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)
#3751
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
I hear you after that first time we were able to get much better rooms however since Claudio has taken over things are not what they use to be in spite of his reputation. I first met him at the PHM and he was great there. I also agree e with you on the Westin down the street
#3752
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
I know they’re not required to give anything but my welcome gift was two bottles of cider and a bowl with some chips in it. Is there a point where you cost cut so much that it’s probably better not to bother if it’s not required?
At Christmas I was at the (generally considerably cheaper) Renaissance a few blocks away and it was quite nice—a bottle of wine and a box of Ladurée macarons.
#3753
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
They gave me this last time too. Agreed that it's a good use of the free Cat 7 night, which I'll use again there before expiration.
#3754
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
I just had a quick stay here on my cat 1-7 cert. A good use of that cert. No upgrade but they were sold out for the night. The room I received was quite nice and recently renovated.
I know they’re not required to give anything but my welcome gift was two bottles of cider and a bowl with some chips in it. Is there a point where you cost cut so much that it’s probably better not to bother if it’s not required?
At Christmas I was at the (generally considerably cheaper) Renaissance a few blocks away and it was quite nice—a bottle of wine and a box of Ladurée macarons.
#3755
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Whitefish, Montana
Programs: Four Seasons PP, RW Elite, Dorchester Diamond, Virtuoso, PenClub, Privé, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 142
I missed this thread a few weeks ago but was there recently... We stayed at the Park Hyatt Vendôme over the weekend of 3/23/19 and we had an excellent experience. The suite that we were in was spacious with high ceilings, a large walk in closet, a large bathroom, and a very comfortable roll-away bed for our our son (who has a lot of experience with rollaways). Service from the front desk, to concierge, and across the restaurants and bar was fantastic. We also loved the location very close to Place Vendôme, Palais Garnier opera house, Tuileries Garden, etc.
We checked out on Monday 3/25 at around noon, and we were not impacted by construction at all while we were there. Here is a quick update on what is going on with the construction:
- They are currently finishing the last phase of renovations.
- The Terrace is going to reopen at the end of May.
- No construction noise earlier than 10am, or later than 6:30pm, and no noise during lunch time.
J'aime Paris!
We checked out on Monday 3/25 at around noon, and we were not impacted by construction at all while we were there. Here is a quick update on what is going on with the construction:
- They are currently finishing the last phase of renovations.
- The Terrace is going to reopen at the end of May.
- No construction noise earlier than 10am, or later than 6:30pm, and no noise during lunch time.
J'aime Paris!
#3756
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 681
Looks like they are now giving 20% discount voucher for the bar/lobby when checking in?
But no idea if it’s for everybody? Globalist? Regular guests (I’m staying there 20-25 nights per year)?
Also why don’t they just deduct it from the bill (like for the free breakfast) vs a voucher that you can easily lose or forget to give at the right time?
But no idea if it’s for everybody? Globalist? Regular guests (I’m staying there 20-25 nights per year)?
Also why don’t they just deduct it from the bill (like for the free breakfast) vs a voucher that you can easily lose or forget to give at the right time?
#3757
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
Looks like they are now giving 20% discount voucher for the bar/lobby when checking in?
But no idea if it’s for everybody? Globalist? Regular guests (I’m staying there 20-25 nights per year)?
Also why don’t they just deduct it from the bill (like for the free breakfast) vs a voucher that you can easily lose or forget to give at the right time?
But no idea if it’s for everybody? Globalist? Regular guests (I’m staying there 20-25 nights per year)?
Also why don’t they just deduct it from the bill (like for the free breakfast) vs a voucher that you can easily lose or forget to give at the right time?
#3759
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 681
It’s what I was thinking after yesterday first use (when they didn’t take it but applied it to the room bill) but was not sure so thanks for clarification!
Do you know who it is for?
And for how long (short term promotion vs long term new benefit)? I’m back this weekend, next week and in June...
Do you know who it is for?
And for how long (short term promotion vs long term new benefit)? I’m back this weekend, next week and in June...
#3762
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,991
#3763
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
My welcome amenity was 2 Evians, 2 330ml bottles of "fils de pomme" sparkling cider, and a bowl of chips. I gather that the cider had alcohol in it but not much.
I got truffle cashews along with olives and candied walnuts down in the lounge as soon as I ordered my first drink. Would have preferred them to the chips in the room, but nbd.
Service has been lovely, I arrived at 11am and the room wasn't yet ready, was treated to a macchiato while I waited a whopping ten minutes until the room was ready ^. The agent then walked me to the room, nice touch.
#3764
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
Also was disappointed to have last call come at 1:15 for a bar that advertises 2:00 closing, and the bar was out of the Yamazaki 18 that I was looking forward to drinking, but that's in short supply, so oh well.
#3765
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Just to clarify, the voucher isn't valid for the good restaurant in the hotel, right? But it could be used for dinner in the outdoor courtyard/patio behind the lounge?