European Hotels Offering Deals

While low-cost motel chains are generally associated with travel in the United States, this kind of lodging is also available in European countries.

Just as in the United States, travelers usually get a room with a private bathroom, plus such amenities as color TV and a phone.

The Hotel Climat de France chain has more than 200 properties, mostly--though not all--in France. There are 42 in the Paris region, with others in such cities as Lyon, Marseilles, Rouen, Strasbourg, Le Havre, Deauville and Poitiers. Elsewhere in Europe, there are Hotel Climat properties in Barcelona, Spain, and Dusseldorf, Leipzig and Neuss, Germany.

Rates start at $69 per night, double occupancy; $62 single, and $89 triple. The room price includes continental buffet breakfast, as well as taxes and service charges. The hotels, all have their own restaurants. Rooms tend to be small. A family of four, for example, would probably require two rooms. Each floor has free round-the-clock tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Other budget-oriented possibilities include the Hotel Ibis and Hotel Urbis chains, which include nearly 300 properties throughout Europe. Most of the hotels are in France, with others in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland.

Rates vary between $50 and $100 per night, based on double occupancy. Most of the properties have their own restaurants, and some include continental breakfast as part of the room rate.

Inter-Hotel offers 130 hotels in France, mostly in small towns. Most hotels, which are generally close to train stations, have less than 50 rooms.

Rates range from $65 to $100 per night, based on double occupancy; $55-$75 for solo travelers. The rate also includes continental breakfast, taxes and service charges. Another option is the Campanile chain. This company has more than 300 properties in France, Germany, Switzerland and England, with about a third of those in France.

All rooms have color TV and a phone, and most have private bathrooms. Rates range from $32 to $52 per night, including continental breakfast. Taxes and service charges, however, are extra.

Contact travel agents or Campanile at (800) 332-5332; Hotel Climat de France at (800) 361-6405; Hotel Ibis and Hotel Urbis at (800) 221-4542, and Inter-Hotel at (800) 927-4765.