Hôtel Splendide Royal Paris - Relais & Châteaux

The rooms really are lovely, and the bathrooms, décor, and setting are all beautiful. But for the rates they charge, I expected much more care from a small Relais & Châteaux hotel with just 12 rooms. The service made this feel closer to a three-star stay than a five-star one, and I probably wouldn’t choose it again on my next Paris trip. Breakfast was a letdown too. On the first morning, the restaurant service was slow and disorganized, and even though it’s à la carte, a glass of orange juice took 15 minutes. The food was just average, with bread that tasted stale. For the next three mornings we ordered the complimentary in-room breakfast, which was a nice perk, but orders came incomplete and one arrived 20 minutes late. I had to call reception to ask where it was. I also had trouble getting clear help with parking. Before we arrived, I asked about nearby options and was told there were some, but nobody mentioned that guests could use the spaces right in front of the hotel. I only found out after struggling to park on a quiet Tuesday night and asking staff myself. The neighborhood wasn’t the problem. There’s not much to the hotel beyond the rooms and service, and while the rooms are excellent, the service doesn’t live up to what’s advertised. Even hotel guests don’t get priority at the restaurant, and you need a credit card guarantee to book a table, which felt odd for a five-star place. At a lower price, I could see giving it four stars. With such high rates and inconsistent service and food, the value just didn’t meet my expectations.