Hôtel Paris Est Lafayette

The breakfast, taken In the bar, or outside on the terrace. There was a great choice of hot and cold food. The staff fussed about it, not allowing the food in the hot containers to develop that tiredness that other buffets can generate. Breads and croissants were great. The staff were, on the whole, charming and eager to please. The design of the hotel was quirky, a great plus for the area round the Gare du Nord, not one of the most desirable areas of Paris.

We stayed in what booking.com called a 'Deluxe Double Room. The hotel called it an 'Allure room' and described it as 'stylish and spacious'. So I would query the use of the word 'spacious'. Everything, including the bathroom, felt a bit tight and compact, and this affected my view of the hotel, I'm afraid. I was also disappointed that there were no fridges in the rooms. Yes, I know they offer Room Service, but that's not really the point. No-one helps you with your baggage in or out of the hotel, and at times the staff seemed rushed off their feet, making us wait until they managed to get round to serving us.