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 5, 2016, 10:34 am
#2956
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 775
The bus works fine , used it a few times - last month took the private limo to airport even better - but cost$$$ -- hotel provided it for me at no charge - I would think 80 euro would be a fantastic price -i would guess more like 180 or even more - but it is only a guess ===80 worth it - 180 take the bus
Jun 5, 2016, 10:49 am
#2957
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
SPLP, how did you get the limo for free??
My plan is so far to take the bus both ways, I believe I read its like 11 euros. I thought maybe the arrangement would be double that or so, but yeah for 80 euros I'd take the bus, I can spend those 60 in lots of better ways!! LOL
The bus and amongst other things is why I am doing IC Le Grand the first 3 nights and Vendome the last 2. I saw that they are practically neighbors and figured it would be more efficient to just walk over then have to deal with changing hotels and taking a tax somewhere further just ot save on one nights cost. I have the IHG free night and points to use at Le Grand.
My plan is so far to take the bus both ways, I believe I read its like 11 euros. I thought maybe the arrangement would be double that or so, but yeah for 80 euros I'd take the bus, I can spend those 60 in lots of better ways!! LOL
The bus and amongst other things is why I am doing IC Le Grand the first 3 nights and Vendome the last 2. I saw that they are practically neighbors and figured it would be more efficient to just walk over then have to deal with changing hotels and taking a tax somewhere further just ot save on one nights cost. I have the IHG free night and points to use at Le Grand.
Jun 5, 2016, 11:12 am
#2958
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 775
SPLP, how did you get the limo for free??
My plan is so far to take the bus both ways, I believe I read its like 11 euros. I thought maybe the arrangement would be double that or so, but yeah for 80 euros I'd take the bus, I can spend those 60 in lots of better ways!! LOL
The bus and amongst other things is why I am doing IC Le Grand the first 3 nights and Vendome the last 2. I saw that they are practically neighbors and figured it would be more efficient to just walk over then have to deal with changing hotels and taking a tax somewhere further just ot save on one nights cost. I have the IHG free night and points to use at Le Grand.
My plan is so far to take the bus both ways, I believe I read its like 11 euros. I thought maybe the arrangement would be double that or so, but yeah for 80 euros I'd take the bus, I can spend those 60 in lots of better ways!! LOL
The bus and amongst other things is why I am doing IC Le Grand the first 3 nights and Vendome the last 2. I saw that they are practically neighbors and figured it would be more efficient to just walk over then have to deal with changing hotels and taking a tax somewhere further just ot save on one nights cost. I have the IHG free night and points to use at Le Grand.
-very easy work over to hyatt -- I think the breakfast at IHG is much better than Hyatt - huge selection - with American breakfast or/and Chinese/Japanese can have them all --- only negative --the table set up-much to close to each other
as far as limo-- maid must have did something to the clock in the room and it went off at 4:00 am -- we never used the clock !! -- hotel was very nice and since we were leaving that day gave us the limo to airport - did not even ask -they offered -- huge change at this hotel under new manager - staff were all friendly and we felt like guests
Jun 5, 2016, 11:22 am
#2959
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
IHG is a very nice hotel , we like it very much -lobby is wonderful
-very easy work over to hyatt -- I think the breakfast at IHG is much better than Hyatt - huge selection - with American breakfast or/and Chinese/Japanese can have them all --- only negative --the table set up-much to close to each other
as far as limo-- maid must have did something to the clock in the room and it went off at 4:00 am -- we never used the clock !! -- hotel was very nice and since we were leaving that day gave us the limo to airport - did not even ask -they offered -- huge change at this hotel under new manager - staff were all friendly and we felt like guests
-very easy work over to hyatt -- I think the breakfast at IHG is much better than Hyatt - huge selection - with American breakfast or/and Chinese/Japanese can have them all --- only negative --the table set up-much to close to each other
as far as limo-- maid must have did something to the clock in the room and it went off at 4:00 am -- we never used the clock !! -- hotel was very nice and since we were leaving that day gave us the limo to airport - did not even ask -they offered -- huge change at this hotel under new manager - staff were all friendly and we felt like guests
Jun 5, 2016, 11:31 am
#2960
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
IHG is a very nice hotel , we like it very much -lobby is wonderful
-very easy work over to hyatt -- I think the breakfast at IHG is much better than Hyatt - huge selection - with American breakfast or/and Chinese/Japanese can have them all --- only negative --the table set up-much to close to each other
as far as limo-- maid must have did something to the clock in the room and it went off at 4:00 am -- we never used the clock !! -- hotel was very nice and since we were leaving that day gave us the limo to airport - did not even ask -they offered -- huge change at this hotel under new manager - staff were all friendly and we felt like guests
-very easy work over to hyatt -- I think the breakfast at IHG is much better than Hyatt - huge selection - with American breakfast or/and Chinese/Japanese can have them all --- only negative --the table set up-much to close to each other
as far as limo-- maid must have did something to the clock in the room and it went off at 4:00 am -- we never used the clock !! -- hotel was very nice and since we were leaving that day gave us the limo to airport - did not even ask -they offered -- huge change at this hotel under new manager - staff were all friendly and we felt like guests
Jun 5, 2016, 11:55 am
#2962
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
Very excited.
