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)
Sep 7, 2015, 3:24 pm
#2702
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
@mbourgeois: Adding and subtracting from the above - I'd add to what CloudCoder says to keep on checking. It actually might be too early to get all that you want now. Since I began dealing with this hotel, I've found that it adds availability as the desired dates approach - in fact, every time. But often not until close-in. But - as edgewood49 says - watch out for big city-wide events.
What I'd subtract is that I suggest that a DSU isn't necessary. I've always gotten a large room (as a Diamond sans DSU). There have been times when I was perhaps oblivious to being upgraded, but I've never been in a small room.
What I'd subtract is that I suggest that a DSU isn't necessary. I've always gotten a large room (as a Diamond sans DSU). There have been times when I was perhaps oblivious to being upgraded, but I've never been in a small room.
Sep 7, 2015, 5:35 pm
#2703
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
You it's "all about loyalty" which buys " status" . The old fashion way !
Sep 9, 2015, 4:51 am
#2704
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
I currently have several nights booked with points.
When I call Hyatt Gold Passport (Diamond line) to inquire about upgrading to a suite, with points, I am told (twice now) that the hotel is all booked for those dates. At the Hyatt website, however, there are all manner of rooms available, including lower-end suites.
I know that P+C is at discretion of hotel. But a room on points? Is my problem that I am asking for an upgrade via points? Or is it that the PHV is holding out on HGP? If the latter, how best to elevate within HGP?
When I call Hyatt Gold Passport (Diamond line) to inquire about upgrading to a suite, with points, I am told (twice now) that the hotel is all booked for those dates. At the Hyatt website, however, there are all manner of rooms available, including lower-end suites.
I know that P+C is at discretion of hotel. But a room on points? Is my problem that I am asking for an upgrade via points? Or is it that the PHV is holding out on HGP? If the latter, how best to elevate within HGP?
Sep 9, 2015, 4:59 am
#2705
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
I currently have several nights booked with points.
When I call Hyatt Gold Passport (Diamond line) to inquire about upgrading to a suite, with points, I am told (twice now) that the hotel is all booked for those dates. At the Hyatt website, however, there are all manner of rooms available, including lower-end suites.
I know that P+C is at discretion of hotel. But a room on points? Is my problem that I am asking for an upgrade via points? Or is it that the PHV is holding out on HGP? If the latter, how best to elevate within HGP?
When I call Hyatt Gold Passport (Diamond line) to inquire about upgrading to a suite, with points, I am told (twice now) that the hotel is all booked for those dates. At the Hyatt website, however, there are all manner of rooms available, including lower-end suites.
I know that P+C is at discretion of hotel. But a room on points? Is my problem that I am asking for an upgrade via points? Or is it that the PHV is holding out on HGP? If the latter, how best to elevate within HGP?
The only upgrade option that (90% of the time) matches the website availability of a base level suite is DSU on a cash booking.
Sep 9, 2015, 9:39 am
#2707
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but suite availability on points, DSU+C&P or by using points to upgrade to suites are also at the hotel's discretion.
The only upgrade option that (90% of the time) matches the website availability of a base level suite is DSU on a cash booking.
The only upgrade option that (90% of the time) matches the website availability of a base level suite is DSU on a cash booking.
Sep 9, 2015, 3:48 pm
#2708
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
You can't upgrade a points reservation with more points for a suite. You can get a suite reservation on points (I believe the premium is 50% - so for this category 7 property - it's 30,000 for a regular room or 45,000 for a suite - considerably higher than the 6,000 points for upgrade on the Hyatt Daily Rate). Note that there is a 3 night minimum for suite awards.
I do believe that the property doesn't have to make the suite available for awards even if it's available. Last year I was looking at getting a suite award at Andaz Maui but was told not available but DSU was, so I found a BRG and applied the DSU.
I do believe that the property doesn't have to make the suite available for awards even if it's available. Last year I was looking at getting a suite award at Andaz Maui but was told not available but DSU was, so I found a BRG and applied the DSU.
Sep 9, 2015, 4:18 pm
#2709
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
You can't upgrade a points reservation with more points for a suite. You can get a suite reservation on points (I believe the premium is 50% - so for this category 7 property - it's 30,000 for a regular room or 45,000 for a suite - considerably higher than the 6,000 points for upgrade on the Hyatt Daily Rate). Note that there is a 3 night minimum for suite awards.
I do believe that the property doesn't have to make the suite available for awards even if it's available. Last year I was looking at getting a suite award at Andaz Maui but was told not available but DSU was, so I found a BRG and applied the DSU.
I do believe that the property doesn't have to make the suite available for awards even if it's available. Last year I was looking at getting a suite award at Andaz Maui but was told not available but DSU was, so I found a BRG and applied the DSU.
Everyone is playing by the same rules , the ONLY thing a bit different are the amount of stays there, we like many here stay at the PHV multiple times a year and their computer shows that and it DOES help just like loyalty and not the cc you carry!
Just saying
Sep 9, 2015, 6:26 pm
#2710
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
You can't upgrade a points reservation with more points for a suite. You can get a suite reservation on points (I believe the premium is 50% - so for this category 7 property - it's 30,000 for a regular room or 45,000 for a suite - considerably higher than the 6,000 points for upgrade on the Hyatt Daily Rate). Note that there is a 3 night minimum for suite awards.
I do believe that the property doesn't have to make the suite available for awards even if it's available. Last year I was looking at getting a suite award at Andaz Maui but was told not available but DSU was, so I found a BRG and applied the DSU.
I do believe that the property doesn't have to make the suite available for awards even if it's available. Last year I was looking at getting a suite award at Andaz Maui but was told not available but DSU was, so I found a BRG and applied the DSU.
Sep 9, 2015, 8:10 pm
#2711
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: MR LTP, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 317
Per this
https://pizzainmotion.boardingarea.c...-availability/
C&P is never available at Park Hyatt Vendome...not a single day. Your options are to use full points for the room, full points for a Suite, or pay for the room using cash and a DSU to upgrade to Suite.
https://pizzainmotion.boardingarea.c...-availability/
C&P is never available at Park Hyatt Vendome...not a single day. Your options are to use full points for the room, full points for a Suite, or pay for the room using cash and a DSU to upgrade to Suite.
Sep 10, 2015, 12:05 am
#2713
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,267
Surely this is a bit different from your previous statement, which is that "C&P is never available at Park Hyatt Vendome... not a single day"??
Sep 10, 2015, 7:19 am
#2714
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,992
