Hotels sold out for the Olympics? Here’s where to stay instead

27.05.2024 - 15:03 / thepointsguy.com / Paris Olympics

You've probably already heard this, but the Olympics are coming to Paris this summer. If you are, too, you'll need someplace to stay.

As we've previously reported, hotel availability is scarce in the City of Light. In fact, in many cases, popular hotels have already been sold out for months.

But don't despair: There are several accommodation alternatives that will put you in the heart of the action while also providing incredibly comfortable stays. Best of all, these options provide unique stays and currently still have space for the July 23 to Aug. 11 Olympic stretch.

Here are three top accommodation alternatives for the Olympics that are still available to book.

How about making your home away from home a floating one? Viking has several sailings on its "Paris and the Heart of Normandy" Seine river cruises that coincide with the Olympics and are not yet sold out. These cruises spend the first two nights in Paris and conclude with one additional night back in the City of Light. The itinerary also involves a stop in Normandy, France, where you can commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Although the ships usually dock in sight of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine is being used for long-distance swimming events (no, really, I'm not making this up), so no commercial boats are allowed to dock or sail on the river during the Olympics. Instead, Viking will use the port of Le Pecq, a suburb about 22 miles west of the city.

I docked here on a recent Viking Seine cruise when the river was too high to make navigating the city's 37 bridges possible, and it was charming. There's an easy-to-navigate train that takes passengers into the heart of Paris in about 40 minutes. However, the location is perhaps best suited for reaching Olympic events that will take place on the west side of the city. The Centre Aquatique Olympique, where water polo, diving and synchronized swimming competitions will occur, is just 6 miles from Le Pecq — a much more convenient option than circumnavigating the busy Paris streets.

The departure dates I found with availability include a sailing from July 30 to Aug. 6. The first two nights and the last one are spent in Paris. Rates start at $3,000 per person for a seven-night sailing.

Related: 2024 Paris Olympics: How I used points and miles to save money on business-class flights and hotel nights

I first tried Paris Perfect during a special birthday trip a few years ago. These are elegantly furnished apartments, all in prime sightseeing locations.

What makes them different from, say, Airbnb is that you're not dealing with individual owners in an app-based environment. Instead, this is a management company that vets each unit and oversees all the apartments in the program, so they all have the