gameshow

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.

Firewind

gameshow, thank you. Very nice review, and bravo Hyatt.

After all these years, I should know but I don't because I've never needed to: What does the Air France bus cost? OW? RT? Thanks again.

stimpy

Yes thanks for the review gameshow. Can you tell us if you have elite status? Elite guests at the Le Meridien get free access to the Club Med gym. I would expect the same for Hyatt, no?

See http://www.lescarsairfrance.com/en/t...nd-prices.html

Firewind

Thank you, stimpy.

gameshow

I am platinum with Hyatt Gold Passport and preferred with Starwood. I paid 29 Euros for access to the Club Med Gym whether staying at either the Hyatt Regency Etoile or Le Meridien Etoile. It never occurred to me to show my card!

From page 196 of this month's Air France magazine, Air France Coaches pricing is:
to/from CDG adult one way 17 Euros, round trip 29 Euros
to/from CDG infants 6 Euros (doesn't say if that's one way or round trip)
to/from Orly adult one way 12 Euros, round trip 20 Euros, infants 8 Euros
(the bus picks up at Port Maillot for either airport)
to go between CDG and Orly, 20 Euros OW, 34 Euros RT adults, 10 Euros infants

Sometimes I take AF La Premiere (First) in which case a chauffeured car takes passengers from CDG to any hotel in Paris free. Car service is included in the ticket price on both ends of the journey. In case anyone is wondering, I was on the A380 nonstop this trip and it was great.

Firewind

Ouch. Did you pay through Hyatt? If so, based on what stimpy reports, suppose it's possible to get it taken off your bill?

And based on the link he provided for the bus, it looks like there's a small incentive to purchase tickets online.

stimpy

Not sure how it works at the Hyatt, but at Le Meridien you can stop by the concierge and pick up a gym pass for free.

gameshow

Firewind and Stimpy, have either of you ever stayed at any of the Hyatts in Paris?

stimpy

Not either of the new ones. But I have stayed at the Park Hyatt and the Hyatt CDG many times.

Firewind

Hi, gameshow. Ditto to what stimpy says.

ILuvParis

Did they upgrade the hotel? I was there a few years ago when it was a Concorde (?). I didn't think it was anything special - but granted, I probably got the Priceline room. The one nice thing was the Air France Bus pretty much outside the front door.

skywalkerLAX

I have booked this hotel for a friend of mine who will take the Air France Bus from CDG, can any of you report how easy it is to get to the Hyatt from the closest stop?

Thanks!

ILuvParis

See the post directly above yours. Sorry, I have not counted the number of steps.

Also, from the hotel's website:

skywalkerLAX

Unacceptable service!! Compensation!

Thanks (pardon my oversight).

Football Fan

Checked in at this hotel today. Haven't checked out the lounge yet.

Good:

- Diamond/Platinum line staffed, check-in was quick
- Were escorted to room, while getting explanations regarding the hotel (metro station and supermarket connected to the hotel)
- Staff we have met so far are very friendly
- The view from the room is amazing: Both the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe can be seen from the window on the 31st floor. Might post a picture later.
- Water pressure in the shower is fine
- Good toiletries/soaps, Hyatt standard
- One large bottle of Vittel in the room, some cookies.
- Location seems to be very good.

Bad:

- Carpets and lighting in the hallways are terrible - probably not been renewed since the late 70s/early 80s
- The room is tiny - 22 sq m. Very cramped
- There is an "executive king room" (44 sq m) available that should have been given to us as Diamond members (the award is for a club room) - we should be getting the best room that is not a suite. I can't be bothered to pack up and move again now, though.



- There was a disgusting stain on the toilet seat. Looked like dried slime. Also, a hair.
- The nail file in the bathroom was clearly used before.
- 1,000 points Diamond amenity was not offered. I think I'll ask them about that. We are on an award stay, but that shouldn't matter.
- It took about 30 minutes for our suitcases to arrive at the room.
- Valet parking didn't seem to be available at first, we had to wait for a while for them to sort something out.

To sum it up: This is a 3-star Holiday Inn at best. If you are traveling alone, don't need a big room, don't care about shabby looking hallways and an overall 80s feel, it might be ok for you. I wouldn't pay a lot of money for this hotel, though.

Will add to this review if I discover something else before we check out tomorrow.