HONEST REVIEW OF HOTEL STELLA ETOILE: A CAUTIONARY TALE**
Positives: The hotel is clean and near the Arc de Triomphe. Most of the staff are friendly.
Negatives: This hotel is full of restrictions that make it feel like a strict dormitory. First, you only get one room key, which has to be given to the front desk each time you leave. You can’t access your room without retrieving it, and it feels like they’re tracking you. I’ve never seen this policy in any other hotel.
The no-visitors rule was particularly frustrating. My aunt, who was waiting for her husband’s delayed flight, came to see me. She left her purse in my room, and when she returned to get it, the staff became suspicious. They told her that visitors weren’t allowed and gave her 30 minutes to gather her belongings and leave, even though she was visibly upset.
When I questioned the staff, they claimed my aunt's earlier visit seemed “suspicious.” I tried to explain that she was waiting to check in to her own nearby hotel, even showing them her room key, but they didn’t budge.
The breakfast was also disappointing. It seemed microwaved, and they didn’t even have a way to warm a croissant. Save your money unless you’re okay with a toaster breakfast.
Overall, the hotel’s strict policies made our stay uncomfortable. This was my first trip to Paris, solely to celebrate my mother’s birthday. Thankfully, she enjoyed the beautiful city—a small comfort during an otherwise frustrating experience.