I stayed in Crowne Plaza Republique Paris for my solo trip in France and here’s what I think: Review

When it comes to solo trips, especially for female travellers, safety is of foremost importance to me. For my recent solo trip to Paris, I listed several hotel contenders and decided upon the conveniently located Crowne Plaza Paris Republique, which is situated in the fashionable Marais district in the historical 3rd and 4th arrondissement. Known for its trendy boutique shopping, filled with countless dining options, it is also touted as a “must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of the City of Lights”. I have been to the Marais district during my previous trip and was impressed by its authentic Parisien vibes.

Historical monuments and surroundings

Upon arrival, I was taken in by the iconic Haussmann architectural design. I was informed by the staff that this building, built in 1865 (wow!) was originally one of the first department stores in Paris, called Les Magasins Réunis, and transformed into a hotel in 1890. Listed as a historical monument, the hotel was fully renovated in 2019, just before COVID-19 hit. I don’t know about you, but staying in a historical building with all the modern comforts a city dweller like myself is accustomed to, sounds like a match made in heaven.

While the locals were skateboarding at the lively plaza, just steps away from the hotel’s entrance, the hotel’s indoor terrace was an oasis of tranquillity – something atypical of Paris. Set in a 1,200 square metres space, the staff informed me that this sprawling area will be open during the summer, where the kitchen staff will be prepped for outdoor dining, drinking, and basking under the sun. While strolling in the indoor terrace with the gentle rays shining, it truly felt like I had chanced upon a hidden gem.

Book your Crowne Plaza Paris Republique stay at Trip.com | Agoda | Booking.com

The room and in-room amenities

When I checked in at around 4pm, the evening sun's rays cast beautiful shadows through the curtains onto the King-sized bed and filled the room with light. It was a delightful welcome for me. My Executive room faces the aforementioned interior courtyard and provided the quietness for a good night's rest. Throughout the night, there was no noise pollution which was perfect for a light sleeper like myself.

What I liked was how the toilet was separate from the bathroom, which was newly refurbished with Italian showers and a beautifully lit mirror that cast a glow on my skin. I like that the lit mirror makes it bright enough for makeup and a skincare indulgence. Isn't it just so troublesome when bathroom counters do not have adequate space for our essentials or worse, poor lighting that makes putting on makeup a chore? At Crowne Plaza Paris Republique, it has more than adequate space for my beauty essentials.

The icing on the cake? The Antipodes toiletries provided is an award-winning plant-based organic skincare. The hotel provided the complete set which includes body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. Some hotels skip the conditioner and lotion, but here Crowne Plaza ensures guests are well taken care of, which added another tick in my books!

On the same note, I was wondering about the logistics of handwashing after a toilet break. With the bathroom and tap, situated eight steps away from the toilet (yes, I counted), one would have to trudge those extra steps to get our hands sanitised. I cannot imagine if I am sharing the room with a friend. Perhaps a tiny tap in the toilet would resolve this teeny issue?

Other than that, one of the biggest plus points was the spaciousness and how well-thought-out the layout of the room was. There’s a wardrobe area, with more than enough space for two, which comes with a safe and an ironing board. Further on, there’s another cabinet for shoes and then the beverage corner with a Nespresso coffee machine, coffee capsules, tea bags, cups, and a fridge below. A lounge chair with a round table right in front of the beverage corner was practically inviting me for a round of tea time.

And that’s not all. At the corner of the bed was a higher and bigger round table suitable for working off a laptop, complete with a charging point at the side. And talking about charging points, the room has no shortage of them. I especially appreciated the ones beside my two bedside tables. Nowadays, with the number of gadgets we travel with, there’s no denying the importance of conveniently located charging points within the hotel room.

In fact, the room was so spacious, that I could even do a HIIT session in my room if I so desired! Of course, for those who do not wish to skip any workout session, there's always a gym within the hotel compound to rely on.

Food offerings

Serving both hot and cold foods, the breakfast buffet commences at 7am until 10:30am at Le Dix Restaurant within the hotel compound. What I was impressed with were the mini croissants that were baked in-house (oh so crusty and buttery soft!), as well as the availability of chia seeds and other superfoods such as healthy nuts that you could add to your meals. Of course, when in Paris, never skip the pastry section. On one of the days, I had an amazing Lemon Tart that was baked in-house, and have not forgotten how tasty it is to this day.

Elsewhere, there’s a bar that opens to both hotel guests and the public. As a business hotel, there’s a space, just beside the bar that is specially carved out for those who are working away from the office, complete with charging points.

For those who are feeling peckish in the middle of the day or night, they can also pop by the ‘minimart’ referred to as the ‘Marketplace’ on the ground floor and purchase healthy snacks (or not) to fill the belly. What’s more, a tap dispensing drinking water near the lobby makes it all the more easy to be more eco-friendly.

Interestingly and unexpectantly, the hotel also offers something called ‘The School of Life’ with books handpicked by experts in emotional intelligence. Simply head to the reception area and enquire about their curated products on wellness. There’s no better way to reset and take some time for yourself during your stay.

Top-notch service

One of the hotel's top selling points is its caring, available, and responsive team. During my 2N stay at the hotel, I had been under the care of the attentive team who were always keen to go out of their way to make my stay more pleasant. For example, when I requested an electric kettle, it was delivered to the room in no time, despite there being a coffee machine which was also able to dispense hot water. Similarly, on my first day at the hotel breakfast, the maître d'hôtel took the time to explain to me the buffet situation; where I can get my coffee, pastries, and hot food.

During my breakfast, I overheard a fellow guest requesting for a bigger room and how the room did not meet his expectations. He sounded demanding and the staff was extremely patient and professional throughout the encounter.

Location, location, location

A mere steps away from Canal Saint-Martin, the Crowne Plaza Paris Republique is extremely well-connected and stands at the junctions of three main districts which include the 3rd, 10th, and 11th districts. During my stay, it was easy to get to interesting places such as the lively theatres, buzzy eateries, trendy boutiques on the 3rd, nightlife and restaurants on the 11th as well as quick access to the Metro (a mere 100 metres away) leading to two major train stations should I be planning day trips out of Paris. There’s also a bus stop and taxi stand just steps away from the entrance. On one of the days, I even walked in less than 30 minutes to Père Lachaise Cemetery which housed the graves of famous writer Oscar Wilde and the singer Edith Piaf.

Is it worth staying at Crowne Plaza Paris Republique?

For its unbeatable location, spacious rooms, and tranquil surroundings, I had a good stay at the Crowne Plaza Paris Republique and would gladly recommend it to friends who are going solo or heading to Paris for business trips. If only the room came with a bathtub, that would have been perfect. If you, like me, do not wish to skimp on comfort, security, and convenience as a first-time solo female traveller, the Crowne Plaza Paris Republique will put you in the right mind frame to kickstart your solo trip.

Book your Crowne Plaza Paris Republique stay at Trip.com | Agoda | Booking.com

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