Paris hotel: Bonaparte or Familia?

Just a quick addition. I've done a search and now have plenty of info on the two -- but still am finding it hard to decide. I guess what I'm really looking for is some way to compare the two. Thanks again!

beeswing

Hi

I know it's not much to go on but my neighbour stayed at the Familia and reported positive experiences. He did say however the hotel was not as well located for sightseeing as he had hoped.

Hi Beeswing,

Sorry, I haven't stayed at either hotel, but many here would ask if you've considered renting an apartment. They are available in all parts of Paris, and really save on the breakfast (and all meal) costs.

Enjoy your trip!

I stayed at the Familia about 5 or 6 years ago (so this isn't recent info by any means) and thought it was quite good. The room was spotless. I don't quite understand the comment about it not being well located for site seeing- it's in the 5th and lots of very popular tourist sites are within easy walking distance.

I agree with melissa though, you might want to think about renting an apartment- more space and having a kitchen can be great.

I like the Bonaparte location better than that of the Familia although both are fine. But, I agree that you fit the criteria of thinking about an apartment unless you are staying for fewer than 4 nights. There are many reputable agencies for apartments and it is something that IMO you should look into. Although there has been a poster on this forum bashing Vacation in Paris lately, our own experience with this agency has been positive and I have recommended it to friends at work who also have had positive experiences.

When Ira sees this post, he may tell you all about the Bonaparte.

We're only staying 5 days, though 4 nights...so I doubt an apartment is worth it. (Even if they'd rent an apartment for that few of days, I'd just as soon not have to deal with grocery shopping et al.). Great idea, though. Thanks!

beeswing

Beeswing, I don't know if you can rent an apartment for just 4 nights but if you can and if you find one that you like do not feel like you have to buy groceries and cook. It is nice to have a refrigerator to cool some wine or to have a snack but cooking can be ignored. I have never rented an apartment in Europe but we use to rent a darling 2 bedroom house over in Bodega Bay every year when our daughter was growing up. We did enjoy having coffee when we first woke up, chilled wine when we wanted it etc., but other than that I never cooked. But the extra space was sure lovely to have.

Thanks for the apartment ideas; we really want a hotel. This is our first trip to Paris...I want a staffed front desk (as well as breakfast served in the morning!). Regarding the original questions -- is there anyone who could compare and contrast the Bonaparte and the Familia? It looks as if we could get the Claude-Bernard St. Germain at a only-slightly-higher (promo) rate (again, it would include breakfast)...but that just complicates the issue.

Thanks.

beeswing

DH and I have stayed at the Familia many times, as well as it's sister hotel next door the Minerve. both have always been perfectly fine - clean, attentive staff, terrific location for everything. We usually try to book a room with a balcony which gives you a feeling of being a bit larger. The balcony has a small table and 2 chairs and we always found it amusing to sit out there with a bottle of wine and some cheese and just watch the neighborhood. I find the rooms in the Minerve to be a bit larger, it also has a much nicer lobby if that sort of thing is important to you. Expect small rooms, small bathrooms and you will be fine.

We just stayed at Bonaparte over Halloween weekend. Location was great although we found the cafes more expensive than the latin quarter where we usually stay. Staff all spoke english and were very helpful. Very central and close to lots of things.

The hotel itself we found a bit run down. For the same price we usually stay at Hotel St Jacques in the Latin Quarter and found the quality of the rooms much higher there..although it wasnt as central.

http://www.paris-hotel-stjacques.com/

All in all, we likely wouldnt stay at Bonaparte again we would go back to Hotel St Jacques.

I don't see any reason why you have to rent an apt., people are always pushing that on here for some reason. And one person's "bashing" is another person's valid experience, that's all. No one made up anything on that thread about VIP, they were relating a real experience, take it for what it is.

I haven't stayed at either but have sure read a lot about both, seen photos, read reviews and have been by both and I really think they are probably fairly equivalent in terms of the facilities themselves. So the only difference is the location, really -- and the AC thing, but it sounds like you've checked that out. In other words, I know Bonaparte has it, so if Familia does not, that would tip it for me.

Hi Bee,

If you search The Bonaparte on this site, you will note that I am biased, as my Lady Wife and I have been staying there for more than 20 years (on and off).

