Hi all, I am booking for our first Europe trip in October, we will be in Nice for 6 nights arriving 11th October. I am wondering how busy it is likely to be, as to what my odds are of securing good discounted accomodation if I wait till a few weeks before and book with lastminute.com or wotif.com. Or do you think its better to book now 3 months in advance? Exchange rate for Euro from AUD is only 60c, so it blows costs out for us. Currently looking at hotels around $100-120 Euro night. Thinking of Citadines Nice Promenade or Mercure at this stage. Thanks for the help, Lisa
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Mid October is about as quiet as it gets - I wouldn%26#39;t think people wil be fighting over rooms. Last-minute is not the thing it used to be - Most hotel chains are pretty internet-savvy now - one low rate for the internauts, and double that for those that walk in the door and ask for a room.
The exchange rate for all of us against the Euro is pants and has been for most of this year, which is most frustrating as by all accounts its the US dollar that has dragged us all down. Can%26#39;t see anything changing for now, so I wouldn%26#39;t bank on it getting better by waiting.
Mercure is good mid-range reliable international standard. Citadines apart hotels have their fans
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book in advance, you will get the same rate now. You might check out the Villa Victoria...a 3 star but don%26#39;t be fooled by the stars, it can mean nothing more than no valet or room service. We have researched all the really nice 3 %26amp; 4 stars and I can tell you right now that the best rates we found for September 10th on were at the Villa Victoria. Check it out on TA...great staff, garden court, air, clean and very nice rooms.
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Staying for six nights in October you ought to be able to get a substantial discount on the advertised rates, particularly at the smaller hotels where staff are often free to make their own decisions. In your position I would phone or mail the hotel two or three weeks before you go and ask what rate they can do. I would expect to get something close to half the advertised rate. Hotels are always happier to sell direct rather than pay commission to agents.
Another approach is to walk in. Most hotel rooms in Nice will be empty in October and they will be very keen to fill a room for six nights. You can also have a look at the room before you agree to buy.
Recently in Nice I got a price from one hotel and walked round the corner to somewhere substantially more expensive and they agreed to match the rate. This was at 8.00pm and they were obviously keen to get another room occupied for that night.
Provided you are not too unlucky with the weather, October is a great time to be in Nice, warm enough to be comfortable and ideal for sight seeing without being in a constant sweat and having to fight your way onto buses and trains as you would have to do in August.
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There is nothing special happening in Nice in mid October this year and October is lower season than September.
Check out the web discount sites like www.hotelscomparison.com , www.travelsupermarket.com
www.booking.com to get a baseline comparison price.
So much depends on what might happen to exchange rates but I would be inclined to monitor prices for a few weeks and only book if you see something you really want at a good price or if the general trend seems to be up.
wotif is great if you can wait that long...
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I think I%26#39;d go with the advice from SOOZ and monitor the situation., Nice hasn%26#39;t hit peak time yet so if the summmer is fair to middling (it won;t ever be really bad because it%26#39;s Nice) then the autumn could be got for a bargain.
It%26#39;s a tricky time for all concerned and thr market is a real lottery at the moment.
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Thank you all so much for the great advice. I had thought it would be a quieter time but having never been to Europe, wasn%26#39;t completely sure. We arrive in Paris the 1st October (have already booked at Citadines D%26#39;Italie), so think I will do as you suggest and hold off on the Nice accom and hope for a better deal a couple of weeks prior, or even ring once we are in the country. Many thanks again to you all.
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Try the Mercure Marché aux Fleurs. Great location and good prices.
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I am going to monitor prices from now until we leave at beg of October on about 7 hotels - will report back to this site to let others know if/how much prices or availability vary. It should be an interesting exercise - hopefully work out in my favour by saving at the end! Will watch:
Mercure Nice Promenade
Mercure Nice Grimaldi
Hotel Westminster
Citea Nice Acropolis
Citadines Nice Promenade
Villa Victoria
Hotel Gounod
I have food allergies, so need a hotel with a fridge and also prefer tea/coffee maker, so although I would like a nicer, more central hotel, I am also considering a self catering studio - hence citea and citadines.
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I can also recommend Villa Victoria, the staff are great, rooms are large and walking distance from train station, lovely garden court to sit and relax with a drink. Don%26#39;t be fooled though as breakfast is NOT included in room price and is quiet hefty there are lots of great eateries near by.
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Hi
I am just back from a little place out side of Nice and have just booked again of October 08- 1 euro by bus and a 10 min Journey into the city centre - the hotel details are below - you will not be disappointed and will have a fab holiday - The hotel staff are very friendly and at approx 73 euro per night for a double room - great value - The town is called Ville Franche - ask for a room with a balcaoy and you will not want to leave - Have a great time and I might see you there.
Marie
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