I checked out on Thursday and am back in L.A. The Hyatt Regency Etoile Paris is one of my favorite hotels in the world. I definitely will stay there from now on. This was my first stay; in the past I stayed across the street at Le Meridien, which is also nice. I knew the hotel as the Concorde Lafayette but just got the Hyatt Credit Card and heard about the conversion on Flyer Talk.

Here is a first-hand report for everyone.

Usually I don't focus on hotel rooms because my concern is amenities. But I was on the 23rd floor and the room was amazing. Remodeled, spacious, light-bright-airy, those great views everyone talks about, but mostly quiet. I could not hear any neighboring rooms, street noise, or vacuuming in the hallways. It is tastefully decorated in neutrals with a new fluff-top bed.

The best feature is the Hyatt Regency Paris is built on top of a mall. I went down in the morning for Starbucks, and did all my shopping inside since it was pouring rain my entire visit. Also the Club Med Gym is built off the lobby and guests may pay a daily fee. This gym is part of a big chain in Paris and has everything you need to work out.

The lunch buffet in the lobby restaurant is exceptional for 44 Euros. There is a carving station with prime rib, beef tenderloin medallions, lobster and shrimp, smoked salmon, and a charcuterie station. French pastries of all types are included. They serve from 12:00 noon to 3:00 weekdays. There is a wine menu available.

The Hyatt Regency has a business center with computers and will kindly offer to log you on as a courtesy at no charge to print your boarding pass. If you have a car, there is a parking garage under the hotel. The subway entrance is connected to the mall. Coming from Charles de Gaulle, the Air France bus drops directly in front of the Hyatt Regency side entrance. This bus service is literally door-to-door and couldn't be more convenient.

Free newspapers are offered in the lobby bar on the ground floor. English magazines are on a rack near the concierge. Be sure to specify a non-smoking room when booking if that is what you need because I was asked at check-in which I prefer.

Signage was completed all over the hotel: this property is branded Hyatt Regency Paris down to the room key cards and the directional signs coming up from the subway. I'm sure over the years Hyatt will continue to put money into remodeling tiles and perhaps adding in-room coffee makers, but other than that it is a 4-star hotel to me.

If you've never been to Paris and aren't sure about staying in the 17th, you will be glad you did. Being able to come back nightly to this level of a hotel brings the entire trip up to a luxury level. On paper it sounds charming to stay in a quirky, family-owned 3-star hotel, but the reality is the noise level will make it hard to rest, and the price at the Hyatt is an exceptional value. This building has always been an American-style design, so it makes sense to have a US management company to market to US travelers.

I paid for the room. Guests able to stay on points should grab the opportunity. And if you are attending a conference at the Palais de Congress, the Hyatt Regency is a no-brainer--why stay anywhere else? I noticed convention guests checking in as early as noon with no problem.

In summary, the staff is wonderful, the 6 elevators are fast, the bill was accurate, and there is a Regency Club floor on 30 accessed with a key card. Everyone I came in contact with spoke English. Rooms have mini-bars.