Les Jardins du Marais

I went up and down when how I felt about this hotel. I like the area. The second room was nice enough and has a mini fridge, one burner, a tiny microwave, and a tiny dishwasher! There’s enough water pressure in the shower. Deep tub. The room is relatively clean. However, my very expensive and hard to get soap that I need for my extremely sensitive skin mysteriously went missing. They said I needed to take my laundry to the front desk and would get it back the next day. Nope. They couldn’t find it. Didn’t know what happened. I must be lying. Until. Oops. No one sent it out, it was still there at the front desk the next night. At least it wasn’t stolen? The first room was very small and dingy. I would never stay there again. I would have left and stayed elsewhere, but they upgraded me to a decent room— with a bigger bed, tiny balcony, mini kitchen, etc. But although they did move my bags for me, which was very nice of them, my face wash, soap, tweezers, and a couple other small things went missing. I overheard someone asking for a room without a tub. The tub is deep and high. The person just had knee surgery and couldn’t get in it. They weren’t able to switch rooms to something they could shower in. The front desk is understaffed and there was always a long line. Expect to wait to check in, ask about laundry, drop off laundry, ask about missing items from room, etc. Their English is very good, you don’t need to speak French.

We had booked the executive suite, the largest room. Not much of a view. If you want a view look elsewhere. This is a bunch of old buildings converted into a hotel. Close to a metro station which was very convenient. Also across from a cute but slightly expensive shop and cafe called Merci. There are many restaurants and cafés nearby. Marais is a fun area to walk around and explore. We had called Mathias earlier on the phone as we were worried about some other reviews. Not many breakfast options for vegetarians and even less for vegans. But from the second day they prepared grilled mushrooms for us on request. Larry, Pedro, Daniel were very helpful. They helped us with extra water for the whole stay at no extra charge. We were welcomed with a complimentary bottle of wine. One friend had injured his leg and the lift down to the breakfast helped. The room had a microwave hot plate kettle mini dishwasher mini fridge but not enough crockery and cutlery for 2 people. The shower did not have a overhead shower and so the hand shower is inconvenient for a short person. Toiletries were sufficient. It’s a bit far from main attractions if you are a first timer. All in all it was a great place to stay though different rooms and buildings might have different flavours.

Upon arrival at the hotel we were checked in swiftly, the receptionist was polite welcoming and very accommodating. We were given our keys explained about the premises and location of the breakfast area. We were asked if we wanted assistance with our luggage ( as I never travel light) but we were happy to take them ourselves. Walking through the courtyard so beautiful so Parisian to the ‘Gauguin’ building. Clean surroundings, entered the room exceeded my expectations, and a balcony at the end of the room! So French I was in my element. The bathroom well present beautiful shower/hand wash, details matter. Facilities in the room: a petit dishwasher/ microwave and a hob if one wished to cook a little, not for me. Unpacked plenty of hangers room for his/her wardrobe. Slippers to walk in the room as it’s a no sheo policy for me. King size bed beautiful coordinated furnishings. Breakfast was an array of French croissants and petit pastries, through to fresh fruit/juice. The full breakfast for the ones who need more than fruit. An abundance and an amazing selection again greeted with a smile. Ouassila, smily face accommodating and friendly even when the drizzle did not care everyone else I needed an umbrella, she knew! Henique who checked us in, greeted us with a smile and was again extremely helpful with maps for the local area and directions. Overall, I would without as shadow of doubt return to this hotel. Location was perfect quiet but easy for the Metro St-Sebastian Froissart 2mins from the hotel but plenty near by. The Marais district direct across the road ten minute walk to the Pablo Picasso museum which is a must. Surrounded by cafes restaurants patisseries supermarkets. I could go on and on. I will return when the summer blooms in Paris and stay longer than just a weekend.

Not what I expected. 4 star with glamorous outdoor photos...lead me to believe the inside and service of staff would be the same! Desk greeted us at arrival and we went to our room with our luggage and all by ourselves. It felt stuffy and we needed to open windows for a breeze of fresh air. Soon after a knock at the door brought a bottle of wine that was advertised as included in my special room...handed to me by the person who knocked. Room temperature, no Wine opener or ice bucket. Later I phoned down to desk and asked for a bottle opener I was told I could come to desk to get it. What happened to 4 star quality hotel. Not here. Nothing special about guest and services. 2nd day ::We finished the handpump of shower gel/ shampoo (2 uses in 1 bottle) and left top off so room service would know it needed fill up. Returned from day touring to a snack wrapper still on guest bed table and empty soap. Went to desk and requested soap since it was replaced during our Friday out when hospitality tended to the room and the man asked if I REPORTED WE NEEDED SOAP? My presumption would have been when the housekeeper lifted the empty bottle to return the lid they would fill the empty bottle. We went to our room and they brought up different products for showering. As we entered and exited it seemed uncomfortable for the desk staff to greet us at any time. Perhaps a simple Bonjour may have been heard yet no personalization or questions of our stay or needs as expected. Each day we passed a plugged in water filter machine that gave no water to fill our re fillable bottles. Each day we purchased many bottles of water for our excursions. 3rd day:: After returning to our room a knock was at the door. A small candy was given to me. I wondered was this the bed turn down service we hadn't received any other evening. 1 candy wrapped was handed to me ...I said we have 2 guests, in English as the housekeeper smiled and turned as she walked away. Guess what the soap was still not filled yet! Lid off and placed far away from it, this time to show it needed filling. The used glass from day 1 was now replaced with a clean one. Day 4: Early flight out. We checked out with no questions or chit chat from front desk about our stay. We asked if we could leave our luggage, 7:00am as our airport ride was coming at 7:20am. We received a ticket for our luggage as we placed it along the bottom edge of counter and we quickly went to breakfast to grab something. We returned at 7:16am..Taxi was there I asked new front desk staff...where is our luggage. The response was it's downstairs. Downstairs? We were gone for 16 minutes. We told the desk we were leaving at 7:20 to keep our luggage and watch it till taxi comes. We reminded them our name and to tell taxi we would be here at 7:20. Desk man said "Well you should have planned for yourself" What???!!! I did plan. I asked desk to watch while we got complimentary breakfast as we were to go on by taxi to airport. He then added the desk probably didnt understand what youbsaid. Really??? Then why wouldnt they have tried to clarify their misunderstanding if they had one? Slippers were lovely ! Again, where is the guest relations? Will not recommend not return.

Perfectly good 3rd floor room with all facilities and comforts. Good value as picked it from Tripadvisor. Expensive taxi ride to get here but you can travel from Gare du Nord on the very frequent bus which stops about 100m away. Metro station 2 mins walk as well. Breakfast looked overpriced but this is PAris - the caff on Rue Amelot did a good one for 8 Euro. The location looks a little off the track unless you use Google or Citymapper to work out journey times when you realise it is far from that. And the staff are helpful with decent English, not that it was needed. I shall be staying here again soon.