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 27, 2021, 6:09 pm
#4126
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Join Date: Sep 2009
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Did you reach out to them asking about upgrades or was this the hotel's initiative? Did they notify you by email or did you just notice this in your Hyatt account?
I've never stayed here before but checking in on Thursday and will post my impressions of the hotel.
I've never stayed here before but checking in on Thursday and will post my impressions of the hotel.
Sep 28, 2021, 2:36 am
#4127
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The more I’ve had people stay at the property on award stays, the less likely they seemed to have any “above and beyond upgrades” on a complimentary basis.
Sep 28, 2021, 1:29 pm
#4129
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Stayed first time there last week, used Cat.1-7 voucher. Pro-active pre-arrival upgrade a day before to Prestige suite(premium) without TSU.
Sep 29, 2021, 11:58 pm
#4130
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: MSY
Posts: 83
Anyone have thoughts/advice on our upcoming stay? My wife and I were originally scheduled to arrive in Paris on Saturday 10/2, so we have that night booked. Because of flight cancellations/changes, we now are scheduled to arrive to CDG at 7:00 a.m. on 10/3 and am debating whether to cancel the first night. In most circumstances, I would check our luggage and chance an early check- in. However, this time I'm considering keeping the room for the early arrival.
My thought process is that the hotel seems to be fully booked on 10/2, and an early checkin may be hard to come by. It is also forecast to be raining that morning (>90% chance until after 2:00 that afternoon), so walking around may not be possible. Also we have a nice dinner booked our first night, and it would be nice to catch a nap that day.
I'm a globalist booked on points with a confirmed suite upgrade - we've previously stayed at the property in 2014. I'd prefer to not use the 30,000 points, but at least it would not be cash. Another positive to canceling the first night is that many more room types would be available for the remainder of the stay...maybe leading to a nicer room upgrade?
Any input/guidance? Thanks in advance.
My thought process is that the hotel seems to be fully booked on 10/2, and an early checkin may be hard to come by. It is also forecast to be raining that morning (>90% chance until after 2:00 that afternoon), so walking around may not be possible. Also we have a nice dinner booked our first night, and it would be nice to catch a nap that day.
I'm a globalist booked on points with a confirmed suite upgrade - we've previously stayed at the property in 2014. I'd prefer to not use the 30,000 points, but at least it would not be cash. Another positive to canceling the first night is that many more room types would be available for the remainder of the stay...maybe leading to a nicer room upgrade?
Any input/guidance? Thanks in advance.
Last edited by JustinTI; Sep 30, 2021 at 12:05 am
Sep 30, 2021, 3:55 am
#4131
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
Anyone have thoughts/advice on our upcoming stay? My wife and I were originally scheduled to arrive in Paris on Saturday 10/2, so we have that night booked. Because of flight cancellations/changes, we now are scheduled to arrive to CDG at 7:00 a.m. on 10/3 and am debating whether to cancel the first night. In most circumstances, I would check our luggage and chance an early check- in. However, this time I'm considering keeping the room for the early arrival.
My thought process is that the hotel seems to be fully booked on 10/2, and an early checkin may be hard to come by. It is also forecast to be raining that morning (>90% chance until after 2:00 that afternoon), so walking around may not be possible. Also we have a nice dinner booked our first night, and it would be nice to catch a nap that day.
I'm a globalist booked on points with a confirmed suite upgrade - we've previously stayed at the property in 2014. I'd prefer to not use the 30,000 points, but at least it would not be cash. Another positive to canceling the first night is that many more room types would be available for the remainder of the stay...maybe leading to a nicer room upgrade?
Any input/guidance? Thanks in advance.
My thought process is that the hotel seems to be fully booked on 10/2, and an early checkin may be hard to come by. It is also forecast to be raining that morning (>90% chance until after 2:00 that afternoon), so walking around may not be possible. Also we have a nice dinner booked our first night, and it would be nice to catch a nap that day.
I'm a globalist booked on points with a confirmed suite upgrade - we've previously stayed at the property in 2014. I'd prefer to not use the 30,000 points, but at least it would not be cash. Another positive to canceling the first night is that many more room types would be available for the remainder of the stay...maybe leading to a nicer room upgrade?
Any input/guidance? Thanks in advance.
