In the world of travel-hacking, few names in the Hyatt portfolio are as legendary or as aspirational as the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.
I finally had the chance to stay there over a couple of nights, did it live up to its reputation?
Review: Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome (Paris, France)
Editor’s Note: This post is part of my ongoing Travel Series on Europe. Click here for more posts on this European trip including France, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.Â
Image: hyatt.com
About The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome
Here is the official description from Hyatt.com:
Image: hyatt.com
The Official Video
Location In Paris
One of the best things about the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome is its location.
The hotel is walking distance to some of Paris’s most famed attractions including the Louvre, Palais Garnier, Le Palais Royal, Champs Elysees, and [of course] Place Vendome.
Getting There From CDG Airport
The best way to get to the hotel from CDG Airport is via a 30-minute automobile transfer.
FHOP Tip: There is also a convenient Roissybus that transfers directly from CDG to a drop across from the Palais Garnier (around the corner from The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome) for about 14 Euros.
The Redemption
What makes the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome so aspirational to travel-hackers is the fact it’s a Category 7 Hyatt property – available for 30,000 points a night – and this can translate into a tremendous value.
On the 2 nights I stayed here, the cost was $1,951.79 USD for the stay.
By redeeming 60,000 World of Hyatt points for the stay, I got an exceptional 3.25 CPP return.
The Entrance
The Lobby
The Check-In (Part 1)
After a long 10-hour flight to Paris, I was excited to check-in and take a quick nap before exploring the town.
Unfortunately, I was informed that my room was not ready even though it was past the check-in time.
Fortunately, the front desk staff recognized this glaring inconvenience and offered me free drinks at Le Bar.
This Old Fashioned was as magical as it looked
The Check-In (Part 2)
After [only] one [excellent] drink and some [superb] snacks, I was informed my room was ready just as I was starting to relax.
I headed to the front desk where the desk attendants were chatting. At no point was I recognized for my loyalty, I was instead handed my room key as if I was an afterthought, while the associates didn’t break conversation.
The front desk (image courtesy of Hyatt.com)
The Room Key
The Hallway
Notice the carpeting and the wallpaper on the bottom right…emblematic?
The 1 Queen Bed Room
In reading other reviews on the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, I’ve noticed many other Hyatt Elites had gotten some fantastic upgrades.
I tried not to have any expectations as I entered my room on the first floor, although I figured there was a good chance I had been upgraded as an Elite.
Well, good thing I didn’t have any expectations. Not only did I not receive a room upgrade, I got a room in the “back hallway” with only one tiny window and a completely obstructed view of the courtyard(?).
The room itself was okay, if not somewhat outdated. Still, it did have its own Parisian charm with on over-abundance of mirrors, statued sculptures, and golden accents.
While much of the room was sufficiently cleaned and polished, there were a couple of noticeable greasy smudges and dust/debris on the counters and mirrors.
My view of Paris? Notice my one tiny window in the corner. Sad
Dust on the mirrors
Don’t let all the mirrors confuse you
Room Amenities
As expected. the room came with all the standard “high-end” amenities including Evian bottled water, Nespresso coffee, and a fully-stocked mini-bar.
Smudges on the Nespresso pod box and pad
The Bathroom
The bathroom was large and elegantly appointed in white marble and gold-colored fixtures.
The mini-bottles of shampoo and bodywash smelled wonderful and were of the “5 rue de la paix” brand variety (named after the hotel’s address), a signature exclusive of the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.
The Welcome Gift
After a night on the town, I was pleased to find an unexpected gift that must have been placed in my room during the turn-down service – a bottle of 2016 Chateau Janoy Bellevue wine (which goes for about $10 USD in case you were wondering).
Hotel Amenities
As you would expect, the hotel had some very high-end eateries and amenities.
Le Bar
Image: Hyatt.com
Breakfast At Sens
La Cheminée
Fitness Center
Image: Hyatt.com
Le Spa
Image: Hyatt.com
Nearby
As I mentioned earlier, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome has an excellent location.
I highly recommended exploring this section of Paris on foot, starting with Place Vendome.
Place Vendome
Colonne Vendome
The Bar Hemingway
FHOP Tip: Place Vendome boasts one of the most legendary bars in the world, The Bar Hemingway (at the Ritz-Paris). Billed as the “most famous bar in the world”, this is easily one of my personal favorites the world over. Be forewarned, this place is small so you may need a little luck if you want to grab one of the bar’s 25 seats.
Image: ritzparis.com
I was lucky enough to grab a table at The Bar Hemingway!
The Bottom-Line Review: Park Hyatt Paris Vendome (Paris, France)
Although I loved many things about the hotel, its amenities, and its location – what I loved least was the actual room and the service.
Perhaps I was expecting a little too much from being spoiled in Europe as a World Of Hyatt Elite, but I aside from the fact I didn’t even get a “view upgrade”, I couldn’t help but feel I got one of the worst rooms in the hotel.
To add insult to injury, they screwed up my bill and charged me for a mystery meal that I didn’t have – nearly 2 weeks after my stay (which, to their credit, they did correct within 1 day).
With luxury aspirational properties such as Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome I always ask myself, “would I pay for this room if I wasn’t able to book it with points?” At nearly $1,000 a night for a dusty and slightly outdated room without a view, the answer in this case is sadly “no”.
Final Rating: 6.75 out of 10. The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome may have had a great lobby and an amazing location in Paris, but that wasn’t enough to outweigh dubious service and a mediocre room. From a point-redemption standpoint, this hotel is a great value. However, if I was paying cash, there are other high-end hotels out there that I’d choose first.
