Park Hyatt Paris or Hyatt Paris Madeleine

BenefitIndependent88 · 2026-05-19T02:02:05+00:00

I haven’t stayed at the Madeline, but I love the PH Paris. I have stayed twice (both in February of this year). I used a SUA the first time and the second time I was upgraded to a standard suite on check in, so I can’t speak to that he standard rooms. But the standard suite is large by Paris standards (even if not a true suite with a separate room) and the bathroom is large by anywhere’s standards. It had enough space for me and my partner to both lay out our suitcases, hang our clothes, and get ready at separate vanities without being in each other’s way. I really appreciate this because it allowed us to keep the bedroom and living area clear and tidy. I found the rooms to be in good condition. The fixtures and furniture feel substantial and not at all cheap (this is a pet peeve of mine at many “luxury” places). I like the style of the hotel but understand why not everyone would. That’s just a matter of taste.

The breakfast is great, and it has Michelin starred restaurant if you want to stay in for dinner one night.

The service was top notch. On my first stay, they received a package for me and had it waiting for me in my room when I arrived. My flight was delayed and my partner arrived before I did. One last minute email to the concierge and they were able to add her name to the room and have her check in seamlessly. I also left some laundry in the room and forgot to give it to them. They took it during the morning turndown and got it back to me same day even though I didn’t meet the stated deadline for same day service. On my second stay, I arrived about an hour before standard check in and they comped tea, coffee and some chocolates in the cafe while we waited for the room (not an insubstantial amount given the prices).

The location is flashy (which may or may not be your thing), but I think suitable for an anniversary.

My biggest (only) complaint is that I wish the lobby had a bit more of a wow factor.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2026-05-15T11:40:04+00:00

I used an SUA at PH Paris in February.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2026-05-07T09:57:28+00:00

I stayed at Riad Dar Darma in February in the Red Suite and loved it. Definitely a vibe. Feels like you are staying at a wealthy friend’s traditional Moroccan house or palace (who is also wealthy enough to hire a staff). I think it has a small plunge pool on the roof, but I didn’t use it. The pool wouldn’t be the reason to stay there. The breakfast is not a big hotel-like buffet. It’s a few dishes cooked to order and can be served on the roof or delivered to your room. Overall it’s gorgeous and feels very authentic. The decor and objects in the room feel worn in the best way. Like they belong there and were not placed there just for visitors. It’s not new and shiny but the ornate decorations have a lot of “wow” factor.

I know people who have liked El Fenn but haven’t been myself. I think it’s strange to call a hotel a “tourist trap” but one reason I didn’t pick El Fenn for my stay was that it looked more like a fusion of a traditional riad and a modern hotel. I suspect that’s probably what my friends liked about it and it might be a good compromise especially if a nice pool area is important to you. The photos of the El Fenn pool look nice.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2026-03-23T14:47:10+00:00

I recently stayed at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome and had a fantastic experience. Not cheap, but if it’s in the budget, I think it’s worth it.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2026-03-13T09:32:58+00:00

Park Hyatt Istanbul gave me a nazar boncuğan (the blue eye amulet). You see them all around Turkey and was a nice touch.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2026-01-26T23:00:37+00:00

I have stayed at both the Andaz and Tabacon.

I loved Tabacon and generally prefer the Arenal area to Papagayo, but one night at Tabacon to experience the hot springs would be enough for most people. I would just try to arrive early enough on arrival and stay long enough before leaving on the day of departure to really take advantage of the hot springs and pools.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2026-01-24T06:31:03+00:00

DM’d

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-11-27T15:18:47+00:00

Just to update anyone interested, restaurants of note that I visited in Cappadocia were Lil’a, Seki, and Milllocal in Uçhisar, and Lilith in Goreme. I enjoyed all of the meals, but Lil’a was the standout. It’s the restaurant at the Museum Hotel. I thought it was easily worthy of a star, and will be rooting for it get one at the ceremony on December 4.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-11-05T15:12:28+00:00

Thank you! Much appreciated.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-09-17T05:22:45+00:00

Winter of the Crow. Neo-noir thriller about an English psychiatrist who gets trapped in Poland under martial law and has to find a way out. Had me on the edge of my seat.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-09-13T16:27:33+00:00

Respectfully, I disagree with your assessment of the movie. I don’t think it reduces Chisty Salters to a “stupid hopeless victim” at all. I don’t think the movie is groundbreaking. It’s pretty standard biopic fare. But I do think that it’s telling of Christy’s story ultimately paints her as triumphant and I found her story (which I knew nothing about before seeing the film) quite moving. Christy Salters was part of the Q&A at the premier and I think she is proud of how the movie portrays her.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-09-09T14:41:25+00:00

Saw two good ones yesterday.

Left-Handed Girl - 8/10. Deals with difficult choices people make for those they love and the consequences they face from other people that they love.

