Hotel de la Bourdonnais or Des Nations St. Gremain
Sep 9th, 2004, 11:06 AM
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Hotel de la Bourdonnais or Des Nations St. Gremain
I am planning a trip to Paris in March for a family of four, and have found two packages on Expedia that seem like good possiblities. Both packages include roundtrip airfare from Houston, TX and hotel for 7 nights.
The first option provides us with a quad room at the Hotel de la Bourdonnais (3 star in the 7th) for $833 per peson. The second gives us two double rooms at the Des Nations St. Germain (2 and a half stars in the 5th) for $900 per person.
I realize the two doubles will give us the advantage of an extra bathroom (and possibly more space overall), and that alone may be worth the extra $268. But we have managed quite well in a quad before, so I am really looking for advice on other factors (location/neighborhood, quality matches website photos, helpfulness of staff, etc.) to help us make a decision.
I'd also be interesed in other's experience with this kind of a hotel and airfare package vs purchasing each separately.
Thanks for your help!
The first option provides us with a quad room at the Hotel de la Bourdonnais (3 star in the 7th) for $833 per peson. The second gives us two double rooms at the Des Nations St. Germain (2 and a half stars in the 5th) for $900 per person.
I realize the two doubles will give us the advantage of an extra bathroom (and possibly more space overall), and that alone may be worth the extra $268. But we have managed quite well in a quad before, so I am really looking for advice on other factors (location/neighborhood, quality matches website photos, helpfulness of staff, etc.) to help us make a decision.
I'd also be interesed in other's experience with this kind of a hotel and airfare package vs purchasing each separately.
Thanks for your help!
Sep 9th, 2004, 12:47 PM
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We have stayed three times at Hotel de la Bourdonnais. It is a rather small nice hotel. The rooms have been renovated over the past few years. They have a nice breakfast that you purchase for a small price with rolls and coffee. It is in a very convenient place, close to subways, Eifel, etc. Staff is not that friendly, but o.k. Close to Rue Cler. I do not know about the other hotel. Have fun!
Sep 9th, 2004, 02:14 PM
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Our family stayed at the Bourdonnais years ago. Very close to the Ecole Militaire subway stop. A very short walk to the Eiffel Tower. It's a nice, small hotel without any convention business -- too small for that. Lots of restaurants nearby. It's out of the hectic student-packed Latin Quarter. Very civilized.
Sep 9th, 2004, 02:44 PM
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I haven't stayed at either so can't comment on the staff. I think they are probably about the same level (des Nations is a 3*, but the Bourdonnais does look a little nicer in photos).
They are both good locations, I know both of them. Both are convenient to metro and in a nice area. I don't think you can decide on that. The Nations is near the Arenes in the Latin Qtr, rue Mouffetard and place Monge. It's not that far a walk to the Seine, and near restaurants and shops. The other is near Ecole Militaire metro and not too far from Champ de Mars and rue Cler food market street. It's a little flatter over there. That area is a little more upscale (although there's nothing wrong with the Arenes area).
Both of those hotels have their own web sites, so that's probably the best for photos:
www.regetel.com (the owner of Nations)
www.labourdonnais.fr
The package seems a good deal although I wouldn't prepay hotels myself. It's easy to figure out what it's worth by comparing the parts. It appears the Nations pkg is a better deal if you base it on the std hotel rates. The Nations' double room rates are 140 euro, so that's about 490 euro total or $600 pp for 7 nights. The Bourdonnais charges 195 euro for that quad room, which ends up being about 350 euro or about $420 pp total for 7 nights. That leaves about $400 for the airfare, which seems pretty good to me from Houston. The Nations package only leaves $300 for the airfare, which is why it seems a better deal in comparison to regular prices.
From checking, it looks like that airfare is worth about $500 (nonstop AF in March, with all taxes), so those packages are a good deal.
If you truly don't care about the quad vs. two doubles (and I'd ask about the size of the hotel rooms myself), I'd go for the Bourdonnais for that savings as the area is fine.
