Using Priceline for Paris Hotels

Is Priceline the Cheapest Alternative for Paris Hotels? If you are looking for a hotel deal in Paris, this may be your best bet.

Paris, like most European cities, can be expensive, particularly when it comes to hotel accommodations.  Paris is, after all, the most visited city in the world with over 40 million visitors annually.  This drives up accommodation prices.

Fortunately for travellers who are prepared to do a bit of research, there are many options to get a great accommodation in a spectacular location at a great price. 

Travellers should be aware of the hotel trade-off triangle.  Price, location, and hotel quality.  If you want a cheap hotel in a great location, you may have to compromise on hotel quality.  Similarly, if you want a nice hotel and a great location, expect to pay more per night in Paris.

Aside from the regular hotel booking engines, there are some great alternatives when booking a hotel in Paris.

Priceline Paris Hotels

Priceline is a great alternative for travellers booking a hotel in Paris where the exact hotel does not matter.  That’s because with Priceline’s Name Your Own Price, you bid on a hotel by specifying your hotel criteria:  travel dates, vicinity, and hotel star rating.  However, you do not know the exact location of your hotel until after you place a bid.  If your bid is accepted, you then find out which hotel you received.  Note that reservations on Priceline are non-refundable and cannot be changed or cancelled.  If you are new to Priceline, check out this article on how Priceline works. 

Although Priceline has some risks such as unknown and non-refundable hotels, it very often the cheapest method for booking Paris hotels.  The reason for this is that hotels generally try to avid advertising ultra low rates as this may dilute their brand.  On the other hand, they have excess inventory of hotel rooms that they would rather fill at low prices rather then sit vacant.  Priceline allows hotels to sell off their excess rooms without diluting their brand.

When customers bid on Priceline Paris hotel rooms, there is no minimum you must bid.  Therefore, it is possible to put in a low-ball bid and see if it gets accepted.  If not, there are secret ways to rebid on Priceline immediately, allowing you to inch your way up in price until a bid is accepted.  Using this better bidding technique will help ensure the absolute lowest price.

Alternatives to Priceline for Paris Hotels

Personally, I have used Priceline for Paris hotels and received 4-star hotels at amazing prices.  However, it is always worthwhile to research alternate ways to book hotels in Paris.  To know what hotels you might receive when you book on Priceline, have a look at the Priceline Paris hotel list.  Although Priceline keeps the hotels a secret, this list contains all the hotels known to be on Priceline in Paris.

Hotwire Paris

Hotwire works in much the same way as Priceline.  You do not find out the name of your hotel until after you book. You know the area of the hotel and the hotel rating.  The main difference between Priceline and Hotwire is that with Hotwire, there is no bidding involved.  The price is published and fixed. 

Hotwire also has another advantage over Priceline.  Hotwire tells you the hotel amenities.  For example, if you are looking with a hotel with a swimming pool, there is no way to guarantee this on Priceline.   Here is more information on how Hotwire works.

AirBnB

AirBnB is a website where vacationers can find non-hotel Paris accommodations such as apartments converted into vacation rentals.  The majority of accommodations listed on AirBnB are apartments for rent by owner or property manager. 

Although many people swear by it, I have never had any luck with AirBnB.  I typically find prices too expensive now that the website has caught on and many travellers are using it hoping to find a deal.  In response, property owners have jacked up their prices and they are no longer a bargain.  Paris is no exception.  While it is still possible to find a gem on AirBnB, they are becoming fewer and farther between. 

VRBO

VRBO (aka Vacation Rental By Owner) is another website that allows property owners to list their rental accommodation.  While not as popular as AirBnB, it has been around for a lot longer and the inventory is just as good.  Personally, I think you will be better off to use VRBO over AirBnB for both selection and price. 

However, even vacation rental accommodations are tough to beat Priceline.  I would only recommend AirBnB or VRBO when you need a full apartment or flat.

Getting help bidding on Priceline Paris hotels

Travellers looking for help using Priceline to book a hotel in Paris should visit the Priceline discussion forum.  This forum allows travellers to ask questions about how Priceline works, bidding help, and even help narrowing down which hotel you might get if you book a Paris hotel on Priceline.

Travellers looking for a hotel deal in Paris should check out multiple sources to compare prices.  Aside from the regular online booking websites, travellers have two choices:  Booking unknown hotels on websites like Hotwire and Priceline; or owner-operated vacation rentals.  Travellers who are flexible on precise location and hotel brand are probably best off to book their Paris hotel on Priceline.  Using a strategy of bidding low on the initial bid, and inching your way up through rebids will ensure that you avoid overpaying too much.