Intercontinental Paris Champs Elysées By Ihg

“A FANTASTIC experience…but set your expectations in advance…”

The Mrs. and I were on a multi city trip (Chicago / Paris / London) and based on a combination the resultant rate (calculated by combining cash and miles / points) and reviews across the internet, she chose the Intercontinental Paris - Champs-Elysées Etoile. I see our responsibility as Trip Adviso… more

The Mrs. and I were on a multi city trip (Chicago / Paris / London) and based on a combination the resultant rate (calculated by combining cash and miles / points) and reviews across the internet, she chose the Intercontinental Paris - Champs-Elysées Etoile. I see our responsibility as Trip Advisor reviewers / commenters as setting expectations for our fellow travelers. That to me means making mention of things that might not have been a problem for you personally, but you know others may care about. So, even though my wife and I had a LOVELY time, this review is not all rainbows and puppies. The InterContinental Paris - Champs-Elysées Etoile is a small, boutique property, and unlike a few other places we have stayed, the “smallness” is pretty evident and impacts some elements. It describes itself as “5-Star” property, but I would not exactly agree with that assessment. In my observation, what really makes a five-star property a five-star property is service. And I want to be clear – EVERYONE we met at the InterContinental Paris - Champs-Elysées Etoile was kind, polite, friendly, helpful, etc. Each encounter with each person was “five-star”. But being a five-star hotel also means there shouldn’t be an absence of service. And being a small property means having a small staff, unless specific effort is made otherwise (The Langham Sydney comes to mind...also about 93 rooms, but way more staff). For example, there was the time we made a call down for room service…and after several attempts, could not get anyone to answer the phone. I ended going down to the restaurant myself, where I encountered two friendly and apologetic people who took my order as I stood there in front of them…and the phone rang. Their excuse was that they were quite busy…and they were. But you can’t have things like that at a “five-star” hotel happening. (The meal was delivered to our room by the Front Desk Manager, who apologized for the whole kerfuffle…but I also noted again…”short staffed”). The property itself is lovely – but imperfect. It is showing its age, even post the renovations that have been mentioned on the website. Things just look…worn. And some things look…not new. The outcome of a “selective” renovation, versus a true down-to-the-studs makeover. Also, being a small property means at least some small rooms, and some apparently being inconsistently sized. This is mentioned in other reviews here and other places. We stayed initially in a very small room…I honestly cannot imagine a hotel room being smaller. Renovated, modern in appearance, with a ceiling mural which was a really nice touch. But unbearably small. Room for a bed and….? But that also provides opportunity for some well-deserved praise. You see, we were in that room because our room wasn’t ready. Our room wasn’t ready because via my wife’s points / miles magic (with a considerable amount of currency added) we had scored Room 502. One of a kind. And, being one of kind, my guess is that the previous guests had not quite checked out. Now e had just arrived from crossing the Atlantic, Chicago to Paris via Barcelona, topped by an hour plus car ride from de Gaulle to the hotel. Yes, our arrival time was early, but we don’t set flight schedules. We did NOT want to hear “your room is not ready…can you just run circles around the hotel”?. And we didn’t have to. The staff already had a room ready for us to rest in, and they took care of our luggage, keeping to stored away until Room 502 was ready, then bringing it up (after escorting us to the room, with apologies for it not being ready when we arrived). Just…nice. Thoughtful. 5-Star, even. That car ride? Arranged by the front desk. I emailed in advance of our arrival, expressed that we would need a car, and it was taken care of. When we arrived, I expressed that we’d need a car on our departure to take us the train station (Chunnel to London). It was taken care of. Not “here are some names and numbers and email addresses” Taken care of. 5-Star. Ok, the star of the show. Room 502. I refer to it by room number specifically because it is one of a kind. Oh. My. Gawd. Could not have been more perfect. Could not. Combined with the PERFECT location that the hotel has (the reviews are absolutely spot on with that), that room…was perfect. Essentially a studio apartment (and a large one at that) located in Central Paris, it was our pied-à-terre for three days. Perfectly decorated like AN APARTMENT, not a hotel room. Desk nook. Chess set. Nice, interesting artwork (not museum quality, but not “hotel art” either...). View of the Eiffel Tower. Three blocks from the Arc de Triomphe. Rooftop patio / balcony (we didn’t get to use it…a bit chilly it was despite being sunny, but man…perfect). If you can swing it…Room 502. Do it. Summary – this hotel has kinda mixed reviews all over the internet. On places when the scale runs 1 to 10, it averages high eights. On site that run 1 to 5, it rates low fours. Here, it is rated #973 out of 1858. Having stay there I can see way. But it isn’t the staff that is the problem. Know that. They were great, kind, polite, greeted us by name as we came and went, arranged everything we asked for…cars…taxis. And if you can get Room 502…do it.

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“Sooo pretty”

I would go back yes! beautiful small hotel with amazing staff . All kind and helpful. Room very decent size for two people, warm atmosphere and comfortable beds. We only stayed 2 nights but for sure we will come back. Towels smell of freshness, espresso machine and safe. I found it very clean too.… more

I would go back yes! beautiful small hotel with amazing staff . All kind and helpful. Room very decent size for two people, warm atmosphere and comfortable beds. We only stayed 2 nights but for sure we will come back. Towels smell of freshness, espresso machine and safe. I found it very clean too. The whole hotel is amazing but I have to give credit to all staff that were amazing!

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“Amazing staff”

I was there for a week, part of the time for a holiday and another for business. I had a very cold and noisy room (from the Mido Bar on a Saturday) on the first night. The staff helped me change rooms until I was satisfied on their third attempt. Special thanks to a patient and apologetic Franck wh… more

I was there for a week, part of the time for a holiday and another for business. I had a very cold and noisy room (from the Mido Bar on a Saturday) on the first night. The staff helped me change rooms until I was satisfied on their third attempt. Special thanks to a patient and apologetic Franck who stayed late to finish the task. Jeremie the concierge was always helpful and welcoming. As was Ismail at the front desk and Marco at the restaurant. While the hotel is not the most beautiful that I’ve been to (although its location is), the staff (all of them even though I’ve not listed their names here) more than made up for it with their extraordinary and warm service, making my fourth trip to Paris most memorable. Thank you for taking care of my friend and I. I hope to return soon.

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“night in Paris”

what a great hotel from its friendly and helpful staff to the very comfortables rooms, this hotel is great for walki too Efiel tower and the arc..they have a fabulous japenesse resturant located on the premises the food was to die for..check out was above and beyond the front desk person Amine was … more

what a great hotel from its friendly and helpful staff to the very comfortables rooms, this hotel is great for walki too Efiel tower and the arc..they have a fabulous japenesse resturant located on the premises the food was to die for..check out was above and beyond the front desk person Amine was extremely helpful call our taxi and even took ourluggage to the taxi..i recommend this hotel very much 10 otta 10

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