Novotel Roissy: Your Parisian Getaway Awaits (Luxury & Comfort!)
Novotel Roissy: My Parisian Adventure (and Maybe a Few Whines About Sleep Schedules…)
Alright, listen up, fellow travelers! Let’s talk Parisian escapes. Forget the Eiffel Tower selfies for a hot second, because I just got back from a stay at the Novotel Roissy, and, well… it’s a whole thing. This isn't your run-of-the-mill airport layover hotel; this is actually trying to be a decent base camp for a proper French adventure. A luxury base camp, they say! Okay, let's see…
Accessibility: Checking the Boxes (Mostly) & a Quick Elevator Adventure…
Okay, first things first: accessibility. This stuff matters. I’m happy to report that Novotel Roissy generally gets it. They have "Facilities for disabled guests." Meaning elevators! (Whew, can't live without those.) Wheelchair accessibility is clearly labeled. That's a HUGE win. But I'm a sucker for a good, old-fashioned elevator story. The elevator at one point… well, let’s just say it took a long time to arrive. I was starting to consider rock climbing down the interior (mostly because I'd eaten too many croissants). Finally, it came, and it actually worked! So, yeah. Check the boxes, Novotel. Mostly.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitized Life
Let's be honest - post-pandemic, this is top of mind for everyone. They REALLY lean into the sanitization. "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items" – the whole shebang. I even saw a staff member, masked and gloved (good!), spraying down a chair with what I assume was industrial-strength unicorn tears. (Just kidding, folks! Probably a good disinfectant.) The "Room sanitization opt-out available" gives you a little control, which is always nice. So, you know… you feel safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Croissants, Coffee, and the Quest for a Great Cocktail
Okay, now the serious stuff. FOOD. This is where things get… mixed. They have a TON of options. "Restaurants", a "Bar", "Poolside bar" (we'll get to the pool later). They offer "Asian breakfast" and "Western" ones– which is good for all types of travelers. And of course, a "Breakfast [buffet]"! (Because, honestly, who doesn’t love a breakfast buffet, even if they’re terrified of how many calories they’re about to consume?).
The buffet? Well, it’s fine. Typical hotel fare. Plenty of pastries (thank the heavens!), scrambled eggs (a bit sad, tbh), and all the coffee you can handle. Now, about that coffee. They describe the option as "Coffee/tea in restaurant." The issue? Let's just say my first cup was… thin. Like, desperately-needs-a-vacation-in-Paris thin. The second cup was better. Success!!
But the true highlight? The "Happy hour" at the bar. Okay, maybe it wasn't the highest-quality cocktails, but the staff was friendly (and spoke English, which is always a bonus for a struggling phrase-booker like myself). I sat there, nursing a (slightly too sweet) cocktail, looking out at… well, the airport. It’s not exactly the Eiffel Tower view, but hey – it was relaxing.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Bad, and the Elevator (Again?)
They offer almost everything you could possibly want, including "Business facilities," "Concierge," "Currency exchange," and even "Invoice provided" (yay!). "Daily housekeeping" was on point. The rooms were clean, tidy, and generally lovely.
But the "Elevator" thing comes into play again, and honestly, the wait times seemed to vary wildly. Sometimes it was quick, sometimes I started wondering if I should learn how to French-climb the stairwell….
The "Luggage storage" was a lifesaver when I had an early flight, and the “Free Wi-Fi” in all rooms and “Internet access – wireless” and “Internet access – LAN” worked like a charm, which is a godsend for any digital nomad or someone, like me, who needs to check their Instagram every 15 minutes.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun?
“Family/child friendly” is obviously a big selling point for families. They offer "Babysitting service," and "Kids meal," which I’m sure is a relief for parents traveling with little ones. (Though, as a childless individual, I can only speculate on its merits.) Honestly, from what I observed, it seemed like a very family-friendly place.
Available in all Rooms: A Room with a View… of Comfort!
The rooms are, as advertised, comfortable. "Air conditioning," "Free bottled water," "Hair dryer," "In-room safe box," "Satellite/cable channels," "Wi-Fi [free]" - they've got it all. The "Blackout curtains" are a necessity if you're trying to sleep off jet lag (which I was definitely doing). The bed was comfy, and the "wake-up service" (which I needed) was perfectly prompt. I am grateful for the "shower" and "separate bathtub." I could have stayed in there for the whole trip.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Pool, Spa, and… more Pool!
