Breakfast in Paris
 

We are staying four nights at Hotel Verneuil in St Germain area. They offer a breakfast for 13 euros each. Should we plan on this or pass and try to venture out to the cafes? Would prices be comparable? We love to roll out of bed and enjoy a hotel breakfast, but this seems quite pricey.

It all depends on a)what you want to eat and b) what they give you. If you'll be happy with a croissant and coffee, then you'll certainly save money by going elsewhere. My guess is, at this price, your hotel is offering a buffet with yogurt, cheese, cereals, pastries, juice, coffee... Is that what you're looking for? If so, then it's a reasonable price.

petunia - I don't mean to alarm you but have you checked Trip Advisor lately about this hotel? You may want to rethink the whole thing.

Skip it and go to a cafe or a bakery and get something to eat. Happy Travels!

Thanks Robjame, for the heads up. I did read that recent negative post, but the hotel comes so highly recommended from a dear friend of mind, that I was going to keep our plans there unless more negative feedback comes up. We go in July.

For 26 euro you can get a wonderful lot of stuff that will surely be better than what they have on their buffet.

I'd rather be sitting along a sidewalk cafe than in the usual "dingy" breakfast room anyway.

I've learned that little cafes don't mind if you pick up a nice pastry and sit down with it and order coffee and or OJ. In fact that was suggested a couple of times when I asked if they had pain au chocolate -- the waiter would say "no, but you can get one across the street at the bakery and come back" -- so we did.

petunia - good
As to the breakfast thing, it depends what you like. Yo have already said you like to "roll out of bed and enjoy a hotel breakfast." It is a buffet there and it will be as Cimbrone describes.
Yes, I think it is expensive and you will be rubbing shoulders with the other guests. More than that I think you will be missing one of the truly Parisian experiences... getting out in the morning and joining others for a cafe and baguette avec beuree or pain au chocolat... for about €5 per.
Think of it this way - if you have a light petit dejeuner you will have to stop mid morning for an espresso and pastry. Oh Darn! LOL

Hi MP,

13E is about right for a full buffet - all you can eat.

However, you might be happier going around the corner (there is always a cafe aroound the corner) for cafe au lait and a croissant, so that you will have room for lunch.

(Not to mention Elevenses, afternoon tea, a few snacks, another cuppa, some ice cream and a crepe before dinner.)

((I))

PS,

A cuppa and a croissant sitting down outside will be about 5E pp.

Standing up at the bar, about 3.

((I))

It is a bit more expensive than E5, but we can't resist breakfast every morning at Cafe Bonaparte. It is on the Place Ste. Germaine des Pres, just down the street from Deux Magots. It is blissful to sit with your croissants and cafe au lait and watch everyone go to work or to school while you plan your day in Paris.

When you get into your room, see if it is possible to request just coffee or something brought to your room, then you could go out for a small breakfast when you're ready. Our little hotel has a 'door hanger' card where you can check off items.

Plus the Cafe Bonaparte serves petit dejuenier Ameican (American breakfast); ham & eggs or a nice omelette for IIRC 11.00e.

Pjk

bkm

I would not count on 13 Euro buying a full buffet breakfast. For 11 or 12 euro the hotel (not fancy) on my last trip offered just juice, half a baguette and 2pastries, and coffee. You don't have to decide in advance. Wait until you get there. And you can take the hotel breakfast on the first day if you want to and then go out on subsequent days..

I also depends on how much you want to eat. If you are happy with one croissant and one cup of coffee, or if you want 2 pastries, etc. When I figured the cost of having the overpriced breakfast in my room and taking it outside, the price was not all that different, due to the fresh juice. Quality is another issue.

Online description of breakfast:

"Breakfast (€13 extra) is served between 7am and 10.30am in a stone-vaulted dining room, the old cellar. You get a proper continental buffet: cheese, fresh juice and fruit salad, yoghurts and cereals, croissants, pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins. Bacon and eggs are available for an extra €3.50, coffee and tea are brought to you at your table."