Hi neggnd43, I just wondered if you have stayed at an Alcove and Agape B&B? We've just booked with them so am hoping all will be okay!

onlyme12, we returned. I would strongly advise against it. If you would like to know specifics, I will share them. I don't know which one you'll be staying at, but our experience was a very negative one.
If you have already stayed with them, I hope your experience was better than ours.

neggnd43, I am researching B&B's in Paris and would like to know specifics. This is the agency I was looking at, but had not settled on any specific lodging as yet.
Also, onlyme12, did you end up with one of their offerings? If so, I would appreciate your thoughts about it.

I ran across a TA thread about them: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k4506693-Alcove_Agapes_B_B_Service_Paris-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Pretty negative.

Sorry to revive this issue on this forum after it's been inactive for a year, but some members of my family who plan to travel to Paris soon and whose clear preferences are for B&Bs instead of hotels or studio/apartments, wish to book one of the “Chambre d’hôtes” recommended by A&A.

I went to the A&A website and initially I liked what I saw. However there was a certain atmosphere of mystery in the information they provide that left me wanting to have a more complete picture on some crucial issues. Also, I find it pretty odd that there are actually so few comments posted on travel websites about this company and its recommended “chambres d’hôtes”.

I would greatly appreciate having more specific firsthand data from fellow travelers who have dealt with this company and their recommended properties.

Why are you folks so set on B&Bs? That is really not a French thing, IME. Breakfast in France is usually only a croissant or tartine, and coffee, anyway. Much more pleasurable in my opinion to go to a nearby cafe for the same.

We stayed at one 5 years ago...great location...lovely hostess...wonderful breakfast

air of mystery????

The breakfast is not the main attraction to me. The cost of lodging is what I am looking at. I don't need a real hotel, but am not at all interest in a hostel.
Just checking out all inexpensive lodging options.

I just found this site (A&A) today as well. I was looking at the responses here from a couple of years ago...was going to repost myself just now..and did a double-take when I saw the last reply date was today.
We too are just looking at alternative lodging for our next trip to Paris. If we find someplace in an area where we haven't stayed before and is reasonably priced we would like to give it a try.
Any comments on any stays appreciated!
lm

PS................
tomboy, where did you stay?
tnx

You might try Airbnb. airbnb.com Often the rates are lower than those found elsewhere. Many/most are not true B&Bs, in that they don't serve breakfast. They are usually rooms or apartments in people's homes.

I just checked, and they currently list 9,316 entire apartments or homes, and 1,796 private rooms in the Paris area.

@Nukesafe---Thanks for the tip about airbnb.com. I have not checked the site but did read a random sampling of the responses to the initial posting you made back in 2009.
As expected, the usual "rah rah rah" and "boo boo boo". I don't judge the comments as they are of each individuals own experiences. However, I do look for tips as to what went right-what went wrong-how to double check to make sure I don't make the same mistakes or that I do the right things others have. We all learn something new every day.
lm

Lemoxter, if you do try the Airbnb site, get familiar with the system they use for sorting. With so many choices it is difficult to narrow the selections down. You can sort by price, neighborhood, amenities, etc. You can also zoom in on the map of a neighborhood to see Metro stops, etc. When you search by neighborhood, things can get confusing, as some "neighborhoods" are called by their proper names, not listed by arrondissement.

When we were planning out October trip, I had selected a list of 75 Airbnb apartments that satisfied our requirements, but my DW looked at my list and picked one through VRBO. Go figure ---

Best of luck!

I don't even know what A&A is but I don't really get this concept of B&Bs or why people want them, either. That is a rural concept, not something you look for in major capital cities. The idea that B&Bs will automatically be cheaper than all hotels just isn't so. there are plenty of cheap hotels and plenty of expensive B&Bs. Just look for a hotel in your budget. B&Bs aren't really regulated in France, as far as I know, and I wouldn't even want to stay in a place that operated outside the law and oversight.

But if you really want one, there are some other websites that offer them, at least a couple although there aren't that many B&Bs in Paris. That Alcove & Agapes place has several websites operated under different names, though, so you have to be careful if you don't want them (like http://www.parisbandb.com/ )

Here's one, a lot of the listings aren't in central Paris. http://www.2binparis.com/en/ The cheapest ones I saw in central Paris were around 99 euro a night and you can get hotels for that rate.

On Isle d'Cite

@tomboy, may I ask you if you did feel comfortable when dealing with A&A and how well did they meet your realistic expectations?

Thanks very much!

@lemoxster, we have carried out an exhaustive -not so say obssesive- search in order to assist some prospective first-time travelers in my family and came out with tons of information on different kinds of accomodations that satisfied their requirements. We would be delighted to share our results with you!

egc

Christina, I don't know that anyone wrote that B&B's are automatically cheaper, but they are an option that some travelers would be comfortable with and I have always advocated for more research rather than less.
If someone is well informed about all kinds of lodgings, they can pick from among them as best suits their own needs. Also, the A&A site includes some studio apts.

EGC-Yes, I was comfortable, and yes, my expectations were met.

You seemingly are being very guarded about expressing your deemed misgivings about A&A. Are you afraid of a libel suit?Perhaps if you'd be more disclosive, you'd get more feedback.

OK!!!!

@nukesafe----Thanks!
@Christina---
@Tomboy------Very Nice--Thanks!
@EGC---------Thanks so much for the offer. My search probably has been obsessive by someones standards so I already have more than enough information to keep me confused. I appreciate the offer---sharing is what this forum is all about. Safe travels to you on your new adventure!
@Cynthia-----I agree!!

We prefer B&Bs because we get to meet locals that way, as opposed to bellhops. Just a tad more personal, more in-country if you will.

This year, our 3rd trip just to France and Paris, we overcame our fear and inertia, and booked a B&B in the 16th and relied on public transportation.

The price? I think it was €90. The location? the 16th, a block from the Metro, 2 blocks from the Marmottan museum. The hosts? Charming, hospitable, friendly, helpful. The commute? Seemed like about 10 minutes from anything we went to. Piece of cake. Not intimidating at all. Hundreds of helpful Parisians.

@tomboy ----- Thank you very much for your useful feedback.
@lemoxster----- With pleasure! And thanks a lot...