ibis budget Paris Porte de Vanves

A good choice for a short stay. Breakfast has a small but varied selection, and the minimalist room was clean and in good condition, with everything working properly. Mine had a queen-size bed and a bunk bed. The sink is in the room, the shower sits behind frosted glass, and a swing door without a lock separates the toilet. A curtain can close off the whole bathroom area from the rest of the room.

The room was appallingly dirty, with hair on the bed linen and a persistent bad smell. The air quality was awful too. I’ve stayed at plenty of ibis hotels, and this was by far my worst experience. Things got worse when a woman who said she was the manager spoke to us rudely and aggressively, looked down on us, and pointed at us. That sort of arrogance and unprofessional conduct is unacceptable in a hotel. I hope head office takes steps to improve staff professionalism. People choose this chain because of its brand reputation, so it’s disappointing to find service and standards so far below expectations.

You get what you pay for, I suppose. I had a room with a large bed and a smaller one above it, but climbing the ladder was annoying and felt unstable. For safety, they don’t make up the top bed, so you have to do it yourself with the sheets they provide. The sheets were poor quality and had no elastic to hold them to the mattress. Our window wouldn’t open at all during the trip, though you’re supposed to ask someone to open it. The toilet is apart from the shower and sink, and the shower’s clear door leaves you exposed. Towels were tiny and poor quality. No fridge in the room, and the downstairs vending machines don’t take cards.

We were really happy with the place and wouldn’t mind coming back. The parking was a great deal, just €12 for 24 hours when we visited, in a secure underground garage. Getting in was a little confusing, but we worked it out. Staff were extremely welcoming and friendly. The rooms are basic, but fine for a couple of cheaper nights in Paris, though I’d choose somewhere else for a romantic stay. You can walk to the Eiffel Tower in about 45 minutes, and there’s plenty of food nearby, including a McDonalds. The location is hard to fault. If you drive into the city centre, you’ll need a special Paris Eco Sticker, which is very cheap.