A couple of weeks ago I reviewed the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi where I suggested that the property was everything a Park should be. In hindsight, and in part due to one member commenting on the property's size, I do think it on the large side for a Park. By contrast, the Hyatt Paris Madeleine looks and feels like a Park. It's intimate. It has a signature aroma. My guest room (and presumably all of them) are beautiful. Staff and service is fantastic.

Check In

I was warmly welcomed on arrival for my four night stay over Christmas. There was initially an error with the room rate (approximately EUR70 more per night than it should have been) but this was corrected, only to give rise to an issue related to the Points Plus Cash rate. I outlined my experience here. After some discussion and after consulting my learned FlyerTalk colleagues after check-in, the hotel reverted to the confirmed rate of 12.5k HGP points per night plus EUR127, plus taxes. I was offered a choice of amenity and choose the F&B. A little disappointingly it turned out to only be a B; a bottle of wine being delivered shortly after check-in. However, I was escorted to my room by the front desk clerk and after some small talk he said he would credit the 1W as well "because it's Christmas".

Room

I had booked into a queen guest room but was upgraded to an executive king, the highest level below a suite. By Paris standards the room is practically a suite. It's huge. There is a king bed,although it's actually two singles pushed together which always disappoints me. That said, it was one of the most comfortable hotel beds I've ever slept on. It also had quite a nice size terrace that you could walk out onto with views over Boulevard Malesherbes. From my room it was possible to see the Eiffel Tower in between two buildings across the road. The bathroom too was large with a large separate tub and good size shower. There was a $2 iron and ironing board that seemed to spit out sand. EUR8 to launder a pair of underwear struck me as excessive, even for Paris. Wifi was very good.

Service

The service was always top notch. Everyone (with the possible exception of who I assume was an externally-hired security guard who stood by the front door through the day) was always smiling and happy to help. The staff at breakfast were cheery and professional. A front desk agent happily searched for Christmas church services in English for me and when none were showing at Notre Dame she suggested the American Church in Paris which turned out to be the best church I've ever been to. On Christmas Day I satin the downstairs lounge with my laptop and the agent who checked me in came over to chat for a couple of minutes.

Dining

A full breakfast is included for Diamonds and, in what I see as a pay-off for the hotel not accepting DSUs, it does allow it to be taken in-room. I didn't partake, in part because I was told at check-in that I could order a full American breakfast for room service but the breakfast card in the room was all a la carte; there was no American option. Every single item had a Euro charge so I was hesitant as to how to go about it. I was nonetheless happy to sit in the small Cafe Madeleine each morning. There is only a cold buffet which is small but perfectly adequate. The first morning I sat down the waiter removed a menu from my table immediately. I assumed cooked-to-order items were therefore not available. On the second morning the menu remained on my table so I ordered scrambled eggs and they were delicious. I never saw a bill and therefore did not have an option to tip.

Location

Being such a spread out city it's fairly easy to be a location that is at least near some attractions. I found the Madeleine to be in a good spot. It's a five minute walk to Galleries Lafayette, 10 to 12 minutes to the Champs-yss and probably about 40 minutes to the Eiffel Tower.

Amenities

There is a sauna and steam room which were both spot-on after the cool Paris days.

Overall

To me it just feels like a Park Hyatt. It obviously doesn't have a pool and some of the other amenities that Parks are required to but the boutique size and even the decor and colour scheme reminded me very much of some Park properties. I would very happily return.