Warning! This is a cautionary tale about a truly terrible experience at a supposed hotel near the Beaugrenelle Shopping Mall in Paris. The place was a complete disaster from the moment I booked it.
The problems began before I even set foot in Paris. The hotel contacted me at 10:30 PM the night before my arrival to tell me they had double-booked my room. Instead of the luxurious Concorde executive suite I had reserved three weeks earlier, they offered me a much smaller “Eiffel room.” I demanded a full refund, but they insisted it was a simple mistake and offered me the original room instead.
This shady start was only the beginning of a truly dreadful stay. Upon arriving in Paris, I found it nearly impossible to locate the “hotel,” which turned out to be a set of dingy apartments. The code I was given to access the building was wrong, forcing me to wait outside for two hours, with no response from the hotel.
Inside, the place looked nothing like the deceptive pictures on the booking website. It was dark, dirty, and unwelcoming. I was told I couldn’t check in immediately but could leave my luggage and return later. While waiting, I was handed a phone by the cleaning staff to speak with the manager. When I explained my situation, he laughed and said the room I had booked was already occupied by someone else!
Returning later, I encountered the owner, who was incredibly rude and arrogant. He showed me to the “suite,” which was a tiny, dark room, completely unlike the pictures. The walls were stained, the door was damaged, and the entire place felt unclean and neglected.
When I insisted on a refund and refused to stay, the owner told me to go stay at the Four Seasons and that I would never get my money back. He then threw me out into the street, leaving me stranded and out $1100.
This place is truly unacceptable and should be avoided at all costs. The hotel is a scam, and the staff are unprofessional and disrespectful. Don’t risk your time, money, or sanity by staying here!
A Mixed Experience: Ibis Sacre Coeur – Good Location, Bad Service
This Ibis hotel in Paris offers a decent location near the Metro station, with easy access to shops and restaurants. The staff upon arrival were friendly and helpful, providing recommendations for local eateries. The walk to the Louvre was pleasant, taking about 30 minutes.
However, our overall experience was marred by several issues. The rooms were much smaller than the photos online and felt dirty and neglected despite appearing clean. The bathroom door in one room was broken and wouldn’t close properly, while the hairdryer in another room malfunctioned intermittently. The air conditioning units were filthy, and the bathroom walls were peeling.
The breakfast, although continental, was okay. However, the staff serving breakfast were unfriendly and unresponsive. They took a long time to refill the orange juice and were unhelpful when asked for gluten-free bread. The reception staff throughout the weekend were also unprofessional, spending their time on their phones or watching Tik Tok videos rather than attending to guests.
While the hotel’s location is a plus, the overall experience was disappointing due to the poor condition of the rooms, the lack of helpful service, and the unprofessional behavior of the staff. Ibis Sacre Coeur needs significant improvement to be considered a good value for money.
A Pleasant Stay: A Well-Deserved Recommendation
This hotel in Paris is located in a charming area, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and the metro. The staff were helpful and accommodating, ensuring our family rooms were arranged together. The room with a balcony offered a wonderful view of the Eiffel Tower, especially at night.
The breakfast was a highlight of our stay, with fresh, high-quality options, including hot cooked food, eggs, sausage, pancakes, cereals, fruits, and continental favorites. The staff was efficient in printing boarding passes and attraction tickets for us at no extra charge.
We found the hotel to be clean and comfortable, with good Wi-Fi reception throughout. This was my second stay here, and it was just as pleasant as the first, ten years ago. Based on our positive experiences, I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a pleasant stay in Paris.
