Paris hotel: Bonaparte or Familia?
Nov 13th, 2009, 05:16 PM
#41
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We have stayed at both properties and I like the location of the Bonaparte slightly better.
However, we have never stayed in rooms that would accommodate three people in either spot.
I find hotels can have an array of choices of rooms and I would suggest if you are unhappy with the room you are first shown to, ask to see another. This tactic may however be a bit difficult with three people.
We have rented apartments many times in Paris and I would not bother for such a short time.
You will appreciate the front desk staff at the hotels. You could try calling the hotels and make your final choice based on how friendly you find the staff.
Good luck!
However, we have never stayed in rooms that would accommodate three people in either spot.
I find hotels can have an array of choices of rooms and I would suggest if you are unhappy with the room you are first shown to, ask to see another. This tactic may however be a bit difficult with three people.
We have rented apartments many times in Paris and I would not bother for such a short time.
You will appreciate the front desk staff at the hotels. You could try calling the hotels and make your final choice based on how friendly you find the staff.
Good luck!
Nov 14th, 2009, 01:27 AM
#42
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They are doing renovations on St Sulpice itself so half the church is covered, the fountain was open. Although this didnt make for the nicest view while sitting in the cafes...
My mom and her friend (no french) stayed at Hotel Bonaparte for 3 nights before us and the staff were amazing. Helped them many times before we got there.
And the location really is fantastic. Good choice.
My mom and her friend (no french) stayed at Hotel Bonaparte for 3 nights before us and the staff were amazing. Helped them many times before we got there.
And the location really is fantastic. Good choice.
Nov 14th, 2009, 02:10 AM
#43
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Hi all,
We were at the Bonaparte a couple of months ago.
A few comments:
Each room has its own AC unit. They are sufficient to keep the room cool and dry in the Summer. I don't know just how low you can set the temp as 20C was good enough for us.
The staff (morning, noon and night) have never been less than polite and professional to us. Sorry to her that others have had problems.
Keep in mind that if you call a cab in Paris, you must pay from the time the cab leaves its station to when it gets to you, even if you don't take the cab.
The Bonaparte will make reservations for you with a very reliable shuttle firm that they use for CDG or Orly/Paris and reverse. Rates are the same as everyone else.
St Sulpice is just slightly smaller than Notre Dame. It has one of the finest organs in the world. The fountain in the square is aligned with the cardinal points of the compass, although the statues are of Bishops, not Cardinals.
Assuming that you are a reasonably healthy person, you can walk from the Bonaparte, to Notre Dame and the Isle St Louis, the Louvre, the d'Orsay Museum, the Pont des Arts, the Luxembourg Gardens, Eglise St Germaine des Pres, Cluny Museum, The Bon Marche', the Deux Magots, the Cafe Flore, Pierre Herme', Poilane, Laduree. etc, etc, etc
A number of bus lines converge on Pl St Sulpice. There is a cafe at the bus stop that is very good for people watching.
The church has been undergoing renovation for some years. So have a lot of other Paris monuments.
If you keep the windows closed, even on the rooms facing the street, there is little to no noise, especially now that the motorbikes have mufflers.
The rue Bonaparte, as are all of the N-S streets in the 6th, is a slight downhill to the Seine.
Re making reservations by fax:
If you don't have a fax/scanner/printer linked to your computer, there are "fax-to-mail" services where you send an email and they convert it to a fax and vice versa.
The Bonaparte will charge a deposit of about 30E when you make your reservation. Check their cancellation requirements.
From the US:
Their phone number is 011 33 1 43 26 97 37
Their fax number is 011 33 1 46 33 57 67
Paris is 6 hrs ahead of EST (06:00 in NYC is Noon in Paris)
Hope this helps.
Enjoy your visit, BW, wherever you choose to stay.
We were at the Bonaparte a couple of months ago.
A few comments:
Each room has its own AC unit. They are sufficient to keep the room cool and dry in the Summer. I don't know just how low you can set the temp as 20C was good enough for us.
