On my way from Saint-Malo on the coast of France to Valletta, Malta, I had to go from train to plane. As Massy TGV, just outside Paris, was both a stop for the train coming in from Brittany, and for the train going to the Charles de Gaulle airport, I figured it would make for an easy transition, and decided to find a hotel close by. As I came a bit late to the party, a.k.a. booking late, All Suites Apart Hotel Massy Palaiseau was the cheapest I could find. When you add the quite expensive taxi ride from the train station (could be I got scammed…), I could just as well have booked a hotel across the road. However, when I was leaving the next morning, I discovered there was a train station, Palaiseau RER, a mere 5 minute walk away. So considering it takes 30 minutes to reach central Paris, if there is a commuter fare or such available, would it be an option to stay out here? And would those 30 minutes of travel time be ok? It is in fairness how long it takes me to get to the office every day. You would need to be self-sufficient, as there didn’t look to be anything around. More of a residential area. But then again, I didn’t see much of it. Solution is, this is an apartment hotel, meaning the room has a kitchenette. When travelling I usually spend most of the day out and about, leave in the morning, and get back in the early evening, so this might actually be an option to consider when I’m in town for a longer time. And, yes, the hotel is good. There is a small, but nice, common area / bar next to the reception, staff members welcoming you with a genuine smile, strikes me it doesn’t happen often…, and a vending machine like thing with a limited selection of food and drinks and some other necessities.
It takes 1 hour and 15 minutes from Palaiseau RER to Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is close to Orly Airport, and on the same side of town as Versailles. Back to the taxi incident. Upon exiting Massy TGV I found myself at a taxi rank. It looked official, but I found the trip to be more expensive, and longer, than I had anticipated… It turned out to be within a fixed rate zone… Who knows.
Website: allsuites-apparthotel.com/hotel-residences/all-suites-appart-hotel-Palaiseau
