BEST WESTERN Grand Hotel De L'Univers, Paris

Location is excellent. It's the only reason we liked this hotel. The staff are strange. The day we checked in two were unfriendly and arrogant. The man (manager?) was arrogant and basically said things to mean we were stupid just because we waited about 5 minutes for their weird elevator to arrive but never did. He told us we'd have to push the button to call it when we noticed it's between floors clearly a quirk of their elevator only but he made it sound that we were so retarded not to have known this. Woman at desk when asked to confirm our discounted rate got irritated and slammed the object she had in her hand on the desk then barked at us a higher rate that she herself offered us by email. When she checked her paperwork and realized her error she just said the real rate and ignored us never apologizing, went to tend to other guests. The deluxe room isn't worth full rate of 230 euro; it's a rip off. Be aware one cannot use the hairdryer (theirs) and keep on the lights and TV at the same time; we found out this causes power shorts. That's another thing we've never had problem with at any other small Paris hotel. The amenities and services do not match the rate they charge. One day the housekeeper failed to provide soap and shampoo just because she noticed we were not there for the night (we went on an overnight trip). There is no guest toilet on the ground floor or basement for when guests check out. No hotel I have stayed at big or small have no guest toilet. I believe they use it for the breakfast room staff as there is a toilet there but it's marked 'Prive'. Breakfast room staff are not friendly either. They desk staff lie also. When we requested specifically for them to reserve a public taxi and reconfirmed they assured us it is Taxi Parisien, but when the taxi arrived it was clear it was a private car service they reserved. There was no 'Taxi Parisien' on the car roof nor was there a meter. Generally book this hotel only if you like the location and truly wish to be near rue de Buci, want to be treated indifferently, if you wish to feel intimidated to ask even simple questions, if you wish to be treated like you're ignorant, if you do not need staff to assist you in any way, and if you want to start your vacation off with a very bad feeling. Do not book this hotel if you wish to have an enjoyable stay with welcoming and friendly staff and a hotel that offers true amenities. Their brochure actually states they provide a friendly welcome. Perhaps they ought either to delete that statement or practice what it says. We will NOT be returning nor will we ever recommend this hotel to anyone else. There are so many hotels in Paris, quite a few with comparable rates in this area, and the best feature to me hotels with truly welcoming staff.