Return to International Travel – Introduction
Review: SWISS A340-300 ORD-ZRH and Marhaba Lounge ZRH
Lodging Review: Sina Villa Medici, Florence, Italy
Our Time In Florence, Part 1
Our Time In Florence, Part 2
Lodging Review: Park Hyatt Vendome, Paris, France
Our Time In Paris, Part 1 (Louvre, Sainte-Chappelle, Arc, Eiffel Tower)
Our Time In Paris, Part 2 (Versailles)
Our Time In Paris, Part 3 (Catacombs, Musee d’Orsay)
Viking Kari and an Afternoon in Montmartre
Our Time in La Roche-Guyon and Vernon/Giverny
Our Time on the Normandy Beaches
Our Time in Les Andelys and Le Pecq
Lodging Review: Renaissance Republique, Paris, France
Review: Air France A350 CDG-ORD
While we could have flown home after the final morning of our cruise, I found I could use significantly few Air France miles if I returned the day after. So we decided to stay one extra day and booked a hotel in a different part of the city. The Park Hyatt Vendome is in the 2nd arrondissement so we booked the Renaissance Republique, a Marriott property in the 3rd arrondissement which cost us 70K points for the night. While the two hotels are only about 5 miles apart their neighborhoods have an entirely different feel.
Renaissance Paris Republique Hotel
The area around the Renaissance Republique has much more of a local feel, with many small restaurants, grocery stores, laundromats and other types of stores that you’d need if you lived in the apartments above some of the shops.
Our taxi found getting to the front door a little tricky and indeed it’s not super-straightforward but we were let out right at the door. As my friend attempted to pay with her card (and we were informed ahead of time that cards were accepted) the driver claimed not to be able to get the card reader to work and we ended up charging the car to the room and they paid him in cash. It was the end of our trip and we didn’t have much in the way of Euros left and weren’t pleased to have this issue. We had the same problem the next day when our taxi to the airport decided he could not take cards either but fortunately my friend had US dollars and he was happy to take that.
The bellman assisted us with our luggage and I was welcomed warmly by the front desk, which is just to the right upon entry. Unfortunately our room was not ready but they were happy to hold our luggage for us. We went across the street to one of the small cafes for lunch and then took the Metro to the Musee d’Orsay.
Upon our return our room was ready and we took the elevator to the second floor and wound our way down the hallway to our room. I don’t know if it’s because we arrived before the normal check-in time and so this was the first twin room available (we were told they don’t have many twin rooms) or if it’s because we were paying with points, but our room felt like it was a half-mile away from the elevators. I mean, we exited the elevators, walked a short way and turned down this hall
and then we zig-zagged through this short corridor
down this hallway
around the corner here
before finally arriving at the hall where our room was located!
As a side note, we did have a giggle when we passed the laundry room. The sign on the door definitely doesn’t translate the same in English!
Guest Room
The door to our twin room opened to this longish hallway where the closets were on the right, followed by the bathroom with its sliding door.
There were two sets of closet doors: one for the clothes side and one for the shelf side where we also found the safe.
The bathroom had clear windows out into the bed area though there were blinds that could be lowered to cover the windows. Though we did find a considerable gap between the blind and the window in places. We were just respectful roommates and stayed away from the bathroom while the other person was showering.
The bathroom had a very modern decor with the large bowl sink. There was not a lot of counter space but since we were there only one night it didn’t matter much. It took a rather high step to get into the tub, something not uncommon in Europe. And instead of shower doors there was the dreaded half-glass partition. The rainfall shower was just OK, not as powerful as I’d have liked. The lighted mirror did a great job and we loved the bath towels – they were the best ones of the trip.
Renaissance Republique Twin Room Bathroom
The wall-mounted toiletries were by Margot Elena and were unremarkable.
Toiletries by Margot Elena
The toilet was set back in a niche just to the right of the sink.
Toilet Niche
Our twin beds were side-by-side but at least there was a bit of a gap between them. We each had a night stand and there was a small table for two on the window side. Each bed had one firmer pillow and one softer pillow. While the beds were fine, we both got hot even with the A/C turned down to 19C/66F, which makes me think it never actually reached that temperature. There was only one electrical outlet on each side of the bed. Two plus a USB would be a better choice.
Twin Beds with side table
We had a courtyard view that overlooked the Restaurant Martin Paris, which is part of the hotel.
Courtyard Restaurant View
A large wall-mounted TV was across from the beds and there was a small shelf under it, a great place to unload all the stuff you carry in your pockets. There was an electrical outlet on each end of the shelf along with 2 USB ports.
Wall-mounted TV with shelf
A shelf unit by the bathroom had the coffee/tea pot and underneath was the mini-fridge with a small selection of beverages.
Coffee and Mini-bar station
We didn’t try out the restaurants, opting to get our breakfast items at the nearby markets the night before, so I can’t comment on the food. There was a gym on the lower level but I did not take photographs.
In the end
We enjoyed our one night at the Renaissance Republique and I really liked the area. The Metro stop (Republique) was just at the end of the block, making it easy to get around and it’s only about a 10-minute walk from Gare du Nord, the Eurostar terminal. The room was on the smaller side but that wasn’t unexpected. If you don’t mind the smaller room, this is a great place for a more local Paris experience.
2B Traveling 
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