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)
May 30, 2015, 10:46 am
#2536
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
It seems you are simply five years plus late to the party.
Vendome used to be what you described earlier, but that was before the (local) competition upped the ante significantly, before the Grand Berlin started winning internal Hyatt competitions and other places like Milan or Zurich opened its doors.
But I fear that this is the fate most hotels have to endure, they are always new kids around and in some cases they even close for long periods and rebuild existing infrastructure for years to up the ante once more, not only in Paris, London or Milan.
I understand that many guests from the US are still vowed, because even today a place like Vendome is vastly superior to all Hyatt properties in the US, but times are changing so fast...
In some cases, Hyatt and the owners reacted (B&O 4:3 TV sets in Zurich) in some cases they did not react, coulours at Vendome (Gold armatures from another era) or carpets in Milan (terribly worn)
Both are still great places to stay, I just do not buy into the Hype about Vendome any longer, but maybe we have more comparable hotels in Europe and Asia, so the difference is not that big in comparison to guests from the US who are used to not so nice Grand or Park Hyatt properties.
Vendome used to be what you described earlier, but that was before the (local) competition upped the ante significantly, before the Grand Berlin started winning internal Hyatt competitions and other places like Milan or Zurich opened its doors.
But I fear that this is the fate most hotels have to endure, they are always new kids around and in some cases they even close for long periods and rebuild existing infrastructure for years to up the ante once more, not only in Paris, London or Milan.
I understand that many guests from the US are still vowed, because even today a place like Vendome is vastly superior to all Hyatt properties in the US, but times are changing so fast...
In some cases, Hyatt and the owners reacted (B&O 4:3 TV sets in Zurich) in some cases they did not react, coulours at Vendome (Gold armatures from another era) or carpets in Milan (terribly worn)
Both are still great places to stay, I just do not buy into the Hype about Vendome any longer, but maybe we have more comparable hotels in Europe and Asia, so the difference is not that big in comparison to guests from the US who are used to not so nice Grand or Park Hyatt properties.
in the US that are pretty damn nice, sans of course being in Paris, and European style service. I have stayed at several of the other top hotels in Paris and frankly whether I am paying or points frankly the PHV is a s good as it gets.
True it's worn and they need to begin to repair/replace/upgrade but that can be done over time. Same goes for Milan and that's another great property, my opinion.
May 30, 2015, 5:13 pm
#2537
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,602
In some cases, Hyatt and the owners reacted (B&O 4:3 TV sets in Zurich) in some cases they did not react, coulours at Vendome (Gold armatures from another era) or carpets in Milan (terribly worn)
Both are still great places to stay, I just do not buy into the Hype about Vendome any longer, but maybe we have more comparable hotels in Europe and Asia, so the difference is not that big in comparison to guests from the US who are used to not so nice Grand or Park Hyatt properties.
Both are still great places to stay, I just do not buy into the Hype about Vendome any longer, but maybe we have more comparable hotels in Europe and Asia, so the difference is not that big in comparison to guests from the US who are used to not so nice Grand or Park Hyatt properties.
I think you are right that a hype is not justified, but Vendome just delivers. And very Parisian.
May 30, 2015, 8:22 pm
#2538
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I do not think PH Vendome is hyped up, it's just very popular because it is an excellent value for award stays and for paid stays as a Diamond member. It also is a very nice hotel, although a notch or two below the top properties in town.
Anyone who does not like its decor or who is unhappy with the condition of its rooms and suites is free to pay $,$$$ per night to stay at a better hotel.
Anyone who does not like its decor or who is unhappy with the condition of its rooms and suites is free to pay $,$$$ per night to stay at a better hotel.
May 31, 2015, 1:00 am
#2539
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Originally Posted by MikeFromToky
Anyone who does not like its decor or who is unhappy with the condition of its rooms and suites is free to pay $,$$$ per night to stay at a better hotel.
I think it's a reasonable assumption to make that those saying that PHV is "dated" and "no longer competitive to the best ones in town" are capable of, and willing to, pay for the clearly top luxury hotels in Paris such as the FSGV, Le Bristol or PA to which the comparison appears to be made. Because otherwise, it's a case of saying "The Lexus is a bad car compared to the Rolls Royce", but then not being able to, or willing to, pay for the Rolls Royce, making the comparison an academic exercise.
