Renaissance Paris Arc de Triomphe Hotel

The location near the Arc is the one thing this hotel really has going for it. For what it costs, I found it pretty average by US standards, and nowhere near a five-star stay. The family rooms were just two beds with no extra space, yet cost twice as much as a regular room. There were several billing and service problems. I was told a rollaway bed was included, then charged 30 Euro extra. Breakfast for two was covered by my Bonvoy status, but we were charged another 70 Euro for the kids even though they didn't have breakfast. I caught that and got it reversed. The hotel booked a taxi van for 85 Euros, but the driver charged extra at drop-off. Staff also need to communicate better in English. The whole stay was unpleasant, and I don't plan to return.

The real standout here was the staff. They were exceptionally friendly, and the reception has dedicated “navigators” who know the area and are happy to help plan your day, book tickets, or share tips for avoiding crowds at popular sights. Their service sent me off in a cheerful mood. The rooms were clean, and the hotel is well located, with plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, plus a Burger King and McDonald’s if you want something familiar. Breakfast had good options for vegetarians. I loved my stay.

Breakfast was a bright spot, thanks to Lotfi, who was wonderful to us. He noticed our Ambassador Elite status and said we deserved the best service, which he really delivered. He made us feel special. The front desk, by comparison, showed little urgency about following up or fixing problems. We don't need apologies, we just hope future guests get a better stay. We arrived around 1-1.30 pm after our Marriott Elite personal concierge had contacted the hotel about our arrival. Our Arc de Triompe Suite wasn't ready, and the front desk seemed unaware we were coming. We understood mistakes happen, so went out for lunch. Two hours later, the room still wasn't ready, and we didn't get upstairs until about 6.30 pm, roughly five hours after arriving. As Ambassador Elite members, we were stunned. We'd never waited that long, even with lower Elite status. The room had a strong musty smell, plus a mild vomit smell lingering in the bathroom. It was very warm, and I accidentally stepped in a wet patch by the refrigerator. Maintenance and housekeeping came quickly after we called. We knew the room type was fully booked and there might be nowhere else to move, so, tired as we were, we stuck it out. We left the living room door open all night to cool things down and clear the musty smell.

The room was beautiful, with a large balcony and views across Paris. We had a wonderful summer stay, and the front desk, breakfast, and concierge teams all made us feel at home. Breakfasts were phenomenal. Camille was especially kind and provided incredible service each morning, remembering our orders and making sure we had everything we needed. It felt like we'd made a friend in Paris. Thanks for the hospitality!