Ibis Styles hotel, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris.
Ibis Styles hotel, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris.
Shandelle Battersby checks in to Ibis Styles, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, and is very impressed.
Getting there: So easy. Like many people from this part of the world, I was flying out of Paris' main airport because it's cheaper than leaving from London's Heathrow. The catch was, my flight to Los Angeles left at 7am (via Zurich, Switzerland), so for convenience I stayed overnight atan airport hotel, and it was one of the best ideas I've ever had. From Gare du Nord, the Metro dropped me at Terminal 3 in 30 minutes for 10 euros ($15.60). The three-star Ibis Styles, and its sister property Ibis, are two minutes' walk from the terminal and the CDGVAL terminal shuttle. You can't miss Ibis Styles at night - the sleek, modern exterior, with more than 300 rooms, glows bright with stylish, space-age lighting.
Check-in experience: This is a brand-new hotel and its contemporary, hip fit-out includes lots of hi-tech features - there's a sort of "selfie station" in the lobby - and interesting furniture and lighting. The ground floor is a hive of activity, housing Foody's Planet restaurant and bar. This intergalactic theme is continued throughout - my room had a cool satellite picture of the Moon covering one of its walls and galaxy-inspired carpet. The lobby also has children's toys, books and game consoles, and a few computers for the grown-ups with web access, though wi-fi is free throughout.
Room: A spacious studio, with a super-king bed, a desk, the aforementioned Moon motif, desk, white-wire shelf system for your clothes, and large flat-screen telly with multimedia capabilities. There were lots of powerpoints, a must when travelling with multiple devices, and a handy side table that slid over the bed.
The bed: These are a big selling point - designed especially for the hotel chain, the beds have luxurious duvets, big soft pillows, and comfy mattress toppers. The in-room guide encourages pillow fights and "bouncing around".
Price: Very reasonable for the high standard. Single occupancy starts from 76 euros.
And the bad? If you don't want to eat at the hotel or one nearby, you are out of luck. The food options at Paris' airport are rubbish, so don't even bother.
What's in the neighbourhood? Errr, see above. The Villapinte exhibition centre is nearby.
A good size, with a walk-in shower, hairdryer, and slick vanity unit with a flatteringly backlit oval mirror.
Ibis Styles hotel, Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris.
Toiletries:
Only an all-in-one liquid soapy thing hanging in the shower, which smelt nice.
Food and drink: The lobby restaurant had a small menu with burgers, salads and seafood options, and there were a few takeaway items, such as sandwiches and snacks in a deli section. Best of all was the included buffet continental breakfast - delicious French pastries, cold meats, cheeses, fresh bread - alongside all the usual breakfast fodder, as well as a machine making freshly squeezed orange juice. Outdoor seating is also available.
A room with a view? Non. Not that sort of place.
Noise: None at all, very soundproof.
Room service: Oui, with the same menu as the restaurant downstairs.
Perfect for: Its simple access to the airport and the French capital's public transport, which made an early morning departure from Paris a whole lot easier. Plus, it's a really nice hotel with comfortable rooms and quirky design at a great price. I'd definitely stay at one of these again.
