Flying in or out of Charles de Gaulle International Airport isn’t always stress free. Whether you have business in Paris or you are visiting the French countryside, finding an affordable hotel near CDG Airport is often necessary. I’ve stayed at Holiday Inn Express Paris several times. The 3-star hotel was clean, affordable and easy to find near the airport.
Getting to Holiday Inn Express from Charles de Gaulle International Airport
Take CDGVAL Airport Shuttle from Terminal 1 of Charles de Gaulle International Airport to Parking PR stop. Holiday Inn Express is a short shuttle ride from the airport. Do not make the mistake my husband and I did and wait for the shuttle bus to the Holiday Inn – that’s the wrong hotel!
We were visiting in the busy summer season. We made our hotel reservations several months in advance. That was fortunate for us, because this conveniently located hotel near Charles de Gaulle airport does sell out.
The Holiday Inn Express Paris has four hotel room categories; all include complimentary breakfast. Our first night stay, before departing for a luxury barge cruise near Strasbourg, gave us time to drop our bags and take the train into Paris so we could avoid an expensive taxi from the airport. The hotel reception staff was helpful with directions and suggestions for things to see and do in Paris.
Our room, #523, was a double room and rented for $105.44. We used our Chase credit card points for this stay, however you may check Expedia rates or book direct with Holiday Inn Express to use your IGH rewards.
Our bright, well lite room had plenty of electrical outlets. Insider tip – don’t forget to pack your electrical converter! The shops within the airport do sell converters if you happen to forget yours.
On our first stay at the hotel, our view looked out to the front of the hotel – not very exciting. On our return stay I asked for a room with a view of the airport. The hotel room was the same size and category, but offered excellent opportunities for plane-spotting.
The double room included a shower with private bathroom. As most hotels are eliminating small shampoo and conditioner bottles, Holiday Inn Express has made the eco-friendly change to wall-mounted shampoo and conditioner bottles inside the shower stall. All rooms include hotel safe, hair dryer and electric tea kettle.
There was a fitness center on the seventh floor, however, we opted to get our 10,000 steps in by walking around the district neighborhoods of Paris.
Hotel Dining
Guests are able to purchase dinner in the hotel restaurant. Additionally, there was a bar on site with mixed drinks, wine, beer and non-alcoholic cocktails, as well as ice cream.
What can I say? The French know how to eat well. We loved the Holiday Inn Express Paris breakfast! This airport hotel had one of the best free breakfast meals we’ve ever encountered. The breads and pastries were hot and fresh. There were hard boiled eggs, and some of the best scrambled eggs I’ve ever tasted, in addition to hot and cold cereal, fruit, yogurt, coffee and juice. Additionally, the meat and fresh cheese selection was greatly appreciated.
There were 305 rooms at this Holiday Inn Express. Room rates start at 99 euros – 299 euros, depending on demand. Book in advance; the hotel was sold out on our last visit. Airport view rooms include floors 4, 5, 6 and 7 and rooms 0-28.
The ice machine was on the ground floor so keep that in mind if you want ice. There was a covered walkway from the hotel to the airport in case of inclement weather.
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To compare rates and make your reservation, go to the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) website or an online booking site such as Hotels.com or Expedia.
Article and photos by San Francisco Bay Area Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown
