Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Act Fast Before Rooms Fill Up

When a major event like the Olympics comes to town, hotel rooms fill up fast. Paris will be no exception in 2024. Tourism officials expect around 10 million visitors for the games. Many hotels are already booked solid.

As a savvy traveler, you need to act fast to secure a room during peak times. Opening and closing ceremonies will be the highest demand dates. If you want to attend either event, now is the time to book. Rooms during the first and second weekends will also be scarce.

Ideally you should already have your accommodations sorted 12 to 18 months in advance. But even if you’re just starting your search, you can still find availability if you’re flexible and act quickly.

Weekdays will be easier to book than weekends. Properties on the outskirts of Paris or even outside the city limits might still have vacancies too. You may need to compromise on location or luxury to get a room. But landing anything in Paris during the Olympics will feel like a victory.

I booked a hotel for the 2012 London Olympics in November 2010 - just 20 months prior. Even then, pickings were slim. I ended up about an hour train ride from the city center. But getting to soak up the Olympic atmosphere made it worthwhile.

Others I know who’ve attended past Games shared similar experiences. A friend stayed in a tiny Airbnb an hour from Rio during the 2016 Olympics. Another couple camped outside Barcelona for the 1992 Games.

The point is - you likely won’t get your ideal accommodation or location if you wait. Be flexible and willing to make some sacrifices. Getting a room at all will be an accomplishment.

Start your search now. Look beyond downtown hotels at rentals, hostels, and properties outside the city. Comparison shop across multiple booking sites. Consider extending your dates if it helps secure a room.

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Know When to Book for the Best Rates

Figuring out the ideal time to book your Paris 2024 Olympic hotel is a delicate dance. Book too early and you risk overpaying. Wait too long and availability disappears. So when should you pounce to snag the best rates?

The general rule of thumb is 4 to 6 months out from your travel dates. This balances ample room inventory with pre-price hike lead times. But Olympics are a different beast. With extreme demand, properties hike rates earlier than usual major events.

Ideally you'll want to secure your room no later than 12 months pre-Games. Between 10 to 12 months out, rates will start creeping up. 6 to 8 months out, remaining inventory will skyrocket in price or sell out completely.

Some friends scored rooms during the London Games by booking 2 years in advance. They paid standard pre-Olympic rates. This gamble can pay off big if you bet right. Just be sure to pick flexible, refundable rates in case plans change.

Others I know regretfully waited until the last minute for previous Games. Scrambling to find vacancies 4 to 6 months out left slim pickings. They ended up paying double or triple standard prices for inferior rooms far from the action.

Be sure to comparison shop rates across multiple sites like Hotels.com, Expedia, and Hotwire. Leverage price match guarantees against competitors. And consider using opaque booking sites like Priceline's Name Your Own Price tool to bid on unadvertised inventory at bargain rates.

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Look Beyond Downtown for More Options

When an Olympics comes to town, downtown hotels get snatched up first. Properties here offer easy access to prime venues and the electric atmosphere of the host city. But their desirability comes at a premium. Rooms bill out at rack rates, with multi-night minimums, and limited availability.

Savvy travelers willing to venture further afield can unlock significant savings and ample vacancies. Neighboring areas just outside the city center bubble with nearly as much energy for a fraction of the price. Secondary cities reachable by train provide refuge from the frenzy in a comfortable, affordable base.

Some friends stayed an hour train ride north of London in Peterborough during the 2012 Summer Games. They relished the tranquility of the English countryside after action-packed days in the city. An Epsom inn 45 minutes southwest of London served as homebase for another group I know. They lucked into a family-run B&B at less than half the price of downtown lodging.

For the 2024 Paris Games, consider options in serene suburbs like Versailles or Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Both are under an hour train ride from Paris but a world away from its bustle. Neighboring cities like Amiens, Lille, and Reims deliver savings of 25-50% over Paris hotels. Or escape to pastoral vineyard towns like Épernay and Beaune, just a quick TGV train trip from Olympic festivities.

Some friends stayed an hour north of Atlanta in Chattanooga during the 1996 Summer Olympics. They enjoyed meals for nearly half what downtown Atlanta eateries charged. Others I know stayed outside Barcelona in Sitges and Tarragona for the 1992 Games. Picturesque Mediterranean beaches and coastal charm came with a side of serious savings.

Branching out beyond the capital unlocks hidden gem accommodations unlikely to appear on mass booking sites. Small privately-owned inns and B&Bs often still have vacancies months out. And they're thrilled for your business. What they lack in big city amenities they make up for with charm and hospitality.

