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Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme REVIEW - MASTER THREAD (Aug 2011 onward)

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Old Apr 5, 2014, 7:57 pm
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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.


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Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme REVIEW - MASTER THREAD (Aug 2011 onward)

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Old Apr 6, 2014, 3:41 pm
  #2131  
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If you're looking for people who can speak English, or just a fantastic meal, try Bistrot Volnay (in Rue Volnay, behind the Hyatt. Just turn right and right again). We had the best dinner of our stay there. It's run by two women, who are excellent hosts, and happy to speak English. The Grand Marnier soufflé was out of this world!

Last edited by Wan1dap; Apr 6, 2014 at 5:08 pm
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Old Apr 6, 2014, 4:34 pm
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Originally Posted by Wan1dap
If you're looking for people who can speak English, or just a fantastic meal, try a Bistrot Volnay (in Rue Volnay, behind the Hyatt. Just turn right and right again). We had the best dinner of our stay there. It's run by two women, who are excellent hosts, and happy to speak English. The Grand Marnier soufflé was out of this world!
thank you will remember
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 6:14 am
  #2133  
 
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I've had a strange -- and what is probably an outlier -- experience so far in only the first two nights of a six-night stay (two rooms total). Numerous, small hiccups in service/rooms, including:

-badly broken closet curtain (which required a technician to look at it for an hour, while my wife and I sat there waiting, ultimately to conclude that the problem required further fixing; then after requesting that further fixes be done after I check out of the hotel, another technician came back the next day and asked to stitch the curtain, and indicated after the short stitching work was done that MORE work was required)
-poorly functioning heating/AC unit
-failure to properly make up the bed
-intermittently flickering light directly over the head of the bed
-failure to deliver both NYT and WSJ papers to my room as requested at check-in (but delivering both to the second room, on another floor, when no newspaper were asked for that room)
-broken security lock on the door
-failure to replace coffee cup that was removed from the room for washing (the room comes with two larger coffee cups and two smaller espresso-sized cups)

Given the impeccable reputation of this hotel, I've been quite disappointed so far and have basically requested the hotel to leave me be in peace -- they can fix all the broken stuff when I'm gone (I'd rather not have a number of people come by my room one after another when I'm not around). Admittedly, these are all mostly small issues, and I didn't mind at first. But after four...five...six...etc. problems arose, I could not help but feel a bit annoyed. And I have only been here two days!

I have tempered my expectations; I hope now only that nothing else goes wrong. I do like the convenience of the location, but will likely go back to staying at the Le Grand up the street or elsewhere. I'm not impressed.
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 8:32 am
  #2134  
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Originally Posted by andysiz
I've had a strange -- and what is probably an outlier -- experience so far in only the first two nights of a six-night stay (two rooms total). Numerous, small hiccups in service/rooms, including:

-badly broken closet curtain (which required a technician to look at it for an hour, while my wife and I sat there waiting, ultimately to conclude that the problem required further fixing; then after requesting that further fixes be done after I check out of the hotel, another technician came back the next day and asked to stitch the curtain, and indicated after the short stitching work was done that MORE work was required)
-poorly functioning heating/AC unit
-failure to properly make up the bed
-intermittently flickering light directly over the head of the bed
-failure to deliver both NYT and WSJ papers to my room as requested at check-in (but delivering both to the second room, on another floor, when no newspaper were asked for that room)
-broken security lock on the door
-failure to replace coffee cup that was removed from the room for washing (the room comes with two larger coffee cups and two smaller espresso-sized cups)

Given the impeccable reputation of this hotel, I've been quite disappointed so far and have basically requested the hotel to leave me be in peace -- they can fix all the broken stuff when I'm gone (I'd rather not have a number of people come by my room one after another when I'm not around). Admittedly, these are all mostly small issues, and I didn't mind at first. But after four...five...six...etc. problems arose, I could not help but feel a bit annoyed. And I have only been here two days!

I have tempered my expectations; I hope now only that nothing else goes wrong. I do like the convenience of the location, but will likely go back to staying at the Le Grand up the street or elsewhere. I'm not impressed.
Impeccable reputation?

You have to read the comments from the folks staying there continuously and not the ones from guests who got the Hyatt credit card and normally do not stay at such properties.

The place is more than ten years old now and the age is starting to show, let it be the curtains, the whirlpool jets or certain parts of the interior that are closer to the 1990's than the second decade of the 21st century.

But in any case, the IC Le Grand is really not up to the standards of the PH Vendome.

But you should not except perfection at Vendome, the really perfect places in Paris are still ~50% more expensive.
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 8:38 am
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Originally Posted by FD1971

You have to read the comments from the folks staying there continuously and not the ones from guests who got the Hyatt credit card and normally do not stay at such properties.

.
Great points, and lesson (above) learned.

