Bad experience at this hotel in Paris
Oct 12th, 2004, 02:15 PM
#43
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It looks like a Rick Steves endorsement is a double-edged sword. I stayed in the Hotel Leveque back in 1990, before I'd ever heard of Rick Steves, and again in 2002, after I learned it was one of his recommended hotels. The only difference was that it was solidly booked the second time, and every other guest seemed to be American (not a problem, certainly - just an observation). In 2004, that hotel was booked up, so we stayed in the 12th (Hotel Lyon Bastille) and found it perfectly acceptable.
But I think hotels like Champ de Mars may be taking the American tourist for granted, which never is a good thing for a business owner to do. Just because Rick Steves - or anyone - recommended a place a few years ago doesn't mean it's still the best pick, and it doesn't mean the hotel owner doesn't need to treat his guests courteously. I find this forum a better source of up-to-date info on hotels than Rick Steves or most other sources, because we fodorites have recent first-hand accounts to share.
But I think hotels like Champ de Mars may be taking the American tourist for granted, which never is a good thing for a business owner to do. Just because Rick Steves - or anyone - recommended a place a few years ago doesn't mean it's still the best pick, and it doesn't mean the hotel owner doesn't need to treat his guests courteously. I find this forum a better source of up-to-date info on hotels than Rick Steves or most other sources, because we fodorites have recent first-hand accounts to share.
Oct 12th, 2004, 06:37 PM
#45
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I was glad to see the name of the hotel cited. I have no doubts that what was written did happen and I'm glad that the writer had the opportunity to warn others. Apparently this place has gotten a bit cocky and has taken their "complet" seriously and think they are deserving of a filled hotel every night. They need to think again. The word will be out and they may find themselves a lot less popular in the future. Have you ever noticed that if one guide recommends a hotel, that the recommended hotel suddenly appears in four other guides. I wonder. Do they copy each others' recommendations? Some even use the same words to describe the place. We found a duplication of descriptions on a hotel in Australia and perhaps would not have noticed it, if the description had not been so wrong. Both described the room, which was very tiny, as spacious. Now, something is wrong. Someone is not checking out the hotels and are just relying on hotel brochures or other guide books!! This may be a good example of someone not really investigating the hotel and just passing on inaccurate info.
Oct 12th, 2004, 10:14 PM
#46
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I'd love to let the hotel management know that not only were we offended by this experience and bad behaviour but that I would share my comments with internet travel message boards. But quite frankly I don't think he gives a damn. As long as Rick Steves books promotes them he'll be full no matter what. In fact I think in his new video on Paris (that is coming out Nov./04)His wife apparantly is on the video. So how can he lose. What repercussions are there for him NOne. cause he's going to be full. Thanks to Rick Steves. Rick Steves used to also promote the La Serre hotel on Rue Cler but no longer lists it in hi lastest book I'm told. I read somewhere maybe even on this site that they had too many complaints . So their party was over. When my sister was looking to stay near me everything was booked except she had no problem getting into La Serre. There's a message here.Elaine, I love your laundry room story. My girlfriend had a similiar story except hers ended the opposite. The woman she encountered was very friendly and helpful and ended up inviting her to her place for dinner. I have to say that after this incident the majority if not all the people I met were very nice and helpful so the trip ended up on a high note. In fact I have a great trip report to write. Since you guys have been so helpful to me maybe I can reciprocate with some of my findings.
Oct 13th, 2004, 07:06 AM
#49
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Re the "Navigator's" comments:
I fail to understand why a hotel which has "become popular with Americans" automatically leads to its "ruination" or do you know something about Americans that the rest of us don't?
I fail to understand why a hotel which has "become popular with Americans" automatically leads to its "ruination" or do you know something about Americans that the rest of us don't?
Oct 13th, 2004, 10:15 AM
#52
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Hi toni
>Thank heavens for this website. I was trying to decide between Hotel Champ de Mars and Hotel Bonaparte for next June. Decision made.<
After all of my recommendations about the Bonaparte, you were still undecided?
I'm going to go sulk.
>Thank heavens for this website. I was trying to decide between Hotel Champ de Mars and Hotel Bonaparte for next June. Decision made.<
After all of my recommendations about the Bonaparte, you were still undecided?
I'm going to go sulk.
Oct 13th, 2004, 10:51 AM
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Thank you for this timely posting. I leave for Paris in 5 weeks, and had a reservation for Hotel du Champ de Mars. Based on this posting, I did an internet search for recent reviews and have now cancelled my reservation.
Fortunately I've been able to get a reservation at Hotel du Cadran.
Thanks again!
Donna
Fortunately I've been able to get a reservation at Hotel du Cadran.
Thanks again!
Donna
Oct 13th, 2004, 11:23 AM
#57
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I stayed at the Hotel du Champ de Mars in 2003. My stay was very pleasant.
Rooms are smallish but adequate and very nicely furnished. The hotel is very clean and well maintained.
Perhaps one of the problems reflected in this thread is one of attitude. Americans often expect a kind of smiling effusiveness which is not always characteristic of French service personnel (either in restaurants or hotels). The French have been TRYING to do better in this regard, to meet American expectations -- but French waiters have not yet gotten to the "Hello, my name is Eric, I'll be your server tonight," and French hotel personnel may often appear remote or even curt to Americans.
