Ideas on enjoying Paris ...

[thinze3]

I chose to be forced into this.

Brian, while I do believe the total "savings" using MRP is something that should be considered, I doubt very seriously that too many of us would actually take trips of this magnitude if we actually had to pay cash.

My upcoming trip just totalled (five minutes ago) in excess of $13K for my exact flights and Marriott hotel stays. I would be the first to admit that this trip would NOT be in my upcoming reservations if I had to pay cash.

I look at Marriott timeshare ownership as a "forced" luxury vacation each year. I look at Marriott-direct purchases in a similar way. This upcoming trip for my 25th anniversary has been forced upon me because of my single Marriott-direct purchase and of course the love of the Marriott brand.

You know, when we recently returned from two weeks in magnificant 2BR Hawaiian timeshares, one Westin and one Marriott, my wife and discussed this in depth. My poor children will never want to stay in anything less as they grow older and travel with their own families. Sure hope they get good jobs.

 

[tompk]

We did travel on points, using Marriott website rates the hotels were valued at about $7000 total for the 2 weeks, a week in Paris and a week in London. The lowest business class airfare for our itinerary was about $3300 per person(as high as $8,000 per person for a refundable ticket), so $13,600 was the total value I placed on our trip and we did it all with MRP. As you say Brian, its a world class trip and one with no worries as you know the hotels will be clean, comfortable and then some and the business class air travel will be as good as air travel can get. My wife and I both had a blast and can't wait to plan another. I have to thank you for repeatedly posting out here on TUG the benefits of Marriott points and a developer purchase. We will easily recoup our Manor Club purchase price in luxury travel in just a few years of ownership. Thanks again!

 

[wsrobinson]

Thanks so much for all the info! I am going tp Paris next Aug 1-10 and staying at CE. I am really looking forward to it as I have never left the country.

My question involves the Marriott Elite Gold status. I understand we will be able to take advantage of the breakfast buffet every morning and that will save us 29 euros per person. But because I am taking my 14 and 12 year old daughters, I need a room big enough to accomodate 3 people. To accomplish this, I have to pay $75/day surcharge(I am using MR points for the stay). I'm not upset about the surcharge but I am wondering if the room upgrade which happens at check-in will be enough of an upgrade to help me avoid the upcharge? Is the room upgrade only a change of view or a larger room?

Please keep the tips coming they are great information for me.

 

[pwrshift]

Terry ... we are obviously in different stages of life. My kids are grown and I'm an empty nester after raising 3 daughters as a single parent. I bought my timeshares for family outings and we have used them well for that purpose while together, but as you may find when they leave the nest that travel with the old folks isn't high on their own family's priority list. So it's my time now .. selfish old me .. and I haven't flown anything but business class for at least 10 years and have no intention of saving my money for the kids to blow when I'm gone. At my stage in life the finer things are affordable but if I can get Marriott to assist in paying for them it's a great deal...and certainly much better than staying at the YMCA Paris. Just the very fact that a couple can take trips like this because of the MR program is a wonderful benefit especially if they couldn't afford them, or want to afford, if paying cash. JMHO.

Brian

Brian, while I do believe the total "savings" using MRP is something that should be considered, I doubt very seriously that too many of us would actually take trips of this magnitude if we actually had to pay cash.
.

 

[pwrshift]

Thanks so much for all the info! I am going tp Paris next Aug 1-10 and staying at CE. I am really looking forward to it as I have never left the country.

.

You are really off on a new adventure that will give your family a lifetime of memories and certainly more affordable than paying cash. The key to family dining in Paris is to get off the Champs elysees and walk up the sidestreets where you'll stumble across interesting places the Parisians eat and you'll see the real Paris that way. The touristy places are really expensive. Near the CE is a "Quick" hamburger place and a pasta place "Montecristo" you'll enjoy if the kids want an occasional taste of home. Have the hotel empty the mini bar and buy what you need at the Monoprix store nearby ... and get a phone card 7euros for 400 minutes of LD phone calls from your room to home. Leave the computer at home and the the hotel business centre's 20 euro card for 20 hours on their computers so they can send emails to their friends. Take the Yellow Bus for 2 days when you get there to tour the city and hop off and on all around the city in four different routes. Taxis can be expensive, so families will enjoy the subway -- they say nobody is more than 500 steps to a subway in Paris. The museum passes are great too for families ... but prep the kids before you go so they will know the important works of art when they see them...which can get overwhelming if you don't know one from the other. It might be fun to get a cheap 'learn french' program for everyone and have the occasional dinner at home where you only talk in French. If there's a room surcharge I suspect it will mean a larger than normal room but in a $1000 a night hotel with free family breakfasts it's a small price to pay IMO for this adventure. When I checked out for my recent weeks stay, our bill was 500 euros...and that included one dinner at the hotel, two lunches in the bar, and a hotel arranged meet&greet limo at CDG which was 166 euros alone. Priceless.

