Saint-James & Albany - Paris, France     

I recently was fortunate enough to spend 2 nights in Paris with my husband and 2 daughters aged 11 and 14. We travelled from Australia and our stay in Paris was part of a pre- Mediterranean cruise. I searched the web for weeks trying to find suitable accommodation for a family of 4. Finally I booked this hotel on their website using the Family Break Package which was 675 E for 2 nights accommodation in a junior suite, full buffet breakfast daily, private transfer from the airport and Louvre tickets and drinks vouchers ( non alcoholic) at the bar. After reading some of the reviews on this website I was quite apprehensive, and wondered several times if I should cancel. Well, am I glad I didn't!! It turned out to be a great place to stay! First of all, we were met as we exited the airport at CDG at 7am by a driver holding a sign with our name. He took us in his lovely minivan to the hotel chatting in French ( with me responding in my limited high school French) all the way. We arrived at the hotel about 8.15 am and the girl at reception was very helpful and amazingly said we could have our room straight away. I can tell you that was much appreciated after a 21 hour flight from Australia!! The junior suite was beautiful - a sitting area with bathroom and lovely courtyard views with a sofa which opened out into 2 separate single beds for the girls, and a loft area with a queen sized bed for us. Lovely bathroom upstairs too - all looked very modern. The courtyard area is lovely and there is a plaque commemorating the visit to the hotel in 1779 by Queen Marie Antoinette. We found our room to be quiet, well serviced, and very large. The bar was lovely, and the buffet breakfast wonderful in a cellar area which added to the experience. Huge selection at breakfast. In room safe very useful. As others have stated , the location is excellent - adjacent to the lovely Tuileries gardens, Louvre ( amazing), and great shopping on the Rue de Rivoli. Easy metro across the road which we used to visit Sacre Coeur. Also used the 2 day Batobus hop on hop off ticket (14E adults 7E children) which was a lovely way to get around. Went to the top of the Eiffel Tower - great - but expect long lines to get from level 2 to 3. Checkout was easy and the doorman organised a cab to take us to the train station. All the staff spoke excellent English. So glad I didn't cancel - this hotel really enhanced our experience and enjoyment of this wonderful city. As I see it, you can stay in a modern hotel anywhere in the world, but you can't always get the character and atmosphere that go with a historic building like this.

Yes, the websites tries to make the hotel look like a four star (highest rating in Paris) and it is not but it is a very lovely hotel in a fantastic location and if you get a good package rate it is well worth the stay. Just be aware of what you are getting. 1. The room (a superior room #608) was very nice and huge!! There was two sets of double windows that opened to overlook the centre courtyard, a sitting are with a chaise lounge, a small wooden bistro table for in-room dining, a writing desk and a toilet that was seperate from the main bathroom complete with tub. Now the building is old, which added to the character and romance of the overall room, but the bathroom does not have venting so there was some expected peeling and chipping of paint. There was also a slight lack of details in the finishing touches in the bathroom. A minor modern renovation would result in a stunning bathroom. But again it was nice, not Ritz Carlton but very nice. 2. The registration area is a little chaotic but the staff was very , very accomodating, pleasant and made sure everything was clearly explained in English, as I speak no French, even though my partner speaks fluent French. It was a very appreciated attempt to make us feel welcome in our native language. 3. The location is fantastic!!! On the Rue d' Rivloi directly across from the Tuillieres station on the Metro and the beautiful gardens of the same name. Cross through the gardens and you are on the Seine, right across from the Orsay Museum, stroll through the gardens to one end and you are at the Louvre (really only about 300 meters from the hotel). The Champs Elysees is a short walk or an even quicker metro ride (only two stops). In the other direction you are equally as close to Saint Michelle and Notre Dame. The Royal Palais and gardens are just a few blocks away and the Eiffel Tower is just as easily reached by foot or Metro. Would I stay again? Yes, without hesitation, as the location was ideal and the hotel was lovely and worth what I paid in the package deal with Eurostar/Expedia. Would I saty there for the rack rate? Probably not as the Westin, just a 100 meters away, was the same rack rate and much nicer. So if you get a deal, give it a try and hopefully you get an excellent room like I did and have an equally wonderful stay.