My experience at the Hotel du Champ de Mars was that the personnel was perfectly "correct" -- in the French sense -- and that they were helpful in responding to my requests whenever they were realistic. The one time I got a bit of eye-rolling was when I asked the desk guy if he could get me a taxi to go to the St. Lazare train station in the middle of a public transport strike. I got an incredulous: "Madame, you are asking me to get a taxi in the middle of the transport strike? Go to the tête de station & wait for one." I walked to the station instead; along the way I saw the long lines waiting fof taxis & realized what he meant; it simply was not a realistic request. (I noticed, walking through the place de la Concorde, that the doorman at the Crillon was getting taxis for the Crillon people -- but that was the Crillon, not the Champ de Mars.)
I don't understand what the writer of the first post means when he says the rue Cler district is very noisy late at night and early in the morning. I have stayed in a number of hotels in different districts in Paris & was struck by how quiet the rue Cler area is; especially considering rue Cler is a market street. You have to expect some early morning activity in a market; if you cannot deal with it, do not stay in a hotel a block away from a market street. One nice thing about rue du Champ de Mars is that the garbage trucks (the bane of early mornings in many Paris streets) go along that street late in the afternoon, not in the early morning. As for late night activity: the café at the corner of rue Cler and rue du Champ de Mars shut down at around 11 p.m. on weeknights and after that there was NO night-time noise at all. On weekends they were open a bit later and had some jazz concerts, which you could hear from the hotel, but, hey, it WAS the weekend.
On the whole -- seems to me this hotel is VERY good value for the price, and I would go back.
Rooms are smallish but adequate and very nicely furnished. The hotel is very clean and well maintained.
Perhaps one of the problems reflected in this thread is one of attitude. Americans often expect a kind of smiling effusiveness which is not always characteristic of French service personnel (either in restaurants or hotels). The French have been TRYING to do better in this regard, to meet American expectations -- but French waiters have not yet gotten to the "Hello, my name is Eric, I'll be your server tonight," and French hotel personnel may often appear remote or even curt to Americans.
My experience at the Hotel du Champ de Mars was that the personnel was perfectly "correct" -- in the French sense -- and that they were helpful in responding to my requests whenever they were realistic. The one time I got a bit of eye-rolling was when I asked the desk guy if he could get me a taxi to go to the St. Lazare train station in the middle of a public transport strike. I got an incredulous: "Madame, you are asking me to get a taxi in the middle of the transport strike? Go to the tête de station & wait for one." I walked to the station instead; along the way I saw the long lines waiting fof taxis & realized what he meant; it simply was not a realistic request. (I noticed, walking through the place de la Concorde, that the doorman at the Crillon was getting taxis for the Crillon people -- but that was the Crillon, not the Champ de Mars.)
I don't understand what the writer of the first post means when he says the rue Cler district is very noisy late at night and early in the morning. I have stayed in a number of hotels in different districts in Paris & was struck by how quiet the rue Cler area is; especially considering rue Cler is a market street. You have to expect some early morning activity in a market; if you cannot deal with it, do not stay in a hotel a block away from a market street. One nice thing about rue du Champ de Mars is that the garbage trucks (the bane of early mornings in many Paris streets) go along that street late in the afternoon, not in the early morning. As for late night activity: the café at the corner of rue Cler and rue du Champ de Mars shut down at around 11 p.m. on weeknights and after that there was NO night-time noise at all. On weekends they were open a bit later and had some jazz concerts, which you could hear from the hotel, but, hey, it WAS the weekend.
On the whole -- seems to me this hotel is VERY good value for the price, and I would go back.
Oct 13th, 2004, 11:27 AM
#58
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RaTheCat - Did you tell the hotel folks why you were cancelling your reservation? I have reservations there for Thanksgiving week. As soon as I confirm an alternative, I will cancel my reservation and let them know why. I think they should see the consequences of their actions and the influence of the internet.
Oct 13th, 2004, 11:54 AM
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Marge, I don't believe we Americans want a bubbly, always-smiling, unnaturally friendly reception desk staff. All is needed is some common courtesy towards the guest. The Hotel du Champ de Mars' staff does not appear to know what courtesy means. Did you care for the way the desk clerk responded about your request for a taxi?
No matter how little they charge I would not want to stay there!
No matter how little they charge I would not want to stay there!
Oct 13th, 2004, 12:29 PM
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Marge, I'm not looking for friendly, but like Francophile says I want to be treated with courtesy. The reception at the De l'Alma, the hotel I stayed at last time I went to Paris, was not friendly by any stretch of the imagination, but they were not rude. The decorating scheme of the rooms at the De l'Alma were too bright for my taste, otherwise I would probably stay there again.
I made the mistake of booking the Champ de Mars based on price without looking for reviews - shame on me!
Parisonmymind, no, I didn't mention why I was cancelling my reservation. I just said that my plans have changed.
I made the mistake of booking the Champ de Mars based on price without looking for reviews - shame on me!
Parisonmymind, no, I didn't mention why I was cancelling my reservation. I just said that my plans have changed.
