abbydancer

We were at the Rive Gauche last Christmas and on the weekend between Christmas and New Years, the lounge was open for breakfast (and in fact on one day (I think it was Monday the 30th - they had one of the large conference rooms near the lounge open with breakfast - lots of elites there I guess).

ChrisJC5

MFLetou

So, I know there is no "wrong" choice in Paris, but there are clearly some choices that are "more right." I'm all twisted around trying to figure out what that is. I've read the last several years worth of posts on this thread.

Here's what it boils down to. We're doing a 10th anniversary 5 day trip in late January, thanks to a fantastic point redemption with US Airways. I'm a lowly Silver, so status is not a factor. I do have enough points to cover the visit (well, I'm a few thousand short but no big deal), but I'm not sure I really want to use them all, I'd prefer a combo with cash.

My observation is that the American chains are almost all at a premium over similar properties, even other chains like Accor. From the research I've done, the Marriott properties are almost all very nice, but may not be worth it when compared to some other hotels.

Our preference is generally to be in the "thick of it," at least for a first visit, which this is. (Point of reference--we like the TS Marquis, though maybe not every time!) Since it will cold, location seems especially important--we won't be taking leisurely strolls.

With that in mind, C-E and Ren Vendome would seem to be the best fit, right? Followed by Ren Arc?

I would most likely pay cash for some nights and use points for the others. From a point redemption perspective, the higher the rate, the better value, but since we're also paying cash, the inverse is true.

For my dates, C-E is about $475 a night, Vendome, Arc, Opera are about $375, and Troc is about $325 (USD).

My concern with C-E is summed up nicely by a TripAdvisor review posted today, in which the user said that they were given the worst room possible because they were on points. I'm not real excited about a room overlooking the lobby. I understand I'm probably not getting a C-E view, but...it would be nice to see...something. That said, I've got a friend that swears by this hotel and thinks is a real game changer for a first time visitor. I would probably pay cash for the first night or two in hopes that I would end up in a better room and they wouldn't make me move.

Vendome concerns me because the rooms are so small. Sure, we're not there to stay in the room, but 194 sq feet is pushing it. Style wise, we're probably not as fond of older, boutique hotels (which I know many love). I know there are some bigger rooms, but at the lowest rate, silver status and an award...seems like it wouldn't be too likely.

The location of Arc worries me a little. Its obviously not too far from Metro and the Arc, but it seems like a more residential kind of street and not quite in the middle of the action. Is that accurate? The hotel itself looks very appealing.

I know the least about Opera--location seems good, but sounds like room quality probably is a step down. Troc seems too far out of the way for what we want.

Do any of you with experience at these properties have any thoughts? What is the likelihood of rates coming down before the end of Jan? Many of the best rates now are non-refundable and that scares me.

After all this, going with another hotel entirely is possible, but I'd like to at least fully play out the Marriott options. Thanks in advance!

CJKatl

As you've already figured out, you'll have a great trip no matter where you stay, so stop sweating about making a wrong choice. There really isn't a wrong choice.

Are you staying five nights or four nights? If you are staying five nights, total points redemption makes sense, as the fifth night is free. At four nights, splitting between points and cash makes some sense, although Paris hotels give you the best bang for your points, so I'd reconsider doing all points even at four nights.

I've stayed in a room overlooking the lobby at the CE. It's not horrible, but you are right to want something else. Rooms facing the CE are at a premium, and are noisy, so you probably won't get one nor will you want one. Email them ahead of time letting them know you want a room with a view of the back courtyard and you should be okay. If they give you a room overlooking the lobby, just turn around and ask for a different room. You might have to wait a little bit, but IME, they will accommodate you.

You've obviously read posts from people who talk down the CE as being too touristy, but that appears to be what you want. What many like about the other properties is they are, as you noted, in more residential areas. Last summer, I traveled to Paris with my nieces, who were there for the first time. They LOVED the CE and its location. The street activity, touristy shops, bustling restaurants, etc., were perfect for them. We walked up or down the CE most nights as a last thing before bedtime.

