Apr 5, 2014, 7:57 pm
Last edit by: skj
I'm making this thread a wiki since there are issues that keep getting repeated (breakfast and transportation from/to CDG). Feel free to add whatever you feel is important - stick to facts of please and not one off exceptions (eg if you get an upgrade to the Presidential Suite on an award stay without any status - that's definitely a one off that doesn't belong in the WIKI - obviously you can do a regular post on it).
Public transport to the hotel from CDG
The best option is to take the Roissy bus to Opera. From there, the hotel is about a 5 minute walk.
The next best option is to take RER B to Chatelet-Les Halles. All trains from Roissy/CDG head south into Paris so no worries there. Some go express all the way into Paris (Gare du Nord, so Chatelet-Les Halles is the second stop); others are locals, in which case there are a lot of stops; some are half-express, half-local ... but all stop at Chatelet-Les Halles; and there is no point waiting for an express because it is rare if ever that an express will overtake a local. So get on whatever comes first. At Chatelet-Les Halles, transfer to RER A for one stop to Auber (which is joined to Opera station). You will be heading westbound, toward the termini St. Germain-en-Laye/Poissy/Cergny. You have to go up the stairs and back down for the Auber-bound train. Do not race across the platform for the RER B because that will be heading eastbound, to Gare de Lyon, Nation, Vincennes (and, depending on which one you get on, eventually Eurodisney!) The walk from the Auber exit closest to the RER stop takes about 10 minutes.
Public transport to the hotel from Orly
Take the Orlyval train to its end at Antony, then switch to RER B to Chatelet-Les-Halles and continue as above. In this case you can just cross the platform from the RER B to get the RER A headed to Auber.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Cafe Jeanne is free for Globalist members but is 40-50 euros per person otherwise. A modified but still very good version of this buffet breakfast is also available in the room and is also free for Globalists. Tips are not covered but then again the theory in France is that the service charge is in the price.
Museum tickets & pass from the concierge
You can buy "skip the line" tickets to the Louvre or Orsay for 18€ each, which is higher than the regular tickets via the Louvre & Orsay websites. But being able to "skip the line" obviously adds some value. They will also sell you the two day Paris Museum Pass for 55€. That is a 7€ markup.
Phone/data recommendations:
Lebara worked really well for me. What you need to do:
• You must unlock your phone (you can do this for free online with ATT through their website if you are out of contract)
• Order free SIM card at Lebara.fr a few weeks before your trip. I don’t think it took more than 2 weeks for my SIM card to arrive
• Activate SIM card at https://www.lebara.fr/activate-sim-detail?isoCode=en_GB or search “activate SIM” at Lebara.fr
• Load your SIM card with what you need. I paid 10 euro for 3G of data, unlimited SMS and local calls for 10 days (this should be plenty for most tourists)
LeFrench Mobile did not work so well for me: I paid 20-30 euro for local and international calls for my sister but was only able to make local calls and SMS
restaurant recommendations:
Nearby:
(We're here on 1 Oct 2021 and it appears this restaurant is closed permanently ...) Le Cap Bourbon- good, inexpensive, our server was nice and attentive (by French standards), great local crowd, menu has English translation
We ate a local Thai restaurant - Yo - its about a 5 minute walk from the hotel and very busy. I had a guinea fowl green curry - a first for me. Very good food and friendly service.
Other:
L'Avant Comptoir is a wine bar with great,relatively cheap eats and a great atmosphere and friendly, English-speaking staff. Standing room only and tight.
Public transport to the hotel from CDG
The best option is to take the Roissy bus to Opera. From there, the hotel is about a 5 minute walk.
The next best option is to take RER B to Chatelet-Les Halles. All trains from Roissy/CDG head south into Paris so no worries there. Some go express all the way into Paris (Gare du Nord, so Chatelet-Les Halles is the second stop); others are locals, in which case there are a lot of stops; some are half-express, half-local ... but all stop at Chatelet-Les Halles; and there is no point waiting for an express because it is rare if ever that an express will overtake a local. So get on whatever comes first. At Chatelet-Les Halles, transfer to RER A for one stop to Auber (which is joined to Opera station). You will be heading westbound, toward the termini St. Germain-en-Laye/Poissy/Cergny. You have to go up the stairs and back down for the Auber-bound train. Do not race across the platform for the RER B because that will be heading eastbound, to Gare de Lyon, Nation, Vincennes (and, depending on which one you get on, eventually Eurodisney!) The walk from the Auber exit closest to the RER stop takes about 10 minutes.
