Hôtel Villa Nicolo - Tour Eiffel — Hotel in Paris

We booked and fully prepaid a room for one adult and one child several weeks in advance. Upon arrival, I was accompanied by two children aged 8 and 11. Despite their young age, the hotel manager refused to check us in unless we paid for an additional room. I was told that my children might "break the bed," which is an unreasonable and offensive assumption. When I explained that my children were too young to stay alone in a separate room in a foreign city, the manager showed no understanding and no willingness to find a solution.

Instead, I was given an ultimatum: either make a decision within 10 minutes or be completely denied accommodation — with no refund of over €1000 already paid. The level of pressure and complete lack of flexibility was both stressful and unacceptable.

To make matters worse, the manager made inappropriate jokes about taking my phone, which deeply unprofessional — especially given the amount of money we were being charged for this experience.

In terms of the facilities: soundproofing is virtually nonexistent. You can hear your neighbors as if they are in the same room. If you're seeking privacy or rest, this is not the place.

In hospitality, service should always come first. Here, you will find neither the level of service expected for the price nor basic human decency. I would strongly advise against staying at this property — especially for families traveling with children.

Update in response to the hotel's reply:

Dear Villa Nicolo Team,

I would like to remind you that under Article 227-17 of the French Penal Code, leaving a child under the age of 15 alone in a hotel room may be considered endangering the child’s health or safety, punishable by up to 2 years in prison and a €30,000 fine. Despite knowing that both of my children were under 12, your staff insisted that I either leave one or both of them alone in a separate room or forfeit my fully prepaid stay. This placed me, as a parent, under unlawful and unethical pressure to commit a criminal offense under French law. It is clear that the primary goal of the hotel in this situation was simply to sell an additional room — not to ensure safety, comfort, or apply common sense. There was no flexibility, no consideration for the realities of traveling with children, and certainly no human approach to resolving the situation. Situations can vary, and unforeseen circumstances happen. In this case, your insistence on separating a parent from their young children during a stay in a foreign city was not only unreasonable, but could have exposed the children to serious risk in the event of an emergency or other unforeseen incident. This rigid policy disregards basic child safety, and instead prioritizes profit over responsibility. As a conscious and responsible parent, my only goal in writing this is to warn others. Families should be aware that in situations requiring understanding or care, this hotel has shown no regard for common sense, empathy, or individual circumstances. It is a place where policy and profit clearly come before people.

Update after the hotel's response:

The hotel’s reply contains false claims. I paid for the taxi, and I was never offered to stay in one room with both children, even for a fee. The only option was a second room, which is unsafe and potentially illegal. There was no clear info during booking that a classic room can’t accommodate two children over two. This policy should be stated before payment, not at check-in. The hotel also falsely claims we refused to pay. My husband called, was treated rudely, and agreed to the extra charge only under pressure. The issue is not the booking mismatch, but the unprofessional behavior and unlawful demands...

When I entered Hotel Nicolo the dog, Billy, belonging to the manager came up running to me and loved me endlessly. That was perfect start for my second Paris visit. In my first visit and in my blog emojisarebald com I had recommended hotel Hameau de Passy as the best place to stay in Paris. But next door hotel Nicolo is my now updated and preferred recommendation. The room for 4 beds is bigger and has all requisite stuff. Beds are comfortable and their tea coffee etc quality is top draw. Bathroom is good although one day hot water wasn’t coming for 2-3hrs. The biscuits and chocolates at lobby are awesome. What beats everything is the hotel is 500m from Eiffel Tower and safest place in Paris to stay and 300m away from direct bus or train to all important places. Or 2-5km walk to Arc De Triumph, Champs Elysses, Louvre, Notre Dame, Museum, Palace etc etc. Also around hotel area is great cheap Chinese food to eat, cheapest best food at Paris. Read more in my blog mentioned above. The only bad experience was the hotel staff confirmed taxi to Paris Galliano will cost 20€ but the taxi driver demanded 35€ which we didn’t like. Request the hotel to stop giving business to that taxi driver. Paris key points are...

The reason why I choose to come and spend my 3 week stays in this hotel is clear: I don't want any other. the staff is adorable, accommodating and very attentive the rooms are impeccable, of good dimension and beautiful colors. Tea and Nespresso coffee machine there. the bathroom is immaculate with everything you need inside I really like the possibility of opening my window on the small charming and quiet courtyard (deep sleep assured in a large and very comfortable bed) the common areas are warm there is everything you need in the vicinity in the rue de Passy (all kinds of stores, excellent hairdresser, cafés, excellent restaurants, cabs at 2 steps, covid test station at the pharmacy at 30 m, competition bakery, ...) I have not tried the breakfast, but there is a very nice smell of freshly baked croissants every morning. but above all...... I can't explain why, at the hotel Nicolo you have a very pleasant feeling of being "at home" which makes your stay more personal and human.

From the bottom of my heart: thank you Hotel Nicolo to make my stay so easy and pleasant each time.I can only recommend my friends and family to stay...