Novotel Paris Centre Gare Montparnasse — Hotel in Paris

We booked a 3-day, 4-night stay through the Accor app because we are loyal Accor customers. After researching and reading reviews, we chose this hotel for several reasons: Location A room that could fit our small family Parking availability Positive reviews

We booked one suite room, approximately 70 square meters with a balcony. The room included a double bed and a double sofa, perfect for our family of five (2 adults and 3 kids aged 12, 11, and 10). As a small Asian family, our girls often share a double bed. They are petite, and the double bed is more than enough for them. Although the room description stated a maximum capacity of four people, we assumed—based on our experiences with hotels worldwide—that they wouldn’t mind allowing one extra child, especially since they are underage and, for safety reasons, need to stay with their parents.

We arrived at the hotel around 7 PM after a long day of driving, ready to rest, take a hot shower, and sleep. However, we faced our first issue immediately. The staff refused to let us check in, citing that the room could only accommodate four people max, as per hotel policy.

The front desk staff, Alexandro, insisted that for “safety reasons”, we needed to book an additional room. Despite explaining that our children are small and would share beds, he wouldn’t budge. At first, he suggested we take one suite and one standard room. When we refused and asked to cancel the booking to look for another hotel, he asked us to wait while he consulted his manager.

After waiting another 10–15 minutes, Alexandro returned without any apology and, with an arrogant attitude, said this was the best they could offer: two connecting rooms, each with a double bed and a sofa bed. These rooms were 30 square meters each—combined, still smaller than the suite we originally booked—and could fit six people. However, this option came with an additional charge of €200 per night!

We were shocked by the blatant attempt to upsell. The hotel wouldn’t allow an extra guest in a larger suite, yet they were happy to charge us for smaller rooms to “solve” the issue. It felt like a scam.

When we entered the rooms, we were welcomed by a bad, moldy smell. The carpet in front of the toilet was wet, and mold was visible on the bathroom ceiling. The safety lock on one of the room doors was broken, so we had to use our luggage as an additional safety measure.

The bathroom experience was equally frustrating. After taking a shower, the entire bathroom floor flooded and became dangerously slippery. The hotel didn’t provide any slippers, and while they used Rituals toiletries, the amenities were very basic—like a budget hotel.

At this point, we decided to cut our stay short. Instead of staying for 3 nights, we checked out after just 1 night. This was the worst hotel experience we’ve ever had, and we’ve traveled to many countries and stayed in numerous Accor chain hotels. This hotel completely failed to meet basic standards of comfort, cleanliness, and customer service. There are many better hotels nearby, so avoid this one...

Stay as a last resort. ||Expensive and way less offerings in comparison to other hotels. ||Executive room. Stayed for a week.||||Pros:||Spacious room (executive not standard).||Comfortable bed.||Close to main train station / Hbf abt 500m walk.||Had a view of Eiffel Tower from my room. ||||Cons:||||Paper cups||In the spirit of eco-friendly, the rooms have paper cups. They are replaced, which is so un-eco, costly and pointless. An executive room as a cost of 250+ per night, and drinking from a paper cup. Even the bathroom counter had paper cups - it's paper, in a bathroom? OMG. ||||Housekeeping.||Lazy. My used wine glasses remained in the spot that they were left in, not cleaned or moved. The sheets and the bedding wasn't even tucked in, just left loose. ||The handwash was finished and they didn't replace the bottle (it was affixed to the wall). I had to ask for another bottle, which I received. Then I had 3 bottles, the empty bottle was still just left there, un-replaced with my new bottle on the counter. Worst housekeeping ever. I tried to post a pic but Tripadvisor kept flagging as advertising||||No special service.||I was there over my birthday (during a business trip). On check in I mentioned it - the details are also in the system on check.in (?? - All Accor systems are useless), and mentioned my request for bubbles at breakfast when I checked in. Also I am an accor member. I asked for a mimosa at breakfast on my birthday, they looked confused. They prepared me one, reluctantly - it was so miserable, with flat champagne. The lady who served was more interested in my room number to charge the drink than entertain my request - charged 18EUR. It seemed like they were doing me a favour to have me stay at the hotel. Honestly, their attitude really annoyed my morning and I had wished I had stayed elsewhere. I'd have been way happier with a small 15sqm room but great staff service. Not even a happy birthday note from hotel manager. Some hotels go above & beyond when you celebrate (e.g. Spain + Italy) - not them. ||||Unaware of activities in Paris.||A marathon was being held on the Sunday, when I was leaving. I was struggling to get an uber, then a (normal meter) cab to the airport. Staff were shrugging shoulders, saying they don't know why - surely a hotel should let guests know if things such as marathon is happening in the city, it would affect trains, metro access, cabs & roads. Put up a sign or something. They don't care.||||Boring breakfast on repeat.||I was there for one week. They had the same things for breakfast, every.single.day. Nothing changed, no creativity no variance, not even with hot food. Chances are they re-served the same food. Coming from SA, we know hotel hospitality & great breakfast. My ancestors are crying. Trauma.||||Overall:||Typically arrogant of that country, staff, waste of money hotel.||Would never stay here again or at a Novotel in general bc of...

Between 5 to 10 mins easy walk from the hussle and bustle of central Montparnasse with its theatres, bars and resturants. This is a reasonable standard, pleasant hotel with clean rooms and reasonable facilities. Situated close to rear access of the station, with train platforms less than 10 mins walk away. Located on what feels the edge of residential Montparnasse. Having stayed previously in central Montparnasse this is little bit quieter with a short (feels safe - but always a disclaimer on these things) walk away from the lively area.

My stay was accomodation only - due to travel and early start on both week days, no breakfast food or drinks taken. Polite staff, friendly, who entertained my very broken French and responded in perfect English to me when I didn't understand fully. My room was very clean and comfortable (3rd floor) with separate shower as this is an inner city hotel don't expect a large room, but was very adequate. The water fountain on each floor which even disperses sparking water (refreshing at 5am) was a very nice touch, but you need a bottle etc.

For myself it was an early start to catch a 6:45 train one day and a flight to CDG the other. Choosing to have no breakfast at hotel there are a number of choices at Montparnasse and especially at Montparnasse gare (even at 6am). Location from hotel to station is easy walking across the road through the complex of Montparnasse Station (or through Le Jardin Atlantique when its open - later from 8am). Note there no noises from the station (as its mainly underground) even with its proximity to the hotel.

Transport - There is a taxi rank directly outside, SNCF is at Montparnasse Gare, RER B - Place Denfert-Rochereau, is approx 20 mins walk away. Charles de Gaulle Airport (at 5:30am) was 30 mins by Uber, later in the day (1hr plus). Later I would take the RER B from Denfert Rochereau allowing 1.5 hrs from the hotel.

If visiting Paris this is a good location with the Eiffel Tower / Trocadero in walking distance along with the 5th and 6th Arriondissements with Jardin du Luxembourg, Notre Dame, Sorbonne etc or easily by metro for return. Just down the road is also the Montparnasse tower which affords great views of all of Paris, Denfet Rochereau is 20 mins walk (or an hr) if you get caught by all the shops / cafes etc along the way. See the Catacombs for something unusual and a little creepy.

I stay in a number of hotels each month around Europe so have a fairly good feel on these things, for its location and general management I will (planning to be) staying here again in the next few months, (if the Olympics doesn't price Paris area completely out) and would even consider taking my partner here for a Paris weekend, due to a lot of amenities (or travel to...