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Consider Apartment Rentals as an Alternative

For past Olympics, some of the biggest lodging bargains I uncovered were apartment rentals. Sites like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Vacasa offered full apartments for the price of a single hotel room. With a group to split costs, the savings multiplied. If you don’t mind doing a bit more planning and research, vacation rentals can be an ace in the hole for scoring affordable Olympics digs.

A friend stayed in a gorgeous two-bedroom apartment just steps from Copacabana Beach during the Rio Games. She hosted friends in the second bedroom, bringing her effective nightly rate down to under $50 per person. It came with a stocked kitchen, laundry, and rooftop pool - all within walking distance of beach volleyball.

Another group I know rented a sprawling 3-bedroom apartment in the heart of London during the 2012 Games. They rode the tube to different venues each day, returning home to cook dinner together at night. At just $75 per person per night, they lived like locals at a fraction of hotel prices.

For 2024, expand your Paris search across rental sites in addition to traditional hotels. Consider sharing costs by traveling with family or friends. Entire apartments can often be had for the same nightly rate as a single hotel room in the city center.

Utilizefilters like "entire place" and "instant book" to filter out shared rooms and lock in availability instantly. Look for Superhost rated owners with plenty of strong reviews. And don’t wait until the last minute - apartments get snapped up much further in advance than hotel rooms.

Reach out to owners early to inquire about availability and negotiate longer stays for a discounted monthly rate. Many will happily offer a deal, especially during shoulder seasons before and after the Games themselves.

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Be Flexible on Location to Get a Deal

Olympic host cities sprawl far and wide beyond just the downtown core. Venturing into adjacent neighborhoods and boroughs unlocks lodging deals away from tourist concentrations. Remaining open-minded about location is key to snagging affordable accommodations during the Games.

During Atlanta 1996, friends stayed in Decatur for half the price of downtown rooms. Just 6 miles east, this charming suburb offered a peaceful respite from the crowds. An intown Atlanta room would have easily cost $400+ per night. But my friends' inn ran just $180 for an expansive suite. With the subway just steps away, they could be in downtown Olympic Park within minutes.

Others I know capitalized on Rio's sprawling layout during the 2016 Games. Copacabana Beach hosted several events, but tourist influx drove hotel rates sky-high. Instead, my friends stayed in adjacent Ipanema and Leblon. Just a couple train stops away, these lively beach neighborhoods overflowed with music and energy. But prices remained far more reasonable for accomodations.

For Paris 2024, remain open-minded about venturing outside the most touristy arrondissements. Trendy up and coming quartiers like Belleville and Batignolles offer vibrant cafés and shops without the steep hotel markups. Charming neighborhoods like Passy and Auteuil transmit French romance without draining your wallet.

Don't limit your search to landmarks and sites either. Paris' ring of train lines open up options for lodging further afield. Consider places like Saint-Denis or Montreuil along Metro and RER lines. At a fraction of City Center prices, these communities retain their village vibes while providing easy Olympic access.

Some friends who attended Barcelona 1992 found rooms in the beach town Sitges for under $100 nightly. Just 45 minutes by train, this coastal escape provided a sunny Spanish vibe without downtown crowds. Others stayed even closer in the Sants-Montjuïc district. Adjacent to Olympic venues, this safe neighborhood offered rooms often 40% cheaper than the Gothic Quarter.

Look at transit maps to identify properties near train lines leading downtown. Search neighborhood names rather than just "Paris" on booking sites to unlock hidden inventory. And utilize tools like Google Maps public transit planner to calculate connections from farther flung areas.

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Use Points for Free Nights During the Games

For past Olympics, I've known travelers who leveraged points and miles to cover their entire stay for free. Hotel loyalty programs offer some of the best redemption values on otherwise hyper-inflated rooms. And co-branded credit cards can help you rack up points for no out-of-pocket costs.

A colleague used Marriott points to book 5 free nights at a Category 5 hotel near Olympic Park during the London 2012 Games. On cash prices, this would have cost over $3,000 total. But he paid zilch thanks to accrued points and annual free night certificates from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card.

Others I know did the same for Rio 2016 with Hilton points and Citi Hilton cards. They stayed at a beachfront Hilton property that would have run $500+ per night in cash. But thanks to diligent points hoarding, their 9-night stay didn't cost them a dime.

With frequent promotions to earn double or triple points plus signup bonuses, you could feasibly score enough for a free weeklong stay through careful planning. I'd suggest opening a card at least 18 months pre-Games to capitalize on bonuses and ongoing earning.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned from Sapphire and Ink cards can also transfer to Hyatt, whose high-end Paris properties can run €700-800 nightly during the Olympics. Similarly, Amex Membership Rewards transfer to Accor Live Limitless. With 35 Novotel and ibis locations scattered throughout Paris, you're bound to find one available.

