I am a Marriott member and looking for a hotel while in Paris. Book at the renaissance La defense. It’s outside of the city but it looks like it’s near the metro station. Anyone see this as a mistake? Should I be staying in the heart of Paris Instead?
My reasoning was that 1. It’s much cheaper 2. May be nice respite away from the busyness.
Thanks!
It’s cheaper because it is affirmatively an inconvenient and less than charming area to stay for a vacation. I think you mean retreat not retrieve. In any event, there are plenty of hotels in Paris itself where you can find respite from the busyness.
I would not consider it. Why go all the way to Paris and then stay there? I'd find another way to save money. Just because it's near a metro stop, you might want to look at what is involved to get to points of interest within central Paris from that particular stop. Central Paris is actually very large, and blocks are large. It's enough to get around central Paris without staying nowhere near it. You can certainly retire to your hotel room within the city to relax. I want the full Paris experience when I'm there.
When are you traveling?
The other posters have confirmed why it’s cheaper and I agree you’ll enjoy the ambiance of Paris when you are actually in the center. I’m actually not much of a big city gal but I want to be where I can walk to things and if I need respite I go to one of the big parks.
If it’s in your budget, please reconsider locations!
La Defense is a soulless office park with few restaurant options. Once back at the hotel, are you going to want to get back on the metro to go into Paris for the evening? I go to Paris to be in Paris -- to make the morning bread run on charming streets, to have the city outside my door. To be convenient to locations so that after a long day, I am not too tired to head our for an evening event or drinks or stroll
It is cheaper for a reason to stay in La Defense.
In defence (ha!) of La Défense, which is the main business area of Paris and full of office buildings, it is very animated and pleasant during the day, and it has La Grande Arche as a tourist attraction. In the evenings, it is probably very quiet; I have only been there during daytime, as I used to work there some years ago.
However, from a point of view of communication to central Paris, it is not inconvenient, as it is the start of metro Line 1, going straight to Etoile, Concorde, Louvre, etc. It is also a station on RER A, the one going to Disneyland. The Renaissance Hotel is at the back of the Grande Arche, and the metro/RER station is in front of the Arche.
Of course, it is nowhere near the image of Paris that most tourists are looking for.
Up to you to decide!
Honestly, you don’t have to stay in the center of Paris to enjoy it. I have quite often have stayed in the outskirts and had a very good time so if you’re using Marriott points, this might be a really good option. They’re not that many affordable options anymore in Paris if you’re using points
If you’re just staying there because it’s an American fancy chain hotel that’s cheap you can do better - so that would be my deciding factor.
Thank you! You have given me lots to think about. The big perk to staying there was that it was going to be a free stay when using my points. But I will look elsewhere even if I have to supplement with some cash and points. Thanks again
Janet has given you the best description of La Defense. For a business person it is fine. For a tourist it would stink. It does ironically have good transport links but that is not enough to recommend it.
I am glad you have decided to look elsewhere, I think you will be happier !
Check out what the possibilities are at the Renaissance Vendôme. It's a block back from rue de Rivoli - so right near lots of stuff but away from the main thoroughfare.
If you stay at La Defense, you should buy a navigo decouverte and load days fare for zone 1-3 or week fare for zone 1-5. You will then be able to take the RER A, RER E, and Transilien L.
Having stayed at la Defense for business purposes, I would not stay there on a pleasure trip. I fully agree with Janet.