Brian

PS ... suggest you buy the Rick Steves PARIS book. It's fun reading and great prep to make sure you see everything. You can even download his walking tours of the city and museums, etc., and play them on an Ipod etc.

 

[winger]

They have strange two prong plugs in France that you'll have to buy an adapter for ... the hotel will probably have them but I bought one cheap before going and it worked fine. They have transformers too if you need one.

If your electronic is set up for both power levels it will charge just fine there with the adapter.

There's plenty of hot water in the shower/bathroom. Not sure what you mean by 'hot water' but I assume you mean a coffee maker and the answer is no. If you must have morning coffee it's free in the lobby before 8 am ... on 2 previous visits we bought a cheap coffee maker (15 euros) for the room at Monoprix on the corner (basement) and left it behind when we left.

No microwave either. No ice machines on the floor - you have to call room service (free). We had the mini bar emptied and put coke, etc. in it. We got free buffet breakfast each morning in the dining room (saves 29 euros a person) as PLT elite, but think it's for Gold too...ask when you check in. I also found they now charge a city tax - doesn't amount to much but you can ask for it to be deleted if they didn't make you aware of this charge when you booked. Internet in room is 20 euros a day. I didn't take my laptop because of this and bought a card in the business centre that gave me 20 hours use for the week on their computers for 20 euros and didn't use all the hours by the time I left.

Restaurant right next door (Montecristo) is good for first night's dinner and quite reasonable ... if the weather is nice you can sit outside on the CE and watch the world go by. The 'Quick' fast food on the corner is like a McDonalds with Paris prices and they charge extra to eat the food there. Hotel bar has club sandwiches for 21 euros...glass of wine 8 euros, same as coke. No refills on 7 euro coffee.

Museums are the best deal in the town ... you can get the passes but because we have been there before we just got the daily tickets next door for 8 euros each and enjoyed the Louvre and D'Orsay, and took a half day tour for Versailles. Yellow Bus hop on-hop off can be caught just in front of Monoprix on the corner and the best deal is two consecutive days for around 30 euros...good way for a family to see the city rather than cabs.

There are only 5 or so english channels with one cartoon channel and the others are news...strange being 6 hours earlier for the news. We bought a phone card near Monoprix at tabac store for 7 euros which permitted us to make LD calls from the room without charges for 400 minutes. Skype would have been more fun but the internet charge convinced me the card was better.

Brian

Brian, thanks for the details. DW and I are both busy with life and these sort of details really help with planning with what little time we have at the moment. Although we both started 'planning' a few months ago for this lifetime of a trip, we really have not made progress. Work and school and of course our frequent travels just seem to give birth to daily fires that need to be attended to.

Anyways, we just bought a webcam for the home computer so we can keep touch with the kids back at home using our Netbook, so we are depending on the fact that Skype and free wi-fi (I heard Paris has numerous free wi-fi around town) works over there for us !!! Feels strange as this is the first trip with just to two of us without the little warriors beside us.

Oh, by 'hot water', I mean boiling water or a microwave to boil water.

************
Not sure if this will help any, but I discovered a website that may help first timers - www.parisnotes.com

 

[winger]

Brian, while I do believe the total "savings" using MRP is something that should be considered, I doubt very seriously that too many of us would actually take trips of this magnitude if we actually had to pay cash.

My upcoming trip just totalled (five minutes ago) in excess of $13K for my exact flights and Marriott hotel stays. I would be the first to admit that this trip would NOT be in my upcoming reservations if I had to pay cash.

I look at Marriott timeshare ownership as a "forced" luxury vacation each year. I look at Marriott-direct purchases in a similar way. This upcoming trip for my 25th anniversary has been forced upon me because of my single Marriott-direct purchase and of course the love of the Marriott brand.

...

Our exact thoughts !

....

You know, when we recently returned from two weeks in magnificant 2BR Hawaiian timeshares, one Westin and one Marriott, my wife and discussed this in depth. My poor children will never want to stay in anything less as they grow older and travel with their own families. Sure hope they get good jobs.

Well, if you were to leave/will your kids timeshare(s),,, they would be able to continue the 'family tradition'. Now, just imagine the legacy you are leaving behind to future generation(s) !!!

 

[winger]

I have to thank you for repeatedly posting out here on TUG the benefits of Marriott points and a developer purchase. ...Thanks again!

Brian, as I previously (many several times) thanked you, I thank you AGAIN !

..... We will easily recoup our Manor Club purchase price in luxury travel in just a few years of ownership. Thanks again!