They are both good locations, I know both of them. Both are convenient to metro and in a nice area. I don't think you can decide on that. The Nations is near the Arenes in the Latin Qtr, rue Mouffetard and place Monge. It's not that far a walk to the Seine, and near restaurants and shops. The other is near Ecole Militaire metro and not too far from Champ de Mars and rue Cler food market street. It's a little flatter over there. That area is a little more upscale (although there's nothing wrong with the Arenes area).
Both of those hotels have their own web sites, so that's probably the best for photos:
www.regetel.com (the owner of Nations)
www.labourdonnais.fr
The package seems a good deal although I wouldn't prepay hotels myself. It's easy to figure out what it's worth by comparing the parts. It appears the Nations pkg is a better deal if you base it on the std hotel rates. The Nations' double room rates are 140 euro, so that's about 490 euro total or $600 pp for 7 nights. The Bourdonnais charges 195 euro for that quad room, which ends up being about 350 euro or about $420 pp total for 7 nights. That leaves about $400 for the airfare, which seems pretty good to me from Houston. The Nations package only leaves $300 for the airfare, which is why it seems a better deal in comparison to regular prices.
From checking, it looks like that airfare is worth about $500 (nonstop AF in March, with all taxes), so those packages are a good deal.
If you truly don't care about the quad vs. two doubles (and I'd ask about the size of the hotel rooms myself), I'd go for the Bourdonnais for that savings as the area is fine.
Sep 9th, 2004, 04:01 PM
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The user comments on Tripadvisor are mostly favorable for Bourdonnais and a bit mixed for Nations St Germain.
There are a couple of posts re: Bourdonnais from people who stayed in quad rooms, both commented on the large bathrooms.
There are a couple of posts re: Bourdonnais from people who stayed in quad rooms, both commented on the large bathrooms.
Sep 9th, 2004, 08:31 PM
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Christina, the link for La Bourdonnais you posted didn't work for me, but this one did:
http://www.hotellabourdonnais.fr/
I am glad the rooms have been redecorated. They really needed it. Newesttraveler, if you go with the Bourdonnais, be sure to request a room with a street view (preferably Eiffel Tower view) and get that confirmed in writing--by email or fax. The nonstreet view rooms in the back can be stuffy, dark and noisy (they pick up noise from the restaurant's kitchen on the ground floor). The street is not noisy and quite attractive. The last time we were there, we stayed in room 303 (two double beds, "real" closet, big bathroom,Eiffel Tower view)
http://www.hotellabourdonnais.fr/
I am glad the rooms have been redecorated. They really needed it. Newesttraveler, if you go with the Bourdonnais, be sure to request a room with a street view (preferably Eiffel Tower view) and get that confirmed in writing--by email or fax. The nonstreet view rooms in the back can be stuffy, dark and noisy (they pick up noise from the restaurant's kitchen on the ground floor). The street is not noisy and quite attractive. The last time we were there, we stayed in room 303 (two double beds, "real" closet, big bathroom,Eiffel Tower view)
Sep 10th, 2004, 07:19 AM
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Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. Based on your responses it looks like la Bourdonnais should be a fine place to stay.
I agree that it would be preferable not to prepay the hotel, but given the savings achieved through the package deal, it seems to be the best way to go. Let me know if I am missing something here, and thanks again for all of your help!
I agree that it would be preferable not to prepay the hotel, but given the savings achieved through the package deal, it seems to be the best way to go. Let me know if I am missing something here, and thanks again for all of your help!
Sep 10th, 2004, 09:40 AM
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I think it is a good idea to check the reviews as I've read some complaints about some rooms at Bourdonnais, but maybe pre-renovation. I think I'd go with that one, also, in your case.
Btilke, thanks for correctly the URL. I just typed it in, rather than copying it, and made a mistake.
Btilke, thanks for correctly the URL. I just typed it in, rather than copying it, and made a mistake.
