CDG - which hotel is closest?
Dec 2, 2014, 8:14 am
#16
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Location: Denver CO
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Last three times I've used the Pullman CDG shuttle, I've had to wait on average 30 or more minutes after transporting myself to a shuttle pick-up area. I'd have done better and faster to take the CDGVAL to the Ibis or Hilton.
The Pullman -- even as an Accor Platinum -- is an unimpressive choice compared to the Hilton. I'm not sure why I would even ever choose the Pullman over the Ibis if the hotel is needed for not much more than just a short sleep and quick turn back to CDG at my convenience.
The hotel experiences are very different, but distance-related convenience can trump those differences when only in a room for 4-6 hours for nothing more than an abbreviated nightly sleep and a quick shower/bathroom use prior to continuing the journey.
The "tiny" distance difference between the hotels isn't necessarily so "tiny" when transporting 23-64kgs of baggage very late at night when it's raining or icy outside and using CDGVAL to get there or get from there. Finding and waiting for the hotel shuttle can be rather inconvenient relative to taking the CDGVAL -- more so when the traveler is not so familiar with the airport and hotels and it's late at night. After taking the CDGVAL at night, the Hilton CDG guests seem to more frequently need more help finding their way to the hotel than Ibis guests doing the same to get to their hotel.
Wet and/or cold Hilton guests schlepping luggage through the parking lot on the way to (or from) the Hilton is a sight I've seen too often. There are times where I'd take this Ibis again over the Hilton -- even as the Hilton works out as a more appreciable value for me on my longer overnight stays, more so when the weather is more comfortable than when it's not.
If using the CDGVAL, the Ibis does what the OP asked and it does it more so than the Hilton.
The Pullman -- even as an Accor Platinum -- is an unimpressive choice compared to the Hilton. I'm not sure why I would even ever choose the Pullman over the Ibis if the hotel is needed for not much more than just a short sleep and quick turn back to CDG at my convenience.
The hotel experiences are very different, but distance-related convenience can trump those differences when only in a room for 4-6 hours for nothing more than an abbreviated nightly sleep and a quick shower/bathroom use prior to continuing the journey.
The "tiny" distance difference between the hotels isn't necessarily so "tiny" when transporting 23-64kgs of baggage very late at night when it's raining or icy outside and using CDGVAL to get there or get from there. Finding and waiting for the hotel shuttle can be rather inconvenient relative to taking the CDGVAL -- more so when the traveler is not so familiar with the airport and hotels and it's late at night. After taking the CDGVAL at night, the Hilton CDG guests seem to more frequently need more help finding their way to the hotel than Ibis guests doing the same to get to their hotel.
Wet and/or cold Hilton guests schlepping luggage through the parking lot on the way to (or from) the Hilton is a sight I've seen too often. There are times where I'd take this Ibis again over the Hilton -- even as the Hilton works out as a more appreciable value for me on my longer overnight stays, more so when the weather is more comfortable than when it's not.
If using the CDGVAL, the Ibis does what the OP asked and it does it more so than the Hilton.
Dec 3, 2014, 2:06 am
#17
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That said, if someone else is paying I choose the Sheraton.
Dec 3, 2014, 4:15 pm
#18
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I've done the Hilton with lots of luggage and kids before. There is a covered walkway in case it's raining. And there are always, IME, luggage carts at both ends of the walk. I'm both Hilton Diamond and Accor Platinum so status isn't a determining factor. I would always choose the Hilton.
That said, if someone else is paying I choose the Sheraton.
That said, if someone else is paying I choose the Sheraton.
IME going to/from the Hilton via CDGVAL, it seems that many who could use a luggage cart don't always realize luggage carts may be available if they just run around looking before heading to the hotel. That, or running around looking for a luggage cart after getting off the CDGVAL at night isn't the first thing that comes to mind when having the hands full and pulling or lifting a considerable amount of luggage. Leaving the Hilton, I've not always seen an available luggage cart near the Hilton; often enough, I've seen there be just a handful littered around.