We are also MMC owners...and look forward to the day we can say we 'broke even' as well. It makes it harder with the devaluation of MRP's, but life happens...

 

[MULTIZ321]

...Anyways, we just bought a webcam for the home computer so we can keep touch with the kids back at home using our Netbook, so we are depending on the fact that Skype and free wi-fi (I heard Paris has numerous free wi-fi around town) works over there for us !!! www.parisnotes.com

Paris Internet Cafes


Bon Voyage & Bon Appetit!

Richard

 

[thinze3]

Terry ... we are obviously in different stages of life. My kids are grown and I'm an empty nester after raising 3 daughters as a single parent. ....

Brian

Not too far behind you. Two in college and one in HS. Counting down the days 'til an empty nest.

 

[winger]

Paris Internet Cafes


Bon Voyage & Bon Appetit!

Richard

Merci Bahku

However, I am seeking the free, public wifi , such as the ones referenced in this article: http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/2007/07/free-wi-fi-in-paris.html

I will have both a netbook (with built-in webcam) and wi-fi enabled Windows Mobile PDA phone with us (running Skype) - so it will be FUN FUN FUN (yes, I am a sort of tech tinkerer)...

 

[taffy19]

Our exact thoughts !

Well, if you were to leave/will your kids timeshare(s),,, they would be able to continue the 'family tradition'. Now, just imagine the legacy you are leaving behind to future generation(s) !!!

So true! This is one nice thing about a deeded timeshare at your favorite resort in a great location. The next generation can continue the tradition you started and they will always cherish the memories of having taken these vacations with you in the past.

I often watch the families of three generations spending a vacation together in a good size condo at a nice resort and see that they are having fun. It can't be better than that.

 

[taffy19]

Hey Brian (and anyone who has been to the CE recently).

We will be bringing a few electronic essentials (like a netbook, camera, etc) next month to the CE. The chargers for these devices all work on 220 volts (as well as the 120volts here in the United States). Question - does the hotel have offer complimentary adaptors for us to be able to plus these North American 'style' chargers into their wall sockets?

Is there hot water and or a microwave in the standard rooms?

Thanks !!!

We recently went on MRPs to Europe and stayed in several Marriotts in different countries. They all had a regualr American plug at the computer desk so you could plug in your computer or Smart Phone without an adaptor. I don't remember what plug there was in the bathroom. I was surprised how full the hotels were. We recently stayed at a Marriott in our area and it was quite busy too. People are traveling. Prague was packed with tourists.

We landed twice in Paris but I couldn't make my husband to spend a few days there. I was really upset.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Merci Bahku

However, I am seeking the free, public wifi , such as the ones referenced in this article: http://www.parisdailyphoto.com/2007/07/free-wi-fi-in-paris.html

I will have both a netbook (with built-in webcam) and wi-fi enabled Windows Mobile PDA phone with us (running Skype) - so it will be FUN FUN FUN (yes, I am a sort of tech tinkerer)...

Winger,

Check out Paris Cafes with free WiFi from gridskipper.com

Be sure to click on their link with more than 140 free hotspots in Paris plotted on an easy-to-use map.


Richard

 

[pwrshift]

We landed twice in Paris but I couldn't make my husband to spend a few days there. I was really upset.

iconnections ... As wonderful as it is to travel to world class cities that most people only read about or see in movies or TV, it's always nice to get home. Paris is the type of city where you should unpack your bags for a week and venture out to the things that appeal to you because it's all there ... history, art, dining, people, etc. It sounds like your trip was a bit of a European hopper - a few days here - a few days there. If so, I can understand why he didn't want to spend just a few days in Paris too. I have a feeling you'll still get there...a 2nd honeymoon perhaps in the city of love?

winger and tompk ... thanks for the thanks and glad I could be of help to you. btw ... If you need boiling water, because it would work just by plugging it in (no adapters), I'd buy a cheap little kettle when you get there at Monoprix a couple of doors from the hotel as there are no coffee makers in the rooms.

Brian

 

[taffy19]

iconnections ... As wonderful as it is to travel to world class cities that most people only read about or see in movies or TV, it's always nice to get home. Paris is the type of city where you should unpack your bags for a week and venture out to the things that appeal to you because it's all there ... history, art, dining, people, etc. It sounds like your trip was a bit of a European hopper - a few days here - a few days there. If so, I can understand why he didn't want to spend just a few days in Paris too. I have a feeling you'll still get there...a 2nd honeymoon perhaps in the city of love?

winger and tompk ... thanks for the thanks and glad I could be of help to you. btw ... If you need boiling water, because it would work just by plugging it in (no adapters), I'd buy a cheap little kettle when you get there at Monoprix a couple of doors from the hotel as there are no coffee makers in the rooms.