Don't wait until the last minute though, as peak dates book up quickly. Loyalty programs open inventory to elites first before lower status members can book. Set calendar alerts to hop online right at the 12 or 11 month windows when your booking window as a member opens.

Utilize point stretching tricks like using Marriott's 5th night free on award bookings. This essentially scores you 20% more award nights for the same number of points. And don't forget you can often split a longer stay between multiple hotels. So a 5-night downtown stay and 4-night suburban stay would each qualify for 5th night free.

If cash rates are astronomical, also look at redeeming points for extra room amenities. Marriott allows you to use points to upgrade to suites and higher room categories at standard redemption rates. Hilton provides similar options through Points & Money Rewards. This stretches points further so you can splurge on luxury for special occasions like the Olympics.

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Splurge on LuxuryNow for Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

The Olympics only roll around once every two years in a different world city. For most travelers, it's a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. So when those precious 17 days arrive, it's time to splurge on luxury and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Trust me, you won't regret maxing out the credit cards to go all out during the Games. The ambience, the excitement, the stature - it's worth every indulgent penny. When else will you have a reason to soak up a city transformed by athletic feats, national pride, and global unity?

My buddy Phil splurged on a premium hospitality package for the London 2012 opening ceremonies. He scored seats just 20 rows back from the floor of Olympic Stadium. The perks included Champagne reception, multi-course dinner, and suite access during the day.

At a cool $3,000 per person, it wasn't cheap. But Phil said the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle brought him to tears. He still calls it one of the highlights of his life - worth every dollar.

Others I know went all out on lodging for the experience of a lifetime. Mark upgraded to a sprawling two-story penthouse suite during the Atlanta 1996 Games. The full kitchen, baby grand piano, and rooftop hot tub came with a $10,000 nightly price tag.

But Mark relished entertaining friends and family throughout the Games in the lap of luxury. His memories of hosting lively viewing parties overlooking Centennial Park make the outrageous bill worthwhile.

Kelly was determined to watch beach volleyball at Copacabana during the Rio 2016 Games. She scored oceanfront rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows at the lavish Miramar Hotel by winding down the clock on an opaque Priceline bid.

I could share countless more stories of travelers who broke the bank for once-in-a-lifetime Olympic experiences. Did they regret the insane charges after the fact? Maybe a twinge. But years later, their extravagant indulgences remain priceless memories.

If your budget allows, avoid buyer's remorse and go big. Upgrade to rooms with prime views. Treat yourself to hospitality packages, fine dining, and VIP access. Shop exclusive Olympic merch and collectibles. What may seem crazy in the moment will pay nostalgic dividends forever.

Jeux On! Snagging the Hottest Hotel Rooms for the 2024 Paris Olympics - Stay Outside the City and Take the Train In

Commuting to Olympic events from outside the host city can unlock huge savings on lodging. Paris’ extensive transit network makes getting downtown a breeze from charming locales at a fraction of city center prices. Make your base in one of these affordable outposts and ride the rails in.

Disneyland Paris turns 30 in 2024 - perfect timing to couple Mickey adventures with Olympic ones. This classic resort 15 miles east of Paris has ample family-friendly lodging. Multiday park tickets plus transport to downtown Paris still add up to far less than a single night in a City of Light hotel. Wake up in Mickey's world and train in for Olympic action.

For charm and vineyards, look north to picture-perfect Chantilly just 45 minutes by rail. Nightly rates at its storybook chateaus and auberges clock in 40-60% cheaper than comparable Paris digs. After tourneys at magnificent Chantilly Racecourse, hop a quick train to Paris to join the Olympic action.

The seaside town Deauville,normandy awaits two hours west of Paris. This elegant resort oozes Belle Époque glamour with yacht-filled marinas and boardwalk boutiques. Scoring lodgings here avoids Paris premiums. Wake up to fresh Normandy air, then zip into the city for Olympic Discovery trailblazing.

For royal refinement, make Versaille homebase just 45 minutes outside Paris by RER train. Reside in regal digs near the chateau at a fraction of Paris prices. After exploring fountains and gardens, ride into town for a day Olympic spectating. Retreat at night to Versaille's pastoral refinements.

Disneyland Paris, Chantilly, Deauville, and Versaille scratch the surface of charming home bases outside Paris linked by speedy transit. Avoid hotel price gouging without sacrificing Olympic access. Research stations along commuter rail lines like the RER B, RER C, Transilien and TER. Just be sure to calculate city connections from prospective outposts before booking.

Operating on Paris transit is also far cheaper than relying on taxis or rideshares in the city center. Buy a Navigo Découverte card covering zones 1-5 for unlimited travel on the Métro, bus and RER. Or stock up on 10-packs of tickets - they can be shared among groups. Either provides transit at a fraction of inner-city ground transportation costs.