Hotel Bonaparte or Hotel Le Regent in Paris?
 

Hello fodorites. We are planning a trip for our 25th wedding anniversary and will be in Paris early October 2013. We have stayed at Le Regent a few times and like it very much. I've seen some great reviews about Bonaparte and was wondering if anyone has an opinion one way or the other. I believe Bonaparte is cheaper but I love the location of Le Regent. I am reading that Bonaparte is in the heart of the Latin Quarter. Isn't that a crazy busy section or am I wrong? Any input would be most appreciated.

Thank you so much.

I assume that if Ira sees this post he will be able to give you a wealth of information about the Bonaparte. In the meantime I would suggest you also consider the Hotel du Danube, also in the Latin Quarter. It is a 3* boutique hotel on Rue Jacob. If you do consider it, skip the standard rooms and only consider the Superior rooms or above which are very nice indeed. IMO (and DW's) the du Danube has an ambiance that would make it a fine place to celebrate an anniversary.

www.hoteldanube.fr

Hi Mik,

The Bonaparte is in the 6th, not the Latin Quarter.

It is on a typical Paris street - ie, tall buildings that echo - so there is a chance for the occasional noisy car or cycle, but is pretty quiet.

Many buses stop right around the corner, on Pl San Sulpice. It is also close to the Metro.

The Bonaparte is not as lux as the Regent, but I see significant savings even if you get a large room.

We like to have breakfast brought to the room.

If you have further q's, just ask.

((I))

The Danube, Le Regent and the Bonaparte are all in the 6th, not in the Latin Quarter. All are in great locations. We have stayed at Le Regent and the standard rooms, as you know, are small. I would choose by price, location and room size as they are all nice hotels.

So far I have booked both the Regent and the Bonaparte. I love the Regent in terms of all the cafes that are just outside the door but it sounds like the Bonaparte has the same. The Danube does look nice as well so thank you for that recommendation but I think I will keep the two reservations for now and probably release the Regent to save the money. It also sounds like the Bonaparte might have the edge on transportation proximity to the airport?? We are also looking for a nice place for dinner for that evening, which is our actual anniversary. Not break the bank expensive but definitely nice and romantic. If anyone has any suggestions on that front as well. Thank you!

My current favorite hotel in the 6th is the Hotel Clément, 6 rue Clément, one street south of Blvd St. Germain, just west of the Rue de Seine.

Excellent location, immaculate and attractive public rooms and bedrooms. The breakfast is expensive but the best hotel breakfast I've had in Paris. Just out the door are countless cafés so no need to have the breakfast if you don't want it. We ordered it when we knew we would be too busy for an extensive lunch.

I found the Bonaparte shabby and the bathrooms eccentric at best. Of the three rooms my friends and I occupied, only one was reasonable.

If you like the Regent, stick with it.

The two hotels you're considering are about the same distance from the airport--so you can eliminate that as a factor when making your decision.

I remember the Bonaparte as being just a bit shabby, but perhaps it's been renovated since we stayed there.

We stayed at the Bonaparte this past summer & were very happy. We like the location, close to cafes (there is one right around the corner, across from ST. Sulpice Square & church). It's a 5-minute walk from Luxembourg Gardens. Staff are friendly & helpful. We thought our room was a decent size for Paris, & the bathroom was very roomy & modern, not shabby at all. I don't know anything about the other hotels.

We had a nice dinner at Fish just off of Blvd St. Germain. If you click on my name, you can read my trip report & I give the address of Fish.

Perhaps the Bonaparte has been updated; I stayed there three years ago. My stay at the Clément was May of this year.

I don't think the Bonaparte is equivalent to the Regent, it's a lower level hotel. If you are okay with a basic 2* hotel, fine, but don't assume those two hotels are interchangeable in terms of furnishings and ambience. YOu can read reviews on Tripadvisor to see, and you will notice various reviews commenting that it was "simple", "not fancy", "nothing special", etc. These are current. Many people don't care, that level of hotel is fine, just be aware of what you are getting. I think the room size in Bonaparte is generally okay, it's the furnishings, etc. that is lower-level.

These hotels aren't that far apart, so I'm not sure why you think the Bonaparte is better for the airport. Neither of these hotels is that good in terms of being easy for public transportation to the airport (not being near the RER or Air France bus stops). Of course it is a very busy area of Paris, but if you've been in the Regent, you would know. The Bonaparte is just down the street to the south a bit from the St Germain church, near St Sulpice. They are only a few blocks apart to whatever you like about the area is the same.

If you are most interested in saving money, go with the Bonaparte as the location is the same basically. But don't expect it to be an equivalent hotel to the Regent.

Hi mik,

>Bonaparte transportation to the airport?
The hotel will arrange for a shuttle for you. They have an arrangement with someone so that you don;t have to pick up many other people along the way.

>We are also looking for a nice place for dinner for that evening,...<

http://www.petit-zinc.com
http://www.vagenende.com/
http://www.la-mediterranee.com/en/
http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/index.php
http://www.bouillon-racine.com/en/home/index.html

You might also consider lunch at Taillevant.
98E pp including beverages - worth every penny
http://taillevent.com/le-restaurant_...t_menu-semaine

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

I hope that the Bonaparte has been update since my last visit few years ago..I usually stay there when I depart from Paris.. but last year I rented an apartment instead.
The Bonaparte is not fancy but is clean and very safe.

Okay...thank you all so much for the input.

I've stayed at both hotels, and if saving money is a factor, I'd go for the Bonaparte. I wouldn't call it shabby, but it is certainly not decorated in the style of the Regent. However, the staff is very friendly and helpful.
If money is no object, then I'd get a large room at Le Regent. Both locations are great, IMO, just a few blocks apart.

If you want to have a 26th, stay at Le Regent. If not, the Bonaparte.

Weekender :-D

Everyone has their favorite restaurants---here's some reviews of ours:

Have been here many times through the years
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...de_France.html

A new one for us in Sept. but we will definitely add it to our list of repeat places
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...de_France.html
Both of the above places are close enough to walk to unless it's pouring rain.

Much bigger, a little pricier and fancy, and we agree with ira
http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/index.php
You'd have to take a cab, but it's not real far.

Happy planning!

Does the Bonaparte still feature a cat?

As of 3 years ago there was a cat, but I hardly considered it a " feature." Being highly allergic, I didn't appreciate it lounging on the reception desk, in the breakfast room, etc.

Well, I guess I've been vocal enough about my dislike for the Bonaparte but seriously, in the same neighborhood and at the same prices, the Clément is such better value, as are many others.

Thank you!!! All great suggestions.