Given your criteria, it would be a very good choice for you.

It is also very convenient to 2 metro and 4 bus lines.

There really is no need to rush to get your reservations in before Jan. Most hotels prefer to wait until after New Year's before they take bookings.

Ira, I admit I'm leaning toward the Bonaparte, the later reservations (and the fact that it sounds as if you have to register by fax) are a little daunting, though. Probably no big deal, either one of them, but we are first timers.

A couple things...is the Bonaparte reasonably quiet? That's important to me. And also, folks have mentioned the hills around the Familia as far as walking. What's the terrain around the Bonaparte? We'll be doing a lot of walking.

Thanks.

beeswing

Hi Beeswing,
I have not stayed in the Hotel Bonaparte, only went to have a look while we were staying at Hotel Clement, rue Clement just off Boulevard Saint Germain, and a little higher up nearer St.Sulpice.
I don't blame a first-timer like yourself for wanting to be "in the thick of things".
You can balance the two by being close to the activity but not have to sleep in it!

Over the 11 trips to Paris we have only stayed at one hotel twice and next year will be a third time because the rates are unbeatable, spotless, modern,restaurant on premises,close to metro stop, etc. It may be way outa town but the metro zooms us straight down to the Champs Elysees in 10min.
Anyway, even at 48euros a night for a double(weekends)and 69euros weekdays, it's not for you at this stage.

What is for you however, is this splendid hotel in the Latin Quarter. We loved it and probably will go back someday, but at the moment I am a "new hotel everytime freak!"
Here is 'my' magnificent mansion available to you:
http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/

OK my 2 cents on the Hotel Grands Ecoles. DH and I stayed there last December and were quite disappointed. The interior was run down (thread bare rugs, terrible mattresses), the walls paper thin (which really is usual in these small hotels), etc. Found the staff to be a bit standoffish. we were not happy there nor comfortable.

LoriNY1, I am so surprised! We stayed there in 2008 and had a superb garden room. Everything was just as you see in the photos. Nothing threadbare or uncomfortable in our room - must have been lucky!
Madam, the receptionist was one of the most charming hostesses I've met in any of the numerous hotels we have stayed at over the years. Even when I made a blu and walked into the kitchen they just directed me to the desk where breakfast orders are taken.
One of the nicest things was the wonderful singing of childrens voices from the school next door!
And Q U I E T it is!!

The 'staffed front desk' may or may not be particularly valuable. In typical 2 and 3 star hotels, the front desk person does not give much service except to hand you the room key. In my experience, only at more expensive hotels can they be expected to provide much more. In some instances, they are pleasant, bordering on friendly, but mostly just tending to business.
I have never stayed at a 2 star hotel where the person would arrange a taxi, for example, or call for an airport shuttle or make any dinner reservation. If a guest is not paying for such service, they should not expect it.

I was interested in the Grande Ecoles, but there were a few things that caused me concern. One was that several folks on Trip Advisor wrote that the hotel "lost" their reservations. The other thing is that you can't reserve until a few months before. Finding a triple in Paris with the criteria we want is turning out to be HARD. Trying to find another hotel at close to the last minute if that one wouldn't take us isn't something I'm up for.

The pictures looked lovely....

beeswing

I am surprised to hear that a staff person at a 2* hotel would not call a taxi. I guess I am more familiar with 3* and 4* hotels, but even hostels will do this in my experience.

You are right about the reservation thing being only at a certain month of the year for each of the bookings, let me assure you, if you book at the stroke of midnight on their first available date to book, and request a garden room on the ground floor, you will get it. What might be of concern is the "triple" - those rooms may not be big enough to accommodate a third bed. You may get an upstairs room for that purpose.. Why not ask about interleading rooms?
If you are worried about walking uphill then you would always have to catch a bus which drops you off further up the hill, at lets say, Place de Contrascarpe. Same with metro - Cardinal Lemoine is at the bottom of the hill - Metro Place Monge is further up letting you always walk down.

As for remarks about "loosing the booking" - I doubt that. Sounds like crossed wires to me.
Usually people are nonchalant about checking at least once before leaving home. Emails are so quick and will set your mind at rest. Well, I check everything twice so I can sleep at night!

The Familia has a/c. It says so on the website home page but not in the room descriptions.

