Paris - I won't be going back

[albatross710]

On our family trip earlier this year we enjoyed a week in Paris. The attraction and culture is unique to Paris and of course the many food experiences were also a highlight that can only be found in Paris.

BUT our general feel as a family (and me in particular) was that it was overpriced. The hotel was the most expensive of our holiday and yet the rooms were the smallest. The lift was the slowest and of course, the hotel staff were the rudest. Of course, the hotel pointed out that breakfast was not included in our deal even though all of the website, in-room documentation and sign on the counter said that it was. It was a discussion that wasn't worth wasting a holiday over and we enjoyed out breakfasts at an adjacent patisserie. Looking at the Arc de Triomphe, croissant in hand with a café noir can only be done in Paris.

So far over 25 years I've enjoyed all 4 trips to Paris, I appreciate the city for its culture and uniqueness but on a relative scale of value for money I think they have become uncompetitive. I think I can find better holiday and business travel value elsewhere.

Just my thoughts. I thought I'd put this out for discussion after reading that some people have decided to change airlines just so they don't travel through DXB, now I'm writing off Paris as a personal destination.

Are there places that yo may have added to your no longer going to visit list?

Alby

 

[samh004]

I think TonyHancock said it best, and from personal experiences there, having an English accent but in fact having lived in Hong Kong for the majority of my life, it's just about the rudest place I've travelled too. And last I travelled there, my family and I also did badly with hotels.

 

[Pushka]

We had the opposite experience last year. We found the French people we dealt with delightful. We tried to speak the language wherever we could and found as soon as you did that (and made it known you were Australian) then they were extremely polite. Certainly not rude by any stretch.

We were more than happy with the price for things. Particularly compared with our first trip some 25 years earlier. Australia seems much more expensive to me now.

Breakfast was included and our hotel was located adjacent to the Arc de Triomphe. And I think less than 150 euros a night. Tiny room but we were in it for only the required sleep.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

my first arrival in Paris I checked into my hotel and walked into my room to find someone in bed! how awkward, never happened to me in my life. And a very worrying security problem.

 

[turtlemichael]

Rudest people, most expensive city, dirty, etc etc etc Heard it all before. It is what you make it like any city. We go every year for 1-3 months and if I could I'd live there in a heart beat.

ps I've seen more rudeness in restaurants, public transport etc from Americans, Brits and Australians than I have from any Frenchman.

 

[Pushka]

It's funny you should find someone in your room. We checked into the Hyatt this weekend in Melbourne and have had some "technical issues". The second room we were allocated (after issues with the first one) when we opened the door there was a trail of rose petals leading from the door to the bed and a heart shape on the bed! And to make it worse, the bed was mussed up. Yuk.

Our third room was ok.

 

[docjames]

You seriously "won't be going back" to Paris because you chose a bad hotel? :?:

 

[sergeyvzn]

Paris is unique. You can't really stop going there because you can get "better value for money" elsewhere. Paris is Paris. Yes, you can get nice people and lower prices with a higher quality accommodation in Woop Woop but who wants to go there??

Rude people are everywhere and just because your hotel stay wasn't as great it does not mean you have to stop going there. Just look for a nicer hotel or stay in an apartment, I did it with my mum and niece 2 years ago and it was my best one, we had a greap apartment in 100 m from Louvre in the middle of summer for $100 (not euros) a night. No rude staff, you feel like a Parisian doing shopping at a local boulangerie and life can't get any better

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I generally enjoy Paris but it's a shame there are so many 'scammers' especially at the sacre coeur http://www.outandaboutinparis.com/2011/06/bracelet-guys-near-sacre-coeur.html

Im surprised the police don't have it under control

 

[samiam]

... I think I can find better holiday and business travel value elsewhere...

Ahh yes... however, where else but Paris could you experience Paris??? It still has a certain je ne sais quoi... no?

 

[turtlemichael]

I generally enjoy Paris but it's a shame there are so many 'scammers' especially at the sacre coeur Out and About in Paris: The bracelet scam guys near the Sacré Coeur funicular

Im surprised the police don't have it under control

I've been to 7 or 8 European capitals in the last couple of years and seen scammers everywhere.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I've been to 7 or 8 European capitals in the last couple of years and seen scammers everywhere.

me too but I saw it more in Paris than elsewhere, by far

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

A couple of observations:
- As long as there are stupid tourists, there will be scammers.
- If someone from let's say China came up to you in Australia and started talking to you in Chinese, then getting frustrated at you, you probably wouldn't like it either (Ok bad example if you walk through Haymarket in Sydney . The same applies in France. At least have the courtesy to try saying hello in the language, and asking politely if they speak English (again in French)
- Saying that, there are rude arrogant pigs everywhere, this is not a specific Parisienne trait.

On my numerous trips to Paris, I encountered only one rude Frenchman, who took objection with the fact I didn't say Hello before asking if he spoke English (in French). It is sometimes easy to forget your manners when your brain is trying to remember the French translation. Entirely my fault, but his behaviour was that of a pedantic w*nker. Speaking of. There are far more of the latter in downtown Sydney than Paris IME.

 

[turtlemichael]

me too but I saw it more in Paris than elsewhere, by far

So they too know that Paris is a fantastic city. Try Prague, Budapest or Madrid. Scammer heaven too.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

me too but I saw it more in Paris than elsewhere, by far

I suggest you go for a stroll around the colosseum in Roma.

 

[Pushka]

Scammers are everywhere. We would love watching the gypsies do their survey/wedding ring scams along the River Seine.

 

[OATEK]

Have loved Paris every time, about which my other half reminds me I had to be dragged there kicking and screaming almost the first time. Using my execrable French is always excused. We will never forget being on the Metro when SWMBO backed in to a giant of African heritage, with scars down both cheeks! Herself was very quick with a Pardon! And he immediately reply Non Madame, pardon moi! Going back there for a week quite soon, and can't wait.

As regards costs, none of the big cities are good economic value. But such is the draw of London, Paris, Berlin etc, that it you want to go, you have to forget the cost. You certainly must avoid at all costs sitting there and thinking about how much everything is in $AUD.

 

[albatross710]

You seriously "won't be going back" to Paris because you chose a bad hotel? :?:

That's a good question. Actually now I realise I've actually had 5 trips there.

The last three hotels have all been fairly ordinary. Better value elsewhere for me. I've enjoyed all of my trips there but I just feel I've found as much as I can there..compared to what I can find elsewhere. It's not as if I went once and never went back! It is an essential port of call in a traveller's life and I certainly implore everyone to visit.

But as everyone has pointed out Paris is Paris.

Alby

 

[markis10]

Scammers are everywhere. We would love watching the gypsies do their survey/wedding ring scams along the River Seine.

Agree, China would probably be at the top of the pops in terms of numbers though. Tea anybody

 

[YQY]

Are there places that yo may have added to your no longer going to visit list?

Alby

Yep - Sydney.

Sydney is way more expensive than Paris.
Hotel are more expensive, public transportation is more expensive, taxi's are more expensive, Macaron's are more expensive, waiters are as rude as paris, service is as bad as Paris... and yes I live in Sydney.

Sydney does have gypsies, they are our taxi drivers.....