Last edit by: skj
I'm making this thread a wiki since there are issues that keep getting repeated (breakfast and transportation from/to CDG). Feel free to add whatever you feel is important - stick to facts of please and not one off exceptions (eg if you get an upgrade to the Presidential Suite on an award stay without any status - that's definitely a one off that doesn't belong in the WIKI - obviously you can do a regular post on it).
Public transport to the hotel from CDG
The best option is to take the Roissy bus to Opera. From there, the hotel is about a 5 minute walk.
The next best option is to take RER B to Chatelet-Les Halles. All trains from Roissy/CDG head south into Paris so no worries there. Some go express all the way into Paris (Gare du Nord, so Chatelet-Les Halles is the second stop); others are locals, in which case there are a lot of stops; some are half-express, half-local ... but all stop at Chatelet-Les Halles; and there is no point waiting for an express because it is rare if ever that an express will overtake a local. So get on whatever comes first. At Chatelet-Les Halles, transfer to RER A for one stop to Auber (which is joined to Opera station). You will be heading westbound, toward the termini St. Germain-en-Laye/Poissy/Cergny. You have to go up the stairs and back down for the Auber-bound train. Do not race across the platform for the RER B because that will be heading eastbound, to Gare de Lyon, Nation, Vincennes (and, depending on which one you get on, eventually Eurodisney!) The walk from the Auber exit closest to the RER stop takes about 10 minutes.
Public transport to the hotel from Orly
Take the Orlyval train to its end at Antony, then switch to RER B to Chatelet-Les-Halles and continue as above. In this case you can just cross the platform from the RER B to get the RER A headed to Auber.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Cafe Jeanne is free for Globalist members but is 40-50 euros per person otherwise. A modified but still very good version of this buffet breakfast is also available in the room and is also free for Globalists. Tips are not covered but then again the theory in France is that the service charge is in the price.
Museum tickets & pass from the concierge
You can buy "skip the line" tickets to the Louvre or Orsay for 18€ each, which is higher than the regular tickets via the Louvre & Orsay websites. But being able to "skip the line" obviously adds some value. They will also sell you the two day Paris Museum Pass for 55€. That is a 7€ markup.
Phone/data recommendations:
Lebara worked really well for me. What you need to do:
• You must unlock your phone (you can do this for free online with ATT through their website if you are out of contract)
• Order free SIM card at Lebara.fr a few weeks before your trip. I don’t think it took more than 2 weeks for my SIM card to arrive
• Activate SIM card at https://www.lebara.fr/activate-sim-detail?isoCode=en_GB or search “activate SIM” at Lebara.fr
• Load your SIM card with what you need. I paid 10 euro for 3G of data, unlimited SMS and local calls for 10 days (this should be plenty for most tourists)
LeFrench Mobile did not work so well for me: I paid 20-30 euro for local and international calls for my sister but was only able to make local calls and SMS
restaurant recommendations:
Nearby:
(We're here on 1 Oct 2021 and it appears this restaurant is closed permanently ...) Le Cap Bourbon- good, inexpensive, our server was nice and attentive (by French standards), great local crowd, menu has English translation
We ate a local Thai restaurant - Yo - its about a 5 minute walk from the hotel and very busy. I had a guinea fowl green curry - a first for me. Very good food and friendly service.
Other:
L'Avant Comptoir is a wine bar with great,relatively cheap eats and a great atmosphere and friendly, English-speaking staff. Standing room only and tight.
Public transport to the hotel from CDG
The best option is to take the Roissy bus to Opera. From there, the hotel is about a 5 minute walk.
The next best option is to take RER B to Chatelet-Les Halles. All trains from Roissy/CDG head south into Paris so no worries there. Some go express all the way into Paris (Gare du Nord, so Chatelet-Les Halles is the second stop); others are locals, in which case there are a lot of stops; some are half-express, half-local ... but all stop at Chatelet-Les Halles; and there is no point waiting for an express because it is rare if ever that an express will overtake a local. So get on whatever comes first. At Chatelet-Les Halles, transfer to RER A for one stop to Auber (which is joined to Opera station). You will be heading westbound, toward the termini St. Germain-en-Laye/Poissy/Cergny. You have to go up the stairs and back down for the Auber-bound train. Do not race across the platform for the RER B because that will be heading eastbound, to Gare de Lyon, Nation, Vincennes (and, depending on which one you get on, eventually Eurodisney!) The walk from the Auber exit closest to the RER stop takes about 10 minutes.