Cheryllj, do you know if the air conditioning is actually in the rooms at the Familiar, or just in the public spaces? That said, I read the air conditioning at the Bonaparte is not strong, although I have not experienced it.

I remember an a/c unit in our room, but maybe it's not in every room. Or maybe I'm confusing it with the Minerve next door. IIRC, they added a/c during a recent upgrade, but I'd send an e-mail asking about the specific room to be sure.

If quiet is important, get a room at the back - no balcony or view, but those come with rooms facing the street, which means potential noise. We had no noise at all in our back room.

I have stayed several times at the Bonaparte and each time I had a good air conditioner.

There is a/c in the Minerve, I don't recall a/c at the Familia. There are also no 'hills' around the Familia, there was a hill from the Cardinal Lemoine station to the Grand Ecoles, not fun after the 7 hour flight with a suitcase (albeit a small one).

Okay, this may be a dumb question -- but I have looked at Google Maps, I'm just not sure of the scale. Can you walk to the Seine from the Bonaparte (practically speaking...)? It looks as if you can from the Familia.

While I'm at it, nearness to St. Surplice Square is mentioned as a plus for the Bonaparte in some older threads. It sounds nice, but I can't find info on the Web. Would that be a nicer area to "come home to" after a day of touring?

Still deciding...thanks so much for all the input.

beeswing

You not only can walk easily to the Seine, but you can walk about 5-7 blocks, cross the Seine and go to the Louvre. We even walked to the Eiffel Tower, but we took the metro back.

I've stayed at the Bonaparte several times and think the location is vastly superior. You will be right next to St Sulpice (I love just sitting on the gigantic lion fountains and watching Paris stroll by).

In addition to serveral near-by metros, practically every bus in town stops at St Sulpice, no more than 30 ft around a corner from the hotel. Very convenient.

Beds have always been comfy. Bathrooms are large by Paris standards. The hotel itself is somewhat "shabby chic". The first thing I always do is walk a couple of blocks to the market and buy a big bouquet of flowers. Suddenly the room is tres beautiful!


As for location, the Bonaparte is smack dab in the middle of some of the classiest shopping in Paris. The minute you walk out the door there are trendy and chic shops all around you. We love window shopping along that strip of Rue Bonaparte.

I have not stayed in a triple, so can't advise on that. But I can say that the staff has always been extremely patient with my poor French and helpful with bus schedules, restaurants, etc.

Don't be put off by the "fax reservations". It works very well and they always reply promptly and clearly. I always confirm again a couple of weeks before arrival. The only time I had any problem was when they contacted me after I got home and told me they had overcharged me about 15 euros. I asked him to give it to the woman who brought the tray to our room each morning (another treat I really enjoy).

A couple of years ago my husband sent flowers to me at Hotel Bonaparte for our anniversary. And they did brighten the room or maybe my spirits. The rooms have never seemed dull to me. But it is nice having a Monoprix within steps of your hotel.

Thank you so much for all the info! It sounds as if the Bonaparte is the "winner"! Now all I have to do is wait until January so that they will accept our booking.

We're going to get indoctrinated to fax booking very soon. We picked out the Parlamento Hotel in Rome and they prefer fax booking as well. Not quite sure all the numbers you need to fax to Europe (whether Italy or France)...but I'm sure we'll figure it out.

beeswing

Just returned from a stay at La Familia. We usually have stayed on rue Jacob but our usual hotel prices have outstripped our retirement funds.

The staff was very friendly and our room though small was adequate. The bathroom was fine and everything was very clean. The breakfast is typical French, coffee, tea or chocolate with baguette or croissant. There is an excellent bakery across the street and My DH went over several times to get a pain au chocolat or chauson pomme!

If I weren't renting an apt I would have no hesitation to stay there again. There is also free wifi if you care. Several good cafes nearby too.Next time though I would spring for the superior room , hoping it would be a bit larger, still an inexpensive option.

There are 3 bus lines across the street and 2 metro stations with in a 3 or 4 minute walk, so transport is no problem.

Be aware that St Sulpice is undergoing renovation and the square is a mess!

Just Google: "International phone call United States to_______________" (Paris, Rome, etc.)
You'll find all the codes. It's easy.

If Ira is still around, perhaps he can give you some advice about the triples at the Bonaparte.

