Le Clery Hotel: Paris's Hidden Gem (You NEED to See This!)
Le Clery Hotel: Paris's Hidden Gem (You NEED to See This!)
Le Clery Hotel: Paris's Hidden Gem (You NEED to See This!) – A Review From Someone Who's Been There (And Totally Fell for It)
Alright, alright, settle in. I'm about to gush. Usually, I'm a cynical travel reviewer, all "meh" and "could be better." But Le Clery Hotel in Paris? Chef's kiss. Seriously. I'm still dreaming about it. This isn't going to be your perfectly polished, PR-approved review. This is the real deal, warts and all – because trust me, even the tiny imperfections make it that much more charming.
First Impressions: The "Ooh La La" Factor (and the Unexpected Elevator Drama!)
Landing in Paris is always a bit chaotic, right? Baggage claim, the RER train that feels suspiciously like a sauna… You need a haven. Le Clery is that haven. Nestled away (hence the "hidden gem" title – it's true!) in a surprisingly quiet corner, the exterior is classic Parisian, the kind that begs for a snapshot. The lobby? Immediately, the staff are welcoming and full of smiles.
- Accessibility: For the record, this is important. They do have an elevator, which is a godsend after a long flight. It's small (Parisian small, meaning borderline comical), but it works. The hotel caters to people with disabilities, so it's definitely a plus. There's more details on that if you dig deep enough, like wheelchair access info.
- Check-in/out [express]: They are good at checking in and checking out. Makes everything so much easier.
- Air conditioning in public area, which seems obvious but trust me, in Paris, in summer, is a godsend.
Room Revelations: My Little Parisian Sanctuary
I booked a room (I think it was a "Deluxe" or something fancy-sounding — I honestly forget). What I do remember is walking in and… sighing. It was perfect. Not overly fussy, just elegantly simple. Clean lines, a comfy bed (essential after a day of exploring), and that window. Seriously, the window alone deserved its own review. Opening it up and looking out at the Parisian street… absolute bliss. This is where the "dreaming" started.
- Available in all rooms: Okay, basics, but they matter – air conditioning (SAVED ME), free Wi-Fi (essential! ), and coffee/tea maker (early morning coffee is non-negotiable).
- Bathroom: Okay, the bathroom was probably my favourite. Separate shower/bathtub. Bathtub This is huge when I am planning to relax and I fully intend on it. Bathtime is the best part of the day.
- Internet & Internet [LAN] & Internet access – wireless: Okay, so, the internet was good. I mean, I was able to stream my shows on my laptop.
- In-room safe box: Always a worry so it is good to know that it is there.
- Soundproofing: It was quiet, which is a miracle, which is important in a big city like Paris. I slept like a baby.
Dining and Drinking: Fueling the Parisian Adventure
Okay, real talk: I'm a foodie. Finding good food is a priority.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet wasn't massive, but it had everything you could want. Pastries (duh, it's Paris!), fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, and decent coffee.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: More coffee. I may have a problem.
- Restaurant: A full-service restaurant.
- Snack bar: Always appreciate this!
I sampled the pastries. I devoured the cheese (I blame the ambiance). I even attempted to order in French (mostly successfully, thank goodness for friendly waitstaff!).
More important -- Room service [24-hour] — Hello! One of the best things ever.
- Bar They had a good bar as well.
Honestly, the food was consistently good, but the vibe was even better. You could tell the staff genuinely cared.
Relaxation & Rejuvenation: Because Paris Can Be Exhausting
- Fitness center: I am usually a lazy girl, but I got up and used the fitness center with a pool.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: I had a swim! Awesome, I was so happy. Then I was exhausted and went napped.
- Spa
- Massage: I got a massage, and it was one of the best massages I have ever had.
This hotel really gets the message, you can have a day of sightseeing and then you can relax.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound
This is crucial, especially these days. I felt completely safe at Le Clery. They are very serious.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes, I saw it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol - I felt safe because I could see the staff had received training.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know, it makes me feel safe.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Excellent news.
- Room sanitization opt-out available - That's cool.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Concierge: Super helpful, gave me amazing recommendations.
- Luggage storage: Essential for early arrivals/late departures.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Dry cleaning & Laundry service: They offer amazing service, it is brilliant!
For the Kids: I did not travel with children, however –
- Family/child friendly
- Babysitting service
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
- Airport transfer: Available, which is a massive help after a long flight.
- Taxi service: Easy to get a taxi.
- Car park [on-site]: Yes, they have parking which is useful.
