Hotel and claustraphobia???
 

Well I thought I was all set with Hotel Bonaparte. Husband has bad claustraphobia since he had an MRI (maybe someone can relate). He just can't go in small spaces.

Anyway I happened to mention to him the elevator was small. and now he wants to know if he can just climb stairs. That would be fine but some of you have recommended a room high up to get away from noise. I have no idea how high is "high up?"..


I told him all rooms in Paris are small..now he is saying if the room has a window it might be ok?? I am assuming there is a window in each room???. So my question is, do you think we can get a quiet room on a lower floor????
And if not, how many floors are there for him to climb?

Actually I had another question to ask today but I will save it. I appreciate your comments.

I don't know the Hotel Bonaparte but I have seen hotel rooms in Europe without a window (not common but possible is my comment).

My only trip to Paris we stayed at the Dacia Luxembourg in a lovely room of perfectly reasonable size (so I would not say *all* rooms in Paris are small) facing St Mich Blvd with big windows and loads of light. Hotel had a teeny elevator but the room was only a couple flights up, granted on narrow and winding stairs.

Hi loisco!
I have to admit to a bit of claustrophobia myself, so yes, I can relate!

I stayed at the Bonaparte in November on the 6th (top) floor, which of course is like our 7th floor, and yes, the elevator is quite small!

Part of the time I took the stairs to our room, since I'm not too crazy about tiny elevators, and I just tried to think of it as a way to work off all those macarons and pain au chocolat.

I would think that you could just ask for a room on a lower floor . Our room was on the street side, and we didn't notice any street noise whatsoever.

The rooms weren't huge, but they were more than adequate, and they had nice big windows.

We had the slightly larger room, and my brother and sister-in-law had the standard room, so I saw both kinds, and both were fine.

Hi loisco. I believe that the Bonaparte has 7 floors. I stayed on the 6th floor and the room had 2 windows (one facing the street and one facing the courtyard.)

You are correct that the elevator is small, but perhaps your husband will be o.k. if he rides in it alone? Just a thought.

Well I just discussed it with husband and he will stay on any lower floors..he feels he will not want to climb 6 floors after a day of museums. (in our 70's you know). So......is there any reason not to request a lower floor?????...are they as nice? I guess I have no choice anyway.

I can relate the claustrophobia--we've stayed in some B&Bs in Ireland that drove me "up the wall"--not literally, of course. My problem comes if I wake up during the night. It can happen in a huge room or in a tiny one--who knows why??

Two ways that I manage to be less claustrophobic are: Leave the bathroom light on and partially close the door. If there is light in the room, I don't have as much of a problem. Fortunately, my husband is a sound sleeper and even if I turn on a bedside light, he manages to sleep through it.

Secondly: if bathroom light can't be arranged, I pull open the drapes after the room lights are out, to let ambient light from outside come in to the room.

It is strange that I normally do not have a problem in a cruise ship cabin--and we do not book suites. I do find that if I read, after waking up, I can usually drop off to sleep--and sometimes drop the book! mhm

I'm sorry to disagree but not "all hotel rooms in Paris are small" as some I have stayed in are quite large..but you would, obviously, end up paying more for them than those at the Bonaparte.

I think taking the elevator alone might be the only viable alternative or staying on a lower floor to paying more for a larger room elsewhere unfortunately.

Have a great trip regardless.

If you're going to climb a flight of stairs or two anyway, would you consider staying in a nice hotel without an elevator, and ask for one of their largest rooms?
I've read only good things about the
hotel du Lys, rue Serpente. You can search on it here or at tripadvisor.com

Hi lois,

Sorry to hear about hubby's claustrophobia.

Last May we stayed on the 2nd (US third floor). We had rooms 18 (double bed, faces the street) and 19 (twin beds, faces the courtyard with a bathroom window on the street).

Room 18 has a large French window in the main room and a smaller window in the bathroom.

Room 19 is smaller, but has a huge bathroom.

We did not hear street noise unless we opened the windows.

The elevator is larger than the MRI, but does get crowded with two people in it. :)

Hope this helps.

((I))

Thanks all...Elaine, that hotel du Lys sounds great but they have a narrow winding staircase. I don't think he does narrow staircases either. I may leave him home. Just kidding.

You people are so nice..Ira. should I ask for "Ira's room???"..you know the Paris part of our big big trip is at the end and I haven't gotten very far with the first part.I hope I don't run into the same small elevator thing everywhere I go.

I had the same experience,,,the MRI was agonizing. I just ask for a different room if they assign me one that doesnt have enough light and space,,,perhaps if affordable a bit larger room might be an answer. I still hate those tiny little elevators and confined spaces like that and would much prefer going up the stairs.
good luck

Many of the lodgings in Europe are in very old buildings. In suite baths were often added far after the original room was built, so this takes up a lot of space, and the room is, accordingly, small by Holiday Inn standards. Also, many of the elevators are retrofitted, and have to be small as they take up part of the landings. However, most of the elevators I recall, while small, have a feeling of openness because they are often windowed; some are even just cages.

As I age, I become more concerned about climbing a bunch of narrow stairs after a day afoot, so I look for places with an elevator and just steel myself to riding in such a small car.

We like to stay in apartments, and I seem to recall seeing a few ground level apartments in my searches, but have no experience with them. Apartments are also small by US standards, but generally have more room than hotel rooms. You might consider looking for one.

Wow! There's hope. Does anyone remember if the Hotel Bonaparte has a gated elevator???...Hubby says this would be fine.

What would I do without all of you?..

loisco, do you mean is it somewhat open? No, I don't recall it being gated. It is fully enclosed when the door is closed. It is spacious enough when only one person is inside, but, as Ira said, it can get tight with luggage or another person.