And, as luck would have it, we also stayed at the Parlamento on our first trip to Rome. Can't tell u about their triples either. But the hotel is fine and another good location.

Well, there's a wrinkle! As far as the St. Surplice renovation -- we won't be there till July 2010. Do you know if it should be finished by then?

Thanks.

beeswing

Beeswing,

Re your question about Google Maps... use the 'directions' feature and select 'walking' rather than driving. It will give you a route and the distance. Works well.

Rob

ParisAmsterdam --

Thanks, and I would have, but I didn't know what "address" to give Google Maps for the Seine. Or does it do landmarks, too? (How would it know where on the Seine you want to go, though? Hmmm....)

beeswing

WillTravel, it is not so much that they would not call a taxi. Actually, they pointed me to the corner of the block and said I could see the taxi stand from the corner. Not a refusal, but rather a 'don't bother me' response. And when I said I had not been able to figure out the phone to call the airport shuttle, I was told to try again or to ask him later.
And more recently at a different hotel, my sister asked for information about a particular nearby popular restaurant and the desk clerk told her to look at one of the guidebooks as they were not familiar with places to eat!
As I said, some clerks are able to be more helpful, but in general terms, if you don't pay for personal attention and service, it should not be expected. IMO

Cynthia, those sound like faults of the hotel staff to me, regardless of the star level. I think paying somewhere in excess of 100 Euros per night certainly entitles you to basic service. I've not had any trouble, although I haven't pushed staff very hard, I admit, getting any answer or booking I want from any place ranging from a hostel to a 4* hotel. My daughter often asks staff for advice and recommendations at various hotels, and they always give it to her.

We stayed at both, at La Familia in August 2004 and Bonaparte in October 2008. In 2004, we had a triple and a double, and stayed there for 3 nights (my husband, 3 kids and myself). In 2008, it was just my husband and myself, and we were at the Bonaparte for 6 nights. We loved both places, but the Bonaparte is more centrally located. We would stay at both places again.

We have stayed at both properties and I like the location of the Bonaparte slightly better.
However, we have never stayed in rooms that would accommodate three people in either spot.
I find hotels can have an array of choices of rooms and I would suggest if you are unhappy with the room you are first shown to, ask to see another. This tactic may however be a bit difficult with three people.
We have rented apartments many times in Paris and I would not bother for such a short time.
You will appreciate the front desk staff at the hotels. You could try calling the hotels and make your final choice based on how friendly you find the staff.
Good luck!

They are doing renovations on St Sulpice itself so half the church is covered, the fountain was open. Although this didnt make for the nicest view while sitting in the cafes...

My mom and her friend (no french) stayed at Hotel Bonaparte for 3 nights before us and the staff were amazing. Helped them many times before we got there.

And the location really is fantastic. Good choice.

Hi all,

We were at the Bonaparte a couple of months ago.

A few comments:

Each room has its own AC unit. They are sufficient to keep the room cool and dry in the Summer. I don't know just how low you can set the temp as 20C was good enough for us.

The staff (morning, noon and night) have never been less than polite and professional to us. Sorry to her that others have had problems.

Keep in mind that if you call a cab in Paris, you must pay from the time the cab leaves its station to when it gets to you, even if you don't take the cab.

The Bonaparte will make reservations for you with a very reliable shuttle firm that they use for CDG or Orly/Paris and reverse. Rates are the same as everyone else.

St Sulpice is just slightly smaller than Notre Dame. It has one of the finest organs in the world. The fountain in the square is aligned with the cardinal points of the compass, although the statues are of Bishops, not Cardinals.

Assuming that you are a reasonably healthy person, you can walk from the Bonaparte, to Notre Dame and the Isle St Louis, the Louvre, the d'Orsay Museum, the Pont des Arts, the Luxembourg Gardens, Eglise St Germaine des Pres, Cluny Museum, The Bon Marche', the Deux Magots, the Cafe Flore, Pierre Herme', Poilane, Laduree. etc, etc, etc

A number of bus lines converge on Pl St Sulpice. There is a cafe at the bus stop that is very good for people watching.

The church has been undergoing renovation for some years. So have a lot of other Paris monuments.

If you keep the windows closed, even on the rooms facing the street, there is little to no noise, especially now that the motorbikes have mufflers.