Sep 30, 2021, 4:08 am
#4132
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,948
The HR/HH/HP can often be had for less than EUR 100. It seems like a waste to use 30k points for a shortish nap... even if you're flush with points. The added hassle of moving hotels is pretty minimal if you're going to be taking a taxi into the city either way (and the HR/HH/HP are on the way into the city anyway).
Sep 30, 2021, 6:49 am
#4133
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: oneworld, * Alliance, Marriott Bonvoy, HHonors, WoH
Posts: 2,120
Anyone have thoughts/advice on our upcoming stay? My wife and I were originally scheduled to arrive in Paris on Saturday 10/2, so we have that night booked. Because of flight cancellations/changes, we now are scheduled to arrive to CDG at 7:00 a.m. on 10/3 and am debating whether to cancel the first night. In most circumstances, I would check our luggage and chance an early check- in. However, this time I'm considering keeping the room for the early arrival.
Sep 30, 2021, 7:18 am
#4134
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,917
I checked in around noon and would definitely cancel the first night. To pay a full price for a few hour room does not make sense. Getting out to arrivals takes time, morning traffic would not be smooth etc. Ask umbrella when raining and have a morning coffee and croissant at one of the nearby cafes. I took Roissybus to Opera. Fixed rate and no worries about possible traffic jams which add charges to Uber or cab fare.
Sep 30, 2021, 8:21 am
#4135
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
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Posts: 5,992
Personally I would probably cancel the first night and book a cheap night at one of the CDG properties (probably the HR) and use that room to take a nap for the morning. Or even the Yotel if it's open again. Then move to the PH around check in time and, if you're a Globalist, hope for a room upgrade.
The HR/HH/HP can often be had for less than EUR 100. It seems like a waste to use 30k points for a shortish nap... even if you're flush with points. The added hassle of moving hotels is pretty minimal if you're going to be taking a taxi into the city either way (and the HR/HH/HP are on the way into the city anyway).
The HR/HH/HP can often be had for less than EUR 100. It seems like a waste to use 30k points for a shortish nap... even if you're flush with points. The added hassle of moving hotels is pretty minimal if you're going to be taking a taxi into the city either way (and the HR/HH/HP are on the way into the city anyway).
Sep 30, 2021, 8:30 am
#4136
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,948
"M" is spot on, why take the time to check in at a airport hotel, then go through all that to save what ? My decades of international travel and domestic for that matter tells me to book the night before arrival making sure the hotel knows what your doing so that they don't resell your room, you arrive check in go to your room and DONE. No stress especially if you have been flying for 12/15 hours. If one tries to go cheap it will most certainly bite you.
Sep 30, 2021, 9:02 am
#4137
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,480
Personally I would probably cancel the first night and book a cheap night at one of the CDG properties (probably the HR) and use that room to take a nap for the morning. Or even the Yotel if it's open again. Then move to the PH around check in time and, if you're a Globalist, hope for a room upgrade.
Sep 30, 2021, 3:20 pm
#4138
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: MSY
Posts: 83
Appreciate everyone's thoughts on the additional night vs early check in. Hit on a lot of the things I was debating internally. Ended up deciding to just keep the previous night. As badly as it pains me to use the points not very efficiently, I decided the time was worth more in this scenario.
Some considerations...Our flight looks to have arrived an average of 30 minutes early the past week (6:30 - 6:40 a.m.). It's early Sunday morning, so I'd guess we get into the city without a lot of traffic. And we had already lost a day in Paris to flight changes (plus another day to itinerary changes before I knew we'd have to push our flights back), so I didn't want to lose another day biding time and feeling unsettled waiting for our room to open up. Plus, the hotel being sold out the night before had me worrying our room would not be ready until around 3:00.
Some considerations...Our flight looks to have arrived an average of 30 minutes early the past week (6:30 - 6:40 a.m.). It's early Sunday morning, so I'd guess we get into the city without a lot of traffic. And we had already lost a day in Paris to flight changes (plus another day to itinerary changes before I knew we'd have to push our flights back), so I didn't want to lose another day biding time and feeling unsettled waiting for our room to open up. Plus, the hotel being sold out the night before had me worrying our room would not be ready until around 3:00.
Sep 30, 2021, 9:02 pm
#4140
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: MSY
Posts: 83
Did that earlier and got confirmation they will hold the room. I should be all set. Still not thrilled with the decision, but my wife is happy we'll have a guaranteed room...So, I've got that going for me.