Sandra Gustafson's Cheap Sleeps in Paris

by Sandra A. Gustafson

Release Date: April, 1998

Edition: Paperback

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Best hotel guide to Paris

I love Sandra. No one has put in as much legwork as she in finding smaller spots, (perhaps that are marketed mainly to other Europeans) that are in the middle of everything and are reasonably priced. I have used this book twice, and (GASP) I gave it to my mother to use! Everything worked out splendid. If Sandra says a price and location in her book is as good as it gets, believe her. If some decry that her cheap sleeps are not so cheap anymore, this may have to do with the fact that Europe in general is reaching dollar parity with the U.S. Let the reader blame the tanking U.S. dollar for the fact he can't stay in Paris for 22$ a night anymore. I guess I have reached an age where I do not want glitz, or fashionable place anymore. What has become important is little of what the Irish call 'craic' and some measure of authenticity. When Sandra says the owner is delighful, or a quintessential Frenchman, she aint kidding. And believe me, you will remember the little things of your trip, such as what Sandra can lead you to, then the big things. Use her book without reservation!

The best Paris hotel guide I've found

To the reader in Michigan: stop dissing Sandra Gustafson. She's entitled to congratulate herself a little for all her good work!

The title _is_ misleading, but the book is very helpful for anyone looking for a good, reasonably-priced hotel.

The thing about this guide is the quality of the research. General guidebooks don't really devote a great deal of effort to tracking down the best hotel deals, even though accommodation is the largest expense on holiday, while other Paris hotel guides seem to concentrate more on old-world charm than simply finding a nice room at a good price - which is Cheap Sleeps' forte.

The descriptions are very detailed and she finds some wonderful, but heroically obscure, hotel choices. I stayed at one which offered simply fantastic value for money, yet was listed nowhere else. The book more than paid for itself in the first night. If you're going to Paris, you'd be mad not to buy it.