Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome: A nostalgic return to see if it still holds its charm

There are several "iconic" hotels worldwide that you can book using hotel points, frequently mentioned in discussions about award travel. These venues are typically quite luxurious, have elevated cash prices, and are situated in desirable destinations like the Maldives, Bora Bora, New York, Tokyo, Hawaii, and Paris, where you often find exceptional value for your points.

In summary, these are the types of unforgettable hotels that points can open up, which many of us wouldn't typically afford to book with cash.

One such iconic hotel that we recently returned to for the second time—after a full decade— is the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.

I was eager for our trip to Paris, not just to enjoy the sights (and indulge in pastries) but also to see if the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome remains a timeless choice. Here’s what I discovered and whether it still deserves a top spot on the list of dream hotels.

What exactly is the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome hotel?

Opened in 2002, this upscale 156-room hotel is situated on Rue de la Paix, just a stone's throw from Place Vendome.

This iconic hotel features high cash rates, yet it's a favorite among points and miles enthusiasts because you can access it for a relatively modest number of points... at least when compared to cash prices (more on that soon).

The Park Hyatt in Paris is just a croissant's toss away from Place Vendome, and also conveniently located near the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. While you might not want to walk to all these sites, the hotel is close to several Paris Metro stations, including the Opera and Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre stops.

To reach the hotel from the airport, a taxi or Uber ride will typically cost between $66 and $88 each way. For a more economical option, consider taking the RoissyBus, which is about $18. However, this will only take you to the Paris-Opera stop, from which you'll need to walk a few minutes to reach the hotel.

The most effective way to book a stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome hotel

It's no surprise that at a hotel of this caliber in this area of Paris, everything from the room to a drink comes with a hefty price tag.

If you're considering booking a standard room at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome with cash, expect rates to start well above $1,400 per night. Families should note that standard rooms available for points are designed for two guests only. For families of three or four, booking two standard rooms with points will be necessary. While this is common in Paris, it's good to be aware of this upfront.

This Park Hyatt is classified as a top-tier Category 8 hotel in the World of Hyatt program, meaning standard rooms typically require 35,000 to 45,000 Hyatt points per night. Given the cash rates, you're often getting 3 to 4 cents per point in value for your Hyatt points when redeeming for award stays here, making it an excellent way to utilize your World of Hyatt points, especially according to TPG's September 2024 valuations.

You can accumulate Hyatt points not only through the World of Hyatt program and the World of Hyatt Credit Card (more details on that below) but also through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, as well as cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card.

Indeed, the 90,000 point bonus from the Ink Business Preferred after spending $8,000 within the first three months could almost cover three nights here, depending on the exact award rates for your chosen dates.

When reserving this Hyatt property, it's advisable to use one of the credit cards that maximize points for Hyatt stays, preferably one that offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for added benefits. These include:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, plus five elite night credits each year towards a higher tier.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts, automatic Discoverist status, and five elite night credits (for every $10,000 spent in a calendar year) toward a higher tier.

The Globalist breakfast experience is truly exceptional.

I actively pursue Hyatt Globalist status each year through a mix of cash and award stays, along with spending on my World of Hyatt Card. The breakfast we enjoyed during our two-night stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome is one of the reasons for this dedication.

At 60 euros per person, the American Breakfast available in the restaurant or through room service is a dream come true... at least for me. A decade later, it was just as I remembered.

With buttery pastries, fluffy pancakes, fresh juice, perfectly cooked eggs to your liking, rich coffee, crispy bacon, sweet fruit, and impeccable white tablecloth service, this meal transcends a typical breakfast to become a delightful experience. My budget wouldn’t allow for the retail price of €240 ($261) per morning for our family of four without the benefits of Globalist status, but I thoroughly enjoyed it both mornings of our stay.

If you don’t hold Globalist status, I’ve heard from several guests that World of Hyatt Explorist status can offer you a 50% discount on breakfast, so it’s worth asking about if you fit that category.