Public transport to the hotel from Orly
Take the Orlyval train to its end at Antony, then switch to RER B to Chatelet-Les-Halles and continue as above. In this case you can just cross the platform from the RER B to get the RER A headed to Auber.
Breakfast
The breakfast at Cafe Jeanne is free for Globalist members but is 40-50 euros per person otherwise. A modified but still very good version of this buffet breakfast is also available in the room and is also free for Globalists. Tips are not covered but then again the theory in France is that the service charge is in the price.
Museum tickets & pass from the concierge
You can buy "skip the line" tickets to the Louvre or Orsay for 18€ each, which is higher than the regular tickets via the Louvre & Orsay websites. But being able to "skip the line" obviously adds some value. They will also sell you the two day Paris Museum Pass for 55€. That is a 7€ markup.
Phone/data recommendations:
Lebara worked really well for me. What you need to do:
• You must unlock your phone (you can do this for free online with ATT through their website if you are out of contract)
• Order free SIM card at Lebara.fr a few weeks before your trip. I don’t think it took more than 2 weeks for my SIM card to arrive
• Activate SIM card at https://www.lebara.fr/activate-sim-detail?isoCode=en_GB or search “activate SIM” at Lebara.fr
• Load your SIM card with what you need. I paid 10 euro for 3G of data, unlimited SMS and local calls for 10 days (this should be plenty for most tourists)
LeFrench Mobile did not work so well for me: I paid 20-30 euro for local and international calls for my sister but was only able to make local calls and SMS
restaurant recommendations:
Nearby:
(We're here on 1 Oct 2021 and it appears this restaurant is closed permanently ...) Le Cap Bourbon- good, inexpensive, our server was nice and attentive (by French standards), great local crowd, menu has English translation
We ate a local Thai restaurant - Yo - its about a 5 minute walk from the hotel and very busy. I had a guinea fowl green curry - a first for me. Very good food and friendly service.
Other:
L'Avant Comptoir is a wine bar with great,relatively cheap eats and a great atmosphere and friendly, English-speaking staff. Standing room only and tight.
Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme REVIEW - MASTER THREAD (Aug 2011 onward)
#3061
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
Singing happy birthday to your son hardly constitutes making you an "idiot" or being an "idiot family," but being excessively loud is of course rude, especially at a place like PH (and in France in general tbh). Lighten up a bit, and if they are really bugging you, just mention something to them rather than ranting on a forum about them.
#3062
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Singing happy birthday to your son hardly constitutes making you an "idiot" or being an "idiot family," but being excessively loud is of course rude, especially at a place like PH (and in France in general tbh). Lighten up a bit, and if they are really bugging you, just mention something to them rather than ranting on a forum about them.
#3063
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: STL
Programs: MR Plat Premier, IHG Spire, Hilton Diamond, Southwest CP
Posts: 623
Leaving the Vendome tomorrow after a wonderful stay. Will have them store our bags before leaving for CDG (staying at an airport hotel before an early morning flight) and walk around until late afternoon.
Looks like CDG is quite the haul from the hotel? Uber is pricing out at 45-70 Euros depending on what level we select. Is it possible (or even sensible) to take public transportation to the airport Terminal 2? Family of four with two pieces of luggage. Was thinking the Metro might go there but looked it up and a bus came up as the option.
Ant thoughts/advice??
Looks like CDG is quite the haul from the hotel? Uber is pricing out at 45-70 Euros depending on what level we select. Is it possible (or even sensible) to take public transportation to the airport Terminal 2? Family of four with two pieces of luggage. Was thinking the Metro might go there but looked it up and a bus came up as the option.
Ant thoughts/advice??
#3064
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Leaving the Vendome tomorrow after a wonderful stay. Will have them store our bags before leaving for CDG (staying at an airport hotel before an early morning flight) and walk around until late afternoon.
Looks like CDG is quite the haul from the hotel? Uber is pricing out at 45-70 Euros depending on what level we select. Is it possible (or even sensible) to take public transportation to the airport Terminal 2? Family of four with two pieces of luggage. Was thinking the Metro might go there but looked it up and a bus came up as the option.
