Exquisite Rooms in Enchanting Hotels

ASK ARTHUR FROMMER & TRAVEL BETTER, CHEAPER, SMARTER

By Arthur Frommer

Frommer/Wiley. $19.99.

The travel guru discusses in his usual fair and balanced way a wide assortment of travel topics, including airfares and airlines; hotels, hostels and home exchanges; ocean and river cruises; trains, buses, bicycles and RVs; adventure tours, camping and trekking; affordable travel and vacations in the United States and Europe; learning vacations and retreats; and much more. He's a straight shooter, and his advice is frank and to the point. He also challenges conventional wisdom. Despite the plethora of Web specials, he still believes that customers will get the best price by calling a hotel directly when booking rooms. June Sawyers, Chicago Tribune

PARISIAN HIDEAWAYS: Exquisite Rooms in Enchanting Hotels

By Casey O'Brien Blondes and Beatrice Amagat

Rizzoli. $45.

This gorgeous oversize book features portraits of 30 Parisian hotels that are unique: either because of their literary, historic or artistic flavor or because of their timeless elegance or as showcases of contemporary French art. All are family- or manager-owned, boast distinctive French decor and are small enough to foster an intimate atmosphere. Exotic, romantic, sophisticated, all are uniquely French. June Sawyers, Chicago Tribune

This story was originally published May 30, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Exquisite Rooms in Enchanting Hotels."