Simon's Boutique Hotel

The staff were fantastic and helpful, and the metro is very close. We had a lovely balcony, though it would have been much more useful with a table and chairs. The hotel felt like a little oasis from the lively neighbourhood outside, with clean, well-equipped rooms and good bathrooms. We did have no hot water for 24 hours. The area reminded me of Brixton, Peckham, or Tooting in London, with lots of different cultures and activity at all hours. You can find food practically 24/7, and it can be lively. There are good shops and restaurants nearby, including great cheap chicken shops open late, which came in handy when I got back late.

A couple hundred metres from the nearest Metro station, so it's convenient for reaching Paris's tourist spots. The hotel is also an easy walk from Gare du Nord, which made arriving by Eurostar straightforward. Our room was clean, the staff were friendly and helpful, and breakfast facilities were good.

We had a confirmed booking online, but check-in was a very disappointing experience. Staff treated us poorly and asked for extra charges that weren't stated in the reservation. When we declined and asked to cancel, they refused. We left without staying, but the payment was still taken. That's unacceptable, especially for guests travelling from another country. I can't recommend Simon’s Boutique Hôtel because of the unprofessional staff and unfair charges.

While I was sitting on the lobby couch, someone suddenly grabbed my bag from beside me and ran off in front of the reception staff. I hadn't left their sight. I asked them to help and show me the surveillance footage, but they refused and didn't seem surprised. It made me feel they knew the thief or what had happened. I found the hotel very bad and unsafe, and felt the neighbourhood wasn't safe either, with theft happening in hotel lobbies.