Edit: and just to be clear and add context -- I am not one who usually stays at 800 Euros/nt hotels, though I have stayed in my fair share of them. I am a fairly simple traveler, not needing too much, but can and do appreciate the finer services and accommodations at nicer hotels. Given that my expectations are likely to be somewhat simpler than one who usually stays at such hotels, I am that much more surprised by the annoyances thus far on my stay. Re: Le Grand, you're definitely right, but given my experiences thus far, that hotel delivers value closer to its cost than PH Vendome.

Edit: forgot to add that the paper pad and pen on the desk disappeared yesterday (which actually did come into play when I tried to write down a number from a voice message). To their credit, it re-appeared today when I came back from walking around the city. But what else can they bungle at this point?

Last edited by andysiz; Apr 9, 2014 at 9:22 am
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 9:44 am
  #2136  
 
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Originally Posted by andysiz
Great points, and lesson (above) learned.

Edit: and just to be clear and add context -- I am not one who usually stays at 800 Euros/nt hotels, though I have stayed in my fair share of them. I am a fairly simple traveler, not needing too much, but can and do appreciate the finer services and accommodations at nicer hotels. Given that my expectations are likely to be somewhat simpler than one who usually stays at such hotels, I am that much more surprised by the annoyances thus far on my stay. Re: Le Grand, you're definitely right, but given my experiences thus far, that hotel delivers value closer to its cost than PH Vendome.

Edit: forgot to add that the paper pad and pen on the desk disappeared yesterday (which actually did come into play when I tried to write down a number from a voice message). To their credit, it re-appeared today when I came back from walking around the city. But what else can they bungle at this point?
Since are mildly upset/disappointed I would call the hotel manager and tell them your thoughts , if you keep it a secret from them -no chance that you have the stay you expected -- I have found speaking up gets results
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 9:57 am
  #2137  
 
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Originally Posted by SPLP007
Since are mildly upset/disappointed I would call the hotel manager and tell them your thoughts , if you keep it a secret from them -no chance that you have the stay you expected -- I have found speaking up gets results
Great advice -- I didn't have the contact for the hotel manager (shift, general, or otherwise), so I sent an email last night to the concierge desk (with whom I have exchanged several emails re: reservations, etc. quite satisfactorily) and asked them to forward the email appropriately.

This morning I got a response from the Director of Rooms with a short apology and an offer to meet in person (of course I declined; don't need to expend more of my time). Yet, despite my request to have any further repairs done after I check out, about five minutes after I returned to my room midday today, a technician showed up at my door and requested a little time to work on the curtains! Given his assurances that the work would only last a few minutes (and it did, though he indicated that further work would need to be done), I let him in and do his work. I responded to the Director of Rooms about this, and he assured me no further crew would come to disturb me.

All in all, an unimpressive response. But I figure I need to spend less time worrying about these issues and enjoying the city.

Last edited by andysiz; Apr 9, 2014 at 10:16 am
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 10:48 am
  #2138  
 
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Originally Posted by andysiz
Great advice -- I didn't have the contact for the hotel manager (shift, general, or otherwise), so I sent an email last night to the concierge desk (with whom I have exchanged several emails re: reservations, etc. quite satisfactorily) and asked them to forward the email appropriately.

This morning I got a response from the Director of Rooms with a short apology and an offer to meet in person (of course I declined; don't need to expend more of my time). Yet, despite my request to have any further repairs done after I check out, about five minutes after I returned to my room midday today, a technician showed up at my door and requested a little time to work on the curtains! Given his assurances that the work would only last a few minutes (and it did, though he indicated that further work would need to be done), I let him in and do his work. I responded to the Director of Rooms about this, and he assured me no further crew would come to disturb me.

All in all, an unimpressive response. But I figure I need to spend less time worrying about these issues and enjoying the city.
try to get them to make ur room first thing in AM then leave do not disturb sign on door while out for the day -- when it is good for u -- call for turn down service --I too do not like people from in my room especially when I ma not in the room
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 11:16 am
  #2139  
 
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Originally Posted by FD1971
Impeccable reputation?

You have to read the comments from the folks staying there continuously and not the ones from guests who got the Hyatt credit card and normally do not stay at such properties.

The place is more than ten years old now and the age is starting to show, let it be the curtains, the whirlpool jets or certain parts of the interior that are closer to the 1990's than the second decade of the 21st century.

But in any case, the IC Le Grand is really not up to the standards of the PH Vendome.

But you should not except perfection at Vendome, the really perfect places in Paris are still ~50% more expensive.
agree and good points The Grand is far worse than the PHV. I am very surprised that this person had so many issues and did not see where they went down to the front desk and discussed this with the GM? Certainly that should have resolved the issues, i.e. new room.

I have found that most of the hotels throughout Europe are showing some signs of aging and most likely attributed to the economic conditions there.