This is where Novotel Roissy actually shines. They have a "Swimming pool [outdoor]" and "Pool with view", "Gym/fitness," and a "Spa/sauna." Now, I fully believe that a hotel can be judged on its pool alone. And this one? Pretty good. It was clean, inviting, and a massive relief on a warm afternoon. (Okay, it wasn't exactly a Parisian pool. More a "pool that might be in Florida" pool, but hey, I take what I can get.) Definitely a highlight of my trip.
I didn't have much time to really indulge in the spa, but I did sneak a peek and it looked very tempting, with a "Sauna”, and a “Steamroom”. Maybe next time!
Getting Around: Transportation Tango
"Airport transfer" available? YES. Thank the heavens. After a long flight, the last thing you want to do is navigate public transport or a taxi. "Car park [free of charge]" is another bonus if you're driving. They even have "car power charging stations"!
The Verdict? A Solid Parisian Base Camp
Look, the Novotel Roissy isn't perfect. The elevator sometimes takes a nap, the coffee could be better, and the view isn't always postcard-worthy. But overall, it's a comfortable, convenient, and well-equipped hotel that makes a great base for exploring Paris (or just recovering from a long flight). It's got a great pool, they take cleanliness seriously, and the staff are generally helpful and polite. I'd go back!
Now, for the hard sell…
Tired of Airport Hotels That Feel Like… Well, Airport Hotels? Craving a Taste of Paris Before You Even Get to Paris?
Here’s My Offer: Unlock Your Parisian Dreams with Novotel Roissy!
Book your stay at the Novotel Roissy NOW and get ready for:
- Effortless Parisian Access: Stress-free airport transfers and convenient location, so you can hit the ground running (or strolling) towards those famous landmarks!
- Unwind in Style: Dive into our inviting outdoor pool, melt away stress in our sauna, and enjoy a cocktail at our bar – because you deserve it!
- Guaranteed Comfort & Cleanliness: Relax in your spacious, well-appointed room with free Wi-Fi, and rest assured that we're committed to the highest standards of health and safety.
- Fuel Your Adventures: Start your day with a delicious breakfast buffet and energy for your city explorations. From the moment you arrive, our team is here to make your stay unforgettable!
- Bonus! Book now and get a complimentary bottle of wine upon check-in! (Because you've earned it!)
Don't just dream of Paris. Live it. Book your stay at Novotel Roissy today and experience the perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and access. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. (And maybe bring me some of those pain au chocolat…?)
Click here to book your Parisian getaway and start your adventure! [Insert Booking Link Here]
**Ibis Budget Blois Centre: The BEST Budget Hotel in Blois? (Shocking Review Inside!)**
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered vacation plan. This is the raw, slightly-burnt-toast, "did I remember my toothbrush?" REALITY of my trip to the Novotel Roissy Saint-Witz. Buckle up, this is gonna be a bumpy ride.
Subject: Operation Paris & Panic (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Baguette)
Dates: Let’s just say… around November. The exact dates are lost in a haze of airport anxiety and croissant crumbs.
Destination: Novotel Roissy Saint-Witz, France (AKA: The Hotel in the Middle of Nowhere That’s Surprisingly Convenient… sometimes…)
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (And Maybe a Tiny Croissant)
- 6:00 AM (ish) - Depart from… somewhere. Okay, I actually can't remember where I started from. See? Already a disaster. I think I packed the night before? Was it the night before? Oh god, did I forget my meds? (Note to self: Check meds.) The airport was a blur of screaming children, overpriced coffee, and the increasingly-realization I had forgotten my neck pillow. Major rookie mistake.
- 8:00 AM (approx) - Flight. The flight itself was unremarkable. I spent most of it battling the urge to scream at the person in front of me who reclined their seat with the grace of a collapsing skyscraper. I did, however, watch a truly awful rom-com that, somehow, made me feel more alone.
- Mid-afternoon - Touchdown in France! The air smells… different. Less of the stale airplane recycling, more of… something intoxicatingly foreign. Maybe the anticipation of a new adventure? Perhaps just the diesel fumes from the airport shuttle. Who knows? Either way, my internal monologue was screaming with a mix of "Oooh, France!" and "Oh god, I speak barely any French."
- Late Afternoon – Hotel Check-in Debacle: Okay, the Novotel. Picture this: a vast, vaguely corporate, yet still charming-in-a-tired-way hotel smack-bang in the middle of, well, not a lot. The check-in was a struggle. My French is, shall we say, "rusty." The lovely woman at the desk spoke perfect English, of course, but I was determined to butcher a few phrases anyway. Did I ask for "two rooms" or did I say "two rats"? I'll never know.
