This is a tale of a travel nightmare, a stark reminder of the perils of booking a hotel without due diligence.
My booking nightmare started before I even set foot in Paris. The hotel contacted me late at night, informing me of a room change. My carefully planned Concorde Executive Suite had been inexplicably switched to a smaller Eiffel Room. This was a clear bait-and-switch tactic, a blatant disregard for my booking, and frankly, an infuriating experience.
The communication was appalling. After requesting a refund, I was met with unconvincing excuses about a double booking. Only after contacting Booking.com and lodging a complaint did the hotel acknowledge the error and reluctantly reinstate my original reservation.
However, this was just the beginning of the nightmare. Reaching the hotel was a frustrating ordeal. The address was difficult to locate, and the provided access code was incorrect. Despite being unable to contact the hotel by phone, I was forced to wait outside for hours.
The physical appearance of the “hotel” was a stark contrast to the online photos. The space was dark, dirty, and lacked any resemblance to the advertised elegance.
Upon my arrival, the manager, a picture of arrogance, laughed in my face when I brought up the room issue, claiming someone else had already checked in. This lack of professionalism and blatant disregard for my booking further amplified my frustration.
The suite, supposedly a luxurious haven, was anything but. A small, dimly lit room, far from the images promised, with damaged walls and a broken door. When I expressed my dissatisfaction and requested a refund, the manager’s response was nothing short of appalling. He sneered, suggesting I stay at the Four Seasons and dismissed my complaints with a mocking “see you out in the street.”
This was a total breach of contract and a clear example of how not to treat guests. I was left stranded, having paid over £1100, without a hotel room and forced to scramble for alternative accommodation. This is a harrowing experience, one I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
A Mixed Bag: The Ibis Sacre Coeur
My experience at the Ibis Sacre Coeur was a mixed bag, offering both moments of pleasantness and unpleasant surprises.
The hotel’s location, a short walk from the Louvre and the Moulin Rouge, offered easy access to some of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. However, the neighborhood surrounding the hotel, while vibrant, could be considered less than desirable.
Despite the strikes disrupting public transport, the friendly receptionist welcomed us with a smile and helpful advice on where to find good food. This initial positive interaction set a somewhat optimistic tone.
The hotel itself offered a few quirky elements, such as the two small lifts that wouldn’t be out of place in a horror movie. While the breakfast was continental and passable, the service left much to be desired. The staff, with the exception of the receptionist, was less than welcoming and often unresponsive to requests.
The rooms, however, were a major disappointment. Far from the images seen on the booking website, they were small, grubby, and in dire need of repair. A malfunctioning hairdryer, a broken sliding bathroom door, and filthy air conditioning units contributed to a feeling of neglect and lack of care.
The reception staff, with the exception of the friendly receptionist, were disinterested and unhelpful. One receptionist was more interested in his phone than assisting with booking a taxi, while another barely acknowledged our requests.
In summary, while the hotel offered some positive aspects like a decent location and a welcoming receptionist, its shortcomings, including the poorly maintained rooms, indifferent staff, and overall lack of attention to detail, ultimately overshadowed any positive elements.
