Beware of the Mayfair
by TripAdvisor Member DetroitAlicia
We recently stayed at the Hotel Mayfair in the 1st Arondissement. Great location, near the famous Rue de Rivoli with many shops; high end and affordable souvenir shops. You can walk to Place de la Concorde. It is also near the Louvre museum and close to two Metro stops. It was a very cozy, friendly hotel with spacious rooms. However we were forced to leave with a bad taste in our mouth when we discovered extra charges on our bill for Breakfasts! They tell you that you get a continental breakfast everyday, which is included, but we were charged 54 Euros for taking "supplements" from the breakfast table that WASN'T designated "continental". It was an easy mistake, because all four of us who traveled together were surprised by these charges on our bills and had no idea we were being charged an additional $6 each day that we took something off of the 'other' table. They did not reverse the charges when explained that we didn't know that taking a cheese from the "other table" would cost us 6 Euros! So just beware. They watch your every move in the dining room and you will be charged for even a glass of milk! This honest mistake cost me an extra $75 at check out.
Ooh la la Hotel Mayfair
by A TripAdvisor Member
My wife and I spent ten thoroughly sublime nights at the Hotel Mayfair. Our room was large, cozy, immaculately clean, huge bath, and had a stunning view of the Jardin des Tuileries from the balcony. Its closeness to nearby rue St-Honoré with all of its shops, cafes and convenience stores was ace after a day of drifting through central Paris, which is right at the Mayfair's doorstep. The Continental breakfast (it doesn't take a lot of effort to delineate this from a full breakfast) was just the treat before museums, etc. and then lunch out.
All of the staff were exceedingly charming and helpful, especially Sandrine and Beatrice at the desk.
In a way I hope I don't inspire the same reaction from too many others, as I don't want the Mayfair to become due for a revival any time soon. I want it to stay one of the City of Light's better kept secrets!
Watch their breakfast!
by TripAdvisor Member radams42
I had read the comments of other reviewers so was very cautious about instructions about what EXACTLY was on the included meal. I thought I had it all figured out until I went to check out and was told I owed another $80 for the extras I had taken. Where as I understood that the cold cereal was included, I was informed that I was wrong. Those two tablespoons of cereal cost me $8.00 each and every time. If I had realized that I was into the extras, I would have eaten the sliced ham, cheese and fresh strawberries. They would not listen to any comments from me!!
As the only positive, the location is perfect for walking to most all sights.
Boutique hotel, centrally located
by A TripAdvisor Member
Spent a week in this hotel over New Years and thoroughly enjoyed the ambience, the staff, and the location. Didn't eat dinner there, but did have some soup one day, which was quite tasty. The service was very good and the entire staff was extremely gracious to someone who came down with influenza during his stay. The continental breakfast was included and a nice bonus. Put it this way: I'll stay there again because the people were so friendly.
Average - just average
by TripAdvisor Member paulde
Checked out this place on the strength of the reviews posted here, and have to confess that I was a little disappointed. I'm sure they have nice rooms but ours was distinctly pokey, and overlooking an oh-so-French back alley to boot. Comfy enough but no coffee/tea making facilities which seems to be an increasing trend - personally I'd skip the mini bar for a caffine shot on arrival. I had breakfast out since I can't stand haggling over what is/isn't included, but a glance at the offerings suggested that I wasn't missing much. Nice area and location and all that, but if you're planning a romantic weekend personally I'd go elsewhere.
2 weeks at the Mayfair
by TripAdvisor Member SWtravelor
Just got back from 2 weeks in Paris where we stayed at the Mayfair. I had read all the reviews carefully before hand. The staff is very nice and helpful. They have you sign a paper when you check in that states what is included in the free continental breakfast but most people are probably too tired after a long trip to pay much attention. I then confirmed it with the dining room staff on the first morning and was never charged for anything. Usually the hotels I stay at include breakfast or not and don't have such a confusing system. Room OK (asked for one facing an inside couryard to cut down on noise), only one English TV station (CNN). This may be important for those with kids.The hardest bed I have ever encountered. Had problems sleeping on it for long periods of time. Location is great but would have felt ripped off if it were not for the GO Today special. Was overall OK but would not choose it again.
