Review: Disneyland Hotel Paris

Why book?

If you’re planning a visit to Disneyland Paris, there’s no place more convenient or magical than this positively regal five-star property that’s footsteps from the park’s gates.

Set the scene

An easy €5 ride on the Paris Metro, in just 40 minutes, you can go from eating a baguette by the Eiffel Tower to the hotel’s entrance—and what an entrance it is. The grand exterior is undeniably and unapologetically pink; so pink and palatial, in fact, that if you’re the type of Disney adult whose heart skips a beat whenever you lay eyes on the castle, you may find yourself having a visceral reaction. Once inside, the drama continues. The focal point of the lavish lobby is a Bohemian crystal chandelier modeled off of Sleeping Beauty’s castle that sparkles like the tip of a Fairy Godmother’s wand. There’s subtler theming throughout, too, like the Belle-approved bookshelf adorned walls. You’ll be met by a Royal Greeter who’ll guide you through the check-in process and give you a personalized dossier, complete with a storybook and blank pages for your child (or, for you...) to collect autographs from the princesses who roam the halls. If you catch the timing right, you may get a performance from La Troupe Royal—jolly troubadours who lead spontaneous sing-a-longs. You may also see a tuckered-out kid or two taking respite on one of the settees, or posing for a photo at the base of the impressive staircase, but the main area is mostly a thoroughfare. Unlike many other Disney properties I’ve stayed at, there’s something almost calming about the open layout. Perhaps it helps that no sweaty shuttle bus or long haul from the parking garage is required if you’re going to and from the rides here. Home is literally at the park—just a two-minute walk, maybe three if you’ve got little legs in your crew. There aren’t as many exhausted groups in spirit jerseys and matching family Etsy tees here either, and ear headbands are less ubiquitous than they are in Orlando, but you will find the occasional grown Disneybounder and little girls whose parents splurged on new gowns at the hotel’s ritzy gift shop cosplaying as queens.

The backstory

Opened in April 1992, at the same time as Disneyland Paris, the hotel, which employs 800 Cast Members, completed a two-year renovation in January 2024. In partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios, every inch of the property was redesigned to incorporate immersive storytelling elements focused on Disney royalty with nods to historic European buildings such as Versailles and Neuschwanstein Castle. Eighty-four percent of the hotel’s suppliers—from the tapestry makers to the glass purveyors—are native to France.

The rooms

You’ll feel like you’re spending the night in a castle, except instead of the smell of musty drapes and paintings of long-dead people, the rooms are all newly refurbished. You’ll still get brocade bedding, gilded wallpaper, and a Victorian loveseat, but it’s the Disneyfied touches that truly delight. There are film portraits with LEDs that give a little show when you turn off the lights (think: Cinderella’s ball gown coming to life), a canopy that glitters and glows, and perhaps the part I most wish I could replicate in my apartment: an ultra HDTV disguised as a mirror. Of course there are also “hidden Mickeys,” or in the case of my room, Sebastian attached to the top of the antique-looking bathroom mirror, and a genie lamp incorporated into the carpet design. And although after spending 12 hours at the park, you could rest your head on a piece of cardboard and still sleep well, the mattress happens to be super comfortable. Some of the suites have balconies so you can take your morning cuppa outside (there’s complimentary coffee in each room) while peering at pops of pinks and the twinkles from the hotel’s facade. The highest-tiered suites have castle views. However, if you’d prefer to save listening to the endemic park sounds until you’re actually there, you may wish to keep the French doors closed.

The most luxe offerings are the 41 Castle Club rooms on the top two floors where the Imagineers really flex. In the Sleeping Beauty suite, you’ll find Aurora’s dress tricked out with color-changing lights. In the icy-toned Frozen suites, you’ll be swept away to Arendelle, and in the baroque Beauty and the Beast room, guests can store their clothes in a recreation of the Wardrobe from the animated classic. They’ll also find the Enchanted Rose, to name a few whimsical nods to the beloved movies. While these might make guests gasp, the more modest rooms are still special in their own right.

