|
HOTEL CRILLON
Would like to hear any and all comments about recents stays at the Hotel Crillon in the last 6 months. We are booked there for two nights in November to celebrate our anniversary. Thanks.
Laurie |
Since it is well known as one of the finest and most expensive hotels in the world I think you already know all you need to know about it.
|
Gretchen-
The hotel is no longer owned by the Taittinger family and Starwood has a large stake in it, which is my concern and why I asked for recent comments on stays. |
Barrry Sternlict that bought the Crillion is one fine hotelier. You have nothing to worry about, it is a fantastic place.
|
I appreciate your input, however, I am not a big fan of Starwood hotels (I come from the hospitality industry) and booked the hotel through a TA before I learned of the new ownership. But I've always wanted to stay there, so we will keep our plans.
|
It is said to be one of the leading hotels in Paris, even though it was one of the six that were found to be engaged in price fixing in 2005 (fined 248,000 euro, the most of any of the six—it was part of Hôtels Concorde at the time). I've heard that the restaurant, Les Ambassadeurs, is superlative.
Over the past few years the Four Seasons George V has consistently been rated at the top, I believe (although it is also one of the six mentioned above). These are all excellent hotels in which to stay if you play to spend your entire trip in your hotel. |
The Crillon is still part of the Concorde Hotel Group (which falls under the umbrella of Louvre Hotel Group), but Starwood has a huge stake in it. I do believe I did hear about the price fixing a couple of years ago but forgot about it. I appreciate your input
|
My dear pariswoman, with your recent posts on the Meurice, Alain Ducasse, and the Crillon, this should be your biggest worry. Perhaps Starrwood is leaving Godiva on pillows now instead of Teuscher. You'll live.
|
pariswoman: I've got almost 40 years in the service industry, I have stayed at the Crillon, GEO V, Athenee, Lancaster, Hyatt Vendome etc. Yes, it is true, the top hotels were charged with price fixing to keep the rates out of sight. I can understand that you want the very best experience, we all do, but relax, it is a great hotel. We have had varying degrees of luck with all these hotels, but I assure you, you will enjoy the experience.
|
Cimbone: my sentiments exactly.
|
It is one of the seven hotels in Paris that is considered to be in the "palace" category. The most recent member is the Fouquet's Barrière which opened six months ago.
Two more "palaces" will open in the next two years, both Asian owned. |
Cimbrone and Richardsonsmn:
I would prefer you two not answer my posts in the future, since you are both quite snide. I asked a simple question, from which I still did not get a reply. |
Sounds like pariswoman needs to forget the Crillon. There's a medical mission in Haiti which would be just the thing to squash pariswoman's anxieties.
|
YOU MUST BE KIDDING! I have answered every post with detailed answers, you need to mellow out, geez. You ain't gonna have any fun with that attitude, have a nice trip.
|
Cimbone; I want you to know how much I appreciated your help with one of my favorite cities, Zurich, beyond informative. i use your info twice a year when we visit, I could move into Baur au Lac and never leave, if only I had the $$$$$$, thanks again.
|
richardsonsnm--I think you're confusing me with Cicerone, the resident Zurich expert. But I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I liked Zurich as well.
|
Your right! sorry.
|
Meanwhile, I have decided that pariswoman can go ---- herself just from her own attitude.
|
Now we know where that "ugly American thing" came from.........
|
I suggest all of you who got so nasty should read paragraph 5 in your subscriber agreement with this website. Seems to me you are not complying. Cheers.
|
pariswoman: "<i>I would prefer you two not answer my posts in the future, since you are both quite snide.</i>" Sorry - but when you post you get what you get. You don't get to pick and choose who responds and who doesn't.
Hope you are in a better mood before you get to the Crillon - it woild be a shame to not enjoy staying at such a wonderful property . . . . . |
I just love it when pompous people post here for validation for their pompousness.
