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 (separately, I checked out Hotel du Louvre, Hyatt Unbound Collection).
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.
In this post:
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?
So far I haven't found any LXR location compelling enough a choice to be worth the cost/points, so haven't been in one yet.
Also Ben, "old" and grouchy? Aren't you like 32?? Many years left to expand into properly old and properly grouchy!
Choose your path from sunbed to hot tub.
I stayed there recently and overall I enjoyed my time there but I have to admit, the design is definitely a bit odd.
What bothered me most was the artificial scent in the lobby. It smelled like a super strong cleaning fragrance on overdrive.
And something else that surprised me: the Kinugawa restaurant isn’t actually part of the hotel. So you can’t use your stay credit there if you booked through FHR. Pretty strange...
I stayed there recently and overall I enjoyed my time there but I have to admit, the design is definitely a bit odd.
What bothered me most was the artificial scent in the lobby. It smelled like a super strong cleaning fragrance on overdrive.
And something else that surprised me: the Kinugawa restaurant isn’t actually part of the hotel. So you can’t use your stay credit there if you booked through FHR. Pretty strange especially since that’s where they serve breakfast. But yep you can't charge anything to the room there.
Aren’t using mirrors in that way a design technique/trick to try and make a room look bigger than it is?
We were at this hotel last week and they upgraded us to a 37 square meter prestige, accessible, room and it came with so many mirrors everywhere, you couldn't watch the TV (mounted behind a mirror) without seeing reflections of everything all the time.
We also noticed some of the room components are already broken (the blinds didn't work properly) and other places showed more wear and tear you'd expect from a place that just...
We were at this hotel last week and they upgraded us to a 37 square meter prestige, accessible, room and it came with so many mirrors everywhere, you couldn't watch the TV (mounted behind a mirror) without seeing reflections of everything all the time.
We also noticed some of the room components are already broken (the blinds didn't work properly) and other places showed more wear and tear you'd expect from a place that just opened.
The shower was unusual but it did a great job of being accessible so we just assumed that was the reason it was designed like that. The sinks, not so much, like other commenters said.
They comped us valet parking and had very nice amenities for the pet we had with us. The rooftop was closed for repairs (again, why is this new hotel already seeming to fall apart?) but the restaurant and gym were nice.
Was it a good use of free night certificate? I think it was for our needs. Would we return? Probably not.
I miss DCS. I’m sad his alternate reality never became real. Real life is just sadder. Hilton fantasy perfection sounds amazing by contrast.
Almost booked the SAX Paris because I wanted a property with a pool during the hot August month, but can't imagine using that tiny pool next to courtyard diners. Seems like it was built for Instagram photos instead of actual use. Booked le Narcisse Blanc instead and very happy with it.
Had I paid 600€ for that room I would have been deeply disappointed.
On a recent trip to Paris with Hilton certs to burn I debated between this and Le Narcisse Blanc. Very happy to have gone with Le Narcisse Blanc. The room was tiny, but everything was so well thought out, there was a tiny balcony with flowers and a view of the quiet street. The color scheme of the hotel featured a lot of white, so everything felt airy despite the objectively small size of the...
On a recent trip to Paris with Hilton certs to burn I debated between this and Le Narcisse Blanc. Very happy to have gone with Le Narcisse Blanc. The room was tiny, but everything was so well thought out, there was a tiny balcony with flowers and a view of the quiet street. The color scheme of the hotel featured a lot of white, so everything felt airy despite the objectively small size of the space.
We went up to check out the rooftop view and bar of the SAX, and were so happy to not be staying there. Super dark and a weird vibe.
Also debated between the two and also chose Le Narcisse Blanc! Glad we both chose correctly =)
LXR is a flop. Hilton can’t do luxury. They should focus on Hamptons and Spark’s.
Hilton is disappointing. Invariably their hotels at every level are more poorly reviewed than their competition. Their redemptions are expensive (though, to be fair, I haven't compared them to Marriott, IHG, etc.).
@ Oskiboski -- While I think the Waldorf Astoria brand is developing pretty well competitively, I agree with you that LXR seems to be a bit of a flop. It doesn't seem like Hilton has much of a strategy with it, and while some individual properties might be nice, I don't have faith in the brand overall.
I really is it may not be a Hilton but bookable through Hilton so I assume it counts. I stayed a couple of weeks ago at La Narcisse Blanc (an SLH property) on a FNC and loved it. Around 700 Euro or 120,000 so a great choice for a Hilton certificate.
Maybe just me but I do consider the SLH Hilton properties in Paris to be luxury hotels (although smaller boutique hotels) including this one. I highly recommend it.
Looks overly styled masquerading for luxury with the individual tiles everywhere on the floor and the walls for the elevator. Plus harsh harsh lighting and what looks like a very tiny room. I spent 80K for a night at the Hilton Paris Opera a few years ago and think that would have been a much better deal than here...
The lobby checkerboard floor tiles combined with the Calcutta Marquis marble front desk is a psychedelic combination only the Mad Hatter could design. With Ben, not my cup of tea either.
Felt the same way about the hotel. We were lucky enough to have a better upgrade to a junior suite with a nice view. One type of the issues you mentioned, I hated the bathroom sinks. If you know, you know.
But, yes, the staff was great. Especially the duty manager and the GM. They ultimately made up for the shortcomings. Also, the Spa there is pretty nice!
@ Eddie -- Was saving that detail for the review! What were they thinking with the sinks?! Happy to hear you got a better upgrade, at least!
Haha, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the sinks in the review!
BTW, thanks for all of your great posts over the years! Have been following site for a long time. You and DoC are my daily go-to's. Keep up the great work.
What is DoC?
OMATT is my go to. TPG isn't as engaging as it used to be.
Mistyped the acronym. Sorry Ben!
DoctorOfCredit
@ Eddie -- Thank you so much for reading, that's very kind, and I appreciate it! :-)