Paris, the City of Lights, beckons travelers from around the globe. It’s a city brimming with history, romance, and culinary delights. But choosing the perfect hotel for your Parisian escapade can be a challenge, especially if you’re traveling with family.
Our recent visit to Paris involved exploring the city with our ten-year-old daughter. Time was limited, so we sought a hotel near the iconic Eiffel Tower, opting for the Novotel Tour Eiffel. This hotel, part of the Accor chain, boasts a pool, a major plus when traveling with children.
While we enjoyed our previous stay at the luxurious Sofitel Paris La Défense, the Novotel Tour Eiffel, with its positive reviews and pool, seemed like the perfect fit for our family-oriented trip.
A Scenic Location with Modern Touches
The Novotel Tour Eiffel stands proudly on the banks of the Seine River, offering breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower, just a 20-minute stroll away. However, the surrounding high-rise buildings somewhat obstruct the panoramic vista.
Despite this minor detail, the hotel’s location is ideal. You can easily access the Île aux Cygnes, a man-made island in the Seine, known for its replica of the Statue of Liberty, and walk across the bridge featured in the film “Inception.” Plus, two metro stations are within a ten-minute walk, making exploring Paris a breeze.
Room for Improvement: A Family-Friendly Stay with Quirks
The Novotel offers two room types: Standard and Superior, along with 12 suites. We booked a standard room but, thanks to our Accor Hotels loyalty membership, were upgraded to a Superior family room. While we appreciated the upgrade, we found the room a bit snug for two children.
The room itself was spacious and offered stunning views of the Seine and the La Défense district. However, the room’s decor was a bit dated, although the rounded windows provided a pleasant retro charm. Amenities included a flat-screen TV, a writing desk, an iron, a telephone, and wired internet access.
The bathroom, however, presented some challenges. While equipped with both a shower and a bathtub, the shower door was a disaster waiting to happen. Water leaked onto the bathroom floor, soaking the bedroom carpet. The carpet itself was quite worn, revealing age and a lack of attention to detail. Sadly, the hotel still allows smoking rooms, which further emphasizes the need for a complete overhaul.
A Parisian Adventure with a Twist: Exploring the Novotel Tour Eiffel (Part 2)
The hotel’s internet access proved inconsistent. While free Wi-Fi was available in the lobby, it worked surprisingly well in our room on the 22nd floor. Guests could also use the computers in the lobby, which were often occupied, or utilize wired access, which came at a cost.
The Novotel Tour Eiffel offers several dining options. Choose from a cafe, a Japanese restaurant, or a bar serving limited food. The cafe boasts outdoor seating overlooking the Seine, perfect for enjoying a Parisian afternoon.
The hotel also has a small indoor pool, though a bit tired-looking. It’s a pleasant diversion, especially for kids, but not a highlight of the stay.
Breakfast is not included in the room rate, which is a bit of a disappointment. The breakfast buffet is priced higher than nearby cafes, making it feel unnecessary. While it’s common for Parisian hotels to charge extra for breakfast, it’s time for hotels to consider including this essential meal.
Service at the Novotel Tour Eiffel was polite and efficient. We only interacted with staff during check-in, check-out, and at the bar, but everyone was friendly and helpful.
Points, Perks, and Practicalities
The hotel participates in the Accorhotels loyalty program, allowing you to earn points for your stays. While it takes several stays to accumulate enough points for a free night, achieving Platinum status is relatively easy.
The hotel offers luggage storage after check-out, a convenient option for those with delayed flights or extended explorations.
The Verdict: A Family-Friendly Parisian Stay with Room for Improvement
The Novotel Tour Eiffel offers a great value for its location in Paris, particularly for families. The hotel’s position near the Eiffel Tower and its fantastic views from the higher floors are major draws. However, the hotel needs a few improvements, including free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, the inclusion of breakfast, and a complete refurbishment, including the replacement of carpets and the elimination of smoking rooms.
Despite these shortcomings, we had a pleasant stay at the Novotel Tour Eiffel. The hotel’s fantastic location and views are undeniable assets. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience at a similar price point (though they only allow two adults per room), consider the Sofitel Paris La Défense.
It’s important to note that we traveled as regular tourists, with no prior knowledge that a review would be written. The hotel was not informed of our intentions, and we did not receive any special discounts. Our goal is to provide impartial and comprehensive advice, giving you an honest picture of your potential stay.