The "Almost Imperfections" (Because Nothing's Perfect, Right?)
Okay, okay, for balance…
- Small Elevator I mentioned it before.
- No "Americanized" Luxury I am not entirely sure I want that anyway.
My Final Verdict: Go. Just Go.
Le Clery isn't just a hotel; it's an experience. It's the kind of place that makes you want to linger, to savor every moment. It's got a warmth and charm that's hard to find in a lot of bigger, more impersonal hotels. It's not just a place to sleep; it's a place to fall in love with Paris, all over again. Seriously, I can't recommend it highly enough.
Dog-Friendly Paradise Found! 4-Star Hundresort Waldeck in Philippsreut, Germany
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because planning a trip to Paris is NOT for the faint of heart, and I'm already feeling a caffeine crash coming on just thinking about it. This itinerary? Consider it less a perfectly-sculpted marble statue and more a chaotic, slightly-burnt croissant. Welcome to my brain on travel…
Destination: Le Clery Hotel, Paris, France (because, hey, I picked it. It's got potential.)
Dates: (Let's just say) Next Tuesday to the next Sunday… because, honestly, committing to exact dates feels… overwhelming.
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Crisis (AKA: Jet Lag Blues & Baguette Bliss)
- Morning/Afternoon (ugh, details): Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Brace yourselves, because frankly, CDG is a special kind of hell. I swear, navigating that airport is a qualifying event for the Olympics of patience. Expect to wander aimlessly for a good hour, mutter profanities under your breath, and possibly develop a mild case of agoraphobia.
- Anecdote: Last time I flew into Paris, I spent 45 minutes trying to find the baggage claim. Ended up in a completely different terminal. Almost missed my connection. The stress was real.
- Sentiment: I might accidentally cry the moment I see a human holding a sign with my name on it. (It’s a fantasy, I know.)
- Afternoon: Taxi (hopefully) to Le Clery Hotel. Pray to the travel gods it’s a pleasant taxi driver. That’s half the battle, honestly.
- Quirk: Judging every driver on their ability to maintain eye contact and resist the urge to sing along to the radio. (I’m easy to please.)
- Opinion: Hotel rooms in pictures always look bigger! Prepare for a potentially tiny room, full of charm (maybe, hopefully!).
- Evening: Check-in (fingers crossed it's relatively swift and the receptionist isn’t secretly judging my jet-lagged appearance).
- Rambling: Okay, so I always picture myself emerging from the hotel room, effortlessly chic, ready to conquer Paris. The reality? I'll probably be clutching a half-eaten protein bar, hair a mess, looking like a lost pigeon.
- Action: Find a local boulangerie IMMEDIATELY. Baguette hunting is ESSENTIAL. Seriously. This is the purpose of the trip. Emotional Reaction: Pure joy.
- Evening (cont.): Eat baguette. Maybe grab some cheese. Find a park bench and soak it all in. Embrace the glorious, carb-laden reality of Paris.
- Imperfection: I will probably spill crumbs everywhere. It's unavoidable.
- Opinion: If you don't eat a baguette the first evening, did you even really go to Paris?!
Day 2: Louvre & Existential Wonder (and potentially a meltdown)
- Morning: Attempt the Louvre. Opinion: The Louvre is glorious, but also a nightmare. Prepare for crowds. Prepare for lines. Prepare to feel like you're being herded like cattle.
- Action: Pre-book tickets and get there early. Seriously, early.
- Emotion: I fully anticipate becoming overwhelmed within the first hour. I might weep in front of the Mona Lisa, not out of artistic appreciation, but sheer sensory overload.
- Mid-day: Lunch. Find a small, unassuming cafe. Ideally, one with outdoor seating.
- Quirk: I will be attempting to speak French. With varying degrees of success. Expect mangled grammar and excessive hand gestures.
- Afternoon: Wander the Tuileries Garden. Breathe. Regroup. Stare at the sky.
- Rambling: This is where I’ll probably get lost. It’s inevitable. I'll wander aimlessly, convinced I'm the only person on Earth who doesn't know where they are. And honestly? That's fine.
- Action: Get lost.
- Emotion: Embrace it.
- Evening: Dinner. Aim for a classic Parisian bistro. Steak frites? Yes, please.
- Imperfection: I may accidentally order something I don’t understand. (Again, inevitable.)
- Opinion: Don’t worry too much about being “perfect.” Just let yourself soak it up.
