Joie Paris St. Germain-des-Prés / Jardin Luxembourg

We stayed in a Superior Double Room. It was stylish and cozy, with a TV. The bathroom was a little compact, but the shower itself was spacious and comfortable. Staff were lovely and helpful throughout. Getting around was easy: only a few RER stops from Gare du Nord, and we could walk to Luxembourg Park, Notre-Dame, Odéon, and some great boulangeries, including one that appeared in Emily in Paris. We visited in late October and the room temperature was just right for us. Some reviews mentioned it being too warm, but we had no such trouble.

At first I was taken aback by how small the room was. I was used to North American room sizes and didn't appreciate the hotel until after we'd left. The staff were helpful and accommodating, and it felt like a very small, personal operation. The smart TV seemed to have an endless number of channels, and the wifi was very good. I'd definitely book here again if I returned to Paris.

For a so-called four-star hotel charging €400 a night, this was a major letdown. The rooms look modern and clean, but the air conditioning didn't work as advertised. There was no individual temperature control, and the centrally managed AC was completely switched off during my stay. The room sat at 24-25°C, with no way to cool it. The unit in the room seemed purely decorative. I couldn't sleep in that heat, and opening the windows wasn't an option because of loud traffic and bar noise across the street. Other problems: no complimentary water or milk, an empty minibar, poor quality pillows, and exposed wiring on the kettle's power cable, which is a safety hazard. The staff were polite but couldn't resolve it. At first they promised to fix the temperature issue, then admitted it was impossible because the central system was off. A comfortable night's sleep is the most basic thing a hotel should provide at €400 per night, and this one failed. Owner, this clearly isn't an isolated complaint, since many reviews mention the same AC issue. If you charge premium rates and market the hotel as four star, working climate control is non-negotiable. Fix it immediately. Unacceptable.

Patricia checked me in and was so warm and welcoming. She helped me figure out Paris transit and directions, and the hotel provides a map plus a short guide with restaurant, bakery, bookstore, and famous attraction suggestions. The area is great, with everything within walking distance. The place is a 10/10: clean, beautifully decorated, and with a comfortable bed.