Public transport to the hotel from Orly
Take the Orlyval train to its end at Antony, then switch to RER B to Chatelet-Les-Halles and continue as above. In this case you can just cross the platform from the RER B to get the RER A headed to Auber.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Cafe Jeanne is free for Globalist members but is 40-50 euros per person otherwise. A modified but still very good version of this buffet breakfast is also available in the room and is also free for Globalists. Tips are not covered but then again the theory in France is that the service charge is in the price.
Museum tickets & pass from the concierge
You can buy "skip the line" tickets to the Louvre or Orsay for 18€ each, which is higher than the regular tickets via the Louvre & Orsay websites. But being able to "skip the line" obviously adds some value. They will also sell you the two day Paris Museum Pass for 55€. That is a 7€ markup.
Phone/data recommendations:
Lebara worked really well for me. What you need to do:
• You must unlock your phone (you can do this for free online with ATT through their website if you are out of contract)
• Order free SIM card at Lebara.fr a few weeks before your trip. I don’t think it took more than 2 weeks for my SIM card to arrive
• Activate SIM card at https://www.lebara.fr/activate-sim-detail?isoCode=en_GB or search “activate SIM” at Lebara.fr
• Load your SIM card with what you need. I paid 10 euro for 3G of data, unlimited SMS and local calls for 10 days (this should be plenty for most tourists)
LeFrench Mobile did not work so well for me: I paid 20-30 euro for local and international calls for my sister but was only able to make local calls and SMS
restaurant recommendations:
Nearby:
(We're here on 1 Oct 2021 and it appears this restaurant is closed permanently ...) Le Cap Bourbon- good, inexpensive, our server was nice and attentive (by French standards), great local crowd, menu has English translation
We ate a local Thai restaurant - Yo - its about a 5 minute walk from the hotel and very busy. I had a guinea fowl green curry - a first for me. Very good food and friendly service.
Other:
L'Avant Comptoir is a wine bar with great,relatively cheap eats and a great atmosphere and friendly, English-speaking staff. Standing room only and tight.
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme REVIEW - MASTER THREAD (Aug 2011 onward)
Dec 29, 2014, 11:57 am
#2431
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Jan 4, 2015, 6:56 am
#2432
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 351
Just completed 3 nights with the family. Lots has been said on this thread and most reviews are very positive. In short I am a fan of the PHV and the staff, hotel and services were all great. I have previously stayed at the Plaza de Athenee and Georges V both of which I thought were a bit "stuffy" but the PHV was much more relaxing yet luxurious and welcoming. We had 3 rooms, we had wanted at least two connecting but they couldn't accommodate but we had been upgraded to the Deluxe rooms which are slightly larger. I'd read here that some think the hotel needs a refresh but to me the hotel seems very well maintained and no complaints. As diamond I received breakfast for the 3 rooms complimentary which was a nice benefit and while the breakfast was great we had just come from the Andaz Liverpool street and IMO the breakfast in 1901 is as good if not better. Anyway a good stay and recommend for a visit
Jan 30, 2015, 1:18 pm
#2433
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 15
Chase free-night
i'm going to Paris early July and am thinking to apply for the Chase Hyatt CC and get 2 free nights for this hotel. I've gone through almost each post of this thread (some of the posts are hilarious 
), but i'm still not sure:
1. 2-adult + 1 10-year would need at least the deluxe room, so if I book the standard room, and I'm willing to pay the price difference in cash, what's the chance to get confirmed upgraded? I called Hyatt reservation and the CSR told me it's not allowed on the chase FN. But quite some posts here said that's doable if contacting the hotel directly depending on availability. I'd hate to see the FN wasted if no upgrade is available.
2. I have this feeling that after the devaluation of HGP this hotel is not as difficult to book as last couple of years? I checked the reservation with points is available for July so can I assume the FN will be available as well? The hyatt CSR said they are different but I'm not sure how much I should trust her.
TIA for any suggestions.
), but i'm still not sure:1. 2-adult + 1 10-year would need at least the deluxe room, so if I book the standard room, and I'm willing to pay the price difference in cash, what's the chance to get confirmed upgraded? I called Hyatt reservation and the CSR told me it's not allowed on the chase FN. But quite some posts here said that's doable if contacting the hotel directly depending on availability. I'd hate to see the FN wasted if no upgrade is available.
2. I have this feeling that after the devaluation of HGP this hotel is not as difficult to book as last couple of years? I checked the reservation with points is available for July so can I assume the FN will be available as well? The hyatt CSR said they are different but I'm not sure how much I should trust her.