The staff (morning, noon and night) have never been less than polite and professional to us. Sorry to her that others have had problems.
Keep in mind that if you call a cab in Paris, you must pay from the time the cab leaves its station to when it gets to you, even if you don't take the cab.
The Bonaparte will make reservations for you with a very reliable shuttle firm that they use for CDG or Orly/Paris and reverse. Rates are the same as everyone else.
St Sulpice is just slightly smaller than Notre Dame. It has one of the finest organs in the world. The fountain in the square is aligned with the cardinal points of the compass, although the statues are of Bishops, not Cardinals.
Assuming that you are a reasonably healthy person, you can walk from the Bonaparte, to Notre Dame and the Isle St Louis, the Louvre, the d'Orsay Museum, the Pont des Arts, the Luxembourg Gardens, Eglise St Germaine des Pres, Cluny Museum, The Bon Marche', the Deux Magots, the Cafe Flore, Pierre Herme', Poilane, Laduree. etc, etc, etc
A number of bus lines converge on Pl St Sulpice. There is a cafe at the bus stop that is very good for people watching.
The church has been undergoing renovation for some years. So have a lot of other Paris monuments.
If you keep the windows closed, even on the rooms facing the street, there is little to no noise, especially now that the motorbikes have mufflers.
The rue Bonaparte, as are all of the N-S streets in the 6th, is a slight downhill to the Seine.
Re making reservations by fax:
If you don't have a fax/scanner/printer linked to your computer, there are "fax-to-mail" services where you send an email and they convert it to a fax and vice versa.
The Bonaparte will charge a deposit of about 30E when you make your reservation. Check their cancellation requirements.
From the US:
Their phone number is 011 33 1 43 26 97 37
Their fax number is 011 33 1 46 33 57 67
Paris is 6 hrs ahead of EST (06:00 in NYC is Noon in Paris)
Hope this helps.
Enjoy your visit, BW, wherever you choose to stay.
Nov 14th, 2009, 06:06 AM
#44
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I have stayed at the Bonaparte on Ira's recommendation and stayed at another hotel becuase of work and found the Bonaparte to be very lovely. Close to all shops and walking distance to everything. The staff is very friendly and the internet access in the lobby was great. When I went with my family I stayed at the Hotel Du College and was very happy with that. You can see the reviews on that hotel as well. I am now coming back to Paris with the family and will be renting an apartment and would only stay in the Latin Qtr. I love the Latin Qtr.
Nov 14th, 2009, 10:21 AM
#45
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>>The Bonaparte will charge a deposit of about 30E when you make your reservation. Check their cancellation requirements.
From the US:
Their phone number is 011 33 1 43 26 97 37
Their fax number is 011 33 1 46 33 57 67
<<
Use Ira's numbers, but if you want to save a hunk of change: first dial 10 10 987 then Ira's number(s). So, the FAX would be:
10 10 987 011 33 1 46 33 57 67
Stu Dudley
From the US:
Their phone number is 011 33 1 43 26 97 37
Their fax number is 011 33 1 46 33 57 67
<<
Use Ira's numbers, but if you want to save a hunk of change: first dial 10 10 987 then Ira's number(s). So, the FAX would be:
10 10 987 011 33 1 46 33 57 67
Stu Dudley
Nov 14th, 2009, 02:43 PM
#47
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Thinking about your teenage daughter and the location of Bonaparte and Familia--I say Bonaparte. She'll be able to explore the shops around the Bonaparte on her or with you easily. Familia..not so good of a location for windowshopping. We have stayed at both the Bonaparte and Minerva (sister hotel of Familia)and thought the location for walking/transportation preferable at the Bonaparte. I agree about the Monoprix location, too. With the in-room fridge at the Bonaparte, it is nice to stock up on water/Coca Cola Light.
Have a wonderful time!
On thing about the faxing bit: check with your phone carrier about the costs of faxing internationally. I remember being surprised by a significant charge (can't remember if it was 8 or 12 dollars) to fax my reservation to Hotel Bonaparte. What the phone company did was let me back date the add-on fax service at a much cheaper monthly rate in case I had to fax again.
