HotelChatter

However, we don't believe these stats are entirely accurate or representative. For a start, the story doesn't take into account the proliferation of luxury and new boutique and design hotels in France that are anything but shabby and poorly staffed.

But okay, we'll admit that this is the view of French hotels that has been bandied about since people first started staying at hotels.

A big problem here is simply cultural difference. American, Canadian and Australian visitors are used to quite a different sort of smiley have-a-nice-day service. That concept just doesn't (or didn't, until now) exist on the continent. Waiters and hotel staff are people, generally French people, and don't feel they should grovel to customers or smile falsely if they don't feel like smiling. Managers in other countries who staff their hotels with immigrant Filipinos and Mexicans can pay them a minimum wage and still instruct them to grovel and smile.

Another problem is one of expectation - if you expect French hotels to be poor, you'll find as many problems as you can, just to feed your expectation. So look for the positive.

And if you want to play safe, just do your research - check out our recent Paris Hotel Guide and our picks of the best and worst Hotels in France.

And then write back and give us your tips.

[Photo: AVZ]

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