FYI: Hotel Bonaparte (61 rue Bonaparte) Website
 

There was discussion about this hotel earlier this year and it was mentioned that they don't have a website. I found the website this weekend in Rick Steve's Paris 2006 book: it is www.bonaparte.fr.
It's all in French, but if you speak french or use a translator you should be okay. I used www.freetranslator.com to translate the site and the response that I received.

Finally, madam has decided to advertise her hotel online. Good to know, thanks.

Without an "English version"....unfortunate business decision IMO

For some reason, I couldn't access the site properly.

I accessed it OK. I used Google so I could just use their translator - I find it the easiest for me.

Am I having the same problem as francophile? I can get only to the intro/animated page, then can go no further. The page does not say usual "skip inro" or anything.

Yes, kappa explained the problem that I'm experiencing. I can access the front page only. There is nothing else.

I also tried www.bonaparte.fr and only get an animation.

I googled "Hotel Bonaparte Paris" and got no hits for a website for the hotel.

((I))

I am so sorry everyone. The website is www.hotelbonaparte.fr.

Same problem here.

Janis, have you got some magic browser that the rest of us haven't? (I'm on Safari, so I could always put it down to Mac/PC incompatability, not that I know what I'm talking about)

I had no problems with my brand new computer with the latest software.

Does anyone know if this hotel has AC?

Thanks.

Sorry, the new address still doesn't work for me.

Got it! Thanks

Yes, it works now. Thanks again.

I got the correct URL with no problem. The French is fairly simple, even if you don't know it. The basics aren't that language-dependent (prices, access maps), and one of the main advantages is a few photos which haven't been available to now.

The only thing that might need translation is the brief room description which says it has AC, bathroom with tub or shower, hairdryer, minifrig, TV and personal safe. It also says the hotel as Wifi, but I'm not sure where. Some contact info, but still no email address.

The online reservation site allows you reserve that way (one of those sites that hides the email address and you have no copy of the transmission), but given there is no regular email contact listed, I am not sure I'd take that route with this hotel. It may be a middle-man, of course, a lot of online hotel reservation sections are.

It doesn't come up in a search -- maybe it will some day, but I've noticed some hotel websites never can be found with a search. I don't know what that means computer-wise.

There is an email address. You have to click on 'Email: Contact'. It's [email protected]

WooHoo! Email for the Bonaparte! Life is good.
(I couldn't "click on" email: contact, but I'll take your word for it. Thanks.

There's a photo on the "Tarifs/
Reservations" page...a window view, the photo on the right. Is that in the hotel somewhere? Anyone recognize it?

great, Francophile -- I just saw email and then a blank after it, so figured it didn't have one. It didn't look like something you should click, although I should know better by now as you can see the address if you just put your pointer over that.

I don't think that righthand photo on the reservations page could possibly be the hotel -- it's some grand overhead view of Paris, looks like from a belltower or something. The Bonaparte is in the middle of a block on a small, narrow street, and it's not that tall. That middle photo on the page may be St Sulpice church, I think it is. That's about a block away.

I've never stayed there, so Ira being honorary marketing director of this hotel should answer on that one, I am just guessing (those room photos online are not exactly going to get the hotel a stampede of business, I would say).

LOL! I've always qualified my recommendations for the Bonaparte with something about the rooms being somewhat "quaint". But, you're right, they look downright dowdy in those photos. (Fresh flowers from the nearby marche help a lot!) Probably would've been a good idea to invest in some new bed clothing for the photos.

Location is this hotel's selling point. Only 2 doors down from St. Sulpice, they're right to say "a couer de St. Germain".

"..There's a photo on the "Tarifs/
Reservations" page...a window view, the photo on the right. Is that in the hotel somewhere? Anyone recognize it?..."

That is the view "through" the clock at Musee d'Orsay...I have a similar photo in an album from 1997.

this other website for the Bonaparte that I've seen hasn't been updated with the email information but you can use this site to book.

http://en.federal-hotel.com/hotel_ho...paris_1598.htm

Oh dear,

With Mrs Dumas in retirement, the new generation is going High Tech.

I am most concerned about "vous pourrez commencer la journée agréablement dans la belle salle de petit déjeuner dont les fenêtres ouvrent sur une ravissante cour jardin".

Does this mean that they will no longer serve breakfast in the rooms?

I have emailed them.

((I))

Don't the hotels typically serve breakfast in the rooms as one of the choices anyway?

Hi franc,

Almost all of the hotels that I have stayed in have a breakfast room.

((I))

No, I didn't mean that. I meant they give you the option of taking b'fast in your room. At least all of the hotels I've stayed at had that option.

Ira:
Glad you emailed them. Not only can we find out about breakfast in the room, but it will also be an email test!

Please let us know. I'd hate to have to take the rollers out of my hair just to trek downstairs for a cafe!

just a thought.

Now that it's been established that the hotel is endorsed by, gasp, Rick Steves, then would those self-admitted Rickaphobics not even consider being seen near the street where this hotel is located?

I'm pretty sure the Bonaparte has been in RS's books before, and I found a graffiti post from 2000... so it isn't 'new' news...

Rick Steves has featured the Bonaparte in the past, that's true. I think most of his guidebook followers stay in the 7th instead.

I agree with JeanneB about the photos -but that is exactly how I saw the room I viewed. A little tired but quite clean. The bathroom was a disappointment though with only a shower curtain (I know some don't even have that) but remembering it is only two stars.
It was very hot and stuffy in the long hallway leading to reception at the far end when I called in.
However it is in a great local, but if you're looking for something a little smarter you are going to have to probably look at a three star hotel.

If you go to the site, it says "Français" to continue. This means I suppose they will soon be adding English pages. For RS followers, the hotel better have English page.

I actually liked that they didn't have a website before - nostalgia perhaps for a time when you arranged business in a more personal manner.

Interesting opening page. You start by selecting a language but the only available choice is "Français". I assume English will be the next website enhancement.

Ira:

Still no reply?

Christina said that there are photos on the site which haven't been available until now. Ira didn't you previously post a link which some pictures of the hotel?

Hi Jeanne,

No reply yet.

Hi grantop,

Photos are at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-l95uyr

((I))

That's not promising.
I think I'll stick to the good ole' fax machine when it comes time to confirm late arrival.

Thanks Ira, I thought that you had put some out there for us to see.

Maybe a fax will be quicker than email, Ira.

Hi all,

Still no response to my email.

((I))

The English site is up now. The site says that the hotel is in the heart of the "Latin Quarter", but that is using a different definition of Latin Quarter than I am used to.

For Ira, note that "Breakfast is also included allowing you to begin the day with breakfast in your room or in the intimate breakfast room overlooking a charming flowering courtyard."