ibis Paris Gare de l'Est TGV

The only thing I liked was the location. I paid over 500 euros, or over 600 dollars, after booking nearly four months ahead for a non-peak period, and think breakfast should have been included, as it is at Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt. I’ve never paid for breakfast at Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites, Hyatt, Fairfield Inn or Springhill Suites. The lift jerks badly and needs repair or replacement. It seems like a major safety concern. Am I the first to complain about it? The front desk staff member working the nights of Feb 16 and 17 wasn’t keen to help and probably needs customer service training. Housekeeping did its job, but the room carpet was dusty. They need vacuum cleaners, not just brooms.

The staff were so consistently helpful and kind that this became one of the best IBIS hotels I’ve stayed in. I had trouble figuring out the window blinds, and someone came over to show me how they worked. You could tell their help was genuine. The rooms were great, especially considering how close the hotel is to the main stations. There are lots of restaurants in the neighbourhood, and public transport is easy to catch from here. Paris and Parisians have a reputation for being unfriendly. I haven’t personally had terrible experiences in the city, and I can see why people might feel that way given how many visitors it gets, but this hotel and its staff made me rethink that stereotype. The hotel can be on the pricey side, but if you find a reasonable offer like I did, it’s an easy choice. Thanks again to the staff for the wonderful hospitality. Keep it up, because that’s something we’re lacking in the world these days.

I’m sincerely grateful to Bulat for his kindness and support. He was warm-hearted and exceptionally helpful, and thanks to him I felt safe and at ease. He left me with a wonderful impression of Paris and made me very happy with the hotel. Without his help, I might not have enjoyed the stay as much. The hotel is extremely convenient for the train station. The elevator is a little old.

We had a nice view of the Eiffel Tower from our adequate room, and I enjoyed waiting for the lights to come on at the hour. Breakfast is worth trying: fresh croissants, pancakes, eggs fried or boiled, plus fresh bread and fruit. The metro is just around the corner, with restaurants and supermarkets nearby. Staff were polite and helpful, and the service was wonderful.