 978-0811818315
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,602,842 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I found a very nice laptop friendly hotel with this book, July 23, 2000

By	Alex Strasheim (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

Cheap Sleeps in Paris is wonderful.

When I travel in the states, I usually go away for a long weekend, and I'm able to take advantage of weekend rates at hotel chains I know. It doesn't take much know how to get a good room in a Hilton, for example. We have lots of companies that try to keep up a consistent level of quality, and rooms tend to be pretty much the same in different cities.

But in Paris, that strategy doesn't work. My stays are longer, and I just can't afford to spend 8 nights in the same kind of place I'd choose here in the US. Most of the hotels in Paris are small and ideosyncratic. It's not just that there are differences from hotel to hotel -- there are even differences from room to room within the same place. The quality of your experience depends more upon the individuals running a specific hotel than it does here in the states, where there are companies that try to maintain a culture of quality that you can count on in different cities. In Paris you're often dealing with someone who owns and operates one hotel, and the quality of the place depends a lot on that person's attitude.

I found Gustafson's book to be very helpful. I went to Paris twice last year. The first time I didn't use her book, and I got an awful place in a marginal neighborhood and I wasn't able to dial out with my laptop (which I need to do for work), despite the fact that the hotel's web site said that I could. "Oh, you need an executive suite for that, they cost 3 times as much, and they're all full."

The second time I did use this book, and I got a place in a much nicer neighborhood, for 2/3 the cost, with a very comfortable bed and very nice bath with shower. And I could actually dial out with my laptop. That doesn't sound like much, but I had a very hard time finding a place that would let me do that. Although it's not a focus of Cheap Sleeps, she does mention a few places that are net friendly, and that was important to me. Most people will obviously have other priorities. But I believe this book will help them as well.

I've just requested another reservation at the same place for the fall. I've read some reviews here that complain about the places not being cheap enough. My room will be $68/night, in the 16th (ie., a yuppie neighborhood), on a quiet street, and it comes with a nice bath, shower, and television with cable. Not to mention the all important phone jack. I know the Franc is weak now, but when I compare that to what I pay in New York, San Francisco, London, LA, or what I'd have to pay here in Chicago, it seems pretty cheap to me.

The important thing, though, is that it's not so cheap that you wouldn't want to stay there.

Here's the bottom line: how much are you spending on your trip to Paris? This book is cheap. It will probably make a real difference in the quality of your trip; I know it did for me. If not, what are you out, compared to what you're spending already?

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN HONEST AND ACCURATE SOURCE OF INFORMATION, July 7, 1999

By A Customer

SANDRA GUSTAFSON'S REVIEWS ARE HONEST IN OPINION AND VERY ACCURATE. I ACTUALLY STAYED AT ONE OF THE HOTELS WHICH IS IN HER BOOK AND THE FINE COMMENTS THAT SHE MADE ABOUT THIS HOTEL WERE TRUE. MANY TIMES ONE FINDS THAT A REVIEW COULD BE BASED ON THE HOTEL PAYING THE REVIEWER TO SAY GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT AS THE REVIEW DOESN'T MATCH WHAT YOU REALLY GET. BUT IN THIS CASE EVERYTHING IS ACCURATE. MS. GUSTAFSON ALSO GIVES HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT TRAVELING IN PARIS. ALL IN ALL THIS BOOK IS A WONDERFUL SOURCE FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR CHARMING HOTELS TO STAY IN PARIS BUT WITHOUT PAYING DEARLY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY IN THEM. THIS BOOK'S DEFINITELY WORTH THE MONEY.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish there was a book this good for every city, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

I read this book virtually cover to cover before going to spend just a few days in Paris. My recollection is that it had some of the best directions I ran across for getting from the airport into the city. When faced with the confusion of the airport, I just wanted to find a cab. But we ultimately decided to try the bus/train/Metro. And we made it with no problem.

We stayed at one of the recommended hotels--Grand Hotel Des Balcons. It was a nice little hotel, which was amazingly affordable and was not just patronized by Americans. One night at dinner we were seated next to another American couple at a restaurant recommended in "Cheap Eats" (Au Petit Prince). They too were relying on both "Cheap Sleeps" and "Cheap Eats" and were also happy with every recommendation that they had relied on.

My only complaint is that the books are published separately. There should be a combined Cheap Eats/Cheap Sleeps or at least a package deal offering a discount if you get both.