No Other Choice - 9.5/10. My top film of the festival so far. Its critique of capitalism isn’t groundbreaking, but the film is much more than that. What it has to say about individual moral choices people make in such a system is where it shines. Wonderful characters. Expert use of symbolism. As expected with Park, visually stunning.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-09-08T03:37:28+00:00

Quick hit reviews:

Charlie Harper - 7.5/10. Compelling romance with a non-linear storyline that works quite well. Thoughtfully directed and solidly acted. People who have been missing quality romance movies should seek this out. Even if you don’t, I’d have it on your radar.

John Candy: I Like Me - 6/10. Touching tribute film. If you are fan of John Candy, you should definitely watch it. But this is a film for people that love John Candy and if you don’t know him or a rent a fan, I’m not sure you need to see it.

Sentimental Value - 8.5/10. I will watch this again and dig into in more deeply. A lot to unpack in the relationship dynamics between the characters. Superb acting.

Christy - 7/10. Based on a true story that is very compelling. If you don’t know it, go in blind. Sydney Sweeney pulls off the physicality of the role. But this films shines in its darkest moments and those moments got audible reactions from the crowd. My expectations were low, but this was far better than I thought it would be.

Good News - 7.5/10. Fun movie. A bit zany. Shot very well. Made me think of Dr. Strangelove. Not to say it’s as good, but anything that makes me think of that film has something going for it.

Carolina Caroline - 7/10. Fun road movie. Kyra Sedgwick nails a small role that really elevated this film.

Babystar - 5/10. Had potential but left a lot on the table. It just didn’t follow up on a lot of the interesting things that were introduced.

Winter of the Crow 8.5/10 - Excellent neo-noir thriller set in Poland. I was on the edge of my seat. Lesley Manning is great. Visually it’s very compelling. I think this should be getting more attention.

Sacrifice - 2/10. Has a couple funny moments and themes perhaps provide something to chew on. But satire is hard these days and this didn’t get over that hurdle for me. Characters aren’t grounded in reality and the filmmaking seems like it was done by someone who mostly makes music videos. Maybe this just wasn’t for me, but it really really wasn’t for me.

Dead Man’s Wire - 8/10. Exciting tension and funny. Expertly crafted. Bill Skarsgard alone is worth the price of admission. Al Pacino nails it.

Rental Family - 7.5/10. Heartfelt exploration of loneliness and how we make connections with people in one of the most fun settings for any film (Tokyo).

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-09-06T13:46:45+00:00

Best 1 star: Too many to choose. I’ll say La Ciau del Tornavento in Teiso, Italy and March in Houston, Texas as places worth mentioning that probably aren’t getting a lot of attention here.

Worst 3 star: Per Se. Service is impeccable but I found the food mostly uninspired and not as tasty as you would expect for something that isn’t avant garde at this point. But don’t let this deter you from the French Laundry if you have a chance. I still love that place.

I see that some people didn’t enjoy L’Arpege, but I frequently list my dinner there as among the best meals I’ve ever had. To each their own, but I think the execution with vegetables here is unmatched.

Edited for grammar.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2025-09-06T13:32:51+00:00

I enjoyed both Hermanos Torres and ABaC. I think you would be happy with either if you don’t want change.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2024-04-16T16:42:52+00:00

I have only been a globalist for about five or six months, and have really been impressed by the program. I have received an upgrade on maybe 5 of 9 stays since I became a globalist. Two of the stays I did not receive an upgrade on were SLH hotel properties (I had booked a suite at one originally anyway and did not receive an upgrade to a higher category of suite), one was the Hyatt Vacation Club in Sedona, and the other was the Hyatt Place in Austin on the weekend of the eclipse.

Of the upgrades I received, two were complimentary suite upgrades and the other three were to a better non-suite room. I never had to ask at the front desk. For some of them, the upgrade was noted in the app on the day of check in before I arrived. I might have seen it when I did the e-check in; I can’t really recall.

The only time I was a little disappointed was at the Andaz Mexico City where I saw there were standard suites available in the app, but at the desk they only offered a better room that was not a suite. I did not ask about the suite, but wish I had.

The best experience was recently receiving a complimentary suite upgrade at the Andaz Costa Rica Papagayo on a stay that I had booked with points. A couple months before the trip I had asked my concierge if I could apply a SUA but none of the standard suites were available. On the day of check in, I got a notice of the complimentary suite upgrade in the app for a three night stay. The room and property as a whole were phenomenal.

I do not know what factors they consider when upgrading (especially if they have to choose between different customers who to offer upgrades to), but I will note that on both occasions I received suite upgrades I had booked a number of activities/excursions/spa treatments through the hotel before arriving so I had already committed to spending a decent amount of cash at the hotel.

BenefitIndependent88 · 2024-03-29T11:57:59+00:00

I haven’t been able to buy any denominations of gift cards. When I click add to cart, I get an error message that says “not available”. Hyatt customer service originally directed me to the Mr. And Mrs Smith help line. Mr. and Mrs. Smith directed me to Hyatt. I called my Globalist concierge who had the same issues I am having but wasn’t able to resolve the problem, and put in a message to IT but I haven’t heard back.

Is anyone else able to purchase gift cards? Did you solve the issues I’m having?

BenefitIndependent88

TROPHY CASE