The rue Bonaparte, as are all of the N-S streets in the 6th, is a slight downhill to the Seine.

Re making reservations by fax:
If you don't have a fax/scanner/printer linked to your computer, there are "fax-to-mail" services where you send an email and they convert it to a fax and vice versa.

The Bonaparte will charge a deposit of about 30E when you make your reservation. Check their cancellation requirements.

From the US:
Their phone number is 011 33 1 43 26 97 37
Their fax number is 011 33 1 46 33 57 67

Paris is 6 hrs ahead of EST (06:00 in NYC is Noon in Paris)

Hope this helps.

Enjoy your visit, BW, wherever you choose to stay.

I have stayed at the Bonaparte on Ira's recommendation and stayed at another hotel becuase of work and found the Bonaparte to be very lovely. Close to all shops and walking distance to everything. The staff is very friendly and the internet access in the lobby was great. When I went with my family I stayed at the Hotel Du College and was very happy with that. You can see the reviews on that hotel as well. I am now coming back to Paris with the family and will be renting an apartment and would only stay in the Latin Qtr. I love the Latin Qtr.

>>The Bonaparte will charge a deposit of about 30E when you make your reservation. Check their cancellation requirements.

From the US:
Their phone number is 011 33 1 43 26 97 37
Their fax number is 011 33 1 46 33 57 67
<<

Use Ira's numbers, but if you want to save a hunk of change: first dial 10 10 987 then Ira's number(s). So, the FAX would be:
10 10 987 011 33 1 46 33 57 67

Stu Dudley

Thanks for the tips! We need to fax to a Rome hotel as well...but that's another issue.

beesiwng

Thinking about your teenage daughter and the location of Bonaparte and Familia--I say Bonaparte. She'll be able to explore the shops around the Bonaparte on her or with you easily. Familia..not so good of a location for windowshopping. We have stayed at both the Bonaparte and Minerva (sister hotel of Familia)and thought the location for walking/transportation preferable at the Bonaparte. I agree about the Monoprix location, too. With the in-room fridge at the Bonaparte, it is nice to stock up on water/Coca Cola Light.

Have a wonderful time!

On thing about the faxing bit: check with your phone carrier about the costs of faxing internationally. I remember being surprised by a significant charge (can't remember if it was 8 or 12 dollars) to fax my reservation to Hotel Bonaparte. What the phone company did was let me back date the add-on fax service at a much cheaper monthly rate in case I had to fax again.

Thanks so much for all the information! I really appreciate it. The Bonaparte sounds like the better choice for us (my daughter would love some free rein), though I'm sure either hotel would serve.

As far as the faxing...we found out that our home fax isn't actually hooked up to a modem (a little oversight on our part...). So we were ended up faxing our Rome hotel reservation through FedEx Kinkos for $7. We'll probably end up faxing the Bonaparte the same way. We'll just have to wait till January to do so since they don't accept reservations until then.

Thanks again, all.

beeswing

Just hookup your fax to your phone line, don't need a modem.Works perfectly to Europe and elsewhere. Good luck planning this trip!

Thanks very much Ira, for the explanation about the taxi. The desk clerk was doing me a favor and I did not realize it.

Just to be clear - I have not stayed at either of the hotels discussed in this thread. My point was that when staying at a modest 2 or 3 star facility, one must not expect to have the kind of service or experience as at a 5 star establishment. I notice many reviews here but mostly elsewhere which mention lack of service but usually my opinion is that they must not expect luxury service at budget prices. Polite, efficient, pleasant service, absolutely, but not the all consuming minute attention to detail as at a hotel that costs 5 times as much.

I have not stayed at the Bonaparte, but I do know the location very well and it is really wonderful and you can walk to just about everything from there. The neighborhood is quite fun and charming - lots of shops and cafes. Your daughter will love it (both of mine did). And there is our favorite Laduree right in the neighborhood as well. Go upstairs to the blue room....

Enjoy Paris!

gruezi

beeswing:
Regarding using Kinkos. The only thing is: the hotels will fax you back with confirmation.

I used email to reserve at the Parlamento. Perhaps try that first.

For the Bonaparte, you will definitely need to provide them a return-fax number. (Unless they will do email now...I've never tried it with them).

