Hostel Searching Tips

Before I begin, I like to occasionally enter a general disclaimer to remind you of a few things. You would do best to automatically excuse me of any spelling and grammatical errors or other entry oddities! These blogs are often entered late at night. The time you see posted is not the time I am posting. I do not have opportunity to go back and edit or re-read my work. There is no spellchecker. I am often using a european keyboard upon which the letters do not correspond to the keys on which I have been trained to type, which conflicts with spelling, punctuation and accents. Finally, I am not a writer. This is raw, first draft, in the field, off the top off my head blogging! Thank you for your support in overlooking any all all sorts of opportunity for my human error.

For Europe hostel searches and online reservations, I recommend www.gomio.com or www.hostelworld.com; the first being preferential.
When all others failed, not allowing for sameday booking, Gomio managed to both find available rooms/beds that appeared full on other search sites, as well as allowed for online reservations. The standard non-refundable fee for booking online with a credit card is two dollars. In addition to this, you will usually be charged ten percent of the room charge at the time of booking online (24 hour cancellation policy if you expect your money back). Keep in mind, this does NOT mean that the hostel you are checking in to will allow you to pay the balance with your credit card. Several hostels require CASH only. With some luck you may be able to use travelers cheques if already in euro denomination. If you or a parent is a AAA member, this service is FREE. That is, you may exchange US dollars at the AAA travel agency (Marginal Way, Portland) for Euro traveler checks. AAA accepts personal checks, cash and credit cards. For details, call AAA in advance to determine the maximum you wish to exchange and how you plan to pay.

When booking a hostel online, READ THE FINE PRINT. There are such things as curfews and lock-outs, and late check-in guidelines. To save money, pack a bath towel, and a bedsack/sheet (twin size that is sewn together). This will eliminate the need to rent for up to three euros per hostel (note, a sleeping bag for hosteling is unnecessary and would take up needed room in your backpack). A sleeping bag is essential if hiking The Way of Saint James, as you stay in refuges/refugios, or if you are planning to camp.
All hostels are different. I am staying at a lovely hostel/hotel in Paris which includes a delicious breakfast as part of the per night per person fee of twenty-four euro. Although you hope to find hostels for eighteen euros per night, a breadfast is easily worth five euros if it includes real o.j., coffee, teas, cocoa, cereal selections, croissants and petite baguettes! This hostel also includes free high speed wifi internet service. Showers and televisions are in the rooms (en suite), another plus (no stumbling down the halls). Take advantage of these pluses when you can, as some hostels offer other services or fewer services.
Okay, so where am I? Hotel Caulaincourt, metro Lemarck/Caulaincourt. 2 Square Caulaincourt.
This is in the eighth arrondissement, in walking distance to Sacre Coeur Basilica, Moulin Rouge, Place Pigalle/Clichy and other Monmartre favourites. Nearby Cimetiere Monmartre houses many memorials tombs of famous folks in history, such as Victor Hugo and Scott Joplin. Do a search for more details.

When to book? I am a fly by the seat guy. I booked only the initial first two nights stay in Paris for my niece, giving us time to regain our energies and decide where we would be going. It is common to book two days prior to arrival, or even the day before. Obviously you take a risk if arriving blind. If last minute, calling directly will provide you with availability not seen on the internet. Some hostels are happy to make that call on your behalf (reciprocity). Always OFFER to pay for the call (they will probably not accept it).