"A quiet, comfortable and very well-appointed hotel. It is perfect for visiting Les Invalides, Rodin, Eiffel Tower and Grand and Petit Palais. The champs de Elysées and Arc de Triomphe are both within walking distance and there are lots of good restaurants within close proximity. It is also very close to the Metro stop, so easy to get to. This is not my first visit and despite what I will say next, I would still use it again, as it so well positioned.
However, despite the positioning and comfort, there are a number of issues that Ibis/Accor might want to consider.
I was surprised that a few days before I was due to arrive, I had a deposit charged to my credit card, which was the equivalent of one night’s visit. That is fine, especially if it then comes off the final bill when you pay that. However, it is only refunded after you check-out. So, upon arrival at the hotel I paid for the two nights I was staying alongside the deposit. I am glad that I used my credit card to pay rather than a debit card, otherwise I would have been £100 out of pocket. I am surprised that the deposit is not used as part payment toward the actual stay. Perhaps, something the multi-billion-dollar business can investigate improving.
Upon arriving after a day of exploring on my second evening, I boarded an elevator with one of the employees of the hotel. The lift broke down and did not move. He called the emergency number but that was engaged, I pressed the emergency alarm but that was ignored or did not work. The employee then started to bang on the door and shout loudly for help to no avail. Eventually, I forced the door open, escaped and let the employee out. He went to find his colleague and I spoke to reception. The response of the receptionist, other than a look of disbelief left a lot to be desired. No apologies, no offer of compensation, a drink at the bar on the House. Instead, she went out to find the maintenance chaps who were outside. By the time I returned there was a sign on the lift confirming it was faulty.
Finally, be prepared to have to fork out €6 to store your luggage in a locker in the hotel basement, if there are any available. By the time I went down at about 10.30 they were all full and people were abandoning their bags around the luggage room. Given the hotel has over 500 rooms, I cannot believe they do not have better provision for left luggage and do not expect people to pay for the most basic of services.
So, despite all of this, I am looking forward to my next visit and hopefully a visit to Grand and Petit Palais."
