Vivek Babu
May 25, 2025
My recent stay at the Ibis [Insert specific Ibis hotel name here if you have one, otherwise leave as "this particular Ibis"] in Paris was, to put it mildly, a disaster. What was supposed to be a charming Parisian getaway quickly soured due to the hotel's unacceptable conditions.
The most immediate and inescapable issue was the smell. From the moment we stepped into the lobby, there was a persistent, unpleasant odor – a musty, stale scent that seemed to permeate every corner of the hotel, including our room. It made relaxing impossible and frankly, felt unsanitary. We tried airing out the room, but the smell clung to the old carpets and worn-out furnishings.
Speaking of furnishings, the amenities were shockingly poor, even for a budget-friendly hotel. The "bare-bones" approach here translates to "barely functional." The Wi-Fi was incredibly slow and unreliable, making it a struggle to even look up directions. The television had a limited selection of channels, mostly fuzzy. The bathroom was tiny and poorly maintained, with a shower that fluctuated wildly in temperature and a pitiful supply of thin, scratchy towels. Don't even get me started on the "complimentary" toiletries – a tiny bar of soap and a sachet of something unidentifiable.
The bed was uncomfortable, the pillows were flat, and the overall cleanliness, beyond the smell, was questionable. We found dust in corners and a general air of neglect.
While we weren't expecting luxury, we did expect a clean, comfortable, and functional place to rest after long days exploring Paris. This Ibis failed on all counts. The pervasive bad smell and the shockingly poor amenities made our stay deeply unpleasant. We will absolutely not be returning and would strongly advise anyone looking for a pleasant stay in Paris to look elsewhere. Save your money and your olfactory senses!