CDG: Paris Novotel Hotel

I don't get a lot of Paris layovers anymore, so I was pleased to head there last week. UAL now stays at the Hotel Novotel Tour Eiffel, and it was my first time there.

The hotel is located right on the Seine river on the southeast end of the Pont de Grenelle bridge. This is the one with the small version of the Statue of Liberty on the island outcropping.


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Surrounding Area
The area around the hotel is not in great shape. Across Rue Linois to the south, there are a few buildings that have been abandoned and are in disrepair. The blight is certainly not the best that Paris has to offer. The nearest Metro station (pdf map) is the Charles Michels stop on the yellow #10 line. Enter on the south corner of Rue Linois and Rue Saint-Charles. The #10 has convenient no transfer service to Latin quarter - get off at Cluny/La Sorbonne on the train heading towards Gare d'Austerlitz. The Eiffel Tower is about a 15 minute walk from the Hotel. The Monoprix grocery store is just one block from the hotel down Rue Linois. If bowling suits you, there's an alley in the hotel tunnel entrance street (Rue Gaston de Caillavet).

Rooms
The rooms are sparse but adequate. Typical euro-style. The bed was two very narrow single beds put side to side. It seemed narrower than a regular full size, as I could barely turn over without falling out. That aside, it was well appointed with clean linens and was otherwise quite comfy. There is a pay fridge and safe. Here's something funny, the toilet has two flushing modes appropriately activated by a small button or a large button. Nice clean 'rainwater' type of shower.

The Crew Room
The crew lounge is where you go to first get your room keys. It's well appointed and dedicated to crew use. There is a fridge/microwave/kitchenette on one side with a bank of 5 computers on the other. Be sure to label your items in the fridge. It was quite a hoppin' place at around 7pm. Lot's of folks brought a bottle of wine, and a bagette or two with cheeses stuff. It does not have music, so if you have speakers for your iPod, this is a great place to crank 'em up.

Fitness Center
The fitness center is worth the trek. The machines are well maintained and there is enough variety to get all your muscle groups worked. The 15m pool is just barely long enough to get in a swim workout, as long as you don't push off too hard on the sides and coast halfway across on each lap. It a little confusing the first time to get there. On the lobby level, you'll go towards the river. There is a connecting corridor to the left of the escalators. You'll go up about 3 flights of stairs, but hey, you're working out anyway! The signs sometimes just say Pool (Piscine in French), but the gym is of course co-located.



Well, that's it. Please let me know if you've visited any restaurants in the area, and if they have any good deals for crew members. Thanks! Tim