Brian

Yes, most of our stays were only two or three days long but we stayed a week in Prague which was part of the MRPs' package. Very nice but packed with tourists but it isn't Paris, the city of light. However, Prague also looked very nice at night because all the buildings are lit up. The weather was perfect.

Brian, I lived six months in Paris so I know what you are talking about that it is better to stay a little longer. I would love to return to Paris any time and Prague only if we did a river cruise in Europe. Many river cruise people stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Prague and several couples told us that Budapest was a nicer city yet.

We had a EuRail pass to several countries and I can highly recommend it if driving is a challenge. First class doesn't cost much more but is a lot more comfortable. Train travel in the Czech Republic was quite an experience but I am glad we did it. However, traveling by train to Cesky Krumlov would have taken us four hours one way so we decided to take the Gray Line instead which did it in less than two hours one way. This is a must see city in the Czech Republic (a UNESCO listed town) with a castle on a hill overlooking the valley. We also stopped at Ceske Budejovice which is the city of Budweiser beer. We also took the train to Salzburg and Munich, where we stayed. We tried to get to Vienna on MRPs but didn't succeed.

What we found out was that the Renaissance in Amsterdam was better than the Marriott Hotel in Prague in regard to the room and bathroom. The water temperature was very sensitive so it would get too hot or cold all of the sudden and it was my feeling that the beds were not as good as in the other cities. We wanted to stay an extra night in Amsterdam but the hotel was full. You couldn't even stay there at rack rates either. All hotels were quite busy so people are traveling in Europe.

We found the service very friendly everywhere and the rooms in all hotels had been refurbished so looked nice. Every hotel was in walking distance from the train station so that was very convenient. The breakfast buffets were very expensive everywhere but most expensive in Prague. They are not even on the Euro yet. All in all, it was a great vacation. We also visited family in Rotterdam, Holland.

 

[Latravel]

A couple of years back, we visited the Moet et Chandon winery. It wasn't too far out from Paris and we took a tour (we didn't have a rental car). It was wonderful and I would highly recommend it.

 

[PamK]

I just returned from Paris and stayed at the Champs-Elysees hotel. Great location. Request a room overlooking the lobby or inner courtyard. I found a real easy way to get around Paris was l'Opentour, the hop on and off bus. Book it for a day or 2 for quick access to all of the major tourist sites within Paris. The audio also provided some good information as you drove between stops.

Check out my travel log at http://timesharetraveler.travellerspoint.com/

I documented, with pictures, some of the sites in Paris and a good walking tour that I took. Go to the Table of Contents for the Paris part of the trip.

 

[danuty]

Pamk

Thank you, thank you thank you for the pictures, descriptions, suggestions, and ideas - Wonderful blog which I have added to my favorites and will use extensively on upcoming trip!

Diane

 

[thinze3]

Thanks so much for all the info! I am going tp Paris next Aug 1-10 and staying at CE. I am really looking forward to it as I have never left the country.

My question involves the Marriott Elite Gold status. I understand we will be able to take advantage of the breakfast buffet every morning and that will save us 29 euros per person. But because I am taking my 14 and 12 year old daughters, I need a room big enough to accomodate 3 people. To accomplish this, I have to pay $75/day surcharge(I am using MR points for the stay). I'm not upset about the surcharge but I am wondering if the room upgrade which happens at check-in will be enough of an upgrade to help me avoid the upcharge? Is the room upgrade only a change of view or a larger room?

Please keep the tips coming they are great information for me.

If you get upgraded to an 'Executive' room or a suite you should be OK.

The 'Deluxe' room is 366sf with a maximum capacity of 2.
The 'Executive' room is 484sf with a maximum capacity of 4.
There are also a 18ea 750-800sf suites.

Here are the room types.

 

[PamK]

Thank you, thank you thank you for the pictures, descriptions, suggestions, and ideas - Wonderful blog which I have added to my favorites and will use extensively on upcoming trip!

Diane

:whoopie:
I am so glad you are enjoying it. It was fun writing it and I hope all owners traveling to Paris or Spain will refer to it for ideas.

 

[pwrshift]

Video preview of my trip

Here's a little preview video of my recent trip to the Marriott CE in Paris. Thought it might get you in the mood.

http://vimeo.com/7338737

Brian

 

[thinze3]

Thanks!!

Nice Brian. You actually filmed a tidbit of yourself in the mirror of the last restaurant.

 

[mpizza]

Pam and Brian - Thanks for sharing your wonderful trips with us.

Maria

 

[danuty]

Powerfshft

Loved the video and the music! Viewing it has made me anticipate our one week stay in Paris even more, if that's possible. I think I'll have to watch it weekly. Thanks again for the video and, all the posts.

Diane