We spent 5 days in Paris, our first time there. Let me start with the Hotel Splendid Etoile. This was the perfect location, especially if arriving at CDG airport. I was slightly worried about how we would get into central Paris and find the hotel. I didn't want to pay a very costly transfer but I need not have worried. We flew with Air France and on their site I stumbled across their airport coach service. We got an Air France coach (Line 2) right outside the Terminal for 12 euros return and 30 mins later, after one previous stop, it stopped right across the road from the hotel! The hotel also had a metro and RER stop literally outside the front door - via a lift to the underground station - CDG Etoile.
The hotel has charming & clean rooms with a traditional French feel and well equipped - mini bar, safe, bath robe etc. Tea & coffee would have been nice but I appreciate that this is not normally a feature of many European cities. An iron would be helpful for longer than 5 day stays but it wasn't a problem for us. Breakfast was an excellent buffet with a good variety. Staff throughout the hotel were friendly and pleasant. Farooq, the concierge was especially helpful and gave us excellent directions to Palace De Versailles. There was free internet just off the lobby where we could check e-mails and check-in online for our trip home.
The hotel was steps from the L'arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees and there we caught the open top bus tour. We paid for a 2-day ticket and with 4 routes it was a great way to see the City. But beware – it is a free for all when the bus stops. The pushing and shoving to try to get on was terrible. We have been on the tour buses in New York and Barcelona and they were well organised – but this phew!! Most of the culprits we experienced were French; maybe they have a thing against tourists.
We were told that to eat on the Champs Elysees was expensive but we found a very nice eatery that we would recommend. The Bistro Romain offers a two-course meal for 15 euros or three courses for 20 euros with a beer or glass of wine for only 2 euros extra. This was great value as the food was excellent and right on the Champs Elysees in the shadow of the Arc.. If you are nervous watch out for the pigeons – they were on the top of the canvas looking for scraps and flew down even onto empty tables. On our second time there we asked to be moved inside because a child was throwing scraps and they were everywhere!!
At the end of our trip it was reassuring to just walk across the road and catch the bus back to the airport – no hassle. A very pleasant trip and an excellent hotel. Well done Farooq and everyone at the Splendid Etoile.
- Hotel Splendid Etoile
- Splendid Etoile
- Splendid Etoile Paris

