Brach Paris: Service to perfect, design a little bling

As part of a business trip to the capital, in this case for a professional seminar, I stayed at this hotel, which has just opened in the capital.

Here is the itinerary followed:

#	Type	Review
1	Lounge	British Airways Galleries North, London Heathrow (not reviewed)
2	Flight	British Airways Club Europe, London Heathrow – Paris Charles-de-Gaulle, Airbus A319 (not reviewed)
3	Hotel	Brach Paris
4	Hotel	Le Dokhan’s Paris, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
5	Restaurant	Nomicos P a ris
6	Train	TER Nomad 1st clas, Paris Saint-Lazare – Caen ((not reviewed))
7	Cruise	Brittany Ferries Commodore Class, Ouistreham (Caen) – Portsmouth, MV Mont Saint-Michel

Today’s itinerary

Booking

I didn’t make the reservation myself, but my company booked a room in my name, combined with the seminar meeting room.

Arrival

I arrive at the hotel around 1pm by Uber from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle airport, my flight having been delayed by over an hour.

Despite the 5-star rating on the front, there was no one to greet me outside or take charge of my luggage.

So I walked into the lobby alone. It’s hard to find the reception desk, so I wait a few moments, then ask a hostess (who hasn’t said hello to me), who tells me that the reception desk is on the 1st floor.

So I take the elevator up.

I wait while a rather vulgar Middle-Eastern couple argue with the receptionist about a payment made by bank transfer the day before and not received by the hotel…

Anyway, after a few minutes, I was taken care of, but my room wasn’t ready, so I left my suitcase at reception.

Apart from my ID, I won’t be asked for any means of payment.

I return to the hotel just before dinnertime, and collect my keys from reception. At least I try to, because every time I go to reception, I’m forced to wait long minutes before someone deigns to serve me. Quite annoying, and not very 5*.

Room

My room was on the 5th floor of the property. Cleverly enough, it’s located at one end of the hotel in a sort of alcove for me and my colleague, who’s staying in the adjacent room.

The mirrored entrance houses a number of spacious cupboards, as well as a truly immense bar, with all kinds of paying amenities and a well-stocked minibar.

Then comes the spacious bedroom, with its king-size bed of course, a small desk facing the floor-to-ceiling windows, a small table in the corner and a TV.

All the decoration, based on literature, is magnificent.

The bathroom, too, is very well equipped, with a good-sized shower and top-of-the-range toiletries.

A magnificent room, well worth the price.

Finally, a video tour:

Hotel facilities

The hotel features a fitness room and swimming pool, both located on level -2. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to enjoy them.

Food options

Several food and beverage outlets are available in the hotel. On the reception level is a terrace that doubles as a bar and light bites. Pleasant, but above all very hype, and therefore crowded. I’ll skip it.

The main restaurant, with its Mediterranean flair, is located on the first floor of the hotel.

We’ll have a few drinks with my colleagues and I’ll have breakfast there too.

Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and will be copious and of high quality. The service will be attentive without being overbearing.

Departure

Departure formalities will be very simple, as I’ll just need to drop off my card at reception.

Bottom line

A very, very nice hotel but… Staff training needs to be reviewed. Being trendy doesn’t exempt one from good manners and hotel school, and one feels more welcome at the entrance to a trendy club than in a 5* hotel. Big black spot.