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"Perfect for a short break"
Do not bother with the negative reviews of this hotel. I cannot believe some of the comments people make, whingeing on about minor so-called problems! We found this hotel to be perfect for what we wanted; a long weekend to explore Paris.
It is situated centrally, down a quiet road and only a walk from the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomph, and only 2 minutes to the nearest metro. The hotel is clean and the staff very pleasant and accomodating. The bedroom was large, the ensuite was excellent (with his and hers basins and a hairdryer) and there was even a second toilet in a separate part of the room.
Although I would not recommend the breakfast as it was plain and overpriced (there's got to be a market for a full English in Paris!), we could not have hoped for a better hotel and it made our short stay very enjoyable.
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"Execellent Location & Room - One of Better Boutiques We've Stayed in (Long)"
I read the range of reviews on this hotel before we left with some trepidation -- having already had the reservations made by my wife's company's travel office. There seemed to be such a wide swing. So instead of providing a brief blurb, I thought I'd describe the pros and cons.
PROS: First, this is neither the Four Seasons or the Plaza Athenee--nor does it try to be. (Although both are about 2-3 blocks away, which sort of gives you the idea, along with Prada, Loro Piana, etc., of the neighborhood.) It is a boutique hotel...small and intimate. We were there during the World Cup matches and quite a few people gathered before the large plasma TV in the first floor lounge (with a small but effective bar) to watch some games. It was like watching with a bunch of friends. and when people entering or leaving walked by through the lobby, they would stop, watch a few minutes, talk and then be on their way.
There are rooms that face the small, quiet street, and some that look into an interior courtyard. We had a room with a King looking to the interior. It was remarkably quiet for being a block from Aves. George V and Montaigne. The birds chirping were the loudest thing we ever heard. The room was of good size for a small hotel. With the King, there was adequate walking room on both sides, and at the foot of the bed a small couch. Beyond that a writing desk, small table (good for eating room service) and an armoire with safe, tv, small refrig, and luggage stand. Plenty of room for two people. well lit, very good A/C with variable fan and lots of outlets. I like outlets.
This was Room 307. The decor was French fancy with gilded mouldings and nice wallpaper. Three of the best items about the room were: (1) has REALLY thick, heavy doors which block all noise -- even between the room and bath. (2) Has an 'airlock' type of entry into the room. Heavy outside door with bolting lock, small hall before room with double closet with mirrors, and another big door into room. Superb sound control. (3) Hard bed. I hate mushy French beds. This one was, happily, firm -- and they had a pillow menu for American wimps like me.
Bath had been redone in past couple of years so was largely new. Had Grohe fixtures, a marble inlaid floor and double sinks. Great pressure and lots of HW. They had a good hairdryer, and when asked brought an ironing board and iron which we kept the full time. It fit nicely under the bed.
Since my wife was working every day and I was on vacation, I slept in and didn't leave until Noonish on some days. The maids were really great generally and especially about this! No knocking, no dirty looks for sxrewing up their schedules. I'd let them know I was going to be out for a bit, and the room would be ready as soon as I got back. Getting really good, consistent service for 8 days is worth a remark.
The food and room service situation is a bit confusing in the written descriptions, so let me clear this up. The Hotel has a cute breakfast-only restaurant with an enclosed courtyard area--just off the main entrance hall as you walk through to the elevators. It serves until 10:30am. There is also room service from 6 am until 10:30 am. On several days we left the choice on the door handle and breakfast appeared within 8 minutes of the time indicated. The menu is not large, but it would serve for in-room meals as needed. The food was all very good. The breakfast is additional to the room charge and is fairly elaborate--25 Euros either in the restaurant or the room. On most days i just wandered up to the Champs and got some pasteries and OJ for 6-7 Euros. Hard to eat a big breakfast after a huge dinner at 10pm.
Which brings up the location. It is about 8 blocks up along Ave. Montaigne to Rond Pont. It is right at the Alma Bridge (close to the Eiffel Tower) and a 1 minute walk to the Metro. Alma-Marceau. If you haven't been in Paris before this is a perfect location along the major tourist axis. You can walk to the Tower, Trocadero, and the Louvre. Its a bit touristy in the sense that many Americans are in this area--but it is definately upscale. We have a cousin that lives in Montparnasse, near the Gare, and that is more neighborhoodish....
The staff speak English but one or two not highly complex English. Certainly sufficient for 90% of complex issues, and willing to work with you. They were polite and helpful. But it is a small staff, and the entrance desk area is too small and can get overrun. You have to pass through it to get into the main lobby-lounge area and elevator. That having been said, they were nice to us and everything was efficient and accurate.
