My recent stay at the Park Hyatt Paris was much like my last one. Far from flawless, but still a great experience overall.
The drive from Orly Airport to the hotel took about 30 minutes. I pulled up to the hotel about 6pm and immediately had to engage the help of a porter. My cab driver was claiming his credit card machine did not work and I was not playing that game. I handed my credit card to the porter and told him to work it out or charge the 28EUR cab fare to my room. Unsurprisingly, the driver’s credit card machine suddenly started working again…
The hotel common areas remain unchanged from my last visit in 2014. I love the artwork and design.
I booked my stay just a day in advance using points and the hotel was running nearly full. At check-in, I was informed there were no suites available and not even any deluxe rooms. My room was tiny. The agent checking me was pleased to inform me, however, that I had been assigned a renovated room.
Doors have a new unlocking mechanism. I was assigned room 343.
Park Hyatt Paris Renovated Room
The ongoing room renovation project seeks to remedy some of the issues I outlined in my prior review. CPP-Luxury shares:
The sophisticated contemporary design has been maintained while adding utmost comfort through state-of-the-art technology: individually controlled air-conditioning, brighter lighting, control panels for DND, lights & blinds as well as a LCD HD television. The enhanced airy feel has been achieved not only through lighting but also through a large floor to ceiling mirror covering an entire wall, a long black solid mirror desk and white high-thread bed linen.
That’s all nice, but the most important upgrade to the room was more plugs: something desperately needed and now addressed.
The standard room really is small…but it’s Paris. And the room is very comfortable. I still appreciate the handles, knobs, and lights fixtures. I love the high ceilings of the guest rooms. The bedding is amazing. More of the room is now controlled by a push-button switch.
The bathroom has a separate sink and an anti-fog mirror for shaving in the shower. Sliding doors provide privacy if you wish to shower without spectators from the rest of the room.
About 30 minutes after my arrival, I heard a knock at my door. A porter brought champagne (real) and macaroons. A very nice touch considering amenities for Globalist members are no longer obligatory.
Park Hyatt Paris Renovated Room Issues
While the extra plugs and climate control were much appreciated, other elements of the renovated room left me disappointed.
First, the automatic curtains did not work. When I pressed the button, the shades simply scratched the wood on the window frame. Look at this:
Second, the plaster above the shower was cracking. For a room that was just renovated, that should not happen.
Third, there was wood damage around the desk.
Fourth, the light fixtures were covered in dust:
These are not huge issues, but together represent a disappointing lack of attention to detail.
To the hotel’s credit, I mentioned these issues at check-out and when asked about my stay and the horrified agent promised to immediately address them. A manager at the desk next door overhead the conversation and removed the food and beverage charges from bill, despite my protest.
I was not looking for compensation in bringing up these issues, but was thankful the hotel seemed to take these issues seriously. The test will be if one of you stays in Room 343 and can report back.
Last stay I complained about internet speeds, but that is no longer an issue.
Park Hyatt Paris Room Service Breakfast
Breakfast is a treat the Park Hyatt Paris. I was out late the previous evening and ending up sleeping past the breakfast cutoff in Sens. Luckily for me, the hotel offers breakfast 24/7 via room service. I enjoyed a late breakfast around noon.
I ordered fresh orange juice, mixed berries, a cappuccino, omelet, and French Toast. My business partner ordered an omelet and French Fries. I also ordered a glass of cold-pressed juice. Note that while room service breakfast is complimentary for Globalist members no matter what time of day you order it, the French Fries and cold-pressed juice were not subtracted from the bill.
One more attention to detail issue: one of my raspberries was covered in mold. Not a big deal since I know raspberries go moldy very quickly, but quite disappointing that the food was not inspected prior to serving it to me. I expect a higher attention to detail at a hotel like this one.
