If you find yourself transferring through Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport's Terminal 2E then you may walk past the YOTELAIR hotel airport. I experienced an overnight layover myself and documented my time at this airport lounge. As a budget traveler I opted not to pay for a night in the hotel part of this facility. Rather, I stayed in the lounge, which I accessed using Priority Pass.

The lounge and airport hotel combo is located in Terminal 2E of Paris CDG. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

Getting there, getting in

I honestly haven't traveled through Paris CDG 2E very much. I've never been sure who exactly can access this lounge as 2E subdivides into Halls K, L, and M. However, according to Priority Pass, any passengers traveling through 2E can access the lounge:

"Take the Shuttle train to Gate L. Follow signs for Instant Paris/YOTEL. Passengers traveling from Gates K and M can access the lounge via the Shuttle train but must allow time to return to the gates."

The only times I've ever seen it/accessed it is when I've gotten off the plane (presumably at Hall L) and passed the "Instant Paris" signage. The image below is what most transfer passengers would see as they hurry from one part of the terminal to another:

The YOTELAIR lounge/hotel is at the far end of the "Instant Paris" free lounge. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

After spotting the Instant Paris signage, just follow the long and elegant-looking hallway all the way to the end. There you'll see the dark purple signage of the lounge. Sometimes the line-up is low and annoying. Other times there's barely anyone there and you'll get in pretty quickly with your Priority Pass or form of payment.

Space and seating

The lounge space is relatively small compared to other lounges. I'd say maybe 35-50 people would fill up the lounge? 30 would make it feel full - anything more would be overwhelming in my opinion.

The overhead lighting is regular fluorescent which isn't all that pleasant. However, there are lamps at chairs along the walls which have a warmer color. During the day, half of the lounge is flooded with natural light from its large windows.

Seating varies from bar-style to restaurant style seating as well as more relaxed lounge chairs. There is a long and wide table equipped with plenty of plugs for charging. This is like one large communal desk/workspace.

Unfortunately sleeping here is prohibited. It makes sense as the space clearly isn't set up for such an activity! However, just outside the doors, along the hallway are plenty of dark corners and padded seats for weary budget travelers to get some sleep.

The lower photo shows a semi-separate section that includes a TV. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

On some of the 'honeycomb' style shelves, you'll also find some communal books - the lounge's library collection. However, pretty much all of it is in French.

Another view of lounge seats. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying
This lounge is part of the Priority Pass collection. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

Food and beverage

This loungee is one of those types of lounges where there are no kitchen facilities. It's the land of pre-packaged snacks with a hot water dispenser and a coffee machine.

The vending machines of the lounge. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

For snacks (and certain beverages) you are given a credit of 10 euros which is tracked on a piece of paper that is handed to you at reception. For these items you'll have to ask a member of staff to get them for you - it's usually quick and easy. Below is the long list of snacks guests can choose from. If I recall correctly, each item is around 2.5 euros so you can get four with each visit. Cans of beer are a little more.

The full list of snacks available to lounge guests. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

With my credit, I loaded up on potato chips and peanuts. I registered for a second visit after my first three-hour period expired and then loaded up on KitKat bars. There is nothing healthy about the snacks here.

My selection of gourmet foods. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

It took me three visits to get around to trying the coffee and hot chocolate machine. It's actually really good! Guests can use this free of charge and all it takes is pressing one button. Then the cup drops down and fills up. As you can see from the image below, there are quite a lot of options!

Coffee and hot chocolate selections. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

Conclusion

I enjoy the lounge for its fast internet and its tasty hot chocolate. However, I'm not a huge fan of the unhealthy pre-packaged snack foods. The lounge is a great place to drop in to for a few hours to get some solid work done between flights though, and I think it is better than other public spots in the terminal. It's the only lounge I know of that operates 24 hours a day, unlike the Air France salons. Of course, if you have access to an Air France salon that should be the first place to go!