Our room with a view

Excited about our return to Paris, we were even more excited that we had a hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur and the support from AccorHotels. In all but two locations where Accor did not have a presence we would have the opportunity to experience the difference between some of their brands like Ibis, Mercure, Novotel and MGallery.

It was just as exciting to be returning to Paris as it was to be returning to Mercure Paris Montmartre Sacre Coeur where we had stayed on our first trip to Paris. Mercure are a four star hotel, aligned between Accor’s Ibis and Novotel brands.

Two weeks before our departure we received a private message on Facebook advising they were happy to be welcoming us back and enquire if we had any preference regarding the room. This is indicative of the personal service we received on our previous stay and the reason we were excited to be returning.

Then Friday 13^th November we were shocked, saddened and thinking of the people of Paris. The terrible news about the terrorist attacks shook us, particularly as we were due to fly there the following weekend. Initially numbed by the news, we thought about how travel uplifts and inspires us and how we didn’t want to travel with trepidation. We didn’t want this horrific situation to dictate to us by making us live in fear, or impact on our travel plans. Without being complacent we made the decision to stand by Paris and continue with our travel plans.

Our first check in on our #EuropeanChristmasDiscovery was Paris and it was like returning home. A warm welcome, familiar surroundings in a hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur and a comfortable room waiting ready for us, with a view of the hotel’s namesake, Sacre Coeur. Soon after our arrival a knock at the door and a visit by the lovely Marie who earlier had messaged us on Facebook, a personal welcome to check we were satisfied with our room and if there was anything we needed. We had been taking a few photos of the room and the rooftop views and Steve joked with Marie that there was a crane in our view of the Sacre Coeur and enquired if she could arrange to have it moved.

Happy to be back in Paris and although tired from our 21 hour flight, our bodies were still on Perth time, we were too excited at this stage to sleep. We took a stroll in the neighbourhood we were so comfortable in and loved so much, to find somewhere for a light breakfast. We found a quaint place where we had petit déjeuner (small breakfast). Were they kidding, freshly squeezed orange juice, café au lait (coffee), a crepe, a flaky croissant and tartine (baguette sliced lengthways and jam). I keep with tradition and like the French I don’t have butter with my already buttery croissant, I but can’t succumb to keep with the tradition of dunking it. How French, a sidewalk café in Montmartre, sitting at a table, with no agenda, just being. Yes, we knew we were back in Paris ✔

After our stroll, our tummies now satisfied and our bodies feeling weary, we returned to our comfy room with a view for a rest. Rest we did, we slept for a good few hours. When we awoke we noticed we’d missed seeing a lovely note from Marie. She wrote that she hoped our stroll and croissants recalled the nice memories from our previous trip. The note was to advise she had arranged another room for us on the 9^th floor with a nice view and “without a crane straight ahead”. How sweet, Marie has upgraded us to a Privilege room for the duration of our stay.

The 305 room hotel is located across from the Montmartre Cemetery, which is tucked under an overpass across the road and near Moulin Rouge and two Metro stations, Blanche and Place de Clichy.  It was being renovated when we were there in 2013, so once we relocated to the new room, we were keen to familiarise ourselves with the hotel facilities and see the finishing touches.

Although not disappointed with our original room, we were pleased with the move to a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower. We were overlooking the view of the chimney tops and of the beautiful city in front of us. We made sure to say merci to Marie for moving the crane 😉

The room was large, quiet and nicely decorated. It had a flat screen TV, stocked mini fridge, Nespresso machine, iPhone dock and cosiest king size bed with top quality linen. It also had a bath and shower and a separate toilet rather than in the bathroom. We were also provided toiletries, bathrobe, slippers and complimentary mini bar including bottled water.

The lobby has a paper-mâché can can dancer hanging from the ceiling and the décor is very bright and modern. There is a large round table for hotel guests to relax and read the paper and apples on the table to enjoy. Off the lobby is a lounge, meeting point and computer nook.

Upstairs is the trendy 18.75 Bar/Lounge, a tree lined terrace, fitness room, easy work area and meeting/meal room. Reflecting the history of area, the meeting room is named Mistinguett, after the most popular French entertainer and highest paid female entertainer in the world. We found the Lounge Bar very eclectic and contemporary in its style. The breakfast buffet was fresh and plentiful and the area large enough to accommodate without having wait for a table or food to be replenished. There was a good variety, of course with a vast range of breads, pastries and an express breakfast area for those only wanting coffee and croissants.

The bar offers happy hour. I loved the quirky lighting, little library nook and the textured walls. The landing area between the elevator, stairs and Bar Lounge has a cute lighting display.

All staff from the front desk to housekeeping were all very friendly, polite and spoke English which made interaction easy and comfortable. We exchanged a few messages with Marie during our stay. The first morning after we awoke she messaged that she hoped we had a good nights’ sleep and wish us a good day, even gave us a weather update. We found these private messages on Facebook a lovely touch and made us feel very welcome. We also enjoyed the tour of the hotel that Marie took us on, explaining all the hotel features.

 

The hotel truly reflects the Mercure slogan, In Harmony with People and Places. I think with the location, the can can dancer hanging in the lobby, the Mistinguett room along and the red colour throughout the hotel, that it could just easy be named Mercure Montmartre Moulin Rouge rather than Sacre Coeur. More info here if you are looking for a guide to the best arrondissements in Paris.

As I mentioned earlier we came to Paris the weekend after the terrorist attacks that occurred and never for a moment did we want to cancel. We are glad to say we felt very safe walking around the area, even at night and ventured beyond the tourist areas to find some real Parisian life. Combined with the welcome we received, we truly felt our expectations had been met and were happy to be back in one of our very favourite cities. Already we miss the hospitality and can’t wait to return again to our favourite hotel in Montmartre near Sacre Coeur.

Now your turn, tell us has this post inspired you for your next holiday?  Have you had a hotel that has upgraded you for the duration of your stay?

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