Adequate Accomodations in a Good Location
by TripAdvisor Member aldc
Stayed at the Mayfair in a double with my boyfriend for three nights this past week. Overall the accomodations were fine, nothing horrible and nothing outstanding.
Checking In: We arrived around 9 and were allowed to check in around 10. Definitely appreciated this because we needed a quick nap before heading out.
Room: We had a room (12A) with a double bed on the first floor (one level up from the lobby) facing the front of the building and it was certainly quiet enough. Room itself was on the small side, just enough space for our double bed, a desk and the TV. There was a tiny front room that had hooks for your coats and the main room and the bathroom were accessed from that. The bathroom was a good size and the tub especially was big, a pleasant surprise. For toiletries there was soap, shampoo and shower gel, no conditioner or lotion. Tall ceilings so even though the room was small we didn't feel boxed in, and a good amount of hanging space in the closets but no drawers (there were some shelves, I believe under the area with the safe). Everything was very clean.
Breakfast: The continental breakfast was spelled out in detail. Also, everything that was included was located on one table. It was adequate but nothing spectacular: mini chocolate croissants, mini regular croissants, mini raisin croissants, two types of bread, butter, jams, orange juice, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and water. This was all serve yourself, buffet style. You could also get coffee, tea, and hot chocolate (fair) which the waiter would bring to you. Enough to get you going and out for the day. On a separate table was milk, cereal, some cold cut type meat, cheese and fruits. Nothing too tempting.
Ambience: Very quiet and a small, boutique-type hotel. Never seemed crowded. When we grabbed breakfast early (7) or late (10) we were the only ones around. Once I popped into the dining room at 8:30 AM and there were about 10 other people downstairs.
Location: Hard to find, but close to everything. As I said, it's a small hotel, and located on a tiny side street. Make sure you have a good sense of how to get there because when asking people for the street, no one had any idea (even taxi drivers), even when only a block or two away. When getting a taxi back at night, just say the Westin on Rue de Rivoli which is on the same block. Just two blocks from the metro stop at the Concorde (Place de la Concorde). From there a 15-20 minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe. Also about 10-15 minute walk to the Louvre, same to the Musee d'Orsay, 15-20 minutes to Rodin Museum/Hotel des Invalides, about 15-20 to Notre Dame/Sainte Chapelle. On the other side of the street from the Jardins de Tuilleries. We only metro-ed to Montmartre/Sacre Coeur and walked everywhere else (other than a cab back from the Eiffel Tower one night).
Issues: Our safe didn't work. On three different occassions we locked it and it then wouldn't open, we kept having to get someone to open it for us. Once we closed it without even locking and it locked anyway. So strange. Though we put up the "do not disturb" sign twice, the maid came in both times. We were worried since we didn't know if our safe was secure but the "do not disturb" sign seemed to have no effect on the cleaning crew. The hair dryer in our room was the weakest I've ever seen. Honestly, it was like having someone breathe out warm air onto you.
Nice touches: There are large umbrellas in an umbrella stand next to the downstairs desk that you can take for the day. There is a newspaper/magazine desk with USA today and some other things for reading material. The day time desk staff was very nice, knowledgeable and helpful. (The night time desk staff wasn't so great, one lady couldn't give us any suggestions for nice restaurants (strange) and a gentleman with a moustache just seemed surly.) You leave your key at the desk when you leave so you don't have to worry about carrying it around all day.
Getting there: Roissy bus from Charles de Gaulle airport stops at the Opera Garnier, just a 5 to 10 minute walk away. Less than 10 euros per person and a great way to get to the hotel. Just make sure to print out a map, the one on the hotel's site will do, to get you there.
In the neighborhood: A couple of good restaurants in the vicinity. The Welcome Cafe (on the Rue de Rivoli 5 or six blocks down, towards the Louvre) had a great onion soup, but nothing else spectacular. Filled with locals though so that's always nice (also filled with smoke). Just two blocks away in the same direction on the Rue de Rivoli is Angeline which serves a good hot chocolate and nice pastries. The other way on (I think) the Rue de Royal has the famous Laduree--tea and sandwiches. Expensive shopping all around you, but the real draw is the Galeries Lafayette mega department store about 10 minutes away.
As I said, the location is just perfect for tourists. But my next trip we'll probably stay somewhere else, maybe somewhere with a livelier nighttime scene. And it'd be nice to have larger accomodations.
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