CONS. First, when I call a hotel and ask if they have Internet Access, I should specify what type. They have a computer in the lobby that is broadband and costs 15 Euros for an hour of time. But no in-room WiFi. I'm told that this is still not unusual in Paris, but the choice of an expensive telephone dialup line and a single 15 Euros per hour computer does not do it for me. I hope they put in WiFi. (Moreover, the SFR WiFi card was almost useless -- not the hotel's fault, this was bought separately--as well. It was back to McDonalds where it was free, fast and there was a shake and some fries.) So it was a 10 miunte walk to use my computer at length--although I did buy 1 hour for quick email checks and that lasted the week, and that worked out well.
Second, and this may just be me, they have a small room off the main desk area, for waiting I suppose. But they should move the Reception desk into there and make that initial entry area bigger. That room is beautiful, of good size and unused. I feel sorry for the poor managers--they are quite good, but that is not the best set-up. I believe the physical layout leads to a sense of there being more of a flurry than there really is. The closer setting is nice when entering and leaving when there are not things going on--or luggae coming or going--it is nicely intimate....but the trade-off suggests a revised floorplan.
Third, like a lot of older French buildings that have been modernized, the elevator is small. 4 people would be tight. 2 people with bags. No way to change it, and my cousin's building has one about the same size for a much larger population.
Fourth, I would have given up the space given to the nice luggage stand in exchange for a few extra drawers, although it was adequate. Also, there were a few minor dings to the wallpaper and such that could be fixed in about 20 minutes--might as well since everything else is so well maintained and nice.
CONCLUSION. I would highly recommend this place without hestitation. If you are trying to save money, get your breakfast the night before or stroll out to a bakery.
ps. a new exhibition at the just re-opened L'Orangerie (a smallish museum near the Louvre) of Monet's water lillys in the round is spectacular. if you are going to be in Paris for a few days, buy a Pass Musee, go past the lines at most museums...see this.)
Carl
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"A fine boutique hotel!"
I absolutely loved this hotel. I am very shocked to hear about others having a bad experience in terms of service. I do feel that the service in Paris is not up to par no matter where you go.. with that in mind I personally think this hotels' service was acceptable.
You could easily miss this hotel, however once you get in it is charming. You will walk past the breakfast area after checking in and will look forward to it the following morning. This hotel has a great breakfast and the ambiance is beautiful with colors of deep red and gold (maybe brass, but its nice). The courtyard is covered but is quite lovely to have a cappuccino and some breaky in the morning).
The elevators are tiny. You and your travelling companion will have to go up seperately with your luggage, however once you get into your rooms, you will love it. The rooms are very boutique style with dark wood, deep reds.. some have a green color but still looks nice.
The location is great, very close to the Eiffel Tower and Champs Elysees. The only thing I would say about it's location is the food can be a bit pricy in this district.
You will love this hotel, have a wonderful trip!
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"A Boutique Hotel That's an Oasis"
I read some of the later reviews on this boutique hotel, and wondered whether others had stayed at the same hotel we had. This is not a big hotel, nor does it have a full service restaurant (breakfast only), but it does have quiet and a nice intimate atmosphere. Our room was small (but it is Paris!) but very well appointed. It is in a quiet section a couple blocks from the river and just a couple blocks from the high fashion boutiques for most of the famous labels. We went no further than looking into the windows of these shops, but there are a number of good restaurants and cafes in the area. You can also get to the both the Louve and the Eiffel Tower with a nice walk. Also, the subway stop is only a block and a half away. We found the staff to be very nice and helpful. The front desk personnel are multilingual, but a little French with them seemed to bring a big smile. We considered this hotel to be an oasis for a week, and would stay there again in a heartbeat.
Northern California
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"Lovely Little hotel"
What a quaint little hotel, situated just by the end of Avenue George V in walking distance to almost every location. The rooms were very nice and the service impeccable. I was there for part of my honeymoon and the staff went the extra mile to make us feel welcome and special. Although on 8 floors the hotel has a lovely marble staircase in the middle so, for all people averse to using a lift there is no need to climb the fire escape!!
I would recommend this hotel to all who want a quiet boutique experience in the centre of Paris!
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27 km
24 Hour Check-In 
Banquet 
Bar 
Business Centre 
Elevator / Lift 
Internet Access 
Laundry Service 
Cable / Satellite Television 
Carpet 
Writing Desk 
Business Area
Convention Centre
Landmark
Museum
Shopping Area
Stadium or Arena
Theatre
Train Station
Park
Underground Railway Station
Monument or Landmark
Airport