I just booked my 2 nights at this hotel for November. Paris here I come!!
I have been reading the thread but will have to re-read the last bits just to make sure I got everything lol
One question, I have seen on various sites including the hotel that they will arrange transport to CDG. Has anyone done that and what was the cost?
It's just me so I plan on Roissy bus but figure I would ask in case its not that much more I will do that for the convenience.
I just booked my 2 nights at this hotel for November. Paris here I come!!
I have been reading the thread but will have to re-read the last bits just to make sure I got everything lol
One question, I have seen on various sites including the hotel that they will arrange transport to CDG. Has anyone done that and what was the cost?
It's just me so I plan on Roissy bus but figure I would ask in case its not that much more I will do that for the convenience.
Jun 5, 2016, 12:04 pm
#2963
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 775
for a few days we ate at the same corner table for breakfast - after the 3rd day at same table we came down stairs to eat on 4th day and a young lardy who we never saw b4 wanted to seat us--I pointed to the corner table and was told --it was reserved !- I said OK -- suddenly out of nowhere came a Mgr who said to the young lady - yes ! it is reserved for Mr.xxx --
a real personal touch matched only by the Peninsula hotel in Hong Kong that I would stay at for 3-4 weeks at a time and I would not expect the same from a hotel after only 4 days
I know not everyone wants to be known -some like to be invisible and blend in
Jun 5, 2016, 1:41 pm
#2965
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
Does Uber pick up right at airport?
I will probably just stick to Roissy for the price and no transfers (to the PP who mentioned the train). It just seems convenient.
I will probably just stick to Roissy for the price and no transfers (to the PP who mentioned the train). It just seems convenient.
Jun 5, 2016, 1:56 pm
#2966
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
@miadukes -
1) The bus comes right to the terminal and drops you next to the opera house. You walk around the opera and then about a block down rue de la Paix. Five to 10 minutes. (But use a rollaboard.) The only issue is getting distracted by the Cartier flagship store along the way. Just joking.
2) You're gonna love it.
ETA: Whoops, I forgot that you want Le Grand first. But it looks as though you've already looked at Mappy or the like, so the only thing left to add is about five more minutes.
Last edited by Firewind; Jun 5, 2016 at 2:11 pm
Jun 5, 2016, 2:27 pm
#2968
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
@pantanal - that's an eminently viable alternative, and I've done it almost as often as the Roissybus. But for someone's first time, I suggest that Roissybus is much simpler.
@miadukes -
1) The bus comes right to the terminal and drops you next to the opera house. You walk around the opera and then about a block down rue de la Paix. Five to 10 minutes. (But use a rollaboard.) The only issue is getting distracted by the Cartier flagship store along the way. Just joking.
2) You're gonna love it.
ETA: Whoops, I forgot that you want Le Grand first. But it looks as though you've already looked at Mappy or the like, so the only thing left to add is about five more minutes.
@miadukes -
1) The bus comes right to the terminal and drops you next to the opera house. You walk around the opera and then about a block down rue de la Paix. Five to 10 minutes. (But use a rollaboard.) The only issue is getting distracted by the Cartier flagship store along the way. Just joking.
2) You're gonna love it.
ETA: Whoops, I forgot that you want Le Grand first. But it looks as though you've already looked at Mappy or the like, so the only thing left to add is about five more minutes.
anyway thanks yeah, I'm doing Le Grand first and then vendome on my last two nights, I don't leave till 4:25 the last day so figured I'd enjoy vendome in the am a bit more than rushing in to check in, but really no particular reason, I could still switch them around. Yes I saw on the map they are around the corner from each other so I think the Roissy makes sense.
You guys all said and I'm pretty sure I read on here that they offer you discount breakfast right when you check in, if you are at least platinum? (I have the card).
Jun 5, 2016, 4:48 pm
#2969
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: world
Programs: all
Posts: 1,422
Honestly the PH is overrated..I am in Paris literally once a month and always just stay at the IC Grand but then as an RA they treat u like a king.
Btw..the indigo opera is actually a very nice boutique hotel right next to the IC and if you are not Ambassador or RA you may be much better at the Indigo. The classic rooms at the Ic suck
Btw..the indigo opera is actually a very nice boutique hotel right next to the IC and if you are not Ambassador or RA you may be much better at the Indigo. The classic rooms at the Ic suck
Jun 5, 2016, 6:05 pm
#2970
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
Honestly the PH is overrated..I am in Paris literally once a month and always just stay at the IC Grand but then as an RA they treat u like a king.
Btw..the indigo opera is actually a very nice boutique hotel right next to the IC and if you are not Ambassador or RA you may be much better at the Indigo. The classic rooms at the Ic suck
Btw..the indigo opera is actually a very nice boutique hotel right next to the IC and if you are not Ambassador or RA you may be much better at the Indigo. The classic rooms at the Ic suck
The next day we checked into the PHV, free internet, breakfast, welcome wine and treats. And a suite upgrade.
Marriott and Hyatt take really great care of their upper tier travelers.