The iconic Disneyland Hotel Paris recently reopened following an extensive renovation, and I was lucky enough to be one of the first people to experience it. It's one of those ultimate bucket list stays, and one I've always wanted to tick off my list - let alone on opening weekend!
The flagship hotel of Disneyland Paris, the sprawling building is almost as much a symbol of the park as Cinderella's Castle. An expanse of peach facades, teal awnings and rust turrets act as the threshold welcoming visitors to Magic Kingdom. Following its makeover the interiors are equally imposing. A dramatic lobby takes inspiration from the classic French castles. The overarching aesthetic is Disney royalty, from the themed suites to the regular Princess encounters. There's plenty to explore, with two large wings and a central walkway connecting the two. With two restaurants, a bar, lounges, shops, and a spa, there's little reason to ever leave - except rides, of course!
I spent two nights at the hotel over a February weekend, staying in one of the Superior rooms. I've put together a Disneyland Hotel Paris review, outlining the full hotel stay experience from rooms to dining, and the many perks that come with staying in the Disneyland complex.
Disneyland Paris Hotel 101
Getting There: From the centre of Paris, you can get the RER train to the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station, which is just a couple of minutes walk from the hotel. If you're flying, Magic Shuttle buses operate between Disneyland and the two airports.
When to Visit: In my opinion, there's no bad time to visit Disneyland! However, if you don't have kids, avoiding the school holidays would be preferable to avoid crowds. In terms of weather, Summer and shoulder season are probably your best bet - safe to say February was a little chilly! Visit during Halloween or Christmas to enjoy seasonal displays and shows in the parks.
Location: Hard to beat. You're mere yards from both parks, and some rooms even have views overlooking Cinderella's Castle.
Facilities: The hotel is equipped with an extensive spa and gym, two restaurants, a bar, lounges and shops.
Other Details: The hotel is step free, with lifts making it entirely accessible. It's extremely family friendly - I almost found myself getting broody seeing all the little Princesses revelling in the Disney magic!
Disneyland Paris Hotel Overview
The reimagined Disneyland Hotel Paris has been quite some time in the making, and it's well worth the wait. The hotels interiors celebrate the stories of royalty through the Disney franchise, with nods to all the classic Princess tales through palatial suites and themed common spaces. Even Mickey and co have been given a regal makeover!
The lobby is the standout, with an imposing bohemian crystal chandelier depicting the Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's a truly breathtaking creation. A detail I particularly liked was the Art Deco inspired reception and concierge desks, which wouldn't look out of place in a design boutique hotel.
The Disneyland Hotel Paris is spread across an East and West wing, with a walkway connecting the two. It's honestly a bit of a maze - in the two nights we stayed, I never quite got my bearings! From our room in the West Wing it was a fair bit of a walk to enter and exit from the lobby in the Eest Wing, which is something to consider if you have accessibility requirements.
Though the hotel's main draw is being so close to the parks, you'd be amiss to stay solely for this purpose. There's plenty to explore within the hotel, such as the spa, complete with pool and sauna facilities. On my stay I found it fairly quiet. I suppose most people are spending their time on the rides!
The Royal Collection boutique is the on-site shop, home to exclusive souvenirs. The product offering is actually very chic - I was tempted by a few bits! If you've got little Princesses (or Princes!), they also offer various makeover packages. Did I want one? Maybe...
If you're (sadly) too old for a makeover, never fear. The Fleur de Lys bar is mere yards away, with an extensive fairytale inspired cocktail menu. The prices are a little eye-watering, but nonetheless it's one of the best places in the area for a drink. The cocktails are on the sweeter side, so if you like fruity, floral drinks, you'll enjoy. I was a big fan of my champagne and lychee cocktail! They also offer afternoon tea, which I didn't have the opportunity to experience.
