Villa Alessandra - Paris, France 

Declined standards
Posted: Sun, Jun 15 2008
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!