For my second trip to Paris, partly as a birthday celebration, partly because you can never go wrong with flying to Europe, I decided to use my Starwood Preferred Guest points to stay at the Westin Vencome. At 20,000 SPG points a night for rooms that start at $550, it was a no-brainer.
Westin is a brand normally associated with conferences and uninspiring decor, but, like much else in this city, Paris seems to bring out the best in things. This Westin, was grand, luxurious, and beautiful, evoking a sense of timelessness as you stroll through the grand marble hallway on your way to the lobby.
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| Courtyard from Above |
As a platinum SPG member, I was instantly upgraded to a Prestige Suite on the 3rd floor upon check-in. Unfortunately, the room faced the internal courtyard, which meant we missed out on the gorgeous view of the Tuilerie gardens. However, the fact that the size of the suite rivaled my 1-bedroom apartment in New York certainly made up for the lack of view. With an entrance hallway, a separate living room, a vintage writing desk, a massive bedroom, and a marble bathroom with a hallway that leads up to it, the room was more than large enough to accommodate an entire soccer team, let alone my girlfriend and I.
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| The winter garden |
Throughout our stay, the service was impeccable. The staff were extremely friendly, making you feel like you belong in this hotel, as if it were your home for many years, and they were your neighbors whom you've grown up with. We received a bowl of fresh fruit every morning, delivered to our room without us even asking.
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The aptly-named Westin Heavenly Bed
Located within a 2 minute walking distance of Place Vendome and across the street from the Tuilerie gardens, the Westin is close to many of the attractions of central Paris (The Opera Garnier is 5 minutes away, la Madeleine 4 minutes, and the Louvre 10 minutes away). While the area is rather quiet and dark come nighttime, it is sometimes nice to come back to a quiet, enchanting hotel, away from the fun and bustle of the lively neighborhoods.
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At $550 a night for a standard room, and $1300 a night for our Prestige Suite, this hotel certainly falls into the higher-end category, especially for a Westin. However, if you have the SPG platinum status, which will enable you to be upgraded when booking a standard room with money or points, I would highly recommend this hotel to be the place you stay at in Paris. It is centrally located, good for the tourist who wants to visit all parts of Paris, but prefers to come back to a nice and quiet hotel.
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| The Westin as seen from the Tuilerie gardens |
If, however, you want to stay in the more hip parts of Paris, close to the best local cafes, restaurants, and under-the-radar sights, then this is not the place for you. You are better off staying in a hotel in the Marais, Bastille, or Montmartre districts, which are less accessible to the rest of Paris, but will make you feel like a real local Parisian.