The Hilton is a very good value, especially for Golds or Diamonds on sub-100EUR rates.
Dec 4, 2014, 1:02 am
#19
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IMHO if you have a lot of luggage at an airport, you are always looking around for a cart. Its kind of hard to miss them if you are looking for them. Just like you would look for shelter in the rain.
And I think the Hilton is also a good deal on a corporate €125 rate.
Dec 4, 2014, 1:49 am
#20
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Some people miss it. Why? Not sure, but I am sure some people go the wrong way to get there and don't see the covered walkway until the next morning, if even then figuring out it's a route to the station.
Dec 4, 2014, 3:36 am
#21
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Location: Denver CO
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How could you possibly miss it? The walkway is right in front of you as you walk out of the station. And it's all lit up at night. And even if you choose to walk on the road, the covered walkway runs right beside you.
IMHO if you have a lot of luggage at an airport, you are always looking around for a cart. Its kind of hard to miss them if you are looking for them. Just like you would look for shelter in the rain.
And I think the Hilton is also a good deal on a corporate €125 rate.
IMHO if you have a lot of luggage at an airport, you are always looking around for a cart. Its kind of hard to miss them if you are looking for them. Just like you would look for shelter in the rain.
And I think the Hilton is also a good deal on a corporate €125 rate.
It's pretty funny when you think about it.
Dec 4, 2014, 3:50 am
#22
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Reality can be pretty funny, but it's still reality.
Dec 10, 2014, 8:54 am
#24
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I would imagine researching recent bids, and on Hotwire carefully comparing features would cut this risk down a lot.
Dec 10, 2014, 4:05 pm
#25
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Be careful with blind purchases for hotels at CDG. A couple of years ago, Priceline had a 3* at CDG which was actually about 15 miles from the airport, and had no shuttle service.
I would imagine researching recent bids, and on Hotwire carefully comparing features would cut this risk down a lot.
I would imagine researching recent bids, and on Hotwire carefully comparing features would cut this risk down a lot.
Priceline has had that issue more than Hotwire, but even that can be worked around pretty easily for CDG.
Hotwire lists most airport zone hotels in such a way that transport options are readily determined in advance -- although for night arrivals after 10pm, there are places (not CDG) where issues may arise. Priceline airport zone hotels under NYOP booking attempts? That requires more research but is also manageable.
Dec 11, 2014, 2:06 pm
#27
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I'm at the Hilton now, with a huge executive room upgrade and lounge access. And yes there were trolleys at both ends of the short walk. I guess if you have no status and want the cheapest, the Ibis might be ok. But if the price is the same, then go for the Hilton for a much better hotel experience, albeit with an extra 20-30 meters of walking.
Dec 11, 2014, 9:39 pm
#28
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I'm at the Hilton now, with a huge executive room upgrade and lounge access. And yes there were trolleys at both ends of the short walk. I guess if you have no status and want the cheapest, the Ibis might be ok. But if the price is the same, then go for the Hilton for a much better hotel experience, albeit with an extra 20-30 meters of walking.
The Ibis is usually cheaper than the Hilton, but the Hilton does come up on Priceline NYOP and Hotwire bookings, and they do grant Gold and Diamond benefits on those stays too. Would be well worth it indeed, at least if not too badly encumbered and the weather is cooperative enough to get to the covered walk without first going the wrong ways outside.
If I were the OP, I'd checkout Hotwire and then try to do better for a four star on Priceline NYOP.
Last edited by GUWonder; Dec 11, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Dec 11, 2014, 11:50 pm
#29
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I actually possess eyeballs and the ability to estimate distances. And I've made the walk countless times including 3 times yesterday. The difference in distance is just about negligible unless you try to lug a ton of bags and choose to not use one of the available carts.
Dec 12, 2014, 12:46 am
#30
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I actually possess eyeballs and the ability to estimate distances. And I've made the walk countless times including 3 times yesterday. The difference in distance is just about negligible unless you try to lug a ton of bags and choose to not use one of the available carts.