We are thinking about booking the Hotel Bonapartre for our 2009 trip, but I'm wondering the best way to book. I find their website a little difficult, so would prefer to telephone. However, some hotels will not accept the credit card number by telephone. How do most people book it? Also, we're wondering about the breakfast -- how is it?

Sandy

We booked over the internet and had no problems. I find that if you are not totally fluent in French, or the other person in English, it can often lead to misunderstandings if you use the phone. The breakfast was not a buffet affair, just the standard juice (*I think), croissant, tea, coffee, hot chocolate etc. but more than adequate. I am sure that you will enjoy your stay there. Ira, no doubt can give you more information when he jumps on line.

Toni,
Thanks so much! Will give it a try

Sandy

Hi S,

The Bonaparte staff are fluent in English.

I book by Fax. They send me a fax confirmation.

That way there is a record and less chance of misunderstanding.

Bkfst is coffee, chocolate or tea. Croissant and roll. All fresh made. Butter, jellies.

It is normally served in the room (you tell them when), but there is a small bkfst room if you like.

If you don't want bkfst, you get a 5E pp reduction.

Enjoy your visit.

Hi sandypaws, I always book any hotel by email, I like having the written record, I worry that even though I speak some french that a simple misunderstanding could easily occur.
I arrive with printed out confirmations to where ever I am staying in my bag.

I recently booked Bonaparte. Sent them email with dates; got a reply back quickly with a contract attached. After faxing the filled and signed form, I got the confirmation via email.

Like Ira, I use the fax. Sounds like internet is becoming popular too, but I haven't tried it.

I love their breakfast-in-the-room. You call down, tell them how many persons...I can't think of a time they were more than 10 minutes arriving with the tray.

I also like hot tea at night. If the desk isn't busy he/she has always been happy to make me a pot of hot water to take to the room. I do tip the servers at the end of the trip.

Thanks, Ira! We don't have a fax, but guess we could use the one where my husband works. The breakfast sounds good -- just about what we order in a cafe.

Sandy

bozama,
Do you send your credit card number by e-mail too? I worry a little about doing that, but you make a good point about having the written confirmation, and I know some people have suggested sending the number in 2 different e-mails.

Sandy

esm & Jeanne,
Thanks so much! I really like the location of The Bonaparte, and with all the good reviews, I will most likely book it. We have stayed in a few hotels in the 6th, but the rates keep rising!

Sandy

A little more info about the Bonaparte:

The surrounding shops on that street are to-die-for! You'll love it.

Though metro access is very good, bus is even better. There's a bus "stop" right around the corner at Saint-Sulpice.

If you don't feel like going far for a meal there's an area behind the hotel that's chock full of all kinds of restaurants, pizzerias, creperies. Go around the corner by Saint-Sulpice and you will see Cafe Marie. Pass that, turn left. There are restaurants there...and even more if you take the first right onto Rue Guisarde (sp?). We especially enjoyed Bastide d'Opio. They have a kebab type item with a selection of mustards; very good.

We stayed 6 nights at Hotel Bonaparte a couple of years ago. I would recommend making reservations by FAX rather than phone, even though the staff speaks English. I phoned, and I found it difficult to understand through the French accent. Also, breakfast included tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, croissant, and very small baguette. The offerings never varied and because I don't care for croissants, and never drink juice, eating only the small baguette left me very hungry. I finally figured out that I needed to pick up some things from the nearby Monoprix and store them in the room refrig. We did enjoy our stay, as I'm sure you will as well!

mk notes,

> because I don't care for croissants, and never drink juice, eating only the small baguette left me very hungry. I finally figured out that I needed to pick up some things from the nearby Monoprix.

If you don't want the bkfst, you will be credited 5E pp (I think).

You can go to
Amorino 4 Rue de Buci Gelato

There is a monoprix at the corner where Rue Bonaparte meets Blvd St Germaine 50 Rue de Rennes

The World’s Best Croissant bakery is at Rue Madam and Rue Vaugirarde.

Michelin’s Best Bakery is at 231, rue de Vaugirard, about 2.5 km from hotel - MºVolontaires Line 12

Poilâne Bakery 8 rue du Cherche Midi Rue du Vieux Colombier to square Go right.

Gérard Mulot 76, rue de Seine Patissierie, Traiteur, Boulangerie

Marche St Germain is on rue Mabillon

Cafe de la Mairie is around the corner.

Go North on rue Bonaparte for a couple of cafes that serve coffee and baguetes or croissant.

Pierre Hermes is across the street (opens at 10:00) and Laduree is a couple of blocks north (opens at 08:30)

You won't go hungry.

Hi Jeanne,
That's why we'd like to stay in the
Bonaparte We love sitting at that cafe in the evening, looking at Saint Sulpice. We've stayed near there, but not quite as close.

Sandy
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>>Go around the corner by Saint-Sulpice and you will see Cafe Marie.>>

Jeanne,
Thanks for the bus and restaurant info! Though I'm familiar with the area, we haven't eaten at many 6th arrondissement restaurants. For some reason, we tend to find ourselves in the 5th or the 7th at dinner time.

Sandy

mkdiebold,
Thanks! That seems to be what most people do -- send a fax. As I mentioned, we don't have a fax machine at home, but we have used the one at the high school where my husband works, which is probably what we'll do this time I always think we should buy one, but haven't really needed one that often.

Sandy

ira,
Thanks for that list of places to eat! I'm familiar with most of the places, but nice to have them all on one list. I love Amorino, especially the lemon gelato and Gérard Mulot for pain chocolat. Mmmm... We have not tried the croissant bakery on the rue Vaugirard, though. We will have to search it out

Sandy

Hi Ira,
I just realized -- I think that you were talking about two places to get the "best" croissant, one your favorite, and the other from the Michelin Guide, so I have been looking for a patisserie on the corner of rue Madame & rue Vaugirard. The closest I can come to that address is the following. Could this be the one you're referring to?

Fumoux Gwenaël
48 rue Madame 75006
Tel: 01 42 22 14 57

Sandy

Hi S,

>Fumoux Gwenaël

I think that that is the right name. I only remember the place by sight.

They won the "Best Croissant in Paris" contest several years ago.

In 2005, their croissants were as good as Pierre Herme - cheaper too.