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)
Mar 5, 2022, 8:47 am
#4291
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
Stayed here for 1 nights using Cat 1-7 cert, after staying at HR Etoile for 4 nights. We were upgraded to a Park Suite King, although room wasn't available until after 3:30 PM since the previous guest had a late check out. Lowest room rate had gone up from about 790 euros when I booked months ago to over 1100 euros because of Paris Fashion Week, although the really high end suites were still available. This is why PHV is going up to Cat 8. Whether or not it's worth 1100 euros is another story.
As usual, we were invited to have a drink after check in. I had a glass of champagne which happened to be Veuve Clicquot 2012 Rose, very nice.
All the staff we interacted with were very nice and friendly. Breakfast was at the Bar with the usual buffet. However, the selection of fruits and juices were not as extensive as when stayed there in 2017. The menu items also seemed to be fewer than before, although I only ordered pain perdu (only times I ordered French Toast in Paris).
As usual, we were invited to have a drink after check in. I had a glass of champagne which happened to be Veuve Clicquot 2012 Rose, very nice.
All the staff we interacted with were very nice and friendly. Breakfast was at the Bar with the usual buffet. However, the selection of fruits and juices were not as extensive as when stayed there in 2017. The menu items also seemed to be fewer than before, although I only ordered pain perdu (only times I ordered French Toast in Paris).
Mar 29, 2022, 2:28 am
#4292
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Hyatt
Posts: 100
In the middle of my trip in Paris, will be checking in at the Park Hyatt today. Please let me know if there are any specific questions and I will try to respond when I post my experience.
Weather here was glorious except for the Sahara sands pollution which I had never experienced. But the weather gods flipped the switch and its all gray now.
On a side note, its been a decade since I flew into CDG and it looks almost the same inside. The chairs/seats for passengers are badly in need of a refresh. There was a single border police agent tasked with processing all non-eu arrivals. Poor guy was actually friendly but I have never have been through passport checkpoint at a major international airport with just one agent.
Weather here was glorious except for the Sahara sands pollution which I had never experienced. But the weather gods flipped the switch and its all gray now.
On a side note, its been a decade since I flew into CDG and it looks almost the same inside. The chairs/seats for passengers are badly in need of a refresh. There was a single border police agent tasked with processing all non-eu arrivals. Poor guy was actually friendly but I have never have been through passport checkpoint at a major international airport with just one agent.
Mar 29, 2022, 3:05 am
#4293
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
[QUOTE=alextrips;34116490]In the middle of my trip in Paris, will be checking in at the Park Hyatt today. Please let me know if there are any specific questions and I will try to respond when I post my experience.
.[/QUOTE
Did you receive any upgrade offers in the app? If so, how much were they?
.[/QUOTE
Did you receive any upgrade offers in the app? If so, how much were they?
Mar 29, 2022, 3:41 am
#4294
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
[QUOTE=m0hamed;34116534]
FWIW, last month on a one-nighter, got a very nice upgrade (what's a very nice upgrade? well, a separate living room with a second WC) without asking. Unless there is a clerical error somewhere, I am not on their big spenders list, either (not that I wouldn't like to be).
In the middle of my trip in Paris, will be checking in at the Park Hyatt today. Please let me know if there are any specific questions and I will try to respond when I post my experience.
.[/QUOTE
Did you receive any upgrade offers in the app? If so, how much were they?
.[/QUOTE
Did you receive any upgrade offers in the app? If so, how much were they?
Mar 29, 2022, 7:47 am
#4295
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mountain Time Zone
Programs: AS Million Miler/Marriott Lifetime Titanium/ IGH Ambassador
Posts: 5,994
[QUOTE=Biggie Fries;34116581]
FWIW, last month on a one-nighter, got a very nice upgrade (what's a very nice upgrade? well, a separate living room with a second WC) without asking. Unless there is a clerical error somewhere, I am not on their big spenders list, either (not that I wouldn't like to be).
Many times if your in for one night chances are greater for a nice upgrade.
FWIW, last month on a one-nighter, got a very nice upgrade (what's a very nice upgrade? well, a separate living room with a second WC) without asking. Unless there is a clerical error somewhere, I am not on their big spenders list, either (not that I wouldn't like to be).