Disneyland Paris Hotel Rooms and Suites
The hotel is home to 487 rooms and suites. I stayed in a Superior room, which at 346 rooms makes up the bulk of the hotel. Though it's the most basic room type, it's far from, well, basic. Our room was an ample space, with two cosy double beds and a large bathroom. I've stayed in my fair share of shoeboxes over years of travelling, so having so much space was much appreciated. The regal theme is prevalent throughout, with rich baroque detailing and scenes from classic Disney films depicted on the walls. All in all it's tastefully done, with plenty of little Disney details that are a lot of fun to discover. My only qualm would be that the room wasn't equipped with an iron, and princesses don't want their gowns to look crumpled!
Alongside the standard rooms, the hotel also offers 18 suites. These are inspired by different Disney princesses, including Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella (pictured), and Rapunzel. If you're looking for a truly immersive experience, these suites are a really special experience, with lots of design touches that bring the stories to life. Think heavy brocades in pretty pastels, lavish gold mirrors, and plenty of fun Princess-inspired details. If I had to nit pick? I wish they'd changed out the modern phones for something more ornamental, but maybe that's just my design brain being fussy!
There are two suites that are a cut above the rest - the Princely suite and the Royal suite. The former is inspired by the live action Beauty and The Beast, whilst the latter takes its cues from Frozen. I took a quick peek around the Frozen suite (pictured), decked out in cool blue hues and nods to icy Arendelle. It boasts an incredible view out over the park - a real dream to wake up to!
Disneyland Paris Hotel Dining
The Disneyland Hotel Paris is home to two restaurants, The Royal Banquet and La Table de Lumière. The former is a buffet restaurant, and where I enjoyed most of my meals. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an extensive selection of hot and cold options. The cuisine is international, with dishes inspired by the diverse cultures celebrated in Disney stories. The standout is the seafood bar, with towers of crustaceans, including lobster, shrimp, and oysters. A very bougie experience, truly fit for a King! There's also a meat carving station with premium ingredients such as Iberico ham, and a technicolour dessert selection. You'll also get to meet Mickey and co, decked out in their regal threads!
I really enjoyed dining at The Royal Banquet. As with any buffet, some dishes are better than others, but it's got a great selection. Staff are brilliant, always on hand to help with any requests, but would you expect anything less from a Disneyland experience?
Le Table de Lumière is unsurprisingly Beauty and the Beast themed, with a focus on French fine dining. I didn't get a chance to eat here during my stay, but did take a peek inside. It's a stunning space, with the theme tastefully executed to truly transport you to the Royal Ballroom of the film. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite Disney films, so it's definitely on my bucket list for next time!
Disneyland Paris Hotel Review
It's easy to overuse the word "magical" when describing a Disney trip, but nothing else quite sums up the experience so well. My stay at the Disneyland Hotel Paris was, truly, nothing short of magical. There are just so many little details that make it such an enchanting experience. The spaces themselves are undoubtedly beautiful, with nostalgic touches, yet still modern and functional. The sprinkles of Disney magic are prevalent throughout the spaces, from the obvious, such as meet and greets, through to the subtlest of details such as characters carved into wooden accents, and featured in the carpet patterns. There are elements I think could have been taken even further, such as the previously mentioned phones, but all in all it's an elegant, sophisticated, yet accessible refurbishment.
As one of the higher budget stays in the Disneyland complex, it's definitely a special occasion experience. Of course it's very much relative to your financial situation, but it's something I think I would struggle to justify for the average Disney trip. However for a birthday or other occasion, it's worth the splurge. Though I don't have children, it's an experience that would be particularly special for little ones, as there are so many family friendly magic moments.
A perk that makes staying at Disneyland Hotel Paris worthwhile is the proximity to the parks. Not having to shlep in on the RER in the morning in definitely a massive bonus! The hour of extra magic hour is also such a game changer, for the luxury of experiencing the park without the crowds and queues.
Overall, the Disneyland Hotel Paris is a real bucket list experience. If you're looking to unleash your inner child, or for a special treat for the family, I'd highly recommend considering a stay. It's just, well, magical!
I hope this Disneyland Hotel Paris review has been helpful! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, or DM me on Instagram.
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