Personally, if I'm going to Paris on points, I'll probably do the SD CY to do it cheaply, because I've done other hotels in Paris already. For a first visit and within your parameters, the CE is a great choice.

doctor

Having stayed at the CE four times on award points, I recommend it highly. Don't know if platinum was a factor, each time we were upgraded to a CE facing room, once a suite and twice during Bastille Day festivities. Complimentary buffet breakfast for plats including espresso. Noise was not an issue as the windows are well insulated. If you like people and traffic, this is the location, but I love NYC.

aamilesslave

I avoid the Champs Elysee like the plague when in Paris, so I can't imagine the torture of staying at a hotel near it.

I stayed at the Opera Ambassador on my last trip on points for three nights and was quite pleased. I had an upgraded room ('Executive King' I think) - and I really liked it. My room had a huge shower, but no bath but was no problem for me (and in fact, probably preferred). The lounge offers breakfast and evening cocktails and some nice views, but it's far from a great lounge.

UnderEst

Update as of 8/24/14 - Free breakfast coupon, per person at the downstairs restaurant / 2 free drink coupons at the bar, per person/per night.

It's also worth noting that you can use as many coupons as you'd like at the bar. For example, for 1 person on a 3 night stay, you'd have 6 coupons you can use the first night.

windhund

I stayed at the Marriott Champs-Élysées in October on points, and we got a room in the back of the hotel that faced outside. It had a balcony and had a decent view. We may have gotten the room because my S.O. is platinum, but the hotel also seemed pretty busy, so I was still pleasantly surprised to get that room.

The hotel is very nice, and the breakfast is excellent. The only issue I had was with the WiFi, though in fairness, the hotel offered to send people to adjust things to try to improve it. We didn't take them up on it so I'm not sure if it would've helped, but the staff said it had helped in the past.

The area is touristy, but the location was good for walking to many of the areas I wanted to see. There is so much to do in Paris, though, that there are plenty of other locations that would be just as good -- just depends on what you prefer and what you want to see. There are good restaurants if you're willing to explore the side streets a little.

makeUturn

Two of us stayed five nights at the Renaissance AdT in June, 2012 on points. No room upgrade was given for my Platinum level status, but the hotel was very heavily booked. The room was small and facing the backside and had a very small balcony. A full and very good breakfast buffet was provided for Platinum members. The Ternes Metro station is about two blocks away with good north/south connections. There is an outdoor market and several businesses around the area of the station. The Charles de Gaulle Etoile station is about five blocks away underneath the Arc and has service to several metro lines. The street between the station and hotel is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. We found the area very convenient and somewhat away from the tourist attractions and crowds. The staff was very friendly and helpful and we had a very enjoyable stay.

MFLetou

Thanks for the thoughts. How long would you say the walk was from the Ren ADT to the Arc (in terms of time). Its so tough to tell from pictures. This Ren is running about $110 less than the CDE during my dates.

dayone

It's no more than a quarter-mile, so maybe 4-5 minutes.

PasqualScholtius

Marriott Champs-Élysées is a good Marriott, liked the connexion.^
Rooms are expensive, breakfast was good.

Saluer, Pasqual Scholtius
Paris, France

CALMSP

Mrs CALMSP and I recently stayed at River Gauche. Which was very nice. Great view from our 17th floor room of Paris. Subway right outside, quite area. Much cheaper than the other FS Marriotts.

abbydancer

That was exactly our experience - we had a great view and the hotel, while the location is not close to much that visitors want to see, there are 3 subway stops in walking distance, one with two lines. It was very easy to get wherever I wanted to go.

And it was amusing to watch people who couldn't figure out you had to use the key in the elevator go up and down.

WillTravel4Food

Agreed. Somewhere in this string I previously stated the only negative I had was that the Montparnasse Tower is perfectly situated to block out any view of the Eiffel Tower. Sometimes you have to go out to these locations to get the better views. We had a view of "nearly" the whole of the city instead of just one landmark, and the associated noise.

Staff was exceptional handling the summer hordes. Metro gets you everywhere you want to go in a jiffy. But, my preference is local neighborhoods and not high-traffic tourist areas.