TIA for any suggestions.
Jan 30, 2015, 5:15 pm
#2434
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 351
i'm going to Paris early July and am thinking to apply for the Chase Hyatt CC and get 2 free nights for this hotel. I've gone through almost each post of this thread (some of the posts are hilarious ), but i'm still not sure:
1. 2-adult + 1 10-year would need at least the deluxe room, so if I book the standard room, and I'm willing to pay the price difference in cash, what's the chance to get confirmed upgraded? I called Hyatt reservation and the CSR told me it's not allowed on the chase FN. But quite some posts here said that's doable if contacting the hotel directly depending on availability. I'd hate to see the FN wasted if no upgrade is available.
2. I have this feeling that after the devaluation of HGP this hotel is not as difficult to book as last couple of years? I checked the reservation with points is available for July so can I assume the FN will be available as well? The hyatt CSR said they are different but I'm not sure how much I should trust her.
TIA for any suggestions.
), but i'm still not sure:1. 2-adult + 1 10-year would need at least the deluxe room, so if I book the standard room, and I'm willing to pay the price difference in cash, what's the chance to get confirmed upgraded? I called Hyatt reservation and the CSR told me it's not allowed on the chase FN. But quite some posts here said that's doable if contacting the hotel directly depending on availability. I'd hate to see the FN wasted if no upgrade is available.
2. I have this feeling that after the devaluation of HGP this hotel is not as difficult to book as last couple of years? I checked the reservation with points is available for July so can I assume the FN will be available as well? The hyatt CSR said they are different but I'm not sure how much I should trust her.
TIA for any suggestions.
Jan 30, 2015, 7:25 pm
#2435
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
From my recent stay I'd say contact the hotel. I was a little worried since we were there Jan 1-4th and when I booked I only booked 2 rooms. I wanted to add a 3rd room but there was no availability and when there was it was something like 900Euro/night. So I figured the hotel must be super busy and probably not very accommodating. Anyway I checked a couple of days before and a points room opened up so I booked it. I then contacted the hotel via the regular email and asked for connecting and twin beds in 2 of the rooms. They were very responsive and helpful and infact super apologetic that they couldn't accommodate the twin beds or connecting rooms. Was very pleasantly surprised since while I am a loyal Hyatt customer, Diamond etc essentially my 3 night stay in 3 rooms were all points so thought that they wouldn't be very accommodating. I was totally wrong. As I noted in my post they upgraded all 3 rooms to deluxe, added the rollaway for free since they didn't have twins available and we got breakfast for 6 for free, which is beyond the Diamond benefit. All in all great service and going the extra mile. Would certainly expect this if I am paying 900Euro/night/room but for points redemption very impressed. So recommend you contact them and see what they say.
Jan 31, 2015, 6:39 am
#2436
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 100
Hello,
We will in Paris at the tail end of of France trip for a couple of days. It's DW and me along with our 7 year old and a 2 year old. We are trying to make use of free nights, but since it's 4 of us, it sounds like we would need two Park Queen/Twin. Is it possible to use points to upgrade the free night(s) to a single larger room for 4? We aren't Diamond.
Thanks.
We will in Paris at the tail end of of France trip for a couple of days. It's DW and me along with our 7 year old and a 2 year old. We are trying to make use of free nights, but since it's 4 of us, it sounds like we would need two Park Queen/Twin. Is it possible to use points to upgrade the free night(s) to a single larger room for 4? We aren't Diamond.
Thanks.
Jan 31, 2015, 7:25 am
#2438
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Hello,
We will in Paris at the tail end of of France trip for a couple of days. It's DW and me along with our 7 year old and a 2 year old. We are trying to make use of free nights, but since it's 4 of us, it sounds like we would need two Park Queen/Twin. Is it possible to use points to upgrade the free night(s) to a single larger room for 4? We aren't Diamond.
Thanks.
We will in Paris at the tail end of of France trip for a couple of days. It's DW and me along with our 7 year old and a 2 year old. We are trying to make use of free nights, but since it's 4 of us, it sounds like we would need two Park Queen/Twin. Is it possible to use points to upgrade the free night(s) to a single larger room for 4? We aren't Diamond.
Thanks.
Feb 18, 2015, 6:31 am
#2439
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
Given the 20% back on points, couldn't resist booking a few nights next month ...