It's going to be at least a good 10 years (if ever!) until I am comfortable paying the sorts of rates those "top tier hotels" in Paris want, which basically seems to be around 1,000EUR per night. Therefore, PHV represents more or less the top price I am willing to pay (in cash or points) and the best quality for that cost.
I suspect that many (but obviously not all) of the people who are not complaining about the PHV will belong to the same category as me.
May 31, 2015, 1:32 am
#2540
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,602
Service was ultimately better at PHV compared to MO (and Pen in early days), which worries me. Staff does care and they lack attitude.
May 31, 2015, 6:56 pm
#2541
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
^^
I think it's a reasonable assumption to make that those saying that PHV is "dated" and "no longer competitive to the best ones in town" are capable of, and willing to, pay for the clearly top luxury hotels in Paris such as the FSGV, Le Bristol or PA to which the comparison appears to be made. Because otherwise, it's a case of saying "The Lexus is a bad car compared to the Rolls Royce", but then not being able to, or willing to, pay for the Rolls Royce, making the comparison an academic exercise.
It's going to be at least a good 10 years (if ever!) until I am comfortable paying the sorts of rates those "top tier hotels" in Paris want, which basically seems to be around 1,000EUR per night. Therefore, PHV represents more or less the top price I am willing to pay (in cash or points) and the best quality for that cost.
I suspect that many (but obviously not all) of the people who are not complaining about the PHV will belong to the same category as me.
I think it's a reasonable assumption to make that those saying that PHV is "dated" and "no longer competitive to the best ones in town" are capable of, and willing to, pay for the clearly top luxury hotels in Paris such as the FSGV, Le Bristol or PA to which the comparison appears to be made. Because otherwise, it's a case of saying "The Lexus is a bad car compared to the Rolls Royce", but then not being able to, or willing to, pay for the Rolls Royce, making the comparison an academic exercise.
It's going to be at least a good 10 years (if ever!) until I am comfortable paying the sorts of rates those "top tier hotels" in Paris want, which basically seems to be around 1,000EUR per night. Therefore, PHV represents more or less the top price I am willing to pay (in cash or points) and the best quality for that cost.
I suspect that many (but obviously not all) of the people who are not complaining about the PHV will belong to the same category as me.
THERE is nothing wrong with the PHV versus some of the "other" top hotels in Paris I agree and much prefer the PHV.
Jun 1, 2015, 12:50 am
#2542
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
Vendome has the palace designation, but is not top of the market, I agree. FS GV and now Le Bristol, under Didier Le Calvez, are widely regarded as the best. Pen not there (yet). Grand Berlin is, like most German Hyatts, very mediocre from a guest's perspective and the GM under fire from several esteemed users here. Awful hotel.
Wow, now that is really something to want avoid at any cost, being under fire from a few guests on an IBB...
Regarded as the best brings us back to the Grand Berlin and you might want to do some research who regarded the Grand Berlin as the best Hyatt systemwide...
It might be a more esteemed audience than a few grumpy FT'ers, who are simply not getting upgraded to Daimler or Maybach anymore and also do not get a free transfer any longer.
Under the bottom line, both properties are in need of a renovation and do not really deliver what they used to deliver ten years ago. The Grand Berlin was the best Hyatt hotel systemwide, Vendome used to be the poster child for a smaller kind of hotel, but both are simply in need of another round of innovations.
Maybe, we should ask Bernd's daugther to move over to Europe to do the job... ^
Jun 1, 2015, 12:55 am
#2543
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: Everything is refundable
Posts: 3,727
Like some people pointed out earlier, it is somehow the lite&dated version of a Palace Hotel, hence not comparable to 12-13 years ago, when it was at the very top.
Again, still a very good hotel, still a devent value, but simply not what it used to be ten years ago at 15k and shortly after the opening.
Jun 1, 2015, 1:21 am
#2544
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Even though rack rates may suggest PH Vendome operates in the same market segment as the city's top hotels, to a large extent that is not true. When corporate rates, award redemptions, and upgrades are considered this hotel is substantially less expensive than properties that do not really discount much.
Every hotel goes through cycles between renovations. The difference between most hotels and hotels like FS George V is that at the George V rooms and public spaces are refurbished before it is needed, so that it never even starts to look tired.