- Evening – The Quest for Nourishment: The buffet. Oh, the buffet. I’ve never seen so many tiny sausages in my life. I felt like I was in some sausage convention from hell. Okay, it was just a regular buffet but I did have to get a small croissant, because, well, France. It was good, even though I had to use a fork to eat it because my coordination was shot.
Day 2: Paris Daydreams & Baguette Bliss
- Morning - Attempting Public Transport: This is where things got interesting. The shuttle to the RER train station was a nail-biter. The driver seemed to think he was auditioning for a sequel to "Speed". I clung to my seat, muttering prayers in a mix of English and gibberish.
- Getting Lost… Gloriously: Paris! The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the… everything! I mean, I tried to see the main sights. But I got hopelessly, wonderfully lost. I wandered down cobblestone streets, marveling at the architecture, stopping to smell… well, something that smelled divine and I ended up buying a piece of art! My bank account is still reeling.
- Midday - Baguette Obsession: This is it. The moment I became truly French (in my head, at least). The bakery. The crust. The smell. I bought a baguette. And ate half of it. Standing on the street. Like a complete savage. No regrets. None. I felt like I had been waiting my whole life and was finally happy.
- Afternoon - The Louvre and the Lady with the Hazy Smile: I attempted to see the Mona Lisa. I use that word "attempted" loosely. The crowd was a seething mass of selfie sticks and sweaty tourists. I caught a blurry glimpse, thought "Huh, she's smaller than I imagined," and promptly retreated to a quieter gallery. I saw some other stuff. Honestly, it all blurred into a beautiful, overwhelming, slightly pretentious, haze.
- Evening - Dinner and a Little Wine: Found a cute little bistro and ordered something I hoped was chicken. It was indeed chicken. And it was delicious. The wine was even better. By the time I got back to the hotel, I was happily tipsy, ridiculously content, and convinced I could speak fluent French. (I couldn't.)
Day 3: Unexpected Adventure & Airport Anxiety
- Morning - A Walk in the Woods (Sort Of): The grounds around the Novotel, surprisingly, had a little wooded area. I went for a "walk" - more like a stumble through the fallen leaves, trying to find some semblance of nature. I came across a grumpy-looking squirrel who clearly didn't appreciate my presence.
- Midday - Postcard Panic: Found some cute postcards to send to my friends and fell into chaos attempting to find a post office and remember the address of where I was staying. I gave it a shot and made my own little mistakes.
- Afternoon - Airport Armageddon: The return trip. The shuttle was late. I freaked out. I nearly had to have a meltdown. I didn't. I mean, I wouldn't tell you if I had. The airport security line snaked around like a bored python. The check-in process involved more panicked hand gestures and French phrases. I was so relieved I couldn't feel anything but relief.
- Evening – Homebound and Humbled: Safe and sound, finally. The flight was uneventful. The whole trip felt like a dream. I looked back on my trip and I knew I would never be the same. I would carry a tiny piece of France with me. The memory of the baguette. The taste of wine. The smell of adventure. I was happy to go home.
Things I Learned:
- French people… are people: Despite my stereotypes, I actually met many lovely people.
- Baguettes fix everything.
- Airports are the seventh circle of hell.
- I need to learn more French.
- And most of all: Embrace the chaos, laugh at the mistakes, and eat the damn croissant.
Rating the Novotel:
- Comfort: Pretty comfy! The bed was soft, the shower was hot. 7/10
- Convenience: Okay, it's not exactly central to Paris. But the shuttle/train situation wasn't that bad. 6/10
- Food: The buffet was… a buffet. But the croissants… 8/10.
- Overall: It did the job and gave me a place to sleep and rest. I'd say it's good for the price. 6/10
Post-Trip Recovery:
Currently: Recovering from a post-vacation slump, already dreaming of a return trip, and planning my next baguette acquisition. This trip was a glorious mess, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Indonesian Paradise: Queen Room w/ Pool Access & 1 BR - AN121A!
Novotel Roissy: Your Parisian Fiasco... Err, I Mean Getaway! (Luxury & Comfort... Maybe?)
Prepare for liftoff… or a slightly bumpy landing. I’ve been there (multiple times), and here’s the unvarnished truth, ready or not.
Is the Novotel Roissy *really* luxurious? And what, exactly, does "luxury" even *mean* anymore?