Even better, if you know someone with Hyatt Globalist status, this would be an ideal opportunity to utilize a Guest of Honor award they can share, granting you Globalist benefits during your stay.

The walls are adorned with art.

You absolutely must experience the artwork showcased at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome. Upon entering from the street, you'll likely be greeted by statues crafted by French artist Roseline Granet. This won’t be your only interaction with her work, as it also decorates the walls of the lobby and guest rooms.

This intriguing detail adds a pleasant sense of continuity as you navigate through the hotel. However, if you find the statues a bit unsettling, you're not alone in that sentiment.

The lobby also features canvases by American artist Ed Paschke, enhancing the art museum-like atmosphere.

The rooms at Park Hyatt Paris exude a classic charm.

Upon entering, our room appeared just as it did during my initial visit a decade ago. In fact, we even recreated a breakfast-in-bed photo from 10 years ago with my now 14-year-old, as this was one of our first significant international trips back then.

The child has now grown significantly, but the grand gold crown molding, the rich, warm wood paneling, and even the three gold, black, and tan throw pillows on the inviting king bed seem to have remained unchanged.

To be fair, I believe the rooms have received some technological and other upgrades since my last visit, but the overall ambiance and appearance feel largely the same.

Standard rooms are approximately 323 square feet. For our family of four, we ended up with connecting rooms—one featuring a king bed, which I think was upgraded to the slightly larger deluxe king room category, and the other with two twin beds.

The beds are extremely comfortable, perfect for recovering from jet lag.

I enjoy opening the windows to let in the fresh Parisian air and sounds. There are plenty of outlets and amenities, including a stocked Nespresso machine, which keeps us very comfortable and satisfied.

The distinctive bathroom was just as I remembered it.

Describing the layout of the bathroom is somewhat challenging, so I'll let the photos convey part of the story. The design essentially merges the bathtub and shower area with an additional sink and mirror. A glass door helps prevent water from splashing into the rest of the bathroom.

The shower is fantastic, featuring excellent water pressure and nice toiletries, though its somewhat unusual layout feels odd. This quirky design was peculiar a decade ago, and it remains quite distinctive today.

A gold-lined room with art emerging from the walls won't appeal to everyone, but I commend the hotel for staying true to its unique decor. However, it's worth noting that if a luxury hotel room remains unchanged after ten years, down to the throw pillows, it might be time for a refresh.

On-site gym and spa

If you're hoping to stay active during your visit to the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, you'll be pleased to know that the gym is available 24/7 for hotel guests, equipped with a variety of machines, weights, and mats, along with chilled towels and water.

Although some amenities at Le Spa, like the steam room and sauna, are included with your stay, I found the spa locked an hour before closing time. Unlike earlier in the day, there was no staff present in the evening to assist when I attempted to visit. Therefore, I suggest planning your spa visit during busier hours, especially if you want to enjoy the whirlpool.

Multiple on-site dining options

Paris, known as the City of Light, is also a haven for exceptional cuisine, and the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome boasts a variety of on-site dining options, from Michelin-starred restaurants to one of the finest breakfast buffets you can find.

Cafe Jeanne and Terrasse du Park by Jean-François Rouquette

These are the hotel's primary dining venues where I enjoyed my meals during my stay. They are interconnected and feature nearly identical menus, with the former offering an outdoor dining experience in the hotel's courtyard.

As noted earlier, Globalists enjoy a complimentary "American" breakfast each morning, available either in their rooms or at the restaurant. This meal includes juice, coffee, fruit, yogurt, a selection of breads, and your choice of meat, fish, and eggs. My favorite aspect was the pastries — as expected, they're all freshly baked. The fresh juice was delightful as well.

For those without Globalist status, a continental breakfast at Cafe Jeanne's is priced around $51.