Hi Bee,

>As far as the faxing...we found out that our home fax isn't actually hooked up to a modem <

Fax machines don't need a modem. They connect to the telephone line. You disconnect the wire from the phone and attach it to the fax machine, and then you hook another wire from the fax machine to the phone.

You do need a fax "driver". Your computer should have one installed and recognize your fax machine.
....................................................................
Hi CB,
>Thanks very much Ira, for the explanation about the taxi. The desk clerk was doing me a favor and I did not realize it.<

The clerk might not have realized it either.
............................................
Hi JB,

>For the Bonaparte.........Unless they will do email now......<
It wasn't that long ago that they still had scribes using quill pens.
Faxing, and an upgrade of the web page, came after Madame retired.

The website has a means for making reservations by email, but I have found that Fax is more reliable.

It turns out that when my husband said "we don't have a modem" -- he was talking about an internal fax/modem. We have what was a combo scanner/printer/fax, but the fax component is dead.

We have a while to come up with a solution since we can't reserve with Bonaparte until January.

beeswing

A few thoughts:

1. There are free internet fax services - you download the program and fax from your computer. You'll get charged for an international call, but if you use the 101068 thingie, it won't be much at all. Also, if that combo machine is hooked up to your computer (which it has to be if you're using it for any of the functions), it should be connected to your computer's modem, which you obviously have or you wouldn't be on Fodor's.

2. I would choose the Bonaparte over the Familia on the basis of location, especially considering you're traveling with a teenager. Haven't stayed at either - just talking about location. There's interesting history behind why they won't accept reservations until January, but Amazing Race is about to begin and I don't have time to go into it.

3. Regarding services at 2* hotels, I don't expect major concierge services at all, but the one I stay at in Paris all the time routinely calls taxis for me, offers free umbrellas when it's raining, looks up stuff on the internet for me, even gives me free champagne and coffee. I don't *expect* these services, but they're not resistant to offering or providing them. I think cynthia's comments are just particular to whatever 2* hotel she stays at, not a general observation.

beeswing: Have you thought about strolling through the streets of Paris - passing by your intended hotel even, while you wait to make reservations? It can be such fun! Checking out anything and everything you have asked about!
Here is the link:

http://tinyurl.com/c9rapm

Click on the Paris "dot"
Click on the next Paris "dot"
Enter the address - just Rue Bonaparte, no need for a number unless you have the exact address, and you will be taken there. Go to the "Plan" and follow the arrow as it negotiates buildings and streets. You'll soon get the hang of it!

I think cynthia is just saying you don't have minute-by-minute service in 2-3* hotels compared to your own personal servants with a fan in a 5* hotel, or something like that. Could be, I have no idea as I have never stayed in a 5* hotel. Of course, that is true, but the services in 2-3* hotels are certainly more than adequate for my needs, but I'm not particularly demanding. So about all I need is someone to call me a taxi at times, I'll admit, but they do that fine. I think they'd make restaurant reservations, also, if I asked, but I never have. I really don't think this is an issue for anyone but someone who is very demanding or wants to be waited on, although I'm not sure what they would want. Hotels like that won't have meal room service, either, of course, although they all have breakfast rooms or delivery breakfast to your room (or both), that is required by law.

As for faxing, a FAX is just scanning a page and sending a PDF file, more or less. So it can be sent to a computer account, you don't have to have a FAX machine to print it out. I used to have some FAX software at home on my computer, but there are websites you can go to in order to get a free FAX number to give to people and they FAX the thing there, and then you either get it emailed to you or get it online, I forget. I used to have such an account at JFAX.com, I believe. This doesn't require you having software or anything as it's not on your machine.

Some of them only allow you to send faxes free, not receive them, and you pay to receive. You can check those out, but http://www.efax.com/efax-free

seems to allow you to do both for free, and has a free trial period, also, for their upgraded product. They store your files online, it's just like those free email accounts.

Just to confuse the issue, I would recommend Hotel Delavigne right near the Luxembourg gardens and St. Michel Blvd. We stayed in the triple there and it was very comfortable.
http://www.hoteldelavigne.com/pages/rooms_4.html

Years ago, I stayed at the Familia and, while it was very nice, the rooms were extremely small. I thought the Delavigne was much more comfortable and a much better location.