Feeling betrayed and cheated, I was left stranded in the city of lights with nothing but a bitter taste of disappointment. This “hotel” is a far cry from the luxurious haven I had envisioned. In fact, it’s more akin to a rundown apartment building.
This nightmare began the night before my arrival. The hotel informed me at 10:30 PM that my Concorde Executive Suite had been mistakenly assigned to another guest. Instead of the spacious, opulent accommodation I had booked three weeks prior, I was offered the much smaller Eiffel Room. Naturally, I demanded a full refund, but the hotel insisted it was a simple “double booking” error. I contacted booking.com, and after a two-hour standoff, the hotel reluctantly agreed to honor my original reservation. This was only the first of many unpleasant surprises.
The hotel itself was a struggle to locate, hidden away in a maze of narrow streets. The code I was given didn’t work, leaving me stranded outside for a torturous two hours with no response from the hotel staff. When I finally gained access, the place looked nothing like the charming photos online. It was dingy, dimly lit, and downright depressing.
The cleaning crew, who seemed as frustrated as I was, informed me that I couldn’t check in yet. I was handed a phone and told to speak with the manager. He responded with a dismissive laugh, nonchalantly informing me that my room had been taken by someone else. His humor was lost on me.
Upon my return at 3 PM, I was greeted by the owner, a pompous, arrogant man who seemed more interested in his own image than in customer satisfaction. He led us to the “suite,” which was nothing more than a cramped, gloomy room, a far cry from the spacious, elegant suite pictured online. The walls were stained, the door was damaged, and the overall atmosphere was one of neglect and disrepair.
When I voiced my disappointment and requested a refund, the owner dismissed me with a rude sneer, suggesting I go stay at the Four Seasons instead. He refused to offer any form of compensation, leaving me stranded in Paris with no hotel and a hefty £1100 down the drain. The audacity of this man was appalling.
Don’t let this happen to you! Avoid this establishment at all costs. The only positive aspect of my experience was the homeless people begging outside, who were far more welcoming and sympathetic than the hotel staff.
A Disappointing Stay at the Ibis Sacre Coeur: A Mixed Bag of Experiences
The Ibis Sacre Coeur offered a mixed bag of experiences, with moments of pleasantness overshadowed by a long list of shortcomings. While the location was convenient, the hotel itself was in desperate need of attention.
The highlight of our stay was the friendly receptionist who greeted us upon arrival. His warm welcome and helpful suggestions for local dining options provided a glimmer of hope. The hotel’s location, while situated on a bustling street, was ideal for exploring the city. A short walk took us to the Louvre, while the Moulin Rouge was also within reach, albeit through a somewhat seedy neighborhood. The nearby metro station would have been a godsend, but unfortunately, it was closed due to a strike.
The hotel’s charm, however, ended there. The rooms were cramped, despite our expectations, and felt grimy, despite seeming clean. The bathroom in one room was particularly troublesome. The sliding door was broken and had clearly been neglected for quite some time. The hairdryer was temperamental, turning on and off intermittently. The air conditioning units, though unused, were filthy, and the walls were peeling in the bathroom.
Breakfast, though continental, was acceptable. The lady serving breakfast on the first two mornings was, however, not very pleasant, exhibiting a surly attitude and being slow to respond to requests. The orange juice ran out, and it took 20 minutes for a refill. The other reception staff weren’t much better. One was glued to his mobile phone, constantly scrolling through TikTok videos, while the other was unhelpful when we tried to book a taxi to the airport.
Overall, the Ibis Sacre Coeur is a dated, rundown establishment that desperately needs TLC. While our experience may have been particularly unlucky, it was a far cry from the pleasant stay we had hoped for. Ibis Sacre Coeur, you have a lot of work to do before you can truly claim to be a good hotel.