We decided to have dinner here one evening (purely for research, of course), and while we made an effort to choose some of the more affordable options, like a pizza and a few shareable appetizers and main dishes to keep expenses manageable, we still miscalculated our order. To give you an idea of the prices, entrees typically range from about $20 to $70.

I didn't spend any time exploring the extensive drink menu since I planned to stick with water for my meal. So, it didn’t register when the rest of my family ordered Cokes or lemonades with their dinners... until the bill arrived. Each soda was $16, totaling an astounding $48 for three drinks—likely a new family record! At least nobody asked for a refill.

This scenario illustrates the pricing at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, highlighting a potential downside of staying in such a luxurious place that may otherwise be outside your budget. Even those seemingly harmless Cokes with dinner can seriously impact your vacation funds.

The bar in Cafe Jeanne

Within Cafe Jeanne, you'll find a stunning bar adorned with chic reflective mirrors, an intriguing cocktail menu, and even live music on Thursday nights.

Pur' — Jean-Francois Rouquette

This Michelin-star restaurant is led by chef Jean-François Rouquette and operates Tuesday to Saturday evenings by reservation only. The menu features innovative French gastronomy, allowing diners to select between a five- or eight-course dinner with optional wine pairings.

Exceptional service

During both my visits, the service at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome felt like a scene from a film, especially for those of us who don’t typically stay at such upscale hotels. We may have felt slightly out of place in our casual shorts and sneakers, but that was never due to anything the staff said or did. Everyone we interacted with exuded elegance and refinement while remaining genuinely warm and helpful.

To illustrate this outstanding service, my daughter celebrated her 9th birthday on the morning of our last stay. I had planned some fun activities for later, but realized it would be nice for her to feel special earlier in the day. So, at 10 p.m., I texted the hotel from bed, asking if they could write "Happy Birthday" on a plate for her at breakfast. They went above and beyond my request.

By 8:15 a.m. the following morning, a simple text request made late the night before resulted in balloons, a cake, and a card being delivered to our room at no cost. I never would have thought to ask for such a surprise, but it was truly appreciated and exemplified the exceptional service at this particular Park Hyatt.

Accessibility

If you require an accessible room, it's advisable to contact the hotel directly, as the information on their accessibility page is limited. They do offer rooms for guests with reduced mobility, available upon request, including seven bedrooms and one suite.

The accessibility page also mentions that the hotel staff is trained to assist guests with accessibility needs, and that public areas, such as elevators and hallways, are designed to accommodate individuals with reduced mobility.

Is it worth it?

I absolutely adore the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome. It stands apart from typical hotels and truly feels unique. The atmosphere exudes a quiet elegance that's delightful to experience, even if just for a short stay.

I don't stay here regularly and likely never will. It's beyond my budget, both in cash and points, and I don’t visit Paris often enough. Still, I hope to maintain my once-a-decade tradition and return to this hotel on a memorable trip in the future. Perhaps I could even recreate that photo of a four-year-old savoring room service breakfast when I’m 24 years old, a decade from now.

That said, I believe the hotel, particularly the guest rooms, could benefit from some aesthetic and functional upgrades at this point. I hope such improvements are made in the coming years. As long as they preserve the property's strong foundation and uphold their high standards for service and dining, I would likely choose to stay here again, even if the rooms remain unchanged.

More importantly, will staying at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome be worth it for you?

If you prefer very modern, minimalistic hotel rooms, this might not be the ideal choice. Similarly, if service and high-quality on-site dining aren't your priorities (or if you lack the status benefits or budget for them), then it may not be the right match. Also, if you're just seeking a basic place to sleep without spending time at the hotel while in Paris, this Hyatt property might not be worth it for your stay.

However, if you have Hyatt Globalist perks to utilize, can accumulate the points to stay here, enjoy an exceptional room service breakfast, value high-quality service for a few days, and are comfortable surrounded by sculptures and an opulent decor, then yes, it’s likely worth it.

If that's the case, reserve your stay at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, start your countdown, and do let me know how you like the bread basket.