Paris Master Thread

[zow]

Seeking advice on a hotel for a layover in Paris.
Arriving 2PM, leaving 10:40AM.

Plan to dine at Thai One for lunch; do some walking; Chamomile for dinner.
Not spending much time in the hotel, so it just needs to be clean and economical.

I originally booked the Radisson Blu at CDG with Club Carlson points, but Radisson recently dropped this property; reviews online indicate that it's a dump. I think my reservation still stands, but I don't want to stay there now.

Do you think I could get Radisson to honor my reservation at another location, say Radisson Blu Champs Elysee?

If not, what do you think of the Hyatt Regency CDG, 6,000 points plus $63 Euro (c+p)?

Other suggestions?

Thanks.

[stbaum]

anyone know how long i can expect to wait in line at a museum? i'm not getting the Museum pass as the Sunday i'll be there is the first Sunday of the month and many things are free. i want to go to Marais and while i'm there, i want to visit the Picasso Museum. anyone know if the wait is longer than an hour?


also: which one? Tibs or L'inte Caffe? can't do both

[Yehoshua]

anyone know how long i can expect to wait in line at a museum? i'm not getting the Museum pass as the Sunday i'll be there is the first Sunday of the month and many things are free. i want to go to Marais and while i'm there, i want to visit the Picasso Museum. anyone know if the wait is longer than an hour?


also: which one? Tibs or L'inte Caffe? can't do both

Depends on the museum. Lines at the Louvre were about 1 hour without passes and when it was not free. L'Inte Caffe is better than Tibs.

[stbaum]

Depends on the museum. Lines at the Louvre were about 1 hour without passes and when it was not free. L'Inte Caffe is better than Tibs.

i think the Louvre (according to the guidbooks) is the most popular so- that's not geferlach

ye, i saw Dan's posts after i wrote that. thanks!

[tmendy226]

Depends on the museum. Lines at the Louvre were about 1 hour without passes and when it was not free. L'Inte Caffe is better than Tibs.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AT THE LOUVRE
just go from one of the side entrances from Rue de Rivoli or the other street. If you really want to enjoy  the glass triangle just used it for the way out.

[tmendy226]

Seeking advice on a hotel for a layover in Paris.
Arriving 2PM, leaving 10:40AM.

Plan to dine at Thai One for lunch; do some walking; Chamomile for dinner.
Not spending much time in the hotel, so it just needs to be clean and economical.

I originally booked the Radisson Blu at CDG with Club Carlson points, but Radisson recently dropped this property; reviews online indicate that it's a dump. I think my reservation still stands, but I don't want to stay there now.

Do you think I could get Radisson to honor my reservation at another location, say Radisson Blu Champs Elysee?

If not, what do you think of the Hyatt Regency CDG, 6,000 points plus $63 Euro (c+p)?

Other suggestions?

Thanks.

are you getting to the city at 2pm or landing at CDG than? if the later than you won't make it in time for lunch. most restaurants are closed between lunch and supper hours.

[Yehoshua]

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE AT THE LOUVRE
just go from one of the side entrances from Rue de Rivoli or the other street. If you really want to enjoy  the glass triangle just used it for the way out.

Why did no one tell me this before I went last year?

[stbaum]

Why did no one tell me this before I went last year?

i read that in the guidebooks

[zow]

are you getting to the city at 2pm or landing at CDG than? if the later than you won't make it in time for lunch. most restaurants are closed between lunch and supper hours.

Hi, we land at CDG at 2pm. It sounds like we'll need to frame-shift our plans. Probably try for an early supper at ThaiOne and then a late-night dinner (like 11pm -- late for us, not for Parisians!) at Darjeeling.

Any advice on where to stay in Roissy/near CDG? Radisson wouldn't transfer my reservation from CDG to Champs Elysee (I didn't really think they would).  What do you think of the Hyatt Regency CDG, 6,000 points plus $63 Euro (c+p)?

Thank you.

[shwarmabob]

for those lucky folks visiting Paris: I have used a free city walking tour twice (not in Paris but in other cities) by http://www.neweuropetours.eu
It was fun and the tour guides were very knowledgeable, if you go and you like it, make sure you tip the guides at the end, that's their income.

[stbaum]

for those lucky folks visiting Paris: I have used a free city walking tour twice (not in Paris but in other cities) by http://www.neweuropetours.eu
It was fun and the tour guides were very knowledgeable, if you go and you like it, make sure you tip the guides at the end, that's their income.

thanks! not sure if you have, but you should post this in other threads as well. wonder if i could do this on shabbos?

[shwarmabob]

thanks! not sure if you have, but you should post this in other threads as well. wonder if i could do this on shabbos?

there are multiple tours, you have to make sure that's all walking from the meeting point. In Prague, one of the tours was like that, for the other one we had to get on the streetcar first. You also need to bring the printout of the registration number; I don't know what the Eruv situation is there.

[stbaum]

there are multiple tours, you have to make sure that's all walking from the meeting point. In Prague, one of the tours was like that, for the other one we had to get on the streetcar first. You also need to bring the printout of the registration number; I don't know what the Eruv situation is there.

ugh. per the wiki- there is no eiruv

[shwarmabob]

ugh. per the wiki- there is no eiruv

"Starting Point
This tour starts by the fountain on Place St Michel. Just look for the team in red SANDEMANs NEW Europe T-shirts!"
2.5 hours

"Are reservations required for the tours?

Reservations for the FREE and select tours are not strictly necessary, unless your group exceeds 10 people. However, on days with a particularly high demand, priority will be given to those with online bookings, and any remaining spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If you are wanting to have a private tour, reservations are a must."

Maybe you can make a reservation and write the reservation number down on your palm?

[luckyluck]

But you won't be able to tip...

[stbaum]

guys it's fine, i'll just do it on Sunday. what's really the point anyway if i can't take any pics? 

[Live N Learn]

guys it's fine, i'll just do it on Sunday. what's really the point anyway if i can't take any pics? 

So why go at all? Photoshop is much cheaper, and you could achieve much more? 

[stbaum]

France needs to do away with the whole 'daylight savings' mushagas. Shabbos is over at 11?!?

[Yehoshua]

Yup. Last year when we were there for the 17 fast it ended 11:01.

[zow]

For an 18-hour layover in Paris with the family, am deciding between two airport hotel options, both Cash + Points:
Hyatt Regency, 6,000+75USD
Sheraton, 6,000+120USD

I value SPG much more than Hyatt, maybe 2x, so for me, the cost comparison is something like $135 for Hyatt vs. $235 for Sheraton.  And double that, because I need two rooms for the whole family.

The Hyatt is the obvious choice, except that I understand the Sheraton is SO much more convenient.  Arriving 1400, dropping stuff at hotel, spending evening in the city, and leaving 0900.  Is it worth staying at the Sheraton, for ~$200 more (my valuation) for the convenience and time saving?

Thanks.