Have a wonderful time!
On thing about the faxing bit: check with your phone carrier about the costs of faxing internationally. I remember being surprised by a significant charge (can't remember if it was 8 or 12 dollars) to fax my reservation to Hotel Bonaparte. What the phone company did was let me back date the add-on fax service at a much cheaper monthly rate in case I had to fax again.
Nov 14th, 2009, 03:19 PM
#48
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Thanks so much for all the information! I really appreciate it. The Bonaparte sounds like the better choice for us (my daughter would love some free rein), though I'm sure either hotel would serve.
As far as the faxing...we found out that our home fax isn't actually hooked up to a modem (a little oversight on our part...). So we were ended up faxing our Rome hotel reservation through FedEx Kinkos for $7. We'll probably end up faxing the Bonaparte the same way. We'll just have to wait till January to do so since they don't accept reservations until then.
Thanks again, all.
beeswing
As far as the faxing...we found out that our home fax isn't actually hooked up to a modem (a little oversight on our part...). So we were ended up faxing our Rome hotel reservation through FedEx Kinkos for $7. We'll probably end up faxing the Bonaparte the same way. We'll just have to wait till January to do so since they don't accept reservations until then.
Thanks again, all.
beeswing
Nov 14th, 2009, 08:35 PM
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Thanks very much Ira, for the explanation about the taxi. The desk clerk was doing me a favor and I did not realize it.
Just to be clear - I have not stayed at either of the hotels discussed in this thread. My point was that when staying at a modest 2 or 3 star facility, one must not expect to have the kind of service or experience as at a 5 star establishment. I notice many reviews here but mostly elsewhere which mention lack of service but usually my opinion is that they must not expect luxury service at budget prices. Polite, efficient, pleasant service, absolutely, but not the all consuming minute attention to detail as at a hotel that costs 5 times as much.
Just to be clear - I have not stayed at either of the hotels discussed in this thread. My point was that when staying at a modest 2 or 3 star facility, one must not expect to have the kind of service or experience as at a 5 star establishment. I notice many reviews here but mostly elsewhere which mention lack of service but usually my opinion is that they must not expect luxury service at budget prices. Polite, efficient, pleasant service, absolutely, but not the all consuming minute attention to detail as at a hotel that costs 5 times as much.
Nov 14th, 2009, 10:05 PM
#51
I have not stayed at the Bonaparte, but I do know the location very well and it is really wonderful and you can walk to just about everything from there. The neighborhood is quite fun and charming - lots of shops and cafes. Your daughter will love it (both of mine did). And there is our favorite Laduree right in the neighborhood as well. Go upstairs to the blue room....
Enjoy Paris!
gruezi
Enjoy Paris!
gruezi
Nov 15th, 2009, 06:24 AM
#52
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beeswing:
Regarding using Kinkos. The only thing is: the hotels will fax you back with confirmation.
I used email to reserve at the Parlamento. Perhaps try that first.
For the Bonaparte, you will definitely need to provide them a return-fax number. (Unless they will do email now...I've never tried it with them).
Regarding using Kinkos. The only thing is: the hotels will fax you back with confirmation.
I used email to reserve at the Parlamento. Perhaps try that first.
For the Bonaparte, you will definitely need to provide them a return-fax number. (Unless they will do email now...I've never tried it with them).
Nov 15th, 2009, 07:56 AM
#53
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Hi Bee,
>As far as the faxing...we found out that our home fax isn't actually hooked up to a modem <
Fax machines don't need a modem. They connect to the telephone line. You disconnect the wire from the phone and attach it to the fax machine, and then you hook another wire from the fax machine to the phone.
You do need a fax "driver". Your computer should have one installed and recognize your fax machine.
.................................................. ..................
Hi CB,
>Thanks very much Ira, for the explanation about the taxi. The desk clerk was doing me a favor and I did not realize it.<
The clerk might not have realized it either.
