La Fantaisie — Hotel in Paris

Stayed here on our last night of a 5 day trip in Paris. I had the option to check out late from my other hotel and was going to but I wanted to check in early at this hotel so we would have more time in the day. I called to ask if I would be able to check in early and the front desk tells me they have a room available but will not upgrade me to it(apparently through this booking I am supposed to have complimentary upgrades if available..). I ask them to check with the manager which they do and they say to come over early and they’ll take care of me. We checkout of our other hotel early to make it to this one only to find out that there is a suite available but they will not upgrade me for one night.. So my mom and I have to sit in the lobby for an hour while they get the room ready which was frustrating as I do not like leaving bags not in the room. Granted, we were able to get a relatively early check in so that didn’t bother me too much despite my time being wasted when I communicated that I was coming from a different hotel. This situation is not what prompted me to write this review, what comes is. So apparently the spa area, hot tub cold plunge etc was not going to be available the day of my departure which was very frustrating because I chose this hotel solely because of these features as walking 5+ miles a day and working out on top of that I need some recovery. In addition the amenities are NOT 24hrs which is ridiculous because they are in the ground floor of the building so they would not interfere with any other guests like some other hotels. I explained my frustration to the manager who said I will offer you “a drink” at the rooftop bar. I had to ask for 2 since I was with my mom which she said fine. My mom doesn’t use the bar, I go up and order a double and another drink which were 14 euro drinks…compared to some of the more expensive 50 euro whiskeys on the menu. I check out and realized after the fact that I was actually charged for one of the drinks…. In a hotel that calls themselves 5 stars that is 0 star service. A proper 5 star hotel would have had the manager check me out, comp my rooftop bill(if it was reasonable) which was nothing in comparison to other tabs I’ve had and taken care of it. I don’t care about spending 14 euros on a drink it’s the principle of not having good service in this situation. Definitely not 5 star service. Side note for sensitive sleepers it is a little noisy, they do have ear plugs in the room but something...

Upon entering La Fantaisie, you're greeted with vibrant colors, whimsical wallpapers, and a friendly smile. Plus, a wonderful naturally scented candle (most candles give us awful headaches, but I loved the scent of it). It's located in a convenient area and close to several metro lines, and you can walk to many major sites like the Louvre, Pont des Arts, Opera, and so forth.

Our room was a bit small, which is to be expected for Paris, but the amenities were wonderful. I loved the scent of the hand soap, plus the ingredients were all natural and clean. Now, I want to buy the hair dryer, too! The bed was very comfortable and luxurious.

We ate at the breakfast buffet once, and everything was tasty especially the framboise madeleine and scrambled eggs. We also ate at the cafe for a snack and had a drink.

We had one issue during our stay. We had booked a facial and a massage with the reception the night before the appointments. When we arrived at the spa, the receptionist said she could not find our appointments. Though, she was very apologetic and went out of her way to find two practitioners to come to the spa to provide the services a few hours later. The other issue was that the spa service rooms were freezing cold. My husband had a 1 hour massage and he could not enjoy one second of it. Very costly massage to not enjoy one bit! I was pretty surprised that the beds did not have a warming feature. I don't think I've ever experienced a spa service without a warm bed... anyway, the hotel staff made up for the appointment mixup with a nice bottle of champagne.

All in all, we enjoyed our stay however I don't think we would book it again since there are so many hotel choices in Paris and next time we'd like to stay in another...

Style without substance! I recently stayed at La Fantaisie a purported five-star gem tucked away in the vibrant 9th arrondissement of Paris. The hotel had caught my attention due to its unique style and design, as lauded by fellow press colleagues.

However, my experience left much to be desired. Let me break it down:

First Impressions: The hotel's small and unimpressive lobby greeted me upon arrival. It felt more like stepping into a local post office than a luxury establishment. The front desk staff, while friendly, lacked the professionalism expected at this level. Their informality was disconcerting for a discerning guest like myself.

Concierge and Bellmen: The concierge and bellmen seemed ill-prepared for their roles. Their youth and lack of savoir-faire were evident. I half-expected them to hand me a package slip instead of guiding me to my room.

Ambiance and Odors: The hotel reeks of food and overpowering air fresheners. Perhaps an attempt to mask other odors, but it bordered on discomfort. The intense fragrance was more reminiscent of a potpourri shop than a refined establishment.

Room Service: I ordered room service for both dinner and breakfast. While the quality of ingredients was commendable, the presentation fell short. No cloches here (where’s hccp?!) —just plain trays. To my dismay, the utensils were stained, and the croissants tasted like they'd been cryogenically frozen since the Belle Époque.

La Fantaisie: Where Dreams Go to Die. If you're seeking true luxury, look elsewhere. This hotel's fantasy is more akin to a...