Hotel Review: Hilton Paris La Défense – Now Stylish and Comfortable After Renovation, with Improved Accessibility Thanks to the RER Line E Extension
In December, the streets of European cities are adorned with festive Christmas decorations, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. This time, I planned a weekend trip from London to Paris. Of course, I chose to stay at hotels from the Hilton group. I usually stay at Hilton Paris Opera, but this time, all three hotels I stayed at were different.
My first stay was at Hilton Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (see the stay report here), followed by a second night at Dali Val d’Europe Tapestry Collection (see the stay report here). For the final night, I stayed at Hilton Paris La Défense.
The last time I stayed there was in the autumn of 2021, so it has been four years. I heard that renovations have taken place during that time, so I’m excited to see what has changed.
If you are considering where to stay in Paris and are unsure about La Défense because it is far from the city center and may not feel very “Parisian,” I encourage you to read this article and take it into consideration.
How to Get to Hilton Paris La Défense
Since Hilton Paris La Défense is located outside central Paris, it hasn’t always been the most convenient choice for sightseeing, and has traditionally been more popular with business travellers. However, with the opening of RER Line E, which now connects directly to Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare du Nord, accessibility has improved significantly—making it a much better option for leisure stays as well.
For example, if you arrive at Gare du Nord on the Eurostar, you used to have to make at least one change. Now, you can reach La Défense directly on Line E in just over 10 minutes.
If you’re travelling from Charles de Gaulle Airport, you can still change at Châtelet–Les Halles as before, but you now also have the option of changing to RER Line E at Gare du Nord.
RER Line A, which serves Disneyland Paris, also stops at La Défense. It takes around an hour to get there, so if you’re planning to spend a full day at Disneyland, staying nearby is recommended. You can also check out my stay at Dali Val d’Europe Tapestry Collection, where I stayed during my visit to Disneyland Paris.
You might also want to check out my other Hilton stays in Paris
Location and Surroundings of Hilton Paris La Défense
La Défense, dominated by the striking modern architecture of the Grand Arche, is one of the largest business districts in Europe. If you’re familiar with London, it’s probably easiest to think of it as something similar to Canary Wharf.。
As it was developed as a business district, the area tends to be busy with office workers, especially during weekday daytime hours. That said, the station is also home to a huge shopping centre called Westfield, which attracts plenty of shoppers as well.
There’s a supermarket inside the centre too, which is very handy if you’re looking for souvenirs or just want to pick up something quick to eat back in your hotel room.
The Hilton itself is quite unique in that it’s located inside a large complex called CNIT (Centre des Nouvelles Industries et Technologies). The hotel is actually built into this domed structure, which also houses a shopping centre and offices.
Renovated Rooms – Now More Stylish and Comfortable
I had originally booked a Guest Room, but thanks to my Diamond status, I was upgraded to a Relaxation Room. I was really curious to see what it would be like.
It seems the rooms have been fully refurbished, and they felt much more stylish than when I last stayed. The furniture has all been updated, and one of my favourite features was the sofa and table set neatly into the corner of the room. If you’re staying for work, there’s a good chance you’ll end up using your laptop at some point, and this setup works really well as a workspace without taking away from the overall feel of the room.
Like many European hotels, the lighting is done really nicely too, which makes the bedroom feel especially cosy.
One interesting thing about the rooms at Hilton Paris La Défense is the layout. Since the hotel sits within the CNIT dome, some rooms actually face inwards towards the inside of the dome. However, my Relaxation Room had a window facing outside.
The bathroom also felt very new, clearly part of the recent refurbishment. The bathtub comes with a jacuzzi function, which makes the “Relaxation Room” name feel quite fitting. After a shower, I was able to unwind in a bubble bath—perfect for relaxing after a long day.
An Evening with French Cheese and Wine at the Hotel Restaurant ‘Muses’
Right in front of Hilton Paris La Défense, there was a Christmas market set up, so I decided to have a look. One thing I can never stop eating once I start is roasted chestnuts. Even though it was before dinner, I ended up having far too many, so I decided to keep things light in the evening.
Back at the hotel, I headed to the on-site restaurant, ‘Muses’, for a relaxed drink. I had a drinks voucher from check-in, so I made the most of it and ordered one of the more expensive organic wines on the menu.
To go with it, I chose a selection of French cheeses. I’d already had a few sweet treats earlier in the day while wandering around the city, so this ended up being just the right amount for the evening.
Enjoying the Flavours of France – Buffet Breakfast
Hotel breakfasts are always something I look forward to, but when you’re staying in a country known for its food, the excitement definitely doubles. In France, even English breakfast items somehow taste better and more flavourful than in the UK.
In France, you’ll often find saucisses de volaille, which are chicken sausages. They’re lighter than pork sausages, so if you’re not keen on something too heavy in the morning, they’re definitely worth trying. To be honest, I’m not a big fan of sausages in the UK, so I usually skip them at British hotels—but in France, I actually look forward to them.
Things like omelettes also taste better to me—maybe it’s the cheese, but they just feel a bit more flavourful than what you’d typically get in the UK. The apple Danish was also spot on—not too sweet, with a lovely buttery flavour.
Facilities – Gym, Shop and Drinking Water
The hotel has a 24-hour gym, and there’s also a small shop near the check-in desk.
More and more hotels are moving away from bottled water, with guests now expected to refill their own drinking water instead.
Useful Tips – French Souvenirs You Can Pick Up at the Supermarket
At Carrefour, which I found inside Westfield, I was able to pick up the salt I always buy whenever I’m in Paris. It’s called Sel de Guérande, a traditional sea salt that’s been produced using the same methods for over 1,000 years.
I usually use the taller container of Sel de Guérande for cooking. The shorter one, Fleur de Sel de Guérande, is great for finishing dishes—just sprinkling it over grilled fish or fresh vegetables really brings out the natural flavours. The label also mentions “IGP” (Indication Géographique Protégée), which is a protected geographical indication recognised in France and across the EU.
Champagne, on the other hand, is classified under AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée), which is an even stricter designation than IGP.
As a side note, Japan has a similar system called GI (Geographical Indication), managed by the Ministry of Agriculture. This includes products like Matsusaka beef, Uonuma Koshihikari rice, and Yubari melons—apparently even Hatcho miso is included.
I also came across biscuits sold under the name La Mère Poulard, a well-known historic restaurant from the Normandy region.
Summary – Who Hilton Paris La Défense Is Best For
Hilton Paris La Défense might not be the best choice if you’re looking for that classic “Parisian” atmosphere. However, after staying here again for the first time in four years, I felt that the hotel has definitely improved—thanks to both the extension of RER Line E and the room refurbishments.
In particular, if you’re arriving in Paris via Eurostar, I think this hotel is now a very solid option.
It offers a different kind of appeal compared to Hilton Paris Opera in the city centre—quieter, more functional, and now much more comfortable after the refurbishment. The only downside is the lack of a lounge, although you may receive drink vouchers (not always guaranteed), so it’s worth making the most of them if you do.
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