Underhill

You'll be happy with the Bonaparte. The location is great, the the adjacent streets are filled with interesting shops and places to eat. The métro is, as I remember, only about 2 blocks away.

Travelnut

I don't worry much about providing CC info for hotel bookings, and most online merchants want that code, too. You are protected from fraudulent use of your CC, so I wouldn't worry above using 'reasonable' caution.

ira

Hi L,
>I have ... decided to go with the Bonaparte.

I don't like providing the security code on my credit card, so I am a bit reluctant using any of these methods.

Send the info in 2 emails.

You are more likely to have your info stolen by a dishonest clerk at the receiving end than by a hacker over the internet.

Enjoy your visit.

Guenmai

It's really too bad that the Clement was fully booked, you can always keep trying however as there are cancellations. It would have been perfect for you. I'm also a single female who travels alone and have stayed in that neighborhood since 1981. I feel quite safe walking around at night.
The Hotel Clement ended up in the Amercian Express platinum member's travel magazine....Departures...I was reading my magazine and there it appeared...the word is "really" out now. A hotel manager friend of mine introduced me to the place back in the 90s when it wasn't so busy. Now, I guess it has to be booked way in advance. I last stayed there in 2006. This past trip...2 weeks ago...I rented an apartment in the 6th. Happy Travels!

LB249

Thanks everyone!

Re sending the CC info -- Thanks for the reminder Ira. I have done the "two email" strategy before -- great minds and all that. .

LB249

Thought it would be helpful to follow up with my impressions of the Bonaparte. I checked into my single room (No. 15) on Thursday. It was a bit dated, but fine.

When I returned Friday afternoon, the room smelled of cat pee! I opened the windows and rang reception. The woman there assured me there was no way a cat go into my room, and perhaps the smell was coming from outside, or I was imagining it. (Not!)

I went downstairs to use the wifi, and found the mankiest looking white cat I have ever seen in the sitting room.

I returned to my room, which still smelled badly of cat/cat pee, and rang reception again. The woman told me I "was only saying that because I had seen the cat!" I said, "I didn't even *know* there was a cat!" I firmly requested that she give me another room.

Initially, she refused, saying the hotel was fully booked. Fine, I said, I will go to another hotel. She relented and said she would give me room 3, "But it is a better room!" she said stingily.

I went down to get the key, and instead she gave me the key to Room 20, directly above my current room. I looked at it and it was fine, and moved my things into it.

On Saturday morning, I requested that my room not be made up, as I didn't want the cat getting in and spraying my new room. My wishes were ignored, but at least there was no smell of cat when I returned.

Overall, I was a disappointed with the whole cat fiasco, and the receptionist's response to my concerns, but relieved I was able to change rooms.

The hotel is in a good neighbourhood, so as long as you don't get a cat-sprayed room, you should be fine.

Travelnut

I thought the cat and Madam had retired to the country..?!

elaine

I stayed at the Bonaparte in single room #9, which was shabby and gloomy, in October 2006. Repairs I requested were not attended to. Though I agree that the location is excellent, I won't stay at the hotel again.

Dee_Dee

Bookmarking

MareW

Also bookmarking.

avalon

We've stayed at La familia and were quite pleased with the room and the area.The public transport fromthere is excellent. Very friendly staff. I certainly had no qualms about the neighborhood and walking there after dark.