Hotel les Hauts de Passy - Trocadero Eiffel - Paris, France     

I arrived late at night, to be told not to unpack, my room would be changed the next day due to "paint odors". I was led up a drop-cloth covered stairway to my room -- that should have been my first clue to find a new hotel. Not only was the hotel being painted with oil-based paint, but crews worked from 7 AM every morning hammering and sawing. (No hope for a late-morning sleep of afternoon nap!) Housekeeping thoughtfully left the windows open every day to help rid the room of pervasive paint fumes, which would have been wonderful had temperatures not been in the 20s (Fahrenheit). Thermostats were regulated, strictly, at about 64 degrees, and night staff seemed not to understand requests to increase the temperature. The lovely lobby and garden may as well not have existed -- they were stacked with carpet rolls and building supplies. As for breakfast, it consisted of a basket of bread, an urn of coffee, hot water, and juice , with no attendant-- I don't think I've seen worse anywhere; and, at 7.5 E! Only the day staff spoke passable English (though I have to say she was very nice), so be sure you speak French (which I do, that was not my problem). I felt that the hotel should either have closed during renovation or offered a signficant discount. I broached the subject and got a usual French "You have got to be kidding" response. The hotel is on a lovely street, but if you are looking for other than rock bottom, keep looking. From the bed, I could touch all four walls. There is no closet, only a rod in an indentation. No dresser. No shelf or counter in the bath. You better not be six feet tall or your knees will hit as you sit on the toilet. Thin towels. Minimal toiletries. In otherwords, rock bottom.