Day 3: Montmartre & Artful Stumbles & Doubling Down on a Wonderful Thing
- Morning: Montmartre. Sacré-Cœur Basilica. Artists. Cobblestone streets. Emotion: Overwhelmed by beauty and the feeling I should be wearing a beret.
- Sentiment: This is where I envision myself truly embracing "the Parisian life". Sipping coffee, sketching, maybe even writing a poem (though the poetry will be utter trash).
- Mid-day: Walking, more walking, getting distracted by every charming shop.
- Action: Finding a small cafe, not the tourist traps, and ordering coffee, croissants, and maybe a little something sweet.
- Double Down!: Find the same cafe, because it has excellent coffee and you need to feel like a local, even if you're still very, very much a tourist.
- Afternoon: Moulin Rouge? Yes? No?
- Rambling: Maybe, maybe not. I am extremely torn. It's so touristy! But also, it's the Moulin Rouge! The sheer spectacle of it…it's tempting.
- Action: Pro/Con list. (Probably a very messy one.)
- Evening: Dinner is a must. (See a pattern? I am hungry.) Maybe try the fancy place.
- Imperfection: Possibly a little…over-dressed.
- Opinion: Embrace your inner fancy, even if it feels silly.
Day 4: Day Trip, Maybe? (and the inevitable feeling of "too much")
- Morning: Decision time! Day trip to Versailles? Champagne region? Or, embrace the beauty of Paris and stay put?
- Afternoon: Sentiment: Depending on the day trip, prepare to get overwhelmed.
- Rambling: Did I pack enough snacks? Do I have enough water? Will this be awesome? Should I have booked a taxi? Are my shoes comfy?
- Action: Do something.
- Evening: Dinner. It better be good.
- Emotional Reaction: Probably exhausted, but still happy.
- Opinion: A day trip can be a great way to experience more than Paris, but be prepared for a full, and potentially busy, day.
Day 5 & 6: Whatever Happens, Happens
- Morning/Afternoon/Evening: More strolling. More eating. More getting lost.
- Imperfection: Expect to discover streets you have never been to, and get lost while trying to find something new.
- Rambling: This is where spontaneity (and maybe a little panic) takes over. I'll probably stumble upon some hidden gem, maybe even meet a friendly Parisian (doubtful, but hopeful!), and attempt an adventure I'm totally unprepared for.
- Action: Let it happen.
- Emotion: Embrace it!
Day 7: Au Revoir & Tearful Farewells (to Baguettes and Free Pastries)
- Morning: Final baguette run. Stock up on cheese. Squeeze in one last croissant.
- Sentiment: This is going to be difficult.
- Action: Pack. Say goodbye to the room. (And be honest, it was probably a love/hate relationship).
- Afternoon: Taxi (ugh, CDG AGAIN)
- Rambling: Last time I checked the taxi prices, it was a total rip-off, which is why I am dreading the airport run.
- Opinion: Paris, I'll be back. Even if it's just for the bread.
- Evening: Plane. Home. Post-Paris Depression begins.
- Imperfection: I'll probably start planning the next trip before the plane even takes off.
- Emotional Reaction: Sad to leave, but already planning my return. And dreaming of baguettes.
Le Clery: Paris's Hidden Gem? ...Okay, Let's Talk About It. (Prepare for Honesty)
So, what *is* the big deal about Le Clery? Everyone's raving! Is it actually *that* amazing?
Alright, let's be real. "Hidden Gem" gets thrown around like confetti in Paris (ironic, huh?). Le Clery… it's got potential. The location, yeah, it's pretty darn good. Walking distance to *everything*... almost. I mean, the metro's right there, so you REALLY *are* close to everything. (Except maybe a genuine smile from the concierge on a Monday morning... but we'll get to that.) The actual hotel? Clean. Pretty. Parisian-y enough. Not the Ritz, obviously. But... okay, it *is* charming. That little courtyard? Gorgeous. Especially at dusk, with the fairy lights twinkling. I swear, I almost shed a tear one evening, eating a mediocre croissant out there. Almost.
The reviews mention a "boutique" feel. What's that actually *mean*? Do I need a fancy hat?
Hats? Nah. Though, if you *want* to wear one, go for it! The "boutique" thing... means small. Cozy-ish. Think fewer rooms, maybe slightly more *personalized* attention (if you get the right staff member). It's not like a bustling mega-hotel. It's more intimate. The rooms are... well, they vary. Some are tiny. Seriously, you might have to climb over your suitcase to get to the bathroom. Others are surprisingly spacious. My advice? Read the room descriptions *very* carefully. And maybe pack light. Seriously, PACK LIGHT.
