We left La Reserve Paris earlier today and I cannot help but feel a bit disappointed by it, but only a little bit. The hard product is absolutely top-notch, of that there is no doubt. After 4 days in the suite, the only criticism I could walk away with is how slippery the wooden floor is, which will undoubtedly take a few lives at some point. But it is so beautiful to look at, so pros and cons, I guess. It's pretty easy to overcome: if you are fond of your neck, do not wear socks.
The downside was the food. We did not try their Michelin star restaurant, but between 3 breakfasts and 2 dinners (can't say I'm not perseverant), nothing impressed either of us. In particular the dinners were very bland and stood out only for how expensive they were. The dining room was so empty that last night there were 2 couples (us included) in the dining room at 9pm, but that could just be that the locals already know it's not worth bothering with. On the plus side, breakfast was included, so on the first morning I could look at the €160 breakfast bill and just ignore it, whilst pretending that's normal.
With only 40 rooms, it has the capability of offering Aman levels of service. It could truly do something special that pushes it beyond a stunning hard product and onto a level of a hotel ranked amongst the best. It started so well, with the pre-arrival introductions, questions, reach outs and information being beyond impressive. But it just failed to gain the momentum after that point. I was talking to another GM before we left about how impressed I was with La Reserve's pre-intro, and he made the salient point that the issue with stay lists if that if you fill them out and then they do not deliver on them, you wonder you you bothered. Now La Reserve did actually really go above and beyond with the stay list, but I felt that they considered this greatest achievement and were patting backs rather than following it through with the rest of the service.
For example, we do not drink, so this is in the stay list. The room has no alcohol, but every single meal we had someone asks us whether we wanted a glass of champagne/wine etc. The Beaumont and The Goring can successfully remember their guests and have 50-80% more rooms, whereas we were asked our name and room number countless times at La Reserve, even by staff who had previously already asked for it. The Beaumont also works on anticipating when their guests will arrive and greeting them accordingly, but even though La Reserve knew all the details, the arrival was all very standard. When we came to leave, they knew what time our train was, but I had to try and organise the late checkout, so then you wonder why they asked for the information. We had a handwritten note to say they hoped we enjoyed our first night, but it was delivered after the second night; we never met management, nor had a farewell from anyone.
This is why I say it is only a slight disappointment. I felt they had everything in place to exceed customers expectations, set the tone for it, but then don't quite deliver on it, all in minor areas. Anticipating clients needs is tough, but it is a helluva lot easier when there's only 40 rooms. I had high expectations going in, some from reviews, some from it being recommended, the majority from their pre-arrival interaction, and their service was very friendly and very good, but it was not what I hoped it would be. It did not wow me, nor did it beat other city hotels I have stayed in. La Reserve is a new hotel which has been heavily invested in, both from the hard product and the management, so I have little doubt they will step it up.
I'm a Paris amateur - my only experience is between La Reserve and Le Bristol (unless you want to count when I visited in 2009 with no money and stayed in some place that resembled the Bates Motel). Given the choice I would definitely go back to La Reserve.
Reception
Private balcony view of the sunset
Library with grand piano
Library
Library
Library and mini bar
Cigar lounge