Comparing a hotel that is accessible with 30k GP points and even credit card sign up bonus nights to the George V, Bristol, PA, Meurice, S-L, etc.. is not an apples to apples comparison. It is a different product at a different price point.
Every hotel goes through cycles between renovations. The difference between most hotels and hotels like FS George V is that at the George V rooms and public spaces are refurbished before it is needed, so that it never even starts to look tired.
Comparing a hotel that is accessible with 30k GP points and even credit card sign up bonus nights to the George V, Bristol, PA, Meurice, S-L, etc.. is not an apples to apples comparison. It is a different product at a different price point.
Jun 1, 2015, 5:17 am
#2545
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: BKK, CDG, TLS
Programs: QR G, A3 G, EK G, IHG Amb, GHA Black, WOH LT something
Posts: 1,306
Even though rack rates may suggest PH Vendome operates in the same market segment as the city's top hotels, to a large extent that is not true. When corporate rates, award redemptions, and upgrades are considered this hotel is substantially less expensive than properties that do not really discount much.
Every hotel goes through cycles between renovations. The difference between most hotels and hotels like FS George V is that at the George V rooms and public spaces are refurbished before it is needed, so that it never even starts to look tired.
Comparing a hotel that is accessible with 30k GP points and even credit card sign up bonus nights to the George V, Bristol, PA, Meurice, S-L, etc.. is not an apples to apples comparison. It is a different product at a different price point.
Every hotel goes through cycles between renovations. The difference between most hotels and hotels like FS George V is that at the George V rooms and public spaces are refurbished before it is needed, so that it never even starts to look tired.
Comparing a hotel that is accessible with 30k GP points and even credit card sign up bonus nights to the George V, Bristol, PA, Meurice, S-L, etc.. is not an apples to apples comparison. It is a different product at a different price point.
I don't agree with you. You mention they are at different price point, which is not entirely true imo:
- rooms upgrades at the PH you get by HGP, but at other properties you get via Virtuoso/FHR.
- SL, FS, etc also have their corporate rates.
- award redemption: SL has their own program with redemption as well. and as far i am aware PHV is paid for award nights / CC night by HGP...
so i don't consider it at a different price point, different product yes. as I am really not a fan of the golden decor and the small statues in the rooms.
Jun 1, 2015, 5:44 am
#2546
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Of course it is not a cheap hotel by any means, but clearly its ADR is lower than, say, FS GV where virtually everyone pays published rates.
Jun 1, 2015, 5:51 am
#2547
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
I don't agree with you. You mention they are at different price point, which is not entirely true imo:
- rooms upgrades at the PH you get by HGP, but at other properties you get via Virtuoso/FHR.
- SL, FS, etc also have their corporate rates.
- award redemption: SL has their own program with redemption as well. and as far i am aware PHV is paid for award nights / CC night by HGP...
so i don't consider it at a different price point, different product yes. as I am really not a fan of the golden decor and the small statues in the rooms.
- rooms upgrades at the PH you get by HGP, but at other properties you get via Virtuoso/FHR.
- SL, FS, etc also have their corporate rates.
- award redemption: SL has their own program with redemption as well. and as far i am aware PHV is paid for award nights / CC night by HGP...
so i don't consider it at a different price point, different product yes. as I am really not a fan of the golden decor and the small statues in the rooms.
Alternatively, if you can find the availability, you can do a C+P with Diamond Suite Upgrade to basically get a Park Suite for a marginally higher cost per night, provided you are Diamond.
Speaking of direct financial cost, I can't really see how it could get much cheaper than that.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:29 am
#2548
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
One would have to be a VIP at George V to get upgraded from a base room to a mid level suite, and practically speaking that would be very unlikely to happen.
Jun 1, 2015, 6:37 am
#2549
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
One who expects to end up in a suite at FSGV will very unlikely be relying on freebie upgrades to get him/her there!
Jun 1, 2015, 6:43 am
#2550
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: BKK, CDG, TLS
Programs: QR G, A3 G, EK G, IHG Amb, GHA Black, WOH LT something
Posts: 1,306
The price is not the same but they are not the same properties, exactly like there is a difference in cost between the PH SYD and the 4S SYD where the PH is about on average 2x the cost of the 4s...