Mar 29, 2022, 8:59 am
#4296
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: LA
Programs: Perennial Free Agent
Posts: 270
[QUOTE=edgewood49;34117018]This is true. I got upgraded to the Ambassador Suite in September 2019. Twas quite special. Except for the construction at 8am right outside the master bedroom window. Needless to say, I didn't end up paying for it.
Mar 29, 2022, 3:28 pm
#4297
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
Yes, single nights make it much easier for a property to upgrade you.
I was specifically looking for data points for cash upgrade options in the Hyatt app the day before or day of check in.
I was specifically looking for data points for cash upgrade options in the Hyatt app the day before or day of check in.
Mar 29, 2022, 6:44 pm
#4298
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 290
I stayed here last week. Did not receive any cash upgrade options in the app at check in. I was upgraded to King Deluxe (shown in the app the day before my stay). No standard suites were available. This was a 2 night points stay.
Mar 29, 2022, 8:02 pm
#4299
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,588
I don't think it's needless to say, at all. My experience is that comping is not all that common in Paris.
Mar 29, 2022, 11:42 pm
#4300
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,483
Originally Posted by Jerkstore
This is true. I got upgraded to the Ambassador Suite in September 2019. Twas quite special. Except for the construction at 8am right outside the master bedroom window. Needless to say, I didn't end up paying for it.
Mar 30, 2022, 8:33 am
#4301
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: LA
Programs: Perennial Free Agent
Posts: 270
I got the entire night comped. The upgrade was free from an entry level King room. The remaining 4 days were on points. I was given free breakfast for those days and whenever I go now they give me free breakfast.
Mar 31, 2022, 4:24 am
#4302
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: Hyatt
Posts: 100
Got some time on a long RER ride to answer some pressing questions.
I booked the room on points for 5 nights 30K per and applied a TSU for a Park Suite. Received an upgrade to a Deluxe Suite. This upgrade appeared in the app 24 hours prior to check in.
Hotel is at 85-90% per front desk and was sold out earlier. As others have said use a TSU. There may not even be a suite for you to upgrade into.
Staff has been uniformly gracious, helpful and professional.
Breakfast is delicious. Buffet fully open. Signed check but on first day was told it was complimentary.
International tourism is just picking up and Parisian are out working, eating, drinking and enojying the lifting out COVID rules. Seems to be a good time to visit. There is a buzz in the air but not yet overwhelmed by the money spending, crowd making, flumoxed tourist horde. Even the swarm of people jostling for a selfie with la Joconde was manageable.
Go with God. Traffic has gotten worse. Neither car, motorcycle, or pedestrian pays attention to the stop lights.
Will dispatch again when I get the chance.
Breakfast. Yummy. Yummy.
I booked the room on points for 5 nights 30K per and applied a TSU for a Park Suite. Received an upgrade to a Deluxe Suite. This upgrade appeared in the app 24 hours prior to check in.
Hotel is at 85-90% per front desk and was sold out earlier. As others have said use a TSU. There may not even be a suite for you to upgrade into.
Staff has been uniformly gracious, helpful and professional.
Breakfast is delicious. Buffet fully open. Signed check but on first day was told it was complimentary.
International tourism is just picking up and Parisian are out working, eating, drinking and enojying the lifting out COVID rules. Seems to be a good time to visit. There is a buzz in the air but not yet overwhelmed by the money spending, crowd making, flumoxed tourist horde. Even the swarm of people jostling for a selfie with la Joconde was manageable.
Go with God. Traffic has gotten worse. Neither car, motorcycle, or pedestrian pays attention to the stop lights.
Will dispatch again when I get the chance.
Breakfast. Yummy. Yummy.
Mar 31, 2022, 7:52 am
#4303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,163
Were there any Kouign-amann for breakfast? I remember trying them there for the first time and being blown away. Recently, the PH Toronto also had them and they were probably even better than the ones at PHV.
Mar 31, 2022, 8:32 am
#4304
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 250
I just got back from my first stay at PHV (finally) and despite some minor things it was great overall. Happy to answer any questions too and agree with what was said above—the weather was luckily great and the vibe of the city was positive and exciting with restrictions ending and more visitors arriving. Was in a Park Executive Suite for a week.
Mar 31, 2022, 9:19 am
#4305
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
I love doing a salmon comparison tasting as part of a PHV buffet breakfast.