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Hi JB,
>For the Bonaparte.........Unless they will do email now......<
It wasn't that long ago that they still had scribes using quill pens.
Faxing, and an upgrade of the web page, came after Madame retired.
The website has a means for making reservations by email, but I have found that Fax is more reliable.
>As far as the faxing...we found out that our home fax isn't actually hooked up to a modem <
Fax machines don't need a modem. They connect to the telephone line. You disconnect the wire from the phone and attach it to the fax machine, and then you hook another wire from the fax machine to the phone.
You do need a fax "driver". Your computer should have one installed and recognize your fax machine.
.................................................. ..................
Hi CB,
>Thanks very much Ira, for the explanation about the taxi. The desk clerk was doing me a favor and I did not realize it.<
The clerk might not have realized it either.
............................................
Hi JB,
>For the Bonaparte.........Unless they will do email now......<
It wasn't that long ago that they still had scribes using quill pens.
Faxing, and an upgrade of the web page, came after Madame retired.
The website has a means for making reservations by email, but I have found that Fax is more reliable.
Nov 15th, 2009, 02:44 PM
#54
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It turns out that when my husband said "we don't have a modem" -- he was talking about an internal fax/modem. We have what was a combo scanner/printer/fax, but the fax component is dead.
We have a while to come up with a solution since we can't reserve with Bonaparte until January.
beeswing
We have a while to come up with a solution since we can't reserve with Bonaparte until January.
beeswing
Nov 15th, 2009, 03:54 PM
#55
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A few thoughts:
1. There are free internet fax services - you download the program and fax from your computer. You'll get charged for an international call, but if you use the 101068 thingie, it won't be much at all. Also, if that combo machine is hooked up to your computer (which it has to be if you're using it for any of the functions), it should be connected to your computer's modem, which you obviously have or you wouldn't be on Fodor's.
2. I would choose the Bonaparte over the Familia on the basis of location, especially considering you're traveling with a teenager. Haven't stayed at either - just talking about location. There's interesting history behind why they won't accept reservations until January, but Amazing Race is about to begin and I don't have time to go into it.
3. Regarding services at 2* hotels, I don't expect major concierge services at all, but the one I stay at in Paris all the time routinely calls taxis for me, offers free umbrellas when it's raining, looks up stuff on the internet for me, even gives me free champagne and coffee. I don't *expect* these services, but they're not resistant to offering or providing them. I think cynthia's comments are just particular to whatever 2* hotel she stays at, not a general observation.
1. There are free internet fax services - you download the program and fax from your computer. You'll get charged for an international call, but if you use the 101068 thingie, it won't be much at all. Also, if that combo machine is hooked up to your computer (which it has to be if you're using it for any of the functions), it should be connected to your computer's modem, which you obviously have or you wouldn't be on Fodor's.
2. I would choose the Bonaparte over the Familia on the basis of location, especially considering you're traveling with a teenager. Haven't stayed at either - just talking about location. There's interesting history behind why they won't accept reservations until January, but Amazing Race is about to begin and I don't have time to go into it.
3. Regarding services at 2* hotels, I don't expect major concierge services at all, but the one I stay at in Paris all the time routinely calls taxis for me, offers free umbrellas when it's raining, looks up stuff on the internet for me, even gives me free champagne and coffee. I don't *expect* these services, but they're not resistant to offering or providing them. I think cynthia's comments are just particular to whatever 2* hotel she stays at, not a general observation.
Nov 16th, 2009, 06:33 AM
#56
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beeswing: Have you thought about strolling through the streets of Paris - passing by your intended hotel even, while you wait to make reservations? It can be such fun! Checking out anything and everything you have asked about!
Here is the link:
http://tinyurl.com/c9rapm
Click on the Paris "dot"
Click on the next Paris "dot"
Enter the address - just Rue Bonaparte, no need for a number unless you have the exact address, and you will be taken there. Go to the "Plan" and follow the arrow as it negotiates buildings and streets. You'll soon get the hang of it!
