Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
AMS.
For CDG, note that other than the Sheraton that's actually in Terminal 2, the airport hotels require transportation to/from the airport RER station. It's not at all quick and convenient to take public transportation into town and the RER ride itself into the center (not Gare du Nord, etc.) seems to take forever. It's expensive too, for what it is.
Not true - there is another RER station next to a couple of the other hotels, I think the ibis and the Hilton. It's one stop away from the Sheraton. If you are flying on AF then the Sheraton is the best bet for sure since it's connected to both terminal 2 and the train station.
I did a 1 day layover in Paris this way in August - stayed at the Sheraton (on points!), took the RER into town. In one day did the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame, "Steak Frites" for dinner in some sidewalk cafe and back to the Sheraton that night to sleep. RER runs even at night (although less frequently) although we headed back to the hotel around 9pm since I was with 2 kids and we were tired. Even better, for not much more than the price of a roundtrip RER ticket from the airport to the city, you can get an unlimited day pass for RER and subways that is quite helpful in getting around the city quickly. I bought that pass at the info desk between baggage claim and the Sheraton in terminal 2.