Airport hotels are usually chosen for practical reasons. A flight leaves early, lands late, or creates an overnight connection that is too long to spend in a terminal but too short to justify traveling into the city.
That was the role of ibis Paris CDG Airport during our stay. My wife and I stayed at the ibis before and after a Luxury Barge canal cruise with European Waterways. Unlike that experience, what the ibis offers is convenience, not luxury.
Location at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
The hotel sits opposite Terminal 3, close to the CDGVAL station and the Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 RER B station. Although the name suggests a Paris hotel, it is important to understand that this property is at Charles de Gaulle Airport, well outside central Paris.
For an overnight stop before or after a flight, that is its greatest advantage. For several days of sightseeing in Paris, it would be a less practical choice.
Charles de Gaulle airport is enormous. The terminals are not arranged around a compact central building where passengers can simply walk from one to another in a few minutes. Terminal 2 alone is divided into multiple sections, including 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, and the more distant Terminal 2G. We did a lot of walking and took one free airport train to get from our international flight to the hotel.
When planning an early departure, I recommend identifying the exact terminal listed by the airline rather than assuming that “Terminal 2” tells you everything you need to know.
Getting Into Central Paris
The RER B station is one of the hotel’s other major transportation advantages. From Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 1 station, RER B trains travel toward Gare du Nord. You can get from the airport to the train station in about 30 minutes, but you are still not near any of the major sites of Paris. You can take the metro from there, but be prepared to carry your luggage up or down some stairs.
Arrival and Public Spaces
Ibis Paris CDG Airport is much larger than the small economy hotels sometimes associated with the ibis name.
The large lobby has to accommodate a continuous flow of airline crews, families, tour groups, conference participants, and individual travelers arriving with luggage. Its design reflects that purpose.
The lobby often has a line of people checking in. Early in the morning, a number of people hang out in the lobby because it is too early for them to check in.
There are multiple seating areas, a bar, a coffee bar, vending machines, and foosball tables. There is also a “water bar” where you can refill your water bottle. You need to use a room key to unlock the restrooms in the lobby.
The atmosphere is active. This is not a hushed boutique hotel where only a few guests pass through reception during the evening. People arrive and depart throughout the day, often carrying suitcases, checking flight details on the monitors, meeting colleagues, or looking for dinner.
Business Center and Meeting Facilities
The hotel is well equipped for business travelers and airport-based meetings.
It has 13 meeting rooms, along with business facilities and good Wi-Fi throughout the property. That may not be a major consideration for a leisure traveler, but it explains the hotel’s scale. This is not simply a building filled with small bedrooms. It functions as a transportation hotel, conference venue, restaurant complex, and meeting point.
Rooms at Ibis Paris CDG Airport
The hotel offers several room configurations, ranging from compact standard rooms for two people to family rooms accommodating as many as six guests. Our room had a bed, a private bathroom, air conditioning, a television, Wi-Fi, and just enough space to get organized before traveling.
Standard double rooms are compact, at around 13 square meters. Travelers familiar with European economy hotels will not find that surprising, but guests arriving with several large suitcases should expect to use the available floor space carefully.
The room design is straightforward. This is not a hotel selected for elaborate furnishings, decorative antiques, or expansive bathrooms. The emphasis is on a dependable place to sleep close to the airport.
Our room had good soundproofing, which is pretty important for an airport hotel.
The private bathroom is compact, but functional. It includes a shower, toilet, sink, towels, and basic toiletries.
Food and Dining
One of the hotel’s strongest practical features is the variety of food available inside the building.
Airport surroundings can become surprisingly inconvenient when it is time to eat. A hotel may appear close to several other buildings on a map, but highways, service roads, restricted areas, and pedestrian barriers can make a simple dinner more complicated than expected.
At ibis Paris CDG Airport, I did not need to leave the hotel in search of a meal.
La Terrasse
La Terrasse serves traditional French food in a casual restaurant setting. The menu provides an opportunity to have a full meal without returning to the terminal or traveling elsewhere. Vegetarian, gluten-free, reduced-salt, and children’s options may be available.
Lunch service is more limited on weekends, while dinner is generally available daily.
Pia
Pia offers Italian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes, including pasta, pizza, antipasti, and desserts. This is a useful alternative for families or travelers who prefer a familiar, informal meal. Takeaway may also be available, making it possible to eat in the room or carry food elsewhere in the hotel.
This is not the best Italian restaurant you will find in your travels, but the pizza was decent.
Coffee Spot
The Coffee Spot serves Starbucks-branded beverages, pastries, snacks, and smaller dishes.
- Guided Tours in France
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Get a universal plug adapter
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Get into top Paris sites with the Paris Megapass.
- Get a Car Rental
Breakfast
Breakfast begins early, an essential feature for an airport property. The buffet commonly starts around 5:00 a.m., which was good as my wife had an early flight.
The buffet included breads, pastries, hot drinks, cold items, fruit, dairy products, eggs, and other breakfast staples.
During peak morning periods, the dining area can become very busy. Leaving a little earlier may make breakfast and the trip to the terminal less rushed.
Facilities and Amenities
Ibis Paris CDG Airport does not have a swimming pool, spa, or full fitness center.
Paid indoor parking is available for guests arriving by car. Because parking terms and prices can change, drivers should check the current rate before booking.
Final Thoughts
The main reason to choose ibis Paris CDG Airport is not complicated: it makes Charles de Gaulle Airport easier. I have stayed at the hotel 3 times and will likely stay there again. This is not a substitute for staying in Paris. It is a practical base at one of Europe’s largest airports.
Rooms start at about $110. Check rates for ibis Paris CDG Airport online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