Here is the link:
http://tinyurl.com/c9rapm
Click on the Paris "dot"
Click on the next Paris "dot"
Enter the address - just Rue Bonaparte, no need for a number unless you have the exact address, and you will be taken there. Go to the "Plan" and follow the arrow as it negotiates buildings and streets. You'll soon get the hang of it!
Nov 16th, 2009, 09:19 AM
#57
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I think cynthia is just saying you don't have minute-by-minute service in 2-3* hotels compared to your own personal servants with a fan in a 5* hotel, or something like that. Could be, I have no idea as I have never stayed in a 5* hotel. Of course, that is true, but the services in 2-3* hotels are certainly more than adequate for my needs, but I'm not particularly demanding. So about all I need is someone to call me a taxi at times, I'll admit, but they do that fine. I think they'd make restaurant reservations, also, if I asked, but I never have. I really don't think this is an issue for anyone but someone who is very demanding or wants to be waited on, although I'm not sure what they would want. Hotels like that won't have meal room service, either, of course, although they all have breakfast rooms or delivery breakfast to your room (or both), that is required by law.
As for faxing, a FAX is just scanning a page and sending a PDF file, more or less. So it can be sent to a computer account, you don't have to have a FAX machine to print it out. I used to have some FAX software at home on my computer, but there are websites you can go to in order to get a free FAX number to give to people and they FAX the thing there, and then you either get it emailed to you or get it online, I forget. I used to have such an account at JFAX.com, I believe. This doesn't require you having software or anything as it's not on your machine.
Some of them only allow you to send faxes free, not receive them, and you pay to receive. You can check those out, but http://www.efax.com/efax-free
seems to allow you to do both for free, and has a free trial period, also, for their upgraded product. They store your files online, it's just like those free email accounts.
As for faxing, a FAX is just scanning a page and sending a PDF file, more or less. So it can be sent to a computer account, you don't have to have a FAX machine to print it out. I used to have some FAX software at home on my computer, but there are websites you can go to in order to get a free FAX number to give to people and they FAX the thing there, and then you either get it emailed to you or get it online, I forget. I used to have such an account at JFAX.com, I believe. This doesn't require you having software or anything as it's not on your machine.
Some of them only allow you to send faxes free, not receive them, and you pay to receive. You can check those out, but http://www.efax.com/efax-free
seems to allow you to do both for free, and has a free trial period, also, for their upgraded product. They store your files online, it's just like those free email accounts.
Nov 16th, 2009, 06:30 PM
#58
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Just to confuse the issue, I would recommend Hotel Delavigne right near the Luxembourg gardens and St. Michel Blvd. We stayed in the triple there and it was very comfortable.
http://www.hoteldelavigne.com/pages/rooms_4.html
Years ago, I stayed at the Familia and, while it was very nice, the rooms were extremely small. I thought the Delavigne was much more comfortable and a much better location.
http://www.hoteldelavigne.com/pages/rooms_4.html
Years ago, I stayed at the Familia and, while it was very nice, the rooms were extremely small. I thought the Delavigne was much more comfortable and a much better location.
Nov 16th, 2009, 06:59 PM
#59
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beeswing: There is a lively area right behind the Bonaparte with a wide variety of restaurants, pizzarias, crepe places, etc. It would be easy to miss if you didn't know it's there. Some nights we just want something light, near the hotel. The pizzaria had great (huge) salads.
Our favorite is Bastide d'Opio on Rue Guisarde. Their specialty is a beef skewer with several different mustards. http://www.bistrot-opio.com/
Our favorite is Bastide d'Opio on Rue Guisarde. Their specialty is a beef skewer with several different mustards. http://www.bistrot-opio.com/
Feb 8th, 2010, 05:04 PM
#60
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Love the Bonaparte...can't believe no one mentions the Pierre Herme Patiserrie right across the street!!! Stayed there in 04 and 06, both times there were three of us. They are so wonderful there, very friendly. Very helpful on the transportation bookings. It's a great location.
