YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle

The burgeoning Yotel transit hotel chain offers compact rooms and pod-like accommodations at major airports worldwide, with options to book by the hour or stay overnight. YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle also features a small lounge area for hotel guests. Members of Priority Pass, the world’s largest airport lounge access program, can rest at the lounge and redeem a €10 food and beverage credit per visit. This review pertains exclusively to the lounge, and specifically the Priority Pass benefit.

YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle is located within Terminal 2E Hall L, beyond passport control, but before security. The location is only accessible to passengers departing from Terminal 2E (Halls K, L, and M.) To reach YotelAir, go through immigration and passport control at Terminal 2E, then make a sharp left before the Hall K security checkpoint and take the train to Hall L. Once at Hall L, walk past the Exit and Transfers zone, and go through the elegant “L’Instant Paris” public lounge and relaxation area. YotelAir is located at the end of the hallway.

Priority Pass customers must check-in at the reception desk (dubbed “Mission Control”) along with other hotel guests. They will be issued a key card to access the lounge and hotel facilities.

YotelAir is situated before security. Be sure to allow ample time to reach your departure gate. Passengers departing from Halls K and M should allow extra time to take the shuttle train.

YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle CDG design

The YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle lounge is a small lobby-style space outfitted with dining tables, tabletop seating, and a large communal table. European-style power outlets are located throughout.

The club sports Yotel’s space-themed visual identity. Hexagonal shapes, bold contrasts, and patches of bright light make for a playful and highly-functional but sterile ensemble. Softer light and warmer materials would make for a more relaxing ambiance that would be more appropriate for passengers seeking rest or relaxation.

The only window overlooks a parking lot and is located opposite the main seating area, so the lounge receives little daylight.

YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle CDG amenities

The YotelAir lounge is basically a place to sit. The space functions primarily as a lobby area and dining room for hotel guests. Patrons can use the microwave to warm up food, or order from a limited selection of shrink-wrapped snacks and beverages.

When we visited, the espresso machine was out of order, and the hotel was out of bottled water. The only beverage option at 7am was wine.

All food and beverages are for purchase. Priority Pass members benefit from a 10 Euro credit, which doesn’t go very far. There are no self-service options, so ordering involves waiting for the receptionist to make the rounds, which they can only do when there are no customers waiting at the front desk. Don’t expect to be able to grab a snack in a rush between flights. A vending machine would provide more expedient service.

YotelAir offers complimentary secure Wi-Fi. Lounge visitors can also take a shower, or book a room at prevailing daily rates for a longer stay or more privacy.

YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle CDG bottom line

Our verdict: despite the lack of Priority Pass lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, skip the YotelAir Lounge. The location is inconvenient, the space underwhelming, the selection of food and beverages barebones, and service painfully slow.

A single staff member juggles both receptionist and lounge attendant duties, which in practice means that they can only serve guests when there is a lull at the front desk.

Access to the hotel’s showers is a valuable benefit, but otherwise the ability to redeem 10 Euros’ worth of overpriced snacks cannot justify a trek to Hall L or an extra hop through security when connecting between flights. When departing from Hall L, consider settling for the adjacent public “L’Instant Paris” lounge which has more space, additional light, better views, a more appealing design, complimentary Wi-Fi, and vending machines.