Surely there's a message board somewhere where loads of people have recently stayed at the Crillon and can reassure you that you're not going to be finding scorpions in your mules in the morning. |
Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only one this post rubbed the wrong way. What could this person possibly think has gone wrong with one of the most luxurious hotels in the world? And I ask that in all seriousness. I mean, I sincerely doubt that Starrwood has replaced the Aubusson carpets with linoleum. I'm sure there's still all the gilt and crystal and scraping and bowing anyone could ever hope for.
|
This thread is amazing.
Just when you think you have seen it all. Just a few thoughts. 1. If the ownership bothers you just cancel. 2 One of the problems with public message boards is that we do NOT get to pick and choose our respondents (so you get this which I KNOW you won't like) If you would like to control the respondents, open your own board, pay the hosting costs and invite your friends. Otherwise you take the good with the bad. (And with this attitude anyone care to join me in betting this trip has problems?) |
Pariswoman, ignore the sarcasm. There are some here that do that to everyone.
About hotel affiliations, I have found that that means a bit of a different thing in France than it does here. In France (and quite possibly other countries) that does not mean that they are RUN by in this case Starwood. They align with them and use them more as a booking tool and PR. (There are many exceptions to this like Hilton) For example, if you were to stay at a Best Western in Paris, you would have no idea they had anything to do with the Best Western chain as we know it except for the sign in the window. Each hotel is owned & operated independantly. The rating system is governed by a strict set of rules. i.e. drop the nightly turn down and lose a star. The stars are awarded by the French office of tourism, not a private company and a 5 star hotel (their top rating) would never succumb to the lower standards of Starwood. At any rate, I'm sorry that no one answered your question. I don't know anyone who has stayed there recently but I wouldn't hesitate to book a room there myself just because of the Starwood affiliation. That said, for the experience you are seeking I would not get the cheapest room in any hotel. The next best category will gain you more in service as well as comfort. |
CarolA,
I NEVER jump into these kinds of frays, but I will take up for Laurie. The comment "You'll live" was an obvious dig. She may be spending more on this vacation than a lot of Fodorites but she's trying to make this anniversary trip a very special one. I thought she asked an honest and straightforward question and got a smart aleck reply. But she'll live. |
Just curious....
I grew up the hotel business and worked in the industry for many yrs before opening my own related business. You won't find a pickier person than me when it comes to hotels. But what were you worried about Starwood? Have you personally spent time in so many Starwood properties and had a bad experience. Did you used to work for Starwood Hotels ( a W, a sheraton, Luxury Collection, Le Meridian) One thing I learned growing up in the business, even though I am US based, is that the system of management vastly differs in other countries. The Crillon is magnificent; the public spaces are grand, the hotel breathes history, the location is great. I would just be sure to perhaps upgrade your room to a higher category so as to avoid perhaps being put in a room that brings into too much traffic noise. But as everyone said, relax, this is Paris, chill, chill... drink some wine and ponder over your decision. Many fodorites would love to be in your shoes to afford to stay at the Crillon so consider yourself very fortunate and just go have a good time and let us know how it was! |
Richardssmn, I am an American and
my husband and I try very hard to have respect for the culture and the people when we travel to their countries. |
The whole thing might have turned out a little better for all concerned if the OP had been willing to elaborate on just exactly what her concerns consist of.
All we heard, unfortunately, was she is not a big fan of Starwood hotels. That's fair enough but the reason why she isn't a fan would have been helpful to know so that perhaps the people who have actually stayed in the Crillon could address those aspects directly. A potentially useful thread ended up with little useful information. |
Katiemay: I too am American and proud of it, and when I go to the Crillon, GEO V or whatever, I appreciate the he__ out of it. I understand completely wanting to have the best experience, but come on, this is micrmanaging to the point of ridiculous. I have tried my best to answer each of her 4 threads.
|
SO, you know all about it, its change of ownership and everything and STILL want us to tell YOU "how it is". Puhhleeze. Troll on.
|
I also think St.Cirq has it right. This person needs to go to the proper site
www.pompouspeople.com she will be right at home. |
linda431 and pariswoman have become fast friends - mostly through their loooong discussion of the relative merits of Alain Ducasse, Le Meurice and Tallivent. I'm probably wrong - but I get the feeling this is more "gee, we're special, we can afford the Crillon and Alain Ducasse/Le Meurice/Tallivent" and less actually looking for info . . . . .
|
Just cuious why pariswoman is though to be an American? With the "snide" and "cheers," I thought she was English...
|
Well this has been interesting.
