Ira and others,
I am still waiting on my sister to review hotels in Paris (at the end of August there is not much of a problem getting a reservation!!). Anyway, I was going to tell her to look at tripadvisor and read the good things about the Bonaparte. There is a new posting that talks about the cat at the hotel peeing, etc by their room. They also mention that some of the rooms don't have AC. Don't know how often you look at tripadvisor, but I am wondering how valid this is since no one else seems to have trouble with the cats. I love cats but my sister is allergic to them, so I am not sure I want her to read that post.

The reason I never pursued this hotel is because I learned that it has a housecat. I'm very allergic to cats and really cats and I don't get along; dogs are better for me.
Otherwise, the hotel is a good value for this area.
The Trip Advisor poster making the latest comment moved over to Le Regent. Le Regent is much more expensive but looks very well-maintained. I saw the lobby and it's great (very small though) but nice and the reception is very nice. I stopped to ask for a brochure and the girl was welcoming.

Hi Paula,

I read the review.

I am a little skeptical, but sometimes s**t happens, even in the nicest places.

It literally happens obviously...

We were just there from the 7th - 9th July. I never saw a cat, and actually had no idea one lived there! My husband is allergic to cats, and he had no reaction while we were there. But I guess those who are allergic react differently to allergens.

I have no personal information about Bonaparte or the cat -- but the thing about the AC would concern me IF that is one reason you are booking it. That is factual and should be easy to check out and to make sure you get a room with AC if that is your understanding. It is true that some Parisian hotels will have some rooms with AC and some without because they use some room units rather than central air, and the ones with AC can cost a little more.

Right now AC is hardly a need in Paris, as they've been having an unusually cold and rainy summer, but things could change by the end of August. I'd just make sure you get what you are expecting in that regard; if you haven't discussed AC and just assumed the room you booked had it, maybe you should ask.

All I have to say is, Yuck! Like I've said before, I don't want to stay anywhere where animals are lounging about the hallways and lobby-sniffing my luggage, and the like-particularly when I'm allergic to cats. As Christina points out, although Europe is having an unusually cool and rainy summer, that could change drastically by the end of August, an un air-con. room at the Bonaparte, coupled with the cat thing-no thank you!

Wren - That is interesting that you never saw the cat and that your husband wasn't bothered. I love cats and I think as long as they don't go in the rooms, there probably isn't a problem. How did you like the Bonaparte?

Christina - I looked at my booking sheet from the Bonaparte and it does state an air conditioned room. I just got the impression from others that all the rooms had AC. I know it has been a cool summer but August might be hot and I don't want to take any chances.

Paula, maybe you are right about the cat situation. If the cat doesn't enter the room you're in it'll be allright. I know that when I'd go over to my aunt's house I'd be totally miserable with sneezing, congestion, and swollen eyes as she had the cats roam all over the house.
For a few years now she's relegated them to the downstairs room and I've been fine upsairs since they don't go there anymore.
However, if Napoleon the cat is free to roam through all the hotel's rooms, I don't know. For me I cannot book a room at the Bonaparte as I don't want to take the chance. Plus the cat using the floor as its bathroom, well, that's another reason.

The hotels I've stayed at in Paris so far I've not had any allergic reactions so I don't think any cats were on premises either just before or during my stay. Just lucky so far I guess.

oh, well if the reservation said it was an AC room then you are all set. I think it should be fine unless your sister is super allergic, but I would think it wouldn't be an issue if the cat wasn't in the bedrooms. I'm not allergic to anything so don't know how those things work. It's a great location and a good price, I think you will enjoy it a lot and that it's better than your prior choice.

We just got from Paris last night (trip report coming soon!) and peeked in the door of the Bonaparte since we're going to be staying there in November. The location is fantastic- it's just around the corner from the Madison, where we stayed this time- and it seems to be the most reasonably priced hotel in that area.

We just peeked in the lobby, which looked fine, but nothing fancy-- didn't see a cat! We thought about asking to see a room, but decided not to. I've seen pictures of the rooms, and my impresion is that it's a great deal for the location.

Hi all,

When were there in May, Napoleon the Cat was confined to the ground floor.

He was allowed out onto a small roof area that has access from a stairway window about 1/2 way up to the 1st floor.

He was placed in his cat carrier during the breakfast rush.

During the week we were there, we did not see him above the ground floor.

My wife is a cat fancier and would have found him if he were anywhere else.

I suggest that those folks who do not like to be around cats think twice about the Bonaparte for as long as they have a cat.

PS, Mme Dumas also has a doggie.

Paula, I think you need to tell your sister about Napoleon and the feedback you got here AND at Tripadvisor. During our overnight visit in March we only ever saw Napoleon on the ground floor/reception area. I can't imagine that he'd be allowed upstairs but why not confirm this with the hotel? Depending on the severity of your sister's allergies perhaps this can still work out. From your postings it's obvious that you've spent a great deal of effort on making this trip a success for all of you, good luck!

I'm always happy to know when there are cats and dogs on the premises, not because I'm allergic (though I certainly understand the concern for those who have true allergies), but because their presence and personalities always makes a place more special to me.

Someday I will check out the Bonaparte (and Napoleon). Have never stayed in the 6eme--yet.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34537287

"I am not sure I want her t read that post."

What a very "adult" way to behave...is your sister not able to make her own decisions?? too "stupid" to discern what may or may not be of value? are YOU taking this trip or is she? afraid that Ira might be "wrong" in his recommendations or have you decided that everyone MUST have had the same experience and this "cat thing" is just made up?

Personally, I would not want you making ANY of my travel decisions because if one of the experiences went badly you'd be the very one who'd be saying, "Oh, I had no idea."

Jeez, lighten up, TopMan. You'll have a stroke!

Hi Cigal,

The link you posted is for someone looking for info on the Hotel Napoleon in the 8th, not the Hotel Bonaparte in the 6th.

Ira-Thanks for clearing that up. I saw this old thread that I started in July and wondered why it came up.

TopMan-I agree lighten up. First of all this is a very old thread. Don't know why you responded the way you did. Since you don't know the background, I was putting together a trip for myself, my daughters and my sister. I was very happy with the recommendation of the Bonaparte until I read this review and was concerned because of her allergies. I was planning the trip for ALL of us and wanted everything to work out for all parties concerned. In the end we decided to stay at a different hotel just to be on the safe side. We all had a marvelous trip. I was obsessing over the hotel room because I am the type of person who would NEVER say "I had no idea".

When we were there last year, the air conditioning in our room worked, and the cat was only on the ground floor. I have a reservation there for Christmas time. I'll post afterward regarding our stay.