Disneyland Paris has long been a bucket-list dream of mine, and with the added bonus of being able to drive straight there, at just around four hours from Folkestone via the Eurotunnel, we decided this autumn would be the year we ticked it off as a family.
Staycity Aparthotels Near Disneyland Paris, as the name suggests, is situated close enough to all the Mickey Mouse action. It seemed the perfect fit to balance a day or two of Disney with convenience, comfort and the feeling of having your own little French home for a few days. Its location offers the best of both worlds: a peaceful French escape surrounded by mature gardens, fountains and a picturesque lake, yet just a 10-minute complimentary shuttle ride to and from Disneyland Paris. Plus, just a short drive away, you’ll find Val d’Europe shopping centre and the seriously impressive designer outlet, Vallée Village. If you’re a Bicester Village fan, you’ll absolutely love it – the ideal place to pick up early Christmas presents.
The welcoming reception team set the tone from the moment you walk in – friendly and informative. Disneyland park maps are dotted around reception for little ones to grab and study front to back. There’s even a Starbucks on-site serving all the caffeine classics, alongside dainty French pastries that are dangerously moreish. The croissants became an obligatory morning ritual – buttery, flaky and the perfect bite-size partner to a frothy cappuccino before the day’s adventures.
Facilities at Staycity tick all the boxes for families and groups. There’s a small gym, a heated outdoor pool, a games room to keep children entertained, and a restaurant. I hear the breakfast buffet is popular with guests staying in the hotel who prefer to start the day with something quick and easy. The whole property feels modern, fresh and well looked after.
The nearby charming French village of Bailly-Romainvilliers is an added bonus. Just a short stroll away, you’ll find a supermarket stocked with French cheese and wine galore, a bakery, a butchers – ideal if you’re planning to dine back at your accommodation. There are also a few local restaurants if you want to eat out without venturing far.
When it comes to accommodation, Staycity offers a wide range of options: family studios, apartments with kitchenettes and even villas with up to five bedrooms, ideal for large family trips. We opted for a villa to give us freedom and space and to enjoy that home-away-from-home feeling.
The villas are seriously spacious and bright, with sweeping views over a picturesque golf course. The living areas are comfortable and feature large windows overlooking the greenery, and there’s even an outdoor seating area if the weather is on your side. Inside, you’ll find a flat-screen TV, modern bathrooms – some featuring a separate bath and powerful shower (winning) – ample toiletries, great wardrobe space and plenty of room for everyone to relax. Everything is spotlessly clean – the housekeeping team truly runs like a well-oiled machine. Speaking of housekeeping, the villa was equipped with a utility room with a large washing machine, which was music to my ears if you don’t like going home with a bag of laundry.
The fully equipped kitchen is a huge perk. From simple breakfasts to proper home-cooked meals, you have everything you need, including a coffee machine. After long days of walking around the park, coming back to cook an easy dinner vs. theme park food always gets our vote, and if you were being lazy like us, a cheese board with the best baguette and salty French butter was the answer. The bedrooms are also seriously spacious, with air-con and heating, all featuring flat-screen TVs if you fancy movie nights in the comfort of your own room.
The dining area is also worth mentioning. It’s generous in size and practically cries out for family dinners, big sharing plates and red-wine evenings – something you don’t always get from traditional self-catering stays. And if a villa isn’t what you need, Staycity also offers regular apartment styles to suit every budget and group size – a win-win on so many levels.
Allée de l’Orme Rond, Bailly-Romainvilliers