Okay, let's be honest, "luxury" is a sliding scale, right? Coming off a ten-hour flight, ANYTHING feels luxurious. The Novotel Roissy *aims* for luxury. The lobby sparkles – lots of chrome, modern art that I frankly didn’t understand, and incredibly helpful staff (usually – more on that later). The rooms? Clean, spacious enough, and generally comfortable, with a serious emphasis on the "generally." I mean, I wouldn't kick a stay there out of bed, but let's just say I wouldn't expect to find a diamond-encrusted toothbrush on the pillow. Think of it more as "elevated airport hotel." It’s a perfectly *decent* place to collapse after a transatlantic flight. I once tripped over a rogue suitcase in the hall *wearing* a bathrobe. That wasn’t exactly luxurious, was it? Though, for the record, it *was* my fault.
Is it actually *convenient* for Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)? 'Cause that's the whole damn point.
YES. Sweet, sweet YES. That's the golden ticket of the Novotel Roissy. It's *right there*. Seriously, you can practically *smell* the jet fuel. The free shuttle is a lifesaver, especially if you, like me, have a tendency to misplace important vital documents – like a passport. I once spent a solid half hour frantically rummaging through my bag in the freezing cold trying to find my passport. The shuttle saved my bacon… and got me a desperately needed glass of wine. It *is* a little chaotic at peak times, mind you. Think of it like herding cats, but with luggage. And the drivers? Bless their hearts, they deal with *a lot*. One time, after a particularly long flight, a guy started singing loudly in French on the shuttle. It was... an experience. You'll be fine. Really, you will.
What about the food? Is the restaurant edible? (Asking for a friend, a very hungry friend.)
Okay, the restaurant. This is where things get a little... dicey. "Edible" is a fair assessment. Think, airport food, but slightly better. The breakfast buffet is pretty decent, though. Pastries, cheese, cold cuts… fuel for the day! However, I once attempted to order room service at 3 am after a delayed flight, and let’s just say the burger I received… resembled something that had possibly been left over from the Cretaceous period. On the other hand, I've had some surprisingly good meals in the restaurant, especially the salads. It's definitely hit or miss. Lower your expectations and embrace the adventure! And maybe pack some snacks. I always do. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.
Are the Staff Friendly? I've heard mixed things.
Most of the time, yes! They are generally very helpful and professional. But I've had moments. Like the time my luggage seemingly disappeared into the void upon my arrival. The staff were *very* unhelpful making the situation all the more frustrating. It took a solid hour before they even found a clue. Another time, I requested a wake-up call and... nothing. Ended up sprinting to the check-in counter in my pajamas, late for my flight. Note to self: set multiple alarms. But on the bright side, they helped me find my missing wallet once (which had a lot of cash in it. I was so grateful). So... it's a gamble. Generally they are great, but you might get a grumpy one. Just be polite, be patient, and hope for the best.
Tell me about the noise. Is it noisy? 'Cause I need sleep.
This is airport hotel life. Noise is the norm. Planes taking off and landing? Check. Other guests dragging suitcases down the hallway at 3 am? Check. The air conditioning unit that sounds like a jet engine? You guessed it, check. They provide earplugs, bless them! I always use them. But sometimes, even with earplugs, you still hear the distant rumble of a plane, or the slamming of a door, or someone else’s kid crying. Seriously consider investing in a good pair of noise-canceling headphones. I learned that lesson the HARD way. My poor brain.
What's the deal with the gym/pool/amenities? Are they worth it?
Okay so... the gym... I've seen it. It exists. I *think* I once attempted to use it, but the treadmill looked… intimidating? I swear, it was so bright and shiny that it reflected my tired face back at me. I retreated. The pool... I've *heard* there's a pool. I've never found it. (Okay, I might have been preoccupied with more important things, like the aforementioned nap). As for other amenities, there's often a business center, which I also have never seen. Basically, if you're aiming for a hardcore wellness retreat, this isn't it. If you're just exhausted and want a bed and a close proximity to the airport? You will probably survive, and that is the point.
Any tips for surviving/thriving at the Novotel Roissy?
Right, listen up, this is the crucial stuff:
- **Pack earplugs and noise-canceling headphones.** Seriously. Your sanity depends on it.
- **Download a few movies or shows.** The in-room entertainment can be, shall we say, *limited*.
- **Pack snacks. And more snacks.** You never know when you'll need a pick-me-up.
- **Be patient.** Things happen at airports. Delays are inevitable. Try to roll with it.
- **Learn a few basic French phrases.** "Bonjour," "merci," and "où est le wifi?" (where is the wifi?) will go a long way.
- **Lower your expectations about the restaurant.** Embrace the adventure.
- **Utilize the shuttle!** It's a beautiful, free, chaotic experience.
- **And most importantly... just relax.** You're in France! Even if it’s just for a layover. Embrace the chaos. You'll survive. I promise. (Probably.)
