hotelF1 Paris Gennevilliers — Hotel in Arrondissement of Nanterre

When arriving at the hotel we were very happy. Everything was as described, staff and security on Friday 23rd June. Where the most welcoming and accommodating, the cleaners are absolutely lovely and ensure you’re okay. ||One man, which regretfully I didn’t catch his name went above and beyond to ensure we were safe and helped us multiple times that evening with food deliveries and calling restaurants for us.We were so happy. Last night Friday the man at reception was so kind, gave me change for the vending machine and was all smiles and friendly.||||So it was quite a shock to me. That on our last night, it’s 2am I wasn’t too well from the food and I needed a drink so I popped down to reception where I went to the vending machine. Couldn’t see a tea on the menu, so I approached the man sitting at reception. ||||||I said “Bonjour, hello by any chance do you know if there’s anywhere I can get a tea, or by any chance could I please use a kettle” ||||He responded with “what!?”||||So I kindly repeated “anywhere I can get a tea? Or borrow a kettle” ||||He then responded, “it’s not my problem, I’m here”||||I said “oh alright? I was only asking”||||He then said “why you down here at 2am” and looked at his watch… I said “I came down to get a drink and going for a cigarette.”||||He said “go to your room” ||||I said “I’m going for a cigarette, you can’t smoke in the hotel rooms” ||||And then he started talking in French to the security waving his hands around, doing smoking motions and pointing outside. Security then walked directly at me, and started speaking at me in French. I honestly had no idea what was going on. He turned around and went back to his desk. I walked out for a walk and a cigarette. Returned and they were staring and talking in French. Quite honestly I felt intimidated, on edge and very angry. ||||The cheek, I pay for my holiday, my room. My stay. There is no rules in place stating I cannot exit my room at a certain time. ||||The night before and the Friday, I spent most my evening outside with security and at the reception with the lovey staff. This man I had not seen while staying here, and was quite abrupt, rude and condescending. I didn’t dare ask for his name, but he is an old-ish guy, grey hair. ||||Honestly, he has let this hotel down massively and I don’t quite understand what I did so wrong. A nice simple response of “sorry I can’t help you; no kettles” or “a little busy, if it’s not in vending machine- it’s not available”. But he felt the need to imprison me and send me to my room.||||At first, I’d have recommended this hotel but because of this I DO NOT recommend staying here, customer service skills are AWFUL from these 2 members...

We arrived at the hotel where an argument was taking place between what I assume was an irate customer and the receptionist. We managed to check in to find a room with a distinct smokey smell. We noted quickly that there were no towels, something which could have been clarified before arrival. The beds are generously afforded one lumpy duvet and a single odorous pillow. There is a tv in each room, however all channels are in French. Understandable, but would’ve been nice to have at least one channel in other languages.

We pre paid for the breakfast “buffet”, which consists of baguette bits, corn flakes, baguette bits, yoghurt pots (sometimes), sliced bread and more baguettes. One day I arrived 15/20 minutes before it closed only to be berated for coming late. The receptionist then plied me with the remaining baguette bits relieving the bin of its duty. The breakfast is not really worth the money, and there are far too few seats.

The toilets are constantly wet as they are self cleaning. There are also no sinks attached to the toilets so any washing has to be done in the room, which is a great way to spread germs! No towels or soap is provided. The showers require the user to sporadically press the button to keep it going. It feels a bit like being waterboarded as the shower head is stuck at an odd angle. I would advise to give it a quick clean before use. I would also advice crocs or sandals as there is only a wooden floor between the shower cubicle and the room, so it tends to get wet, and one’s feet pick up all manner of interesting objects!

The heater in the room was merely for show and the walls were paper thin, so you are likely to get to know your neighbours fairly well. There is also unfortunately no kettle in the room, although there are coffee and vending machines in the lobby.

The hotel is cheap, so of course you can’t expect the world. It is relatively close to public transport, has parking for cars and local shops. However, it seems that they have tried to save money at every opportunity and will charge for anything they can. I’ve stayed at other budget hotels which were luxurious in comparison!

For a more pleasant night, it is worth spending a bit more money on a...

Impossible to eat breakfast - it looked disgusting; the coffee from the machine was the worst I ever had in my life. From my three-night stay, I tried breakfast only on the first day - it was impossible to have, disgusting bowls of butter and whatever, apparently, without any hygiene. I asked the reception guy if I could be reimbursed for the 2 other days I haven't had breakfast, and he said I should write to their manager. Besides, people speaking on the phone in the stairways (there is no elevator) and speaking super loudly in the hall close by to the rooms` doors, and an overall very unsafe atmosphere, actually, I was even afraid to get robbed inside the hotel, as there was a very strange movement of people coming in and out all the time. I asked for an iron at the reception to iron my shirts, and they asked for a 20 euros caution, and the iron was disgusting, all dirty, and I couldn't use that on my clothes. The first room I was given was pure cigarette smell - it was simply disgusting. I came down at the reception, and the gentleman could finally change my room, but advised he couldn't be sure if the new one wouldn't have a cigarette smell too, as 'they cannot control that' - how come? So, this is a non-smoking hotel, but staff cannot control if people leave rooms filled with cigarette smell, and that's ok?! So luckily, my second room didn't have a cigarette smell, so that was ok. Hotel staff try to be nice, but they must be so used to guests' complaints that they cannot do much. Maybe if you are a refugee or if you have no other place to stay but the streets, this may be an emergency hotel for you; but if you are looking for a place to stay, and you will pay for it, and just want to have a peaceful night of sleep, please RUN - this is...