Ant thoughts/advice??
Looks like CDG is quite the haul from the hotel? Uber is pricing out at 45-70 Euros depending on what level we select. Is it possible (or even sensible) to take public transportation to the airport Terminal 2? Family of four with two pieces of luggage. Was thinking the Metro might go there but looked it up and a bus came up as the option.
Ant thoughts/advice??
#3065
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,561
#3066
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: STL
Programs: MR Plat Premier, IHG Spire, Hilton Diamond, Southwest CP
Posts: 623
Sounds like an hour trip? Will my metro passes work or do I need to purchase something else? (I have the three day travel card that comes wth the Paris Pass)
#3067
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#3068
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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The bus departs from about 11 rue Scribe about four times per hour. Depending on traffic, it can take about 75 minutes. Cost is 11 Euros per person; purchase tickets from the machine (accepts some credit cards and gives change) or pay the driver in cash. When you walk from the hotel (maybe ten minutes?), it's arguably better, after going right out of the hotel, to take the first left (rue Dannou?), cross onto rue Scribe and go slightly more than a block further. This way you avoid the disorienting Place d'Opera and multiple crossings of streets there to find rue Scribe.
Around 4:20 pm on a weekday, it took an hour to the middle to CDG T2. There are other stops at the airport before and after this one (the first of 2C and 2D, useful for the Sheraton and the train station in CDG). A sign at the bus stop has the scheduled departure times to CDG (nonstop until the airport's first stop, IIRC at T1).
Around 4:20 pm on a weekday, it took an hour to the middle to CDG T2. There are other stops at the airport before and after this one (the first of 2C and 2D, useful for the Sheraton and the train station in CDG). A sign at the bus stop has the scheduled departure times to CDG (nonstop until the airport's first stop, IIRC at T1).
#3069
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,459
Looks like CDG is quite the haul from the hotel? Uber is pricing out at 45-70 Euros depending on what level we select. Is it possible (or even sensible) to take public transportation to the airport Terminal 2? Family of four with two pieces of luggage. Was thinking the Metro might go there but looked it up and a bus came up as the option.
Ant thoughts/advice??
Ant thoughts/advice??
#3070
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
Leaving the Vendome tomorrow after a wonderful stay. Will have them store our bags before leaving for CDG (staying at an airport hotel before an early morning flight) and walk around until late afternoon.
Looks like CDG is quite the haul from the hotel? Uber is pricing out at 45-70 Euros depending on what level we select. Is it possible (or even sensible) to take public transportation to the airport Terminal 2? Family of four with two pieces of luggage. Was thinking the Metro might go there but looked it up and a bus came up as the option.
Ant thoughts/advice??
Looks like CDG is quite the haul from the hotel? Uber is pricing out at 45-70 Euros depending on what level we select. Is it possible (or even sensible) to take public transportation to the airport Terminal 2? Family of four with two pieces of luggage. Was thinking the Metro might go there but looked it up and a bus came up as the option.
Ant thoughts/advice??
#3071
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
#3072
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Good point. For one person, picking the bus is easy if you don't have too much luggage to walk a couple city blocks, assuming that the weather isn't horrid.
#3073
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
hey half the fun is getting into the local scene. Once the concierge at PHV remarked to my wife , "your traveling like locals do to the airport" !! Yep! Looking forward to seeing the Blue Christmas tree again
#3074
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
bus is great for two people and "rollers" !! It's really a hoot around Christmas time heading to CDG full and I mean full of people flying to the US. I mistakingly opened my gate app up and ended searching for half of the bus!! Everyone was in a great mood. Will do the same when we go for Thanksgiving the only time returning to airport is if it's raining, then Uber it is!
hey half the fun is getting into the local scene. Once the concierge at PHV remarked to my wife , "your traveling like locals do to the airport" !! Yep! Looking forward to seeing the Blue Christmas tree again
hey half the fun is getting into the local scene. Once the concierge at PHV remarked to my wife , "your traveling like locals do to the airport" !! Yep! Looking forward to seeing the Blue Christmas tree again
I sometimes make it a game to challenge myself to use local transportation to/from foreign airports.
#3075
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Think I know who your talking about and if it is it's the same guy who commented to my wife. I am anxious to return and visit with Claudio, have not seen him since he left PHM for the Martinez.