I've written an article for the Photos Magiques blog (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/blog/2012/12/07/hipark-residences-serris-val-deurope/) which is quite interesting for our magicforum members too, especially those who want to stay visit Disneyland Paris and save up some money. Visit the blog for more photos!
So a brand new "aparthotel" recently opened in Val d'Europe. We booked a stay for past weekend, not knowing it was actually opening day on Saturday! After exchanging a few tweets with the official HiPark Résidences twitter account, I was able to arrange a tour of the hotel. Upon arrival, it turned out that the hotel manager himself, Emmanuel Darmouni, would guide us around and show us all the different room types and the hotel's amenities. And he was doing this with great pride!
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Our tour started obviously in the lobby which feels quite intimate and relaxing. A kids' corner is located across the reception desk and nearby an internet and business corner, equipped with computers and a few LAN cables for those who prefer to bring their own laptop. Free internet is provided in the business corner, as well as free Wifi throughout the hotel and guest rooms.
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The hotel is build around a courtyard that features an outdoor swimming pool. Mr. Darmouni pointed out the various safety systems. The pool cover is designed that it can hold a person if he would accidentally step on it. There's also an emergency button that shuts down the water filtering system in case someone would get stuck.
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Other leisure activities include a spacious sauna and gym room, free to use for hotel guests. There's also a room for guests wishing to book a massage.
The breakfast room feels very loungy with modern furniture and lighting fixtures, all design elements that return in the guest rooms.
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There are three meeting rooms as well. The largest can be used as an additional breakfast room in case additional capacity is needed. Business users that have booked a meeting room can use a private courtyard for their breaks.
Guest roomsThere are 3 room categories: studios, suites and family suites (each are upgradable to the larger "executive" version).
A studio (up to 2 guests) is equipped with a pull out sofabed, kitchen and bathroom.
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A suite (up to 4 guests) features a separate bedroom, a living room with pull out sofabed, dining table, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom.
A family suite (up to 8 guests) is similar to a suite, with the exception that it features a connecting room.
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Certain amenities like dish washer products, cleaning of the room, etc. are not included in your stay, but can be purchased as an extra. A full price list is presented in each guestroom.
ConclusionThere are several aparthotels in the surrounding area of Disneyland Paris (think Residhome, Park & Suites, ...), but what puts the apart in this particular "aparthotel"? First of all, the overall design definitely makes it stand out and the perks like a swimming pool, sauna and free wifi are a welcome addition after a long day at theme parks. But what makes this hotel really particular is its location! It's very close to the Place Toscane which gives access to the Val d'Europe shopping center with its Auchan supermarket (perfect for those guests that prefer to cook their own meals). But it's also not too far away from the Disneyland Paris resort hub!
If you're familiar with the surrounding area, it's located right behind the Val d'Europe police station, almost at the beginning of the Avenue Paul Séramy (which ends at the Vinci Parking Lot and the Imax Theater). If you're not willing to spend money on the RER, parking lot or bus (there's a public bus stop right in front of the door), a walk of approximately 20 minutes isn't too bad!
More information:[li]Hipark Résidences offcial website (//http://www.hipark-residences.com/)
[/li][li]Hipark Résidences on Twitter (//https://twitter.com/HiparkResidence)
[/li][li]More photos on the Photos Magiques blog[/li][/list] (//http://www.photosmagiques.com/blog/2012/12/07/hipark-residences-serris-val-deurope/)