bng

My husband and I are going to Paris for our 10 year anniversay, and we are trying to decide between 2 hotels: Henry IV Rive Gauche and Bonaparte. We would love to stay somewhere more romantic and fancier, but the exchange rate makes other hotels too expensive. We are looking for great location (we love to walk everywhere), clean rooms, and a reasonable price (less than $300 per night). Which of these hotels would you recommend, or do you have other good recommendations?
thank you.

grrr

Wait for Ira who will undoubtedly recommend the Bonaparte for obvious reasons.

avalon

I've not stayed here but several other posters have. I like the locaation and the looks of the rooms , especially the ones with little balconies.

http://www.familiahotel.com/english_...a_paris_5.html

ekscrunchy

I like to stay on the Ile St. Louis; this hotel, where I have stayed, has rates in your range:




http://www.deuxiles-paris-hotel.com/...deux-iles.html

ira

Hi B,

The Bonaparte, 2*, has an excellent location w/in walking distance of the Luxembourg Gardens, Bon Marche, The Sein, Notre Dame, the d'Orsay Museum.

It is close to 4 metro stops and 4 bus lines.

The larger rooms are well within your budget.

The staff speak English well and are very helpful.

The Henri 4 is a 3*. It is fancier, and more expensive.

It is also in a good location.

I haven't stayed there, so I can't give you more info.

I think that both will meet your needs.

sandi_travelnut

I've written several glowing comments about Hotel Henri IV. I will try to top them for you but all you have to do is type in the hotel name in the search field to find them. We loved the hotel, by the way, and so did my parents who stayed there with us.

sandi_travelnut

Also go to www.tripadvisor.com and look at reviews.

Luisah

Both are in good locations and meet your needs.

You don't say when you are going. Both are fairly small, popular hotels so you need to reserve early.

Paris is the ultimate in romantic cities (well, Venice is close) so you will enjoy your visit in eiher of the hotels you're considering.

You will have a wonderful, memorable anniversary trip.

InMiami

bng, great thread. We are visiting Paris in May of next year and am facing the same hotel/poor exchange dilemma.

Ira, I noticed that the Bonaparte has double rooms for 128E. Have you seen any of these smaller less expensive rooms?

scatcat

I stayed in a twin for 131€ in June. It wasn't as small as I figured. I was happy to have it. Last September I stayed in a larger twin room, but for the difference in money, I'll choose the smaller one.

InMiami

Scatcat, there seems to be a lot of negative feed back on different sites about the upkeep of the Bonaparte rooms. Did you find them in reasonably good shape? Also was your twin facing the front or back? Any information regarding your room number or recommendations would be appreciated.

scatcat

Both times I've stayed there, we had rooms that faced the back. My son had a really nice room that faced the street and had a view of the top of the Eiffel Tour. I didn't find anything worn in the rooms we had, The bathrooms are actually nice. There is also a fridge in the room and a good air conditioner. I think we had room 27. It was at the end of a hall, so no noise from people coming and going.

I really like the location of the Bonaparte. A Ladurees is only about 3-4 short blocks away. Monoprix is about one block away, and all kinds of shopping.

ira

Hi IM
>Ira, I noticed that the Bonaparte has double rooms for 128E. Have you seen any of these smaller less expensive rooms?

We have taken to staying in Room 23, which faces the street. There are other identical rooms on different floors. They are now 131E, I think.

It has a double bed, armoire, table and 2 chairs, at the French windows, for breakfast, a large bathroom, marble mantlepiece, minifridge, phone and TV.

It is not spacious, but you can walk around without having to squeeze, and should you wish to do so, you can swing a cat.

The room right next to 23 (25 I think) is a twin. The main room faces the back courtyard. The very large bathroom has a window on the street.

>there seems to be a lot of negative feed back on different sites about the upkeep of the Bonaparte rooms.<

The rooms are very, very well kept and quite clean.

Some of the carpeting might be a bit worn, but it is not shabby.

I prefer a new mattress to a new carpet.

Enjoy your visit.

InMiami

ira, thank you for the room recommendation. I have E-mailed the Bonaparte for our stay next May; they replied I should get back to them in October. Now I have to be patient, not an easy feat for this traveler! Happy trails.

ira

Happy to help, IM.

Enjoy your visit.

bpajax

My wife and I will be in Paris for 5 nights at the end of September. We have been looking at so many hotel options that our heads are spinning. I think we've decided on the Bonaparte. I called them today and booked. Interestly, he said we would be in Room #23 - Ira's room (at a rate of 131 euro).

Based upon the rate, I assume this is considered a standard room (it is a double with a bath). We would be willing to spend a little more for a nicer room if it is worthwhile. Does anyone have any knowledge of the differences in rooms at different rates? Thanks for any help.

dwzemens

@bpajax,

My wife and I stayed at the Bonaparte in May 2006 based largely on Ira's recommendation. The hotel was ideally situated for walking, and the small cafe just around the corner was a delight to sit at - directly across the street from the plaza outside of St Sulpice Church.

Our room faced the inner courtyard, and the only consideration I would suggest is that a room that opens to the street will have a much nicer view, to be sure. We found the air conditioning a bit weak (quite a bit weak, actually) but the price, cleanliness and perfect location made it a great choice and we will certainly return to the Bonaparte on our next visit.

freberta

We are also staying at the Bonaparte in mid-October after learning about the hotel on this site. I haven't requested a specific room, but I did ask for a room with an American-style shower. I would also like to request a room with a decent view, if there is one. The impression I get is that I should ask for a room facing the street rather than the interior courtyard.

ira

Hi bp,

The higher priced rooms are larger, but not necessarily plusher.

The 131E rooms are not cramped, but some folks like more space than we do.

Your choices are French windows looking out on the street or on the interior courtyard.

Our last visit (May 2008) we found the AC to be quite adequate, and it was warm to hot while we were there.

Enjoy your visit.

Fodorite018

I too am looking at the Bonaparte fo a stay next June. One thing I cannot tell from the website is if there are rooms with 2 twin beds. Does anyone here know?