Let's talk about the breakfast. Is it worth the extra euros?
Ugh, breakfast. Okay, so this is where things get… complicated. The croissants? Generally decent. The coffee? Variable. Sometimes it’s strong and Parisian, other times, it tastes like dishwater. The fruit? Fresh-ish. Honestly, sometimes I felt like *they* had to sneak out and buy the pastries somewhere different. And the staff… (deep breath). Some are absolutely lovely, ready with a smile and a "Bonjour, madame/monsieur!". Others? Let's just say they looked like they’d rather be anywhere else. I remember one morning... I swear, I asked for a second coffee, and the waitress looked at me like I'd asked her to wrestle a bear. So, is it worth it? That depends on your breakfast needs. If you NEED an amazing breakfast to start your day, maybe skip it and grab a pastry from a local boulangerie. Cheaper, and often better, but you would lose out on the convenience. If the convenience matters, then... roll the dice. Prepare to be disappointed. (But hey, at least the courtyard is pretty.)
Heard the staff can be a little… uneven. Spill the tea. What's the deal?
Okay, look. This is the one thing that *everyone* mentions, and it's true. It's a mixed bag. I had interactions that were *amazing* -- helpful, friendly, genuinely happy to assist. Then there were the others. One morning, I asked for an iron. It took two hours, and when it arrived it looked like it had been found at the bottom of the Seine. One guy at the front desk... I swear, he never cracked a smile. Ever. I started trying to make him laugh, just for fun. Nothing. Finally, on my last day, I tried a cheesy American joke. Nope. Stone-faced. Maybe it's a Parisian thing? Maybe they're just tired of tourists' questions. Whatever it is, manage your expectations. Don't expect perfect service. Learn to say "Bonjour" and "Merci" with conviction. And maybe pack your own iron. Just in case.
The rooms. What's the deal with the size? Tell me *everything*.
ROOM SIZES... okay, where do I even start? This is the single biggest make-or-break thing about Le Clery. Some rooms are *seriously* tiny. I'm talking, like, you can touch both walls at the same time while standing in the middle. No kidding. Then there's the occasional elevator that may or may not work, depending on the day. Check the reviews meticulously and look for room size information. It’s crucial! I booked a "Superior Double" once… sounded fancy, right? It was fine. But the next trip? We upgraded (thank goodness!) to just a bit larger room. I could actually *open* my suitcase! The bathrooms are often small, but clean, and they have those ridiculously tiny Parisian showers. Make sure you get a room at the back if you're a light sleeper, the street outside can be loud. So, read, read, READ the room descriptions, and maybe, just maybe, book a slightly bigger room than you think you need. You’ll thank me later. Trust me.
Is it suitable for families?
Hmm... families. It depends. With very small children? Might be a squeeze in the smaller rooms. The courtyard is lovely, but not exactly a playground. There isn't a dedicated kids' area. Do they have a cot option? Check on that. I saw one family with a toddler, and they seemed to be managing alright, but the parents looked exhausted. Older kids? Probably fine. The location is great for exploring, and there are enough restaurants nearby. But if you are travelling with older children, consider a bigger room. Seriously. Consider it.
What's the *best* thing about Le Clery? What made it worthwhile?
Okay, despite all the complaining (sorry, I get passionate!), the best thing? … Probably the location. Seriously. Being able to walk out the door and *be in Paris*... it's amazing. Plus, that courtyard. When they get it right, it is a *dream*. One evening, after a ridiculously long day of museum-hopping and café-sitting, I sat out there with a glass of wine (bought elsewhere, naturally, because the hotel bar wasn’t open). The lights were twinkling, the air was cool, and the world just felt… right. That feeling? That's why you’re willing to put up with the breakfast disappointments or the grumpy staff. That's the Parisian magic. That's why you keep going back. That, and the fact that you're probably going to go back to experience it all again later, hoping that THIS time, the coffee is strong and the staff is actually *happy* to see you.
Would you recommend Le Clery? Be honest!
Okay, the honest answer? It's complicated. If you want perfection? No. If you're easily annoyed by quirks or inconsistent service? Maybe look elsewhere. But... if you're looking for a charming, well-located base for exploring Paris, and you're willing to embrace a little imperfection... yeah. I would. Just go in with realistic expectations. Book a bigger roomYogyakarta's HOTTEST Hotel: All Nite & Day Gejayan - Book Now!
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