Wine in Bordeaux, Shopping in Paris via spectacular Air France 77W La Première
#106
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
SFO777, First of all, congratulations to you both on your anniversary and a Happy Birthday to Mrs. SFO777.
I am a very disheartened with your choice of hotel in Paris
What made you opt for the Shangri-La (which does look nice) over say the FS George V, Le Maurice, Plaza Athenee or even the newly renovated Ritz!?!?!?
Please tell all the others were all fully booked and it was not due to cost-cutting to take Mrs SFO777 shopping!?!?
I am a very disheartened with your choice of hotel in Paris
What made you opt for the Shangri-La (which does look nice) over say the FS George V, Le Maurice, Plaza Athenee or even the newly renovated Ritz!?!?!?
Please tell all the others were all fully booked and it was not due to cost-cutting to take Mrs SFO777 shopping!?!?
We've stayed at the FS GV and Le Meurice. Both beautiful but been there, done that. Thought about the PA and Ritz, but we like the quiet neighborhood and calm and understated elegance of the Shangri-La. The Eiffel Tower views are hard to beat. And management made it an easy decision to return. OK, I guess I was cost cutting.
Thanks very much UAL250.
#107
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: AMS
Programs: BA, KL
Posts: 28
another fantastic report, thank you for posting. I have fond memories of my one and only AF premiere flight to LAX, about a decade ago. seems like they have stepped it up a couple of notches, specifically with the Lounge dining and transportation to the plane. look forward to the next report!
#108
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 2,055
Fun trip report for sure.
It's certainly tempting to want to live in Paris, I can't fault you for that. I'd be hard pressed to say the 8th is a neighborhood I'd live in; really not what I'd consider for everyday life. The 7th is closer to everyday life IMO but still too busy Paris for me.
I went to boarding school in Lyon and would consider that for everyday french life over Paris for sure but I'd be very tempted by long term rental/life in Nice/Provence. Lyon is still quite cosmopolitan but definitely more everyday. Chicago to New York. And you have the Cotes du Rhone and Alpes really on your doorstep.
It's all a world away from Socal for sure!
It's certainly tempting to want to live in Paris, I can't fault you for that. I'd be hard pressed to say the 8th is a neighborhood I'd live in; really not what I'd consider for everyday life. The 7th is closer to everyday life IMO but still too busy Paris for me.
I went to boarding school in Lyon and would consider that for everyday french life over Paris for sure but I'd be very tempted by long term rental/life in Nice/Provence. Lyon is still quite cosmopolitan but definitely more everyday. Chicago to New York. And you have the Cotes du Rhone and Alpes really on your doorstep.
It's all a world away from Socal for sure!
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,341
Another enjoyable read, SFO777 - thanks for a great report. I was particularly interested to read your review of the IC Bordeaux, as it's one of the ICs on my still to-visit list in Europe.
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
another fantastic report, thank you for posting. I have fond memories of my one and only AF premiere flight to LAX, about a decade ago. seems like they have stepped it up a couple of notches, specifically with the Lounge dining and transportation to the plane. look forward to the next report!
Fun trip report for sure.
It's certainly tempting to want to live in Paris, I can't fault you for that. I'd be hard pressed to say the 8th is a neighborhood I'd live in; really not what I'd consider for everyday life. The 7th is closer to everyday life IMO but still too busy Paris for me. I went to boarding school in Lyon and would consider that for everyday french life over Paris for sure but I'd be very tempted by long term rental/life in Nice/Provence. Lyon is still quite cosmopolitan but definitely more everyday. Chicago to New York. And you have the Cotes du Rhone and Alpes really on your doorstep. It's all a world away from Socal for sure!
It's certainly tempting to want to live in Paris, I can't fault you for that. I'd be hard pressed to say the 8th is a neighborhood I'd live in; really not what I'd consider for everyday life. The 7th is closer to everyday life IMO but still too busy Paris for me. I went to boarding school in Lyon and would consider that for everyday french life over Paris for sure but I'd be very tempted by long term rental/life in Nice/Provence. Lyon is still quite cosmopolitan but definitely more everyday. Chicago to New York. And you have the Cotes du Rhone and Alpes really on your doorstep. It's all a world away from Socal for sure!
Thanks very much Genius1.
#111
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
SFO777, First of all, congratulations to you both on your anniversary and a Happy Birthday to Mrs. SFO777.
I am a very disheartened with your choice of hotel in Paris
What made you opt for the Shangri-La (which does look nice) over say the FS George V, Le Maurice, Plaza Athenee or even the newly renovated Ritz!?!?!?
Please tell all the others were all fully booked and it was not due to cost-cutting to take Mrs SFO777 shopping!?!?
I am a very disheartened with your choice of hotel in Paris
What made you opt for the Shangri-La (which does look nice) over say the FS George V, Le Maurice, Plaza Athenee or even the newly renovated Ritz!?!?!?
Please tell all the others were all fully booked and it was not due to cost-cutting to take Mrs SFO777 shopping!?!?
I'm glad to hear that the Shangri-La is so fantastic. I'm anticipating a stay at their new hotel in London soon!
#113
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: SPG LT Plat ANA Plat
Posts: 596
[QUOTE=SFO777;27359348]Wow, good for you on booking in Tokyo. Enjoy!
Thank you very much chongl. I appreciate it.
Thanks very much crazyanglaisy. I do get to experience that joys of BA in January on our LHR-SAN flight.
SFO on BA again, now this is a report I will have to read !!
Thank you very much chongl. I appreciate it.
Thanks very much crazyanglaisy. I do get to experience that joys of BA in January on our LHR-SAN flight.
SFO on BA again, now this is a report I will have to read !!
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,593
IMHO, FS George V features rude service and obnoxious ostenatiousness. Stayed there while at an academic conference and I've been treated nicer at a Holiday Inn Express. Don't see why anyone would want to spend one penny there. :roll eyes: I'm glad to hear that the Shangri-La is so fantastic. I'm anticipating a stay at their new hotel in London soon!
Thank you brg.
I'm still hoping that I can replace that one with a real First Class.
But we're traveling with friends so I may to take one for the team, hold my nose and fly BA.
#115
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Tokyo
Programs: SPG LT Plat ANA Plat
Posts: 596
Thanks brewdog11. Wow, we never experienced that kind of service at the G-V. We enjoyed our visit and service was excellent. I just think that it's overhyped and overpriced.
Thank you brg.
Me too.
I'm still hoping that I can replace that one with a real First Class.
But we're traveling with friends so I may to take one for the team, hold my nose and fly BA.
Thank you brg.
Me too.
I'm still hoping that I can replace that one with a real First Class.
But we're traveling with friends so I may to take one for the team, hold my nose and fly BA.
Just take some sandwiches, some wet wipes and most importantly, a sense of humour and low expectations !!