Sometimes, no matter how great a destination you’re visiting, it just makes sense to stay overnight at a hotel near the airport. That’s what happened to me during a recent visit to Paris, France. After a week at an eco-friendly property on the far southern edge of the city, I had an early morning flight to Austria.
On my way home to Arizona from Austria, I had another overnight stay in Paris, arriving late in the evening and departing on another morning flight. So instead of worrying about oversleeping, traffic, or outrageous taxi fares, I chose to spend each night at an airport hotel. The first was at the INNSiDE by Meliá Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport; the other was at the Moxy Paris Charles de Gaulle Aéroport.
Easy Airport Access
Because I was only staying for one night on each end of my trip, I wanted to find a hotel that was reasonably priced and with easy access to the terminals. Like all airports, Charles de Gaulle is surrounded by multiple hotels, most of which are in the nearby township of Roissy-en-France. But while the airport does not have any accommodations inside the terminals, as some do, it does have a campus of properties on its grounds, just south of Terminal 1, that’s adjacent to parking and steps from a stop for the free inter-terminal shuttle.
If the INNSiDE or Moxy aren’t your speed, there’s also a Holiday Inn Express, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, and Hotel Mercure. A second grouping of properties, also accessible by the shuttle, is located north of Terminal 2.
To get to these hotels, simply hop onto the CDG Val shuttle, which stops at the arrival hall in each terminal. The stop for the INNSiDE and Moxy is the Parking PR station, which is one stop from Terminal 1. Once you exit the station, you’ll take a short walk across a couple of parking lots, and then you’ll come to the hotels. People are always coming to and from the station and the airport, so the area is well-lit and safe, even for a single female traveler.
Night 1: INNSiDE by Meliá
I’ve stayed at a number of modern minimalist hotels, including Moxy, Yotel, and Eklo properties. So, I decided to try the INNSiDE and see how it compared.
The INNSiDE opened at Charles de Gaulle in April 2019. It offers 266 rooms and 10 lofts. I booked a standard king, which cost 100 Euros, including taxes. I arrived around 8 p.m., and instantly noticed how quiet the lobby was. A father and son were playing table tennis, and a small group gathered at the bar, but overall, the hotel felt almost empty.
Check rates for INNSiDE by Meliá at Paris Charles de Gaulle online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
In addition to the ping-pong table, the lobby features some arcade games, an air hockey table, and a small bocce court. There’s also a small grab-and-go section for snacks and drinks. Because I was coming from central Paris, I had brought food with me, so I didn’t visit the hotel’s bar or restaurant.
My room reminded me of a Yotel. When you walk in, you’re greeted with a shiny white free-standing bathroom vanity with a floating mirror. If you’re staying in this room, you’d better like your roommate, because the shower is a frosted-glass stall that opens directly into the room. The toilet, however, is separated by a door, so there is at least privacy there. Across from the “bathroom” is a shelving unit that houses a safe, a coffee station, and a mini fridge.
The decor is simple: basic white linens, a padded headboard with a lighted border, a small bistro-style table with two chairs and a charging station, and a wall-mounted TV. The color palette is beige and white, with white walls and a brown ceiling, dark brown drapes, and a pop of orange from the vanity mirror.
My only complaint is that there aren’t any charging ports next to the bed. I also couldn’t find any accessible outlets near the bed. So, I had to make sure my phone was fully charged before I went to sleep, and I topped it off in the morning before I headed to the terminals. Otherwise, the room was comfortable, clean, and quiet — everything you need for a good night’s rest.
Night 2: Moxy
On my return to Paris, I decided to try another hotel of a similar price and style. Like the INNSiDE, the Moxy opened in 2019, and it offers 292 rooms. And just like my stay at the INNSiDE, I arrived around 8 p.m. But I didn’t walk into a quiet property. Instead, the lobby was crowded and loud, filled with travelers eating, drinking, and socializing. The check-in counter is at the bar. It’s also where guests purchase items from the grab-and-go snack area, so there was a line of people with suitcases and handfuls of ramen containers.
The lobby is split into two areas, with the elevators dividing the large space. To the right of the elevators is the bar and restaurant, along with some table games. To the left is a living room-style seating area with a fireplace, co-working tables, and an office center.
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I stayed in a room with a single queen-size bed. It cost me 98.40 Euros, with taxes.
Check rates for Moxy at Paris Charles de Gaulle online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
While the lobby is livelier, the guest room is cozier than the one at the INNSiDE. Still minimalist, it features a black, white, and gray color palette. The floors are covered with gray-striped carpeting, and the bed includes a large built-in wood-and-padded leather headboard. Illuminated glass shelves serve as nightstands, with electrical outlets and USB ports right next to the bed. Another glass table with more outlets and USB ports offers a desktop workspace, complete with a red padded cube ottoman for seating. The pop of color is complemented by the fun, graphic wallpaper in the closet nook that showcases Paris travel-themed designs in black and white with hot pink accents. A leather midcentury modern-style lounge chair offers a comfy space to watch TV.
The bathroom is a separate room with a proper door for privacy. It includes a glass-enclosed shower, a large vanity with plenty of space for toiletries, and a toilet. And unlike the INNSiDE, there is no coffee station, mini fridge, or safe in the room.
This time, I didn’t have any food with me, so I headed back to the bar and placed an order for some pasta. I also stopped by the grab-and-go for some snacks and soda. In addition, all guests receive a complimentary drink from the bar on check-in. This can be the brand’s signature “Got Moxy” cocktail, a beer, or a glass of wine.
If You Go
If you’re looking for a low-cost yet modern place to stay at Charles de Gaulle airport, you can’t go wrong with either the INNSiDE or Moxy. Both start at about 100 Euros for a standard room, but each has its pluses and minuses, depending on your individual needs. The INNSiDE is more sedate. I noticed that a lot of flight staff stay there. The Moxy, on the other hand, caters to a younger party crowd. But the rooms at both are quiet and comfortable. Either is perfect for a quick overnight before an early-morning flight.