In any event PHV is still my "go to" when in Paris. And returning in November quite possibly having Thanksgiving Dinner there.
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 1:13 pm
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While those shortfalls in service are undoubtedly unpleasant, one should not forget that the hotel continuously tries to improve the product. The design is an Ed Tuttle classic and they try to keep it immaculate but also added and changed a couple of things over the years. The addition of electric blinds come to my mind, the Prestige Suite disappeared in favor of new suite options (more residential in style), new carpets in hallways and rooms (gone is the grey), new furniture (new, modern, sofas that first appeared in the higher-end suites and made their way to Park Suites and Deluxe Rooms), the fresh lemon-y Blaise scent, a rethought amenity-kit, Japanese Toto washlets in some of the rooms, etc..
Some of the rooms down in the pecking order are prone to scratches and wear, but the yearly renovations are done very well. I wish all of the Hyatts were like that! It really comes down to which room is assigned and the guest history. A friend of mine forgot to add his GP account last month and the system must have not picked up his details, so when he arrived, there was no duty manager waiting, but rather a dark room with many problems after a long wait, no macarons & champagne and no extra care from the Concierge team - a completely different hotel.
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 1:31 pm
  #2141  
 
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Originally Posted by scented
While those shortfalls in service are undoubtedly unpleasant, one should not forget that the hotel continuously tries to improve the product. The design is an Ed Tuttle classic and they try to keep it immaculate but also added and changed a couple of things over the years. The addition of electric blinds come to my mind, the Prestige Suite disappeared in favor of new suite options (more residential in style), new carpets in hallways and rooms (gone is the grey), new furniture (new, modern, sofas that first appeared in the higher-end suites and made their way to Park Suites and Deluxe Rooms), the fresh lemon-y Blaise scent, a rethought amenity-kit, Japanese Toto washlets in some of the rooms, etc..
Some of the rooms down in the pecking order are prone to scratches and wear, but the yearly renovations are done very well. I wish all of the Hyatts were like that! It really comes down to which room is assigned and the guest history. A friend of mine forgot to add his GP account last month and the system must have not picked up his details, so when he arrived, there was no duty manager waiting, but rather a dark room with many problems after a long wait, no macarons & champagne and no extra care from the Concierge team - a completely different hotel.
I am sure everything you say is correct , but--- when I am a guest, I want a good room for myself etc , it does not make me want to stay in a hotel that evertything is perfect "EXCEPT" my room -- what andysiz above reported is not what you expect from a fine hotel --yes things happen and it is how it is handled that will matter in the end
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 2:52 pm
  #2142  
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Originally Posted by edgewood49
agree and good points The Grand is far worse than the PHV. I am very surprised that this person had so many issues and did not see where they went down to the front desk and discussed this with the GM? Certainly that should have resolved the issues, i.e. new room.

I have found that most of the hotels throughout Europe are showing some signs of aging and most likely attributed to the economic conditions there.

In any event PHV is still my "go to" when in Paris. And returning in November quite possibly having Thanksgiving Dinner there.
I don't mean to offend, but just checking you realise there's no such thing as Thanksgiving in France? Didn't want you to get your expectations up, only to be disappointed! Of course, celebrating Thanksgiving there is definitely doable, given the dining choices - but it's just another day to the French.
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 2:58 pm
  #2143  
 
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Originally Posted by Wan1dap
I don't mean to offend, but just checking you realise there's no such thing as Thanksgiving in France? Didn't want you to get your expectations up, only to be disappointed! Of course, celebrating Thanksgiving there is definitely doable, given the dining choices - but it's just another day to the French.
That was a "tongue and cheek" remark. per se. Having spent many years abroad during US Holidays I have always found that there is some acknowledgment some more prominent than others.

I have British friends that celebrate 4th of July because they got rid of "us colonialist " !!!
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 3:14 pm
  #2144  
 
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Originally Posted by edgewood49
That was a "tongue and cheek" remark. per se. Having spent many years abroad during US Holidays I have always found that there is some acknowledgment some more prominent than others.

I have British friends that celebrate 4th of July because they got rid of "us colonialist " !!!
I live in Europe and if go to a big hotel chains like Hilton-Starwoods etc -- they offer a full thanks giving dinner -- just no Macy day parade --- 25 years ago x-mas decoration did not go up until mid December-now appears to be timed to a week before turkey day -- in Paris will be no problem to find a thanksgiving day lunch/ dinner
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Old Apr 9, 2014, 4:59 pm
  #2145  
 
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Not entirely on topic, but hopefully not so far off topic as to offend:

Does PHV have any connecting rooms? And, pushing the envelope even a little further, does Madeleine?

Sorry, found several mentions of connecting rooms, no need to answer my stupid question!

Last edited by farnorthtrader; Apr 9, 2014 at 5:27 pm
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