Can anyone tell me something about this hotel? I believe it is owned by the same people who run the Familia in Paris and it is right next door. I also was wondering if they fill up quickly and what is the best way to get reservations with the hotel; email, phone or fax? Thank you.

The best way is either email or fax, so that you will have a hard copy to present should there be any misunderstanding when you arrive <BR>the small and popular hotels in Paris and elsewhere often fill up months in advance, so the advice is to inquire early and book as far in advance as possible. Just find out what the cancellation policy is in case you need it. <BR>I believe the Minerve has been praised on this message board--you can do a search here on it.

Hi Michele, my husband and I just stayed at the Minerve and were very happy. It is a bit larger than the Familia, a larger lobby and breakfast room. Our room was large by Parisian standards, with a balcony. It IS owned by Eric Gaucheron who owns the Familia next door. We have stayed at the Familia 4 times, and now 1 time at the Minerve. I would recommend that you e-mail or fax your request, if you call, insist on a fax back as a confirmation. Great location as well! Also, I believe that they now fill up rather quickly since Eric took over.

MINERVE: 13, rue Ecoles. Tel: 0143262604. Fax: 0144070196. (54 rms., all w/toilet & bath or shower.) 405-590F/62-90EUR single; 475-605F/72-92EUR double; 680F/104EUR triple. Breakfast (7-10am) at 42F pp can be served in the room. Visa, MC, AX. This hotel was just recently taken over by Eric Gaucheron and his wife, Sylvie Royer, who own/manage the wonderful Hotel Familia next door. 30 out of the 54 rms. will be renovated and have hair driers by April 2000. English spoken (Sylvie), cable TV w/CNN, newly renovated hotel w/nicely furnished nice-size newly carpeted rms., fabulous lobby w/antique furnishings, 19th-century tapestry & Persian rugs, 19th-century stonewalled vaulted breakfast rm., #507 (2 twin beds or 1 king-size bed, large bathroom w/bathtub & large balcony which faces square) & 207 (2 twin beds or 1 king-size bed, large bathroom w/bathtub & large balcony) are for 2 or 3 people; #505 (double bed, shower, balcony & view of rooftops); #601 (large rm. w/2 twin beds & large bathroom w/bathtub); #504, 505, 506, 507 & 207 have balconies, elevator, 6 flrs. Owned/managed by Sylvie Royer. Métro: Maubert-Mutualité. <BR>

Michele, I stayed there last year and hated it. The Familia staff was quick to distance themselves from the Minerve, admitting that while they had the same owner, they are NOT the same hotel. Service at the Minerve was terrible and nearly ruined my trip. Other patrons staying there at the time also seemed pretty dissatisfied.

Melissa <BR>could you be more specific on what the problems you encountered were?

Ooooh, Elaine, don't make me go on! I did post on the Minerve previously. It seems almost trivial now, but I think what got me mad was that they were rude (not French rude, mind you) and unwilling to find a simple solution to our problem. <BR> <BR>I wrote them a lengthy email later to complain. I got a response that read, "We are sorry, but we do not have any rooms available at that time." <BR> <BR>There are many other good hotels listed on this site--do yourself a favor and stay at one of those. Don't risk a bad experience!

I imagine that it is possible for anyone to have a bad experience at a hotel, but I never let a hotel ruin my trip. I find that you are never in the room much anyway. Also, if you are pleasant to the staff, you usually get assistance. (not implying that you weren't Melissa, but you were the topic of conversation at the Minerve, they certainly remembered you!) I found the staff at the Minerve to be most helpful, from ordering taxis to recommending restaurants to calling and obtaining reservations at restaurants for us. I still recommend it!

I have not stayed at the Minevre, but my family and I stayed at La Familia in February. Eric, his wife and parents were very welcoming and accomadating. His mother thought that the room we had reserved might be too small for us and asked Eric to show us a bigger room at the same price. They made dinner reservations and taxi reservations for us with a smile. The location is wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

My grandmother and I have made yearly trips to Paris for the past 5 years. On our 1st and 2nd trips, we stayed at the Familia Hotel and were very happy with our accomodations. The third year they told us there were no rooms available in the Familia, and suggested the Minerve. We booked our reservations and to our great surprise, when we entered, there were Eric and Sylvie! The service was just as good and we couldn't have been more pleased. Eric and Sylvie always tried do whatever they could to make us comfortable. Everyone on their staff is the same way. We hope that the Familia and the Minerve don't get too popular so we always have a place to stay. These two hotels are just as charming as the area in which they are. We can't wait to go back. Enjoy your trip!!