This is a story of a vacation gone wrong. I booked a luxury suite at a hotel in Paris, excited to explore the city. But upon arrival, I discovered a series of issues that turned my dream trip into a nightmare. Let me tell you, this hotel was far from what I expected.
A Shocking Start: The Night Before
The night before my arrival, the hotel called me at 10:30 PM to inform me that there had been a mix-up with my booking. They had overbooked my room, the Concorde Executive Suite, and now I was downgraded to a smaller room called the Eiffel. I was furious! I had booked this suite three weeks earlier and was promised a luxurious experience. I demanded a full refund, as this was not what I had signed up for.
The hotel claimed that there was a new employee who had mistakenly double-booked the room. This explanation didn’t satisfy me, and I contacted Booking.com to explain the situation. They contacted the hotel manager, and after two hours of waiting, I finally received confirmation that I would have the room I originally booked. This whole ordeal was a horrible start to my trip.
A Dirty Welcome and a Rude Manager
The following day, when I arrived in Paris, finding the hotel was a challenge. The address led me to a series of apartments, not a traditional hotel. I struggled to find the entrance and then realized the code I had been given was incorrect! I was left standing outside for two hours, unable to reach anyone as the phone went unanswered. When I finally gained access, the place was nothing like the photos I saw online. It was dark, dirty, and felt more like a hostel than a hotel.
I was told I couldn’t check in yet, but could leave my luggage and return at 3 PM. The cleaner handed me the phone and asked me to speak with the manager. When I told him who I was, he laughed on the phone and informed me that the room I had booked was already occupied by someone else. I was shocked and outraged!
At 3 PM, I returned to the hotel, and the owner was sitting at the reception desk, looking extremely arrogant and rude. He led us to the “suite,” which was a tiny, dark room, completely different from the pictures online. The walls were stained, the door was damaged, and it felt more like a dungeon than a luxury suite.
When I expressed my displeasure and asked for a refund, the owner said I should go stay at the Four Seasons, he was not giving me my money back. He then proceeded to insult me and told me to get out. I was left stranded in Paris, with over $1,100 down and no place to stay. This was a complete nightmare!
A Brief Glimpse of Hope: The Positives
Now, let’s take a break from the negative and discuss some positive aspects of this hotel. The receptionist who greeted us on our arrival was very friendly and welcoming. He offered helpful suggestions for places to eat, and his politeness made a positive impression.
The hotel’s location was decent, although the street was quite noisy. The Louvre was a 30-minute walk away, and there were some pleasant shops and restaurants in nearby side streets. There was also a Metro station within walking distance, which would have been a convenient option if not for the ongoing strike action.
Disappointing Rooms and Rude Staff
However, these positives were overshadowed by the poor quality of the rooms and the terrible service we received. The rooms were significantly smaller than they appeared in the pictures, and while they were clean, they felt grubby. The sliding bathroom door in one of the rooms was broken, and the hairdryer was constantly cutting out.
The air conditioning units were filthy, and the paper was peeling off the walls in the bathroom. The shower cubicles were also tiny and cramped. The breakfast was continental and mediocre. The lady serving breakfast the first two mornings was rude and unhelpful, and it took 20 minutes to get a refill of orange juice when it ran out. The reception staff were equally unhelpful, constantly on their phones or watching Tik Tok videos. One receptionist even shrugged when we asked about alternative transport to the airport due to the strike, leaving us to find our own taxi.
A Dilapidated Property
Overall, Ibis Sacre Coeur is a dated, run-down hotel in desperate need of renovation. Perhaps we were unlucky with our rooms, but our entire experience was negative. I cannot recommend this hotel to anyone, and I urge you to look for better options. Ibis Sacre Coeur is a disgrace to the hospitality industry.
