The Bedford does not deserve its 4 star rating - service is haphazard and not particularly friendly, facilities are somewhat limited. There is a small roped-off area at the front of the hotel for arrivals and departures which is monitored from reception via camera , though no-one came to greet or help with the bags. Our superior room was spacious and pleasant, but double rooms actually have two single beds pushed together, each individually made up with single bed linen and blankets, no extra pillows or towels, no evening turn down service, and no bathrobes (although we were invited to buy some if we wanted them).

There is no valet parking - I was given a map and a car park pass and left to my own devices to find the public car park. My numbered space was 6 floors down - for 18 hours we were charged 40 euros by the hotel, though the cost just to drive in and park one floor down in the same secure car park is 27 euros for 24 hours.

Generally poor value for money - we were charged an extra 28 euros for our 8 year old son to sleep on a sofa bed. Breakfast 10 euros for 1 coffee and 1 croissant. 18 euros for buffet breakfast, though most of the items usually included at this level were charged as extras on top of the 18 euros - orange juice, eggs, porridge etc.

We'd booked the lovely looking baroque-style restaurant in advance (and given the required credit card deposit), but, having dressed for dinner and arrived in the lobby, we were informed the restaurant did not open for dinner at weekends. Instead, our table was in the small brasserie - no atmosphere, hardly any other diners, indifferent and expensive food and no children's menu. There are hundreds of better brasseries outside the door, though we had young children in our party and were tied to eating at the hotel.

Not child friendly - no infant high chairs, no baby change facilities and no attempt to cater for younger guests.

You couldn't pay me to return to the Bedford.

Having stayed in a large number of hotels in Paris from the simplest to the most expensive over more than fifty years, this is definitely one of the better ones, especially as it comes at a reasonable price (though breakfast was not included). Excellent location for opera, shopping, sightseeing. We were on the 7th floor and room was large for French standard with very nice bathroom and separate toilet. Staff very friendly and most helpful. If you want to get there by taxi, tell the driver to drop you on the North side of Place Madeleine and you walk the last one hundred metres - this saves you quite a bit of money as the hotel is in a small and quiet side street.

Just returned from a three night stay in the hotel Bedford from 11/11/08 to 14/11/08. Booked flights from Cardiff with Flybe and accommodation through Thomson city breaks which was significantly cheaper than booking with the hotel direct. Arranged transfers from Paris Cdg with Inter shuttle who were very efficient with prompt timekeeping.

On arrival we had a pleasant surprise when we were allocated a room on the seventh floor with a small balcony and a view of the Eiffel Tower which you could see in the distance. The room was a satisfactory size for a city hotel with lots of windows and a high ceiling. Bathroom was very small but was clean and adequate. Room had a complimentary safety deposit box but the position was a bit awkward as it was located at the back of a tall cupboard. Room was quiet with no traffic noise. The cleanliness of the room and hotel in general was excellent.

Staff were always friendly, helpful and very efficient. Reception area was spacious with a comfortable seating area. However, felt that certain areas of the hotel such as the corridors and lift could benefit from refurbishment. Breakfast was served in the Victorian restaurant which was the best part of the hotel, very grand and upmarket in a typical 1900s décor. Good selection of cereal, cold meats, cheeses, ham, fruit etc and lovely fresh bread.

Hotel is located in the Madeleine / Opera quarter which is within walking distance to the main attractions such as the Louvre and Arc De Triomphe providing you have no mobility issues. Hotel is extremely close to some beautiful patisserie shops for fresh baguettes and cakes. Had a lovely lunchtime meal in Castel Lane restaurant (Castle Lane road) which is under a two minute walk from the hotel. Excellent selection of shops in the vicinity of the hotel which includes the popular and expensive ‘Hediard’ store (21 pl de la Madeleine) featuring mouth watering chocolates, fruits, exotic spices and oils.

If you have any further questions, contact me and I will try to assist.

Have just returned from four weeks travelling in Europe and our five nights at the Bedford Hotel were the best. We found the location to be perfect - quiet but convenient to everything a tourist in Paris requires. Our superior room that we had booked on the hotel website was located on the top floor. The room was clean and comfortable with a king bed and a large sitting area with a sofa, two lounge chairs and a coffee table. The room had two small balconies, one near the bed and the other adjacent to the lounge area, with both balconies providing great views over the local rooftops and further afield. Tea and coffee facilities were provided, as was a decent fridge, an in-room safe, flat-screen tv and electronic shutters over the balcony doors. The bathroom was large, clean and had all the usual amenities. Breakfast was plentiful and we found all of the hotel staff we encountered to be helpful and friendly. We couldn't fault our stay at the Bedford and wouldn't hesitate to return or to recommend it to our friends.