Hotel Jeanne d'Arc

When I was looking for a hotel in Paris, I knew I needed a budget location since the value of the dollar was so bad. I had a number of options but I wanted to spend from $100-115 for my room. I selected the Jeanne d'Arc knowing that it was one of the cheapest hotels in the Marais which also gets good reviews. It's also  rated #48 on Trip Advisor which is higher than the popular Hyatt, Marriott and even the luxurious Plaza Athenee!

Who is reviewing this place?

The lobby of the conveniently located hotel consists of an entry hall and a number of rooms including a reception area, a breakfast room and a sitting room. They also have a luggage room in case you need to store you bag as you wait for a later departure.

The reception area is decorated with a huge funky mirror that is as original as it is artistic. The mirror is even a tourist attraction for those passing by.

The mirror is where the originality of the hotel begins and unfortunately, this is where it ends.

Now the rooms...

When I checked in I was given a room with a bath only but no shower, although I requested a room with a shower. The room was on the 6th floor (top floor) and had a nice view over the rooftops of Le Marais.

It was also one of the biggest rooms I have ever had in this price range. The room was decorated with mix and match furniture and an open style closet. It really felt like a attic dorm room. The colors were in shades of orange and yellow, I think the carpet was blue.

After using the room for a bit I went down to see if I could get a room with a shower. The girl at the front desk asked me, “did you use the toilet?”, well that's a bit too personal. Basically because I used the facilities she would not move me because I guess the room would have had to be sanitized. She promised me a room with a bath the next day.

On the second day I was moved to a new room which was on the 2nd floor. The room was a lot smaller but it did have a large bathroom and a nice big stand up shower.

It was nice to be on the second floor because I could use the stairs to get to my room rather than the very slow elevator. The room was decorated in the same shades of orange and yellow but had different furniture including an armoire and a desk. It didn't feel like a dorm room. The was also a bit more architecture such as molding and trim.

Overall Comments

1. The room did not smell very good. Later I when I sat on the floor to put on my shoe I realized it was coming from the carpet. Which smelled fowl.

2. Sheets on the bed were paper thin and scratchy.

3. If someone was smoking in a room around you, you will smell it. This was particularly gross at 7am in the morning.

4. If someone was showering in a room next to you you will hear it very clearly.

5. The beds were low to the ground and not comfortable, nor were the coverings warm.

6. The bathroom towels were grey and dingy and so worn that they were scratchy and not absorbent. Washcloths are not provided (as they aren't in many European hotels). When traveling in Europe, I always bring my own and discard them on departure.

Oddly enough the bathroom did have a heated towel bar which came in handy when I needed to dry some stuff I washed in the sink!

7. The water pressure was good but while taking a shower you are either scalded or frozen every time someone flushes a toilet or runs water.

8. The location is fantastic and walkable to many of the shops, restaurants and sights in the Marais area. You can really feel like part of the neighborhood.

9. The front desk staff can have a bit of attitude but were also helpful when necessary.

10. The hangers in the closet were a mix and match mess of whatever previous guests left behind. I always carry a few simple wire hangers in my luggage to use when there aren't enough.

11. Personal safety and the safety of your belongings are a serious issue here. Here is what i experienced;

One night I returned to the hotel and there was no key to my room in the rack. The person at the front desk suggested I never gave it back. Oh yes, I did. The front desk clerk then gave me (yes "gave me") the hotel "pass key" to get into my room.

When I went up to my room my hotel key was in the door!!! It seems like they had to do some work in my room and the mechanic left the key in the door when he was finished. The girl at the front desk admitted that she knew the key was gone when she went home the prior evening.

Another night I returned to the hotel to find no clerk at the front desk. Another couple and I waited about 5 minutes but no one showed up. At that point we simply went behind the desk and helped ourselves to the keys to our rooms. After I was in my room about 5 minutes, I heard some downstairs calling, hello?, hello? Obviously he still had not returned.

The luggage room is locked but they will let you into it, unattended, to get your bag. Anyone could pop in and take anything.

Truthfully, you get what you pay for. I stayed here because the value of the dollar was so bad and the hotel was reasonable. My room was €80 a night which was a good price for the location. Considering the safety, threadbare towels and smelly room, it was no bargain. For an additional $20 I could have stayed at any number of respectable budget hotels, such as the Relais du Louvre or the Hotel Castex. I have stayed at both and they were both more respectable.

Regardless of the good location and low price, I would pass on this hotel on future trips. It just seems like too much of a crap shoot.

You never know what you will get.

Hotel Jeanne d'Arc
3 rue Jarente
75004 Paris

Tel: +33 1 48 87 62 11
Fax: +33 1 48 87 37 31
email: hoteljeannedarc@wanadoo.fr

Metro: Saint Paul

This is rated as a 2 star property.

Blogging from Europe via Blackberry and AT&T Wireless

Comments

[Scarlett]

I am so glad to read this! (I am sorry you had a bad night there though). I had heard some glowing reviews from one person who stayed there, I was going to suggest it for my son who will be in Paris in Feb.
Obviously, I will not suggest a place like this.
Enjoying your blog very much, Scarlett

[Linda]

In a skewed sort of way I'm glad to see your posting on this hotel, Richard. I stayed there two years ago and had almost the same experiences that you did. My shower sprayed in every known direction and soaked everything in the bathroom despite the shower curtain. When I mentioned it to the gentleman at the front desk he literally shrugged it off. I also was twice left standing at the front desk waiting for my key with no one in sight, and was wakened by not only workmen's cigarette smoke each morning at 7:30 but also by the fumes from the paint and varnish they were using in the hallway. I agree that the location can't be beat, but have been mystified by all the wonderful raving reviews I've read of this hotel. I thought it was adequate for the money, but not someplace I would be in a hurry to recommend or stay at again. Maybe you and I accidently went to the wrong hotel?

[Debby]

Thanks for the info - cancelling my reservations.

[Jil]

Had nearly an identical experience at this hotel back in August 2003. The desk clerks were indifferent in the extreme.

This time my daughter and I are renting an apartment in the area...

I would also like to know what people are raving about.

Enjoy your trip to NYC, by the way...