Villa Alessandra - Paris, France     

I would rate it average for two stars. Small room, tiny closet, dysfunctional shower, threadbare towels, and (at least for the past five days) no air-conditioning: our room has been not been below 85 degrees! Good location, quiet, but don't pay a four-star price for this two-star hotel. As others have noted, most taxi drivers don't know where it is, and some of those that do don't know that the market does not block access. If you arrive during market hours, tell the taxi driver to go around the block.

We stayed here a total of five times because we enjoyed the ambiance and the location. The staff were always friendly. However, on a special visit for my 30th, where we had booked a suite it all went a bit wrong. When we arrived we were shown to a twin room which reeked of smoke. I asked to go back to reception and pointed out that we had booked a suite - but it seems that this had been "given to someone else" - so for the first night a double was rustled up for us. Room was OK, but not what I had booked - and front facing rooms get the 0530 dustbin men wake up call! Second night we were moved to the suite - which was OK - a small sitting room with standard size bedroom. Other reviews on here are pretty accurate on room quality. When we went to check out, I queried the price for the first night, as we had not had the suite, there was a discrepancy of some 50? I was informed that the box of (very nice) chocolates given to us as an apology for cocking up was in fact my refund! - So I had had to pay for my own apology chocolates. all in all, not unbearable, but that was the last time we would stay there - unless we were to hear it had been taken over and refurbished. Summer visits definitely not recommended as the Air-Con is v. poor and rooms are rather small for the class of hotel. Watch out for Farouk the porter - he likes tips... And he is keen to loiter to get them, even when not required. Oh and no room service (despite the menus) on any of our visits - instead the reception gives you a takeaway selection when you have to wait for over an hour for a chinese - not really a good advert for the city of romance and gastonomie!