hotelF1 Paris Gennevilliers

The location was handy, about a 10-minute walk each way to Les Gresillons on the RER C, which connects to central Paris. There’s a large supermarket nearby with a hot food counter, plus a great bakery for coffee and pastries. For food, there’s a fast-food restaurant and another place opposite the station with a fuller menu. But the basics weren’t covered. The receptionist was surly and rude when I arrived. Stale smoke and weed hit you as soon as you enter, and the smell is all through the foyer and rooms. I know smoking is more common in France, but the very similar hotel next door didn’t have this problem. The showers were dirty, with floors caked in grime and clearly not cleaned regularly. I wasn’t expecting five-star service, but if you don’t mind breathing stale nicotine and weed during your stay, the price and location may suit you.

The rooms were clean and acceptable, and a service man helped me get a cheaper room. There was a sharp, unpleasant smell as soon as I arrived in the lobby.

The shared bathrooms were awful, and my room had a cockroach. Even though rooms are supposed to be non-smoking, mine smelled strongly of cigarettes. Noisy and smelly, I wouldn’t recommend this place or stay again even if they paid me.

Our room was very clean when we arrived, and the bed was comfortable. They didn’t clean it during our stay, but we were only there for a weekend. Getting around was easy. The hotelF1 is well located, and the area felt safe to walk in both day and night. Every floor has two shared showers and two shared toilets, though on our floor only one shower worked. The toilets were tiny, had no ventilation, and felt like saunas. There are no towels, but we knew that before arriving, and each room has a small sink for personal use. A few things to keep in mind: reception is open 24/7, but the staff only speak French. Even during the Olympics we couldn’t communicate properly. The hotel advertises air conditioning, but it’s only available in reception. Each room has a large window for fresh air, though in summer the room can get really hot. It’s next to a busy highway, so leaving the window open means noise overnight.