I hope you have an enjoyable stay and a great anniversary. I'm basically just happy to have a clean bed and a working elevator, as long as I get to go to Paris, but we all have different priorities. I truly hope you can overlook any inconveniences that a change in ownership might bring and just enjoy your special time there with your husband. |
Why all the negative comments? Why are you all being so nasty! Is it “eat the rich" night?
Must be a slow day on Fodor’s! The OP asked for very specific advice: “Would like to hear any and all comments about recents stays at the Hotel Crillon in the last 6 months. We are booked there for two nights in November to celebrate our anniversary. Thanks.” - She did not ask for assumptions about relative standards in various high-end hotel chains. - She did not ask for opinions from those that have READ about the hotel, but have not stayed there. - She did not ask for opinions of those who stayed there more than 6 months ago. OP wants to know if there has been any negative change in standard of service since change of ownership. OP states she is in the service industry, so she is probably better informed than most about accommodation standards. Why add commentary if you can’t add value? Why be bitchy ? I certainly don’t think she deserved the vilification she received – if you usually stay in a three-two-star boutique hotel, why even comment on this thread?. From a personal perspective, if I were paying that kind of money for an hotel then I would definitely want to know if change of ownership had resulted in a lower standard of service - there are alternatives to the Crillion, which I think is what Pariswoman is trying to explore. Believe me, I have experienced it, not at the “5-STAR-plus” end of the market, but at the Four-Star-plus. Change in ownership CAN affect FAR more then the choice of chocolate on the pillow! pariswoman: I can’t help on your specific request, but wish you a wonderful 10th anniversary in Paris. Please let me add the following restaurant recommendations: Sanderens (formerly Lucas Carton – a 3* Michelin restaurant), now very affordable. I’ve been there three times (lunch & diner). They serve a glass of the perfect wine with each course – food and wine are heavenly at an affordable price. The décor: extraordinary Art Nouveau interior. You MUST include this restaurant in your plans: http://www.lucascarton.com/ L'AMBROISIE http://www.gastroville.com/archives/france/000012.html It is my one and only 3* Michelin experience (have had 2 & 1 STAR – not the same). My Saturday 220 Euro lunch (for one person) was worth it – a divine experience. Weekday lunches may be a little easier on the pocket. Best regards … Ger |
Ger, I'm sure your right, the place has probably gone down the toilet, I wouldn't stay there now if it was comp. give me a break.
|
Richard - that is NOT what I am saying at all.
Follow the logic: she asked a specific question: "recents stays at the Hotel Crillon in the last 6 months" and not one of the posts adresses this specific question. Regards .. Ger |
No one has yet been able to offer one specific on how standards of service might decline due to a partial change of ownership of an ultra-luxe hotel. As a "working elevator and bathroom down the hall" type of traveler, I'd love to know.
And as far as the expectation that there'd be folks on fodor's lining up to talk about their stays at the Crillon within the past 6 months, well, I'd say that's a somewhat rarefied request. I'm the first to come to the defense of those who are greeted here with unnecessarily snide comments, but there is something wrong with a person who worries if their palace hotel of choice might not be up to her standards. Please. And I'm sure that every second of pariswoman's restaurant and hotel experiences are going to be scrutinized as though she were a zagat reviewer. Can a person like this really enjoy herself? Remember, the best things in life are free. |
"but there is something wrong with a person who worries if their palace hotel of choice might not be up to her standards"
Sorry, Cimbrone, but I disagree that there is anything "wrong" with anyone, staying at ANY level, worrying about their hotel choice, palatial or otherwise. You stated earlier that this post "rubbed [you] the wrong way" and those things do happen. |
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:09 PM. |