dwcatty

Maybe by writing this post I'll answer my own question. Nevertheless let me put this out there.

Mrs. dwcatty and I are now booked to return to Paris in May. This will be our third trip, both previous visits we stayed at the (former) Hilton ADT. This trip we will be 4 nights at the CY Boulogne on cat 1-5 certs and then six nights at a FS Marriott property. I am trying to decide between the Renaissance le Parc Trocadero and the FS Marriott Opera Ambassador. Both have advantages, and like CJKatl has said in previous posts (I'm paraphrasing here) it is like comparing sapphires to emeralds.

I love what I've read about the neighborhood around the Ren, the Parisian feel. We are quite comfortable with the bus and metro system, have Navigo passes and no issues with getting around. As a gold we'd get breakfast.

The Opera Ambassador is a bit more centrally located. One of the disadvantages of the Hilton we stayed in before was we sometimes felt we were commuting, and so I like this location. We also like a cocktail in the evening and the Opera property has a lounge we have access to as gold.

I don't know - I still haven't sold myself on either. Both are available the six nights I want - the Ren Vendome is not. I've ruled out all the others. Maybe I should just flip a coin?

boss315

Still vote for Le Parc Trocadero. Downtown is just too congested, noisy and busy. I don't mind the trade off in metro and bus trans, though.

Steve Weagant

I thought I would provide the answer to my own question. The buffet is 29 euros. There is an a la cart menu where prices are more reasonable IMHO.

the4aces

Hey everyone,

My wife will be going to Europe for a romantic 10-12 day vacation. We want to spend a good amount of time in Paris. Which category 8 or 9 hotel would you all suggest? I am hoping to get upgraded and get free breakfast etc. Is one better than the others?

Ryan

dayone

"Reading [at least a few pages of this thread] is fundamental."
I like the Renaissance Arc de Triomphe because it's newer but I wouldn't call in "romantic."

CJKatl

The answer to "Is one better than the other?" is: NO. They are each magnifique.

There is no wrong choice here. Whichever property you choose, you'll have a great experience in a great hotel. At the end of the trip, you will think you made the "right" choice and you won't be able to believe any of the other hotels would have been as good.

Don't over think your choice. Choose one of the hotels and don't look back. This thread of full of posts from people who sweated out their choices, wasting time and angst. Several of those posts are mine. And you'll find passionate posts from people advocating specific properties. What you probably won't find are posts from anyone thinking he/she made a "wrong" choice.

That's my $0.02.

sammyindc

Breakfast will depend on your status. If you are Platinum or Gold you will receive free breakfast at the lounge or restaurant.

Agree with CJKatl.
However, for a romantic stay, I would avoid the business district and the crowded Champs Elysee.

Two properties I would recommend are the Renaissance Parc Trocadero or the Renaissance Vendome. Both are amazing.

the4aces

I will most likely go wit the Trocadero since it is cat 8 instead of cat 9.

thanks for the input!

pdpgps

I am a fan of the Renaissance Arc de Triomphe. Stayed there twice. I've also stayed at the Paris Rive Gauche before and that was way too far from anything I wanted to see. It is however, walking distance from the catacombs. The Renaissance was ideally located near the Arc, Champs Elysee and Charles de Gaulle Etoile metro.

Roger Lococco

Thinking of taking my wife to Paris in May. The stay would be on points. I am Platinum.

Prefer relative waking distance to the sights. Appreciate good treatment, including room upgrades.

SkiAdcock

There's a very long thread re: all the Paris properties. My recommendation would be to read that, as it will provide you with the information you're seeking. The question comes up frequently.

Cheers.

Orange County Commuter

I admit that I really like Marriott Rive Guache. For me it is a great combo of price in points and location plus I have always been treated well there. I know the location is not as great but it is a block from the metro so I am fine with it.

CJKatl

Even if you stay at one of the closer in properties, you'll wind up on the Metro several times a day anyway, so having to jump on the Metro because you're staying at this hotel winds up being a non-factor.

With that said, though, IMO, Rive Guache is more of a Marriott located in Paris, as opposed to the closer in properties, which are more Paris properties that are affiliated with Marriott. Do you really want to take your wife to Paris and stay in a Marriott? Or would you rather take your wife to Paris and stay at a Paris property on Marriott Points? Either way, you'll be in Paris and get to see the sites, but for a special or romantic trip, I'd stay away from the otherwise suitable Rive Guache FS.

WillTravel4Food

I really wanted to disagree with your statement purely because I was so satified with the RG, but I can't. I was there with my two sons on a European Vacation before the elder boy's college days started. There was nothing romantic about the trip. Three guys traveling the land. The RG has much more of a business class or tourist class feel. During summer you'll be inundated with families. The property does not exude romance. But we honestly didn't spend time in the hotel. Each property has a certain appeal and which one you choose is based on your preferences. My preference, I like the neighborhhod feel around the RG and separation from the high traffic areas. IMO, the value in paying more to stay in the "Paris" properties is subjective.

CJKatl

And that's the truth.

Last summer, I brought my niece's to Paris and Amsterdam. In the Amsterdam FS CL, we ran into a family from home who was doing this same trip. They had stayed at the CY St. Denis, while we had stayed at the FS CE. Their daughter and my niece compared notes, and both were equally excited about the trip, both saw the same sites, etc. I'm still glad the girls were able to have the experience of staying at the nice hotel and being able to walk the CE several times a day, but I did make a mental note that on my next Paris trip, I'm probably not going to stay at a Cat 8 or 9 hotel; I've had that experience a few times already. Why not stretch my points next time?

The Cat 9 and 8 hotels are fantastic treats for special trips and first timers, but it's possible to have a great experience without breaking your Marriott Points bank.