Food and drink:

Let’s start where all good meals do—with an aperitif. The entrance to the Fleur de Lys Bar is marked by a cathedral ceiling, a crown-shaped banquette, and walls that give the appearance of a looking glass, all designed with CEMAD, a French family-owned business that’s been in operation since 1877. Inside, you’ll find a long list of photogenic Champagne cocktails (“because after all, Miss, this is France”) but for the hefty price (they average around €25), you may wish to opt for drinks with more of a kick, like the well-balanced Old Fashioned. What really stands out about this lounge, though, are the views of the lights from the Fantasia Gardens.

Post libations, if consorting with characters is what you’re after, the Royal Banquet Buffet Restaurant serves up a proper feast for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Paintings and tapestries—designed by artisans at Tissage des Flandres, where textiles have been woven for over a century—depict Disney families. As for food, you’ll find a meat carving station, and your share of Mickey-eared shaped dishes (most notably the crispy potato croquettes), but it’s the opulent raw bar that’s the real showpiece. Of course, it’s supping with Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, and Pluto, all clad in their most regal finery, that makes this meal memorable. They generously circulate for your entire stay and will take as many selfies as your party desires. (Pro tip: Wear your ears and you’ll get extra attention.)

For contemporary French fine dining, there’s La Table de Lumière—a Beauty and the Beast-themed, Versailles-inspired restaurant ornamented with mirrors and chandeliers. Pull up a seat at one of the tables that overlook the castle and enjoy polite conversation with the many highly improv-trained characters that drop by between courses. Belle, her Prince, and Ariel and Eric were especially gracious when interrogated by our crew of four adults who had overindulged in the Champagne pairings. For the €120 prix fixe dinner, you’ll get a starter (we loved the rich mushroom velouté), an entree (the stars are the seared filet of sole with black truffle and the beef), and dessert. The sleeper hit was the vegan coconut aloe vera emulsion with fresh mango and chocolate puffed rice. I was reluctant to end on anything other than cake, but when our impassioned waiter told us that his mother adored the above so much that she literally cried, I couldn’t let him down.

The service

Nattily clad in French-made jacquard fabric, the Cast Members here, who represent 40 nationalities, were abundantly friendly and seemed hellbent on making the children and the children at heart feel like royalty, offering white-gloved and attentive service.

The neighborhood

Situated on what’s effectively a Disney campus, you’re within a 10-minute walk of the two parks and the Marvel-themed Hotel New York. (FYI: The sleek Skyline Bar whips up a reasonably priced martini.) In Disney Village, there’s also a shopping area, and more affordable restaurants like the retro Annette’s Diner and the Royal Pub where a pint will only set you back €5 during happy hour (which is essentially free by Disney standards). But, if you do decide that Remy's Ratatouille Adventure isn’t enough Paris for you, should you choose to explore the real thing, you can zoom in and out of the city with the same ease of monorail ride between Orlando parks.

For families

If you want to uplevel the Amazon Elsa dress you packed for your toddler, book a fairytale makeover at the hotel’s salon where they can get a proper prince or princess glow-up and an ornate costume. Or, drop the littles off at the Royal Kids Club for creative workshops aplenty while you grab a two-hour nap. Just don’t be upset if they come home covered in pixie dust. The spa also offers kid-friendly treatments for a relaxing family experience, and you can always splash together at the indoor pool.

Accessibility

There’s elevator access on every floor, and a selection of rooms are wheelchair accessible (including the showers). All of the exclusive hotel experiences, such as the Royal Encounter with Disney characters and the spa are also accessible.

Anything left to mention?

While there’s no beating the park proximity, due to the almost cruise ship-esque floor plan of the hotel, it might take you longer to walk to your room than to leave and swipe your Magic Band. My, albeit lovely, first-floor accommodations required an elevator and a long corridor crossing. However, it’s not uncommon to see princesses as you pass and the hallway windows—particularly in the evening—remind you just how beautiful Disneyland can be, especially as seen from afar, without any crowds.