Fantastic location steps from the Louvre, the Paris Opera, and the Palais Royale
Plentiful bakeries, restaurants, and shops are nearby in the First arrondissement
Convenient location for transportation; Metro stop two blocks away
Spacious rooms with high ceilings and big bathrooms
Computer terminal for visitor use adjacent to lobby
Cozy, quaint on-site bar with piano
Free Wi-Fi
Some guests have noted wear and tear including peeling paint, worn carpets, and mildewy bathrooms
Soundproofing is poor
Some rooms have fans instead of air-conditioning
Property is generally dated and lacks aggressive upkeep
The grandeur of the Hotel Normandy’s historic 19th-century building fits perfectly with its surroundings; it is ideally located steps from the Louvre in the 1st arrondissement, the site of some of Haussmann’s most magnificent Parisian architecture. Unfortunately the hotel has seen better days, and many have noted that, despite the large rooms and palatial interior architecture, the hotel features visually antiquated decor and peeling paint. There may also be mechanical quirks related to the hotel’s age; some visitors have noted that outdated electrical wiring may make fans -- supplied in place of air-conditioning in some rooms -- an impossibility at night. The hotel claims to be undergoing renovation; some of these circumstances may change.
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Scene
Dated, grand hotel
Hotel Normandy is in need of renovation; the management admits as much in their response to user comments online. Some tourists, who constitute the majority of guests here, are undeterred by signs of aging in what is undeniably a magnificent 19th-century building furnished with an Art Nouveau awning on the corner of a busy street near the Comédie Française, the Louvre, and Opéra. Ceilings are high and supported by gilded columns in the palatial lobby; gentle decline is more apparent in the hallways, painted an institutional green and lined with fraying carpet.
Location
Two blocks from the Louvre, two blocks from Opéra
As many have pointed out, location is possibly the biggest draw of the hotel. It is situated at a fairly busy intersection one block away from one of the archway entrances to the Louvre complex. The Palais Royale Metro stop is two blocks from the entrance to the hotel. The neighborhood is rife with restaurants and knick-knack tourist stores, and is one of the prime examples of concentrated Haussmannian architecture in the city. The more casual shopping of the Place Saint-Michel is a 20-minute walk away.
Rooms
Plain and large rooms, some with peeling paint, others less worn down
Larger than usual rooms seem to have some perennial problems; guests have complained of mildew in bathrooms and peeling paint, and also noted that the only hairdryer in the property is located at the reception. Some visitors, who have started in one room and asked to be rebooked to another, claim that there is variety in the upkeep and that the more expensive rooms are adequate. High ceilings, wall moulding, and long chintz curtains are in keeping with the building’s historic origins; besides the chandeliers and occasional Second Empire chair, there is little attempt at decor. All rooms have a small, desktop TV and a minibar.
Features
Computer terminal adjacent to lobby, business meeting rooms, and a wood-paneled bar area
There is a small desk with a computer available for guest use adjacent to the lobby. A magnificent meeting room can be configured for presentations; its vaulted ceilings feature gilt-detail crown moulding in the style of Egyptian Revival interiors. A more modest wood-panel dining room with plaid carpeting provides the setting for breakfast, which is served for a fee.
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