These are booked in at lowest end, i.e., Park Queen. Any recent experience from fellow Diamonds about being (modestly) kicked up (on points stays) to the Park Deluxe King (which is fine with us)? Trying to decide if I can more-or-less count on (hope for) this; or whether I should book the Park Deluxe King for $ on first night, which in the past seems to have guaranteed upgrade for subsequent nights (although, yes, I know that they could have asked us to switch rooms). Just looking for recent experiences....
These are booked in at lowest end, i.e., Park Queen. Any recent experience from fellow Diamonds about being (modestly) kicked up (on points stays) to the Park Deluxe King (which is fine with us)? Trying to decide if I can more-or-less count on (hope for) this; or whether I should book the Park Deluxe King for $ on first night, which in the past seems to have guaranteed upgrade for subsequent nights (although, yes, I know that they could have asked us to switch rooms). Just looking for recent experiences....
Feb 18, 2015, 7:27 am
#2440
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, IHG Plat, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,405
Since the PHV in Paris is in a series of stitched together historic buildings… rooms vary greatly in shape and size. IMHO, many of the larger “deluxe” rooms are interior corners, with few windows, or they have an entry door directly in the bedroom (you can see the door from your bed)… or some other oddly shaped issue that greatly diminishes the value of the extra space. I have stayed 3 times at the PHV and have been placed in 4 different deluxe rooms, and disliked them all.
I say book the base room and don't worry about it until the day you arrive.
I say book the base room and don't worry about it until the day you arrive.
Feb 19, 2015, 2:04 am
#2441
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,158
Given the 20% back on points, couldn't resist booking a few nights next month ...
These are booked in at lowest end, i.e., Park Queen. Any recent experience from fellow Diamonds about being (modestly) kicked up (on points stays) to the Park Deluxe King (which is fine with us)? Trying to decide if I can more-or-less count on (hope for) this; or whether I should book the Park Deluxe King for $ on first night, which in the past seems to have guaranteed upgrade for subsequent nights (although, yes, I know that they could have asked us to switch rooms). Just looking for recent experiences....
These are booked in at lowest end, i.e., Park Queen. Any recent experience from fellow Diamonds about being (modestly) kicked up (on points stays) to the Park Deluxe King (which is fine with us)? Trying to decide if I can more-or-less count on (hope for) this; or whether I should book the Park Deluxe King for $ on first night, which in the past seems to have guaranteed upgrade for subsequent nights (although, yes, I know that they could have asked us to switch rooms). Just looking for recent experiences....
However, as schriste has pointed out, you may not think the Deluxe room you are offered is the best layout for you. After our first award stay we purposely went with a C&P in order to use a DSU, but if we were to book an award stay again, I would politely ask to see a selection of the rooms available rather than just take what is first offered.
And if you don't get upgraded, or if there are no other rooms to view and you have to take what is offered, well, you're in Paris and staying at the PHV, so that's nothing to cry about.
Feb 19, 2015, 4:54 am
#2442
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
Given the 20% back on points, couldn't resist booking a few nights next month ...
These are booked in at lowest end, i.e., Park Queen. Any recent experience from fellow Diamonds about being (modestly) kicked up (on points stays) to the Park Deluxe King (which is fine with us)? Trying to decide if I can more-or-less count on (hope for) this; or whether I should book the Park Deluxe King for $ on first night, which in the past seems to have guaranteed upgrade for subsequent nights (although, yes, I know that they could have asked us to switch rooms). Just looking for recent experiences....
These are booked in at lowest end, i.e., Park Queen. Any recent experience from fellow Diamonds about being (modestly) kicked up (on points stays) to the Park Deluxe King (which is fine with us)? Trying to decide if I can more-or-less count on (hope for) this; or whether I should book the Park Deluxe King for $ on first night, which in the past seems to have guaranteed upgrade for subsequent nights (although, yes, I know that they could have asked us to switch rooms). Just looking for recent experiences....
They normally do an outstanding job upgrading Diamond members, but after all it is a small hotel and during busy periods, they might not have the capacity. As pointed out before, I have seen almost everything this hotel has to offer incl. small standard rooms on the top floor (so no upgrade whatsoever...)
As pointed out before, the glory is slowly fading away, the service is normally still top-notch, but the infrastructure is getting closer to the mid-teen years now.
Mar 31, 2015, 11:46 am
#2443
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA LT GLD 1MM
Posts: 811
I see the park twin room available for dates I want in april, but it is not letting me use points to book it. Are there some sort of capacity controls? It's a fri-mon stay so it's not like it's only one night on a weekend or something.
Mar 31, 2015, 12:04 pm
#2444
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
If you have status call Hyatt otherwise keep checking it's popular