Apr 5, 2014, 7:57 pm
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)
Jun 24, 2019, 11:26 am
#3796
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
PHV has changed over the past five years, too bad.
Jun 24, 2019, 11:30 am
#3797
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I have long since moved on to Le Bristol.
Jun 24, 2019, 12:13 pm
#3798
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Mike so have I tried the Marriott on Champs, Marriott Opera and Westin all just fine. Upgrades yes yes and yes with no hassle. Breakfast good. The only Hyatt I am still using internationally is the Churchill love that place
Jul 23, 2019, 12:03 am
#3801
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
But there is construction. Constant drilling yesterday and today during business hours.
Last edited by m0hamed; Jul 23, 2019 at 2:53 am
Jul 23, 2019, 4:16 am
#3803
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
Jul 23, 2019, 4:20 am
#3804
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: 100,399
I had the 20% voucher in late June, but not this month, even though the hotel was obviously more full earlier.
I haven't noticed any construction, just an elevator being out of service for updating. Sometimes there's a long wait and some of us have been using the service elevator, but I was told by an employee a day or so ago that it's only for staff.
I haven't noticed any construction, just an elevator being out of service for updating. Sometimes there's a long wait and some of us have been using the service elevator, but I was told by an employee a day or so ago that it's only for staff.
Jul 23, 2019, 4:34 am
#3805
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 2MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,161
I had the 20% voucher in late June, but not this month, even though the hotel was obviously more full earlier.
I haven't noticed any construction, just an elevator being out of service for updating. Sometimes there's a long wait and some of us have been using the service elevator, but I was told by an employee a day or so ago that it's only for staff.
I haven't noticed any construction, just an elevator being out of service for updating. Sometimes there's a long wait and some of us have been using the service elevator, but I was told by an employee a day or so ago that it's only for staff.
Jul 23, 2019, 8:43 am
#3806
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
In the business of restoration of buildings I find it interesting that construction has been going on for a very long time here, even for French standards. It reminds me of the Hyatt in Honolulu which I did some work on many years ago. The two equity capital owners did nothing to the exterior closing instead to add lipstick to the interiors now it too has been undergoing years of structural repairs. Interesting. I fear the old dame has lost her luster and time to possibly move on
Jul 23, 2019, 8:50 am
#3807
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
Front desk told us to use the service elevator. It’s immediately next to the guest elevators but slightly hidden.
So far we’ve only managed to used the guest elevators twice!
So far we’ve only managed to used the guest elevators twice!
Jul 23, 2019, 2:41 pm
#3809
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: 100,399
Seriously, I didn't hear anything and the only indication of construction I saw was the sign on the lobby level for the elevator saying it wasn't operating. In June my suite overlooked the back open courtyard with the terasse restaurant and this time I had a suite on the front glassed in courtyard looking down on the breakfast restaurant. I also didn't notice any problems on nearby streets beyond the usual city traffic noises.
This is not a real busy time for the hotel, so you should be able to contact them in advance and ask for quiet rooms if you're concerned, especially if you're a Glob. The property seems very aware of elite recognition.
This is not a real busy time for the hotel, so you should be able to contact them in advance and ask for quiet rooms if you're concerned, especially if you're a Glob. The property seems very aware of elite recognition.
Jul 23, 2019, 4:15 pm
#3810
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,990
Seriously, I didn't hear anything and the only indication of construction I saw was the sign on the lobby level for the elevator saying it wasn't operating. In June my suite overlooked the back open courtyard with the terasse restaurant and this time I had a suite on the front glassed in courtyard looking down on the breakfast restaurant. I also didn't notice any problems on nearby streets beyond the usual city traffic noises.
This is not a real busy time for the hotel, so you should be able to contact them in advance and ask for quiet rooms if you're concerned, especially if you're a Glob. The property seems very aware of elite recognition.
This is not a real busy time for the hotel, so you should be able to contact them in advance and ask for quiet rooms if you're concerned, especially if you're a Glob. The property seems very aware of elite recognition.