Park Hyatt Paris Fitness Center + Spa
The fitness center remains unchanged from my lat visit (small), but will be enlarged as part of the hotel’s renovation project. The current gym simply does not have the range of equipment that you would expect at a five-star hotel, so I look forward to the larger facility.
Apples, Evian water, and magazines were available in the fitness center:
This visit, I also used the sauna and steam room. These are co-ed facilities and a sign in the male locker roomed warned that proper attire was required.
Park Hyatt Paris Renovated La Terrasse
This was a business trip and I held two meetings at La Terrasse, the hotel’s outdoor patio lounge. While the drinks are obscenely expensive, the canapés (cashews, olives, and candied pecans) are excellent.
I only stayed one night (since the hotel was sold out the next two nights) and thus did not get a chance for breakfast in Sens.
CONCLUSION
Last time I reviewed this property, I ended the review with the following conclusion:
I think it is fair to say that the hotel did not exceed my expectations, but nevertheless, next time I journey to Paris I will not think twice about returning to this property. The central location, superb staff, great breakfast, and comfortable room made this a great place to [stay].
Once again, I think that is a fitting close to my 2018 stay. I know there may be better hotels in Paris, but the location plus value (when using points) of this property make it difficult to beat. Even with the issues in the room, the hotel remains an excellent choice in Paris.
One more note. A trip to France is never complete without a strike. A large parade of advocates (lawyers) were protesting over something. Their loud chants and cheers ruined my afternoon nap…
I don’t hold the hotel liable for that!
You, Lucky, and Ford were there at the same time, or was this yet another protest?
We happened to be there at the same time. That’s what happens with properties like the Park Hyatt Paris!
Yeah that’s a small room, but it’s a really nice looking small room. Can you open the doors to the street? If so, is it one of those things where there’s like a foot of standing room/micro balcony? I’ve always wanted to stay here…I really like Park Hyatt’s, but my friends in Paris have a 2 bedroom apartment (and are gracious hosts), so it feels silly to check into a hotel. The damage to the room is really unfortunate though.
Doors do open to the street and there is a micro balcony.
PH Paris is great, but if I had access to a beautiful apartment, I’d also stay there!
Nice…micro balconies are so fun. Thanks for the post 🙂
Technically those are macarons, not macaroons.
This is one of those things were attention to detail makes a difference. If the hotel is expecting the protest or knows about it, they should proactively ask if you would like a room that faces the interior courtyard. Not clear if they knew ahead of time though.
While yes, the renovated room looks great…would I shell out 30k Hyatt points per night for this room? I think not, especially since I do not have any Hyatt status.
It’s still a heck of a deal for Paris.
What did room service offer when you pointed out the moldy raspberry? Normally, the person receiving the tip is responsible for verifying the accuracy and quality of the order.
I didn’t notice it until I started eating.
Who’s the stud in the mirror of the gym?
Hmmm. Lifestyles of the rich and famous. Overslept breakfast but had sumptuous room service one in lieu, at noon. Followed by a nap, interrupted by pesky demonstrators. Just an average day, was it?
It was a marathon meeting the previous night. I was exhausted.
Work hard and make enough and money and you too might enjoy the perks of wealth.
Thanks for the great read as always! Really shocking to read about the moldy raspberries — you mentioned the room issues to the front desk, but did you mention the moldy raspberries as well? That’s pretty unacceptable …
I did. The manager was very apologetic.
Taxis from Orly airport to anywhere in Paris have a fixed fare of 30EUR to any left bank destination and 35EUR to any right bank destination such as the Park Hyatt. The fares from CDG are 55EUR or 50EUR respectively. Those official taxi fares apply in both directions 24/7. Your difficult taxi driver charged 28EUR…. Very strange!
Currently ending my stay in one of their suites. I would always recommended to globalist members to only do the room service breakfast as it is more convenient and superior to the downstairs breakfast.
What was the green drink in the cup? Same drink in both pictures?
Yes, just a cold-pressed green drink with fruits/veggies.