As the title of this article indicates, choosing the right hotel in Paris is vital. Many people come away from their “dream trip” to Paris disillusioned and unhappy. Much of their disappointment comes from choosing the wrong hotel. Even if they prepared ahead of time, websites and travel brochures can often be misleading. It helps to know ahead of time what to watch for when planning your trip.
Good Service
Larger hotels that cater to business travelers, as well as large luxury or resort hotels, generally tend to meet the standard of service expected by American or British travelers. The higher the star rating, the higher the ratio between staff and client, and this equates to better service.
The smaller, boutique hotels are definitely more quaint and intimate, but are often family-run and have a limited staff to serve their guests. Often they count on one person to run the entire front desk, checking guests in, fielding telephone calls, giving directions, etc. The smaller staff may add up to a longer wait to get your room cleaned or for room service to follow through on requests.
Generally, the service is satisfactory. Keep in mind, however, that the French are more formal, a trait which may be interpreted by some as cool or even unfriendly. In Paris, don’t expect to buddy up with the staff or be on a first-name basis.
The Value of Client Reviews
In this tec
hnological age, travelers often check sites such as Trip Advisor to read client reviews before taking a trip. What many do not realize, however, is that many of these reviews are fake, as indicated in a recent NY Times article. In other words, many are paid reviews and basically no more than works of fiction. Even if a review is legitimate, unless the reviewer is a seasoned traveler, they can only base their opinion on their own experience with one or two Paris hotels – they have nothing to compare it to, so their knowledge of Paris hotels is limited.
In addition, the majority of reviewers are by people with complaints. It’s the negative experience that motivates a person to write a review, generally speaking. These reviews can be helpful, however, in small ways. For instance, if someone complains they could hear lots of noise from the pool or lobby from their room, take it to heart and avoid rooms near the lobby or pool. If they complain that the showers are too small, get a room with a bathtub.
With this information and a little research ahead of time, you can ensure your own dream trip to Paris is a success.
