Cercle National des Armees

We were there for the Olympics so got scalped on the prices but we knew that when we booked. ....And of course we are not French officers so we were guests of the French military. Club is in a good central location near Gare St Lazare with plenty of bars and eateries nearby. The foyer is very much of the 1920s grand style. All the staff with whom we had dealings were polite and courteous. Booking in and checking out was seamless. The rooms were very clean but quote "clearly not designed by a woman". No dressing table, no fridge, no towel rails, no idea whether the bottles of wine and water in the room were complimentary or how much they cost. There was a kettle and a few sachets of Lipton's tea but if you are visiting from UK I would advise bringing your own teabags and some sachets of milk. A/c worked well...it needed to it was very hot. Separate toilet and bathroom both spotlessly clean and perfectly adequate. The shower is in the bath which is extremely high sided and access might be a bit of an issue for those whose mobility is no longer what it was. We ate in the dining room and had breakfast. Both were fine although the cooked breakfast eggs offering consisted only of omelettes which appeared to have been made with Aunt Gemima's pancake mix, and bacon. I don't know if the price hike in the room rates (twice the normal rate) frightened people off but considering the Olympics were on there was certainly no bustling throng of fellow guests. Bottom line: It was perfectly acceptable without being luxurious or fine dining and served its purpose very well. After all it is a military place and not the Ritz and we knew that before we came. I would happily stay here again. Comparison with the Victory Services Club in London? If the VSC and the Hotel St Augustine were in the same city I would probably choose the VSC but only just.

Une réunion et un déjeuner. L’accueil par les personnels est extra. Le déjeuner parfait aussi. Endroit sélect dans le 8eme, à deux pas de St Lazare, où vous côtoyez des Generaux qui ont servis votre patrie. On s’y sent très bien... Je recommande évidement

Repas de travail entre collègues du ministère. Quelle déception ! Le cadre ne suffit pas à construire une réputation alors que la qualité de l'accueil peut lui nuire sérieusement. Dès votre arrivée, une dame croit vous ordonner de déposer votre veste aux vestiaires prétextant des raisons de sécurité. Au bar, le serveur n'est pas plus aimable et fait la tête alors qu'un sourire est gratuit. Seul le repas était bon et le service au restaurant de qualité. Définitivement, je n'y retournerai plus.