Le Lobby — Restaurant in Paris

Beware of the 11€ tap water. Seriously. Beware. Just throw the whole restaurant away. I am pretty upset that after what I thought was a great service experience, I get my over 100€ bill—which I expected it to be even though I dined alone and isn’t what I’m mad about—to see an 11€ charge for tap water when I specifically made it clear that I wanted tap water but it wasn’t made clear to me that tap water if given in a bottle would basically be the price of a cheap glass of wine. Apparently it’s 11€ for the bottle. Well heck I should’ve taken the bottle home so I could keep refilling it with tap water to hopefully one day reach the 11€ value. I would seriously not recommend this place. I haven’t been there for tea though, but after this I wouldn’t go even if I found out their afternoon tea was made and served by president of France himself.

I’ve been on a 3-week Europe vacation after finishing law school and the bar exam in the US, and I’ve eaten at so many places. This was my last night here and last meal (I have a very early flight tomorrow so grabbing something in airport lounge doesn’t count), and I decided to treat myself. I’ve had amazing meals elsewhere and from the sweetest people, despite what people say about Parisians. I’ve even left extra tips even though it’s not required because people have been very kind to my lack of French. I should’ve gone elsewhere for my last meal. I hate when places have no integrity. I’m already at the restaurant. I’m already going to spend my money—and lots of it being here. Just give me what I ask for, and they’re very clear on what you’re asking for. I won’t be returning to this place when I return to Paris nor will I recommend it to you or anyone else. I accidentally ate at this placed based on the reviews of the rooftop restaurant, but now I see that others have complained about that shady charge on the google reviews. Pretty sure that might be illegal in France where a restaurant is obligated to give you tap water if you ask, but I’m not a French lawyer. Will never eat here or even stay here and will literally proselytize about the 11€ river water to anyone who will listen. I hope I end up with some radioactive waste superpowers given how much I paid for the tap!

The charge for tap water is not necessary, and frankly based on these reviews and the feeling it has left me with, it’s not a good business decision. Is the 11€ worth someone’s business forever in the future?? It...

We went to the Peninsular last week for birthday afternoon tea. Seeing it was 20 min to 3pm, we decided to order some drinks and chill on the outdoor terrace. Its a lovely spot to spend a leisurely afternoon but we were off to a disappointing start when we waited 25 min for a beer and a cocktail.

There must be 4 or 5 staff serving us. There were polite but lack initiatives. Nobody took the initiative to explain how the afternoon tea menu works or what might be on the menu. We ordered 2 sets of champagne afternoon tea and left about 2/3 untouched. Everything was cold, dull and unappetising. In fact, they look like "leftovers" from the patisserie. It is fair for me to state that the food selection and quality is below average. At €65 per head, it is not unreasonable to expect some freshly made finger sandwiches, fruit tartlets and mini savoury items. And these things are not hard or expensive to do.

One would expect service at The Peninsular to be pretty sharp but that was not the case. Staff were amateurish, probably trainees. We actually have to ask for a cuppa tea when we are having afternoon tea. We also discovered other tables having afternoon tea had their tea sets explained, tier by tier. We did not and have no idea what was on the plate unless we sampled it.

I don't normally bother to write bad reviews but The Peninsular afternoon tea is misrepresented. The shabby experience marred my birthday and left me with an expensive lesson. I cannot recommend Le Lobby for afternoon tea at all. They do not...

The Peninsula Paris is one of the most beautiful and expansive of the Parisian palaces, offering a wealth of spaces to explore and enjoy. The lobby itself is a striking blend of modern design and classic Parisian style, creating a unique and elegant setting. The staff are professional and kind, contributing to the refined atmosphere.

Le Lobby is an excellent choice for afternoon tea, a light intermission with pastries, or more casual dining. The selections of tea, cakes, and champagne are well-curated and make for an enjoyable experience.

If there is one detail that could be improved, it would be the lighting in the lobby. While the rest of the hotel handles lighting beautifully, the lobby feels a touch too bright and cool, which slightly detracts from the cozy atmosphere that its chandeliers and gilded details deserve. Warmer or adjustable lighting would enhance the ambiance considerably, as seen at other Parisian palaces such as the Crillon or Le Bristol.

That said, Le Lobby remains a wonderful venue, worthy of a visit for its unique blend of style, service,...