fine, but not up to standards of years past
- November 29, 2007
- Rated 3 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
I have staying in this hotel multipe times, but this was the first time in about 10 years. It has been renovated since my last visit and now has a modern, trendy quality (a theme of rocks such as one finds on the beach is everwhere -- in pictures, containers of rocks, etc). I frankly liked ithe previous more traditional, formal, old elegance better (it seemed a better fit with the era the hotel was built, of note, Matisse and Chekov lived in this building).
The location is perfect. The room (a "classic room") was on the small side and clean enough. My major complaints are a lack of temperature control in the room and substandard maintenance. Nice in November was pleasant, in the mid 60's F (20 degrees or so C). The room was very hot and turning on the ventilation did nothing, which then meant leaving the window open all night and being exposed to plenty of street noise, The walls of the room were covered with scuff marks and missing paint, something one does not expect in a 4 star hotel which is trying to cash in on its trendy style. Overall, it's chic style which does not quite work (e.g., trying to figure out what switch controls what light is impossible; the sink in the bathroom is very cool but hard to use).
About half the time we walked in the front door there was nobody to be found at the front desk which faces the front door, of some concern for security and assistance.
Overall, it's ok, but not up to the standards I have found on several prior visits and somewhat below what one expects at this level of price and luxury.