For the second hotel stay of my review trip to Bangkok, I spent a night at SAX Paris, Hilton LXR. I had a couple of nights in Paris, and wanted to check out a a couple of points hotels that have been on my radar.
The 118-room SAX Paris opened several months ago, and it’s ostensibly the most luxurious Hilton property in Paris (which isn’t saying a whole lot, as Hilton’s luxury portfolio there is lacking). The cash rate would’ve been around €600 per night, while the points rate would’ve been 110,000 Hilton Honors points. However, I had a Hilton Honors free night award that was expiring soon, so I figured this was a good chance to redeem it.
SAX Paris is a lovely hotel… for someone else. This hotel just isn’t for me, as it feels like a confused W Hotel, and I just feel too old to stay here. While I’ll have a full review soon, in this post I’d like to share my initial thoughts.
SAX Paris has a bizarre design that’s not for me
Hilton’s LXR brand is supposed to consist of luxury hotels, though I’d describe SAX Paris as having more the vibe of a makeshift lifestyle hotel. Look, maybe I’m just getting old and grouchy, but the design drove me bonkers.
For one, the hotel just has mirrors everywhere. I kind of hate that, because at some point it’s downright disorienting. Then the hotel has lights turned down really low in many areas, and when you combine that with all the mirrors, you sort of feel like you’re on a trip (not the travel kind!). There were just so many little things that annoyed me, down to not being able to read the labels underneath the switches by the door, because there wasn’t enough contrast between the panel and the writing (and I have good vision!). Okay, let me be a little more concrete…
As a valued Hilton Honors Diamond member, I was generously upgraded one category, to a deluxe room, which measures 280 square feet (26 square meters). The room was tiny and had virtually no view, and I wouldn’t describe it as “luxury.”
It’s amazing, because when the hotel opened, all the pictures in the press release looked amazing, but this was basically a closet, with the only seating being two rather uncomfortable chairs at a small table.
By the way, there’s a reason the rooms are likely so small — this wasn’t supposed to be a “luxury” hotel. Initially, this was supposed to be branded as the Hilton Paris Eiffel Tower, and was supposed to open in 2019. But instead, it ended up opening six years later, and going upmarket. Presumably the “bones” weren’t changed, though.
The lobby is sort of cute, but literally as tiny as it could possibly be, with the only seating being two couches right across from the reception desk.
Beyond that, the vibe was just very confusing. Am I in a haunted house, a tacky Lisa Vanderpump restaurant concept, or what’s going on here?
Then there’s this outdoor courtyard, which I’m sure is lovely in summer, but obviously isn’t useful for much of the year.
And rather oddly, that courtyard has an elevated pool and hot tub, which just seems exceedingly random.
What I find so unusual about this hotel is that it had the vibe of a property that you’d think would be going after 20-somethings… except there were no 20-somethings staying here. Instead it was primarily American Hilton Honors member types, who were obviously just looking for the best option in Paris. So it just didn’t seem like the vibe of the hotel matches the guest profile.
To be fair to SAX Paris, there were things I liked
Honestly, my main issue with the hotel was the design, and I want to make sure I’m being fair. There were also good things about the hotel. The staff all seemed to be very young, and they were all friendly and very professional, so I have nothing bad to say about the people working here.
There’s also an excellent Japanese rooftop restaurant at the hotel, Kinugawa, which could absolutely be worth visiting (Ford even went there a while back with a friend, when he wasn’t even staying at the hotel). The rooftop has views of the Eiffel Tower as well.
That’s also where breakfast is served, and I found the breakfast selection to be excellent. There was an extensive buffet with fresh options, plus a small a la carte selection.
Bottom line
Hilton LXR’s SAX Paris is a strange hotel. On the plus side, the staff are friendly, and the rooftop restaurant is very good, with an excellent breakfast. My only issue with the hotel is… well, the physical hotel as such. While this is marketed as a luxury property, I’d describe it as a very strange lifestyle hotel, with small rooms, way too many mirrors, and a lack of consistent lighting.
I don’t want to give this place too hard of a time, and maybe other people do like the design. But for me, the design is just a deal breaker, and I’d rather stay at a run of the mill, cookie cutter hotel, where I’m at least not walking into mirrors, or struggling to see.
It’s frustrating when hotels don’t do a good job managing expectations, because it’s one thing if this had been branded as Curio Collection, or something, where it’s supposed to be more upscale than luxury. But that’s not the case here…
What’s your take on Hilton’s SAX Paris?
