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)
#1921
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, TK *Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 570
Paris - Park Vendome - REVIEWS - MASTER THREAD - 8/2011 Forwards
I thought abt that but isn't it 3 night min to get a suite in points?
#1922
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,158
Yes, you're absolutely right. My mistake. Sorry about that.
You could contact the hotel and enquire about a paid upgrade, I think it would be around €290, which is a bit steep, or gamble on the 3rd night, but we really hate changing rooms. They'll probably let you keep the suite if it is available, but the hotel is likely to be full in May.
You could contact the hotel and enquire about a paid upgrade, I think it would be around €290, which is a bit steep, or gamble on the 3rd night, but we really hate changing rooms. They'll probably let you keep the suite if it is available, but the hotel is likely to be full in May.
#1923
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
Yes, you're absolutely right. My mistake. Sorry about that.
You could contact the hotel and enquire about a paid upgrade, I think it would be around €290, which is a bit steep, or gamble on the 3rd night, but we really hate changing rooms. They'll probably let you keep the suite if it is available, but the hotel is likely to be full in May.
You could contact the hotel and enquire about a paid upgrade, I think it would be around €290, which is a bit steep, or gamble on the 3rd night, but we really hate changing rooms. They'll probably let you keep the suite if it is available, but the hotel is likely to be full in May.
#1924
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 142
Someone cancelled a reservation, or rooms opened up, because I was able to book 5 nights on a combination of points and award nights. Previously we were booked at the Hotel du Louvre, because PHV wasn't available. Now it is and it's booked. I'm soooo excited about it.
Just making sure, there aren't any taxes or resort fees when staying at this property with points/award stays, correct? I've read a few things on it, but it seems it varies property to property.
Can't wait...
Just making sure, there aren't any taxes or resort fees when staying at this property with points/award stays, correct? I've read a few things on it, but it seems it varies property to property.
Can't wait...
#1925
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
Someone cancelled a reservation, or rooms opened up, because I was able to book 5 nights on a combination of points and award nights. Previously we were booked at the Hotel du Louvre, because PHV wasn't available. Now it is and it's booked. I'm soooo excited about it.
Just making sure, there aren't any taxes or resort fees when staying at this property with points/award stays, correct? I've read a few things on it, but it seems it varies property to property.
Can't wait...
Just making sure, there aren't any taxes or resort fees when staying at this property with points/award stays, correct? I've read a few things on it, but it seems it varies property to property.
Can't wait...
Slightly OT, your experience reflects a pattern I've observed here - though "past performance is no guarantee..." - and is why I always encourage people to book the dates you can within the dates you want - with the hope that the "gaps" will open up closer-in. In my experience, they virtually always have - unless there is a big event at the same time that I didn't see coming. For the record, most of my experience in this regard has been with FFN redemptions - in case that made them a special case.
#1926
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
No taxes at this property. Resort fees are not charged on any award stays at any resort. Some properties may have a small occupancy tax charged. The only significant reports of taxes charged are "luxury taxes" at some Indian properties a while ago (not sure if they are still charged).
#1928
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Sacramento, CA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt,Marriott,BA,AS
Posts: 4,425
Continue to be excited !! It's one of the greatest and most beautiful cities in the world! We don't speak more than a few words of French yet everyone in France has always been so friendly and most speak English, at least in areas frequented by tourists.
#1929
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NCL and LBA
Programs: BD*G, BAGold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 3,269
I am visiting this property this weekend for the first time since 2009 and I was just wondering how diamond treatment may have changed? I remember I got the buffet and also was allowed to order almost anything else such as eggs benedict etc. It seems from looking at recent reviews, they will only offer the buffet now?
Also I received bottle of red and chocolates as the diamond amenity last time.. Do they ever give champagne now?
Any other things to take note of?
Also I received bottle of red and chocolates as the diamond amenity last time.. Do they ever give champagne now?
Any other things to take note of?
#1930
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
I am visiting this property this weekend for the first time since 2009 and I was just wondering how diamond treatment may have changed? I remember I got the buffet and also was allowed to order almost anything else such as eggs benedict etc. It seems from looking at recent reviews, they will only offer the buffet now?
Also I received bottle of red and chocolates as the diamond amenity last time.. Do they ever give champagne now?
Any other things to take note of?
Also I received bottle of red and chocolates as the diamond amenity last time.. Do they ever give champagne now?
Any other things to take note of?
#1931
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NCL and LBA
Programs: BD*G, BAGold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 3,269
Thanks, great to know that things haven't changed Looks like you were unlucky and stayed during the week which Les Orchidees was being renovated.. looks as though breakfast is back there now ^
#1932
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MIAmi
Programs: US air -chairman, SPG-Plat, Hyatt - Dmnd, Hilton -Dmnd, Hertz - five star
Posts: 346
well, when I was there in july, they offered me a half bottle of wine as welcome amenity. not sure why half a bottle, and I was slightly offended by that (reading the previous reviews here), so I asked for the manager and they agreed to sent a bottle of champagne. a full bottle, thankfully.
#1933
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
well, when I was there in july, they offered me a half bottle of wine as welcome amenity. not sure why half a bottle, and I was slightly offended by that (reading the previous reviews here), so I asked for the manager and they agreed to sent a bottle of champagne. a full bottle, thankfully.
#1934
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
Never the less worked well for us.
#1935
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriot Plat, AA,UA,DLTA, SW CP, Starwood Gold, Priority Plat.
Posts: 96
I was just wondering after reading on tripadvisor. It looks like they may offer platinum and diamond breakfast? Is that correct? I know it is not stated as part of hyatt rules, but wondering if they offered. Just booked a room for 2015 in order to get in on lower points.
thanks for any help.
thanks for any help.