Le Meridien Etoile, Paris

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Quality of Rooms
Standard of Service

Advantages:	spotlessly clean, luxury hotel .
Disadvantages:	costs

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

It was my wife’s 40th birthday, so what could I do that was a little special? What about a trip in a hot air balloon? That was out as she doesn’t like heights. What about a weekend in Blackpool? Not an option as it isn’t her favourite place. So I choose Paris. It would be our first time out of the country together and as a couple with no children! And where better than the romantic capital of the world? So I booked the short stay at my local Thomas cook, and we decided on Le meridian hotel in Montparnasse – Paris.

The hotel was built in 1974 and has 25 floors, with eight lifts (elevators) and 953 rooms.

The hotel offers a range of ‘extras’ including, 24 hour room service and reception and concierge desk: Fax machine, interconnecting rooms, e-mail facilities, Currency exchange, Laundry/dry cleaning service, Safe deposit and express check out. I expect these are the norm these days.

Arriving at our hotel via taxi from Paris Euro-star station, the first thing that hit me was the unfriendliness (not to mention bad driving) of our taxi driver. He was let’s say, less than helpful, and even charged me extra for putting my wheelchair and cases in the boot! It wasn’t the best start to any holiday, but we were determined to enjoy this ‘special break’ nonetheless.

Things changed when getting out of the taxi and a man came up and took our cases, and led us to reception, where we were quickly booked in. I was a little doubtful when the receptionist asked for my credit card details (I’m not a regular stayer in hotels), after explaining it was in case I had things booked to my room I gave them to her.

As we were escorted to the lift (and there was eight of them in all), the first thing I noticed was the brightness and cleanliness of the whole place. The lifts had mirror wall’s making it feel larger than its size – although it was far from small. All the trimmings were in gold such as the lift doors, knobs etc.

The hotel boasts some 2,300 under cover parking spaces, for which they charge a fee of €2.20 per hour or €21.00 for 24 hours (equivalent in sterling £1.43 or £13.65 approximately)

So what was the room like? It was extremely comfortable and spotlessly clean. We were about half way up the tall building, and despite my extreme fear of heights, I managed to assure myself on at least a few occasions that’s should the building collapse I wouldn’t feel anything. But I was still worried about emergency escapes if there was a fire; the only escape from my room was the window with one hell of a drop outside. Back to the room, it had a very comfortable king size bed, with a mini bar and colour TV with only one BBC English Channel, plus the obligatory French channels plus films and adult films etc.

The bathroom was spotless and shiny – not one drop of lime scale anywhere, not one chip to be seen, and the bath was deep and luxurious. The taps and fixtures were so shiny you could use them as mirrors. You also got the usual bubble bath, shower gel, etc.

We decided one evening to have a meal in our room, so I rung up and placed our order. We decided on salmon to start, followed by steak and chips (ever the adventurous) and topped off with some extremely fattening dessert. The waiter came in and prepared the table. Within minutes he’d left and we begun the meal. “ARGH! I cried this salmon is raw!” my wife agreeing carried on eating hers; while I left that (I’ve seen the effect of ‘off’ sushi). Removing the silver dome from our main course revealed a rather tasty looking steak and some slim French fries. I tucked into the steak and again my voice could be heard in horror as the meat of the steak was red, only the outside was cooked! Do they cook nothing in France I thought? I managed to eat a little more of the steak than I did the salmon, but completely devoured the fries. The last course was so heavily saturated in sugar I could not have possibly touched it without my blood sugars being raised for about six weeks after! So all in all a successful meal I’d say?

Just outside the hotel and down the street a little is a small shopping centre, with a few shops that might be appealing. Plus a café! A chance to savour some more delights of France: I ordered a tea – YUCK (there tea really is not up to anything)! Next time a coffee again –YUCK! I was given a cup which was actually big enough for a Barbie doll, and it was like syrup, and very potently strong. Give me an instant any day! Luckily for us we had spotted a couple of life savers in the form of a McDonalds and a small but well stocked French supermarket. Here we managed to buy some crisps and snacks to eat in our room, plus some water and wine (bargain price at less than a £1 a bottle). In McDonalds we had exactly the same choice as you do here, except you have to order in French of course.

The hotel organises ‘tourist’ trips around France’ Élysées s capital city with stops at places such as: the Eiffel tower and Champs de Elleysée, and Notre Dame Cathedral. All these tourist sights are within reach of the hotel and approximately

 Eiffel Tower - 15 minutes by subway (direct access)
 Saint-Germain des Pres - 5 minutes by subway (direct access and 15 minutes walking distance)
 Montparnasse - 5 minutes walking distance
 Nôtre-Dame Cathedral - 10 minutes by subway
Louvre Museum - 15 minutes by subway
 Champs Élysées - 15 minutes by subway
 Just across the road from the hotel is the French underground

If eating in your room doesn’t appeal you could try one of the hotel three restaurants. We only tried Justine’s, for breakfast – which we had no complaints about and produced food to a high standard, which was constantly topped up.

Montparnasse ’25 is an elegant dining room which has a 1920’s theme, complete with interior garden and reproduction works of Modgliani and Van Dongen.

While the Café Atlantic –allows you to enjoy a friendly atmosphere at any time of day. It is the perfect place to unwind over a cocktail, savour a light meal, or live it up over a nightcap in a musical ambiance. While we were enjoying a drink the piano was being played, and we felt ‘special’.

~~~MOBILITY IMPAIRED TRAVELLER~~~

The hotel is well equipped for the disabled traveller. It offers rooms which have special features, as you’d expect. The lifts are spacious enough for a wheelchair and a few other people also. One problem is the sheer ‘heaviness’ of your room entry door, if you are travelling alone you may want to enquire about this. Staff are more than helpful, and you can sit and enjoy a drink in the ‘bar/café’ and have it brought to you and charged to your room! (Now we feel like a star).

We travelled by Euro-star, and arranged help for getting on and off the trains. Upgrading to first class at a cost (what it cost us) £39 each is well worth it. You get extra leg room, and plenty of extras like champagne, drinks, and a meal.

Travelling by taxi to your hotel is somewhat difficult, and you may (like we were) be charged extra for being in a wheelchair, plus extra luggage-a totally unacceptable behaviour.

Overall:
I would highly recommend this hotel, it is a touch of class, and brings you into a ‘special’ status. Prices range and they currently have special offers so why not check their web site (stated below)

My ratings:

Food 5/10
Staff friendliness 9/10
Cleanliness of hotel 10/10
Overall 9/10

Contact details:

Le Meridien Montparnasse 19 rue du Commandant Mouchotte, 75014 - Paris, 75014, France

www.lemeridien.com

Thanks for reading - Dave

Example costs:
can of coke - £3
TV dinner £22
TV video film £7.50
Comb from chemist £22