Would you pick Hotel Bonaparte or Le Clement?
 

Ok, now we're down to Hotel Bonaparte or Hotel Le Clement. I've read many reviews about Bonaparte here and they seem very good overall. Haven't read much about Le Clement. So please help us choose:-)

Both are very nicely located, and while I’ve never stayed at either hotel I personally would choose Le Clement instead of the Bonaparte. I personally prefer the way Le Clement

I personally prefer Le Clement looks.

I've had friends who stayed at the Bonaparte and were not at all satisfied. The Le Clement looks very nice

Snookies...I've been staying in that neighborhood almost annually since 1981 and have seen a LOT of hotels. My best Parisien friend was a hotel manager at one of the hotels I regularly stayed at, in the 6th.
When I had to move out of my hotel of 9 years or more, due to renovations and a huge price hike, I moved to her "NOISY" hotel. When I got sick of that almost a decade later, she and I went around to TONS of hotels in the area and they gave her keys to show me various rooms. She recommended the Clement to me knowing what type of places I like. I hadn't heard of it at the time. Don't know how I had missed that one. So, I went with it and started staying there in the 90s.
It is NOT a luxury hotel, but quite decent. And the rooms are NOT anything huge...but what is in Paris? I don't go to Paris looking for anything special in hotels...period. As far as I'm concerned, a 2-star is basically a 2-star therefore I don't have a lot of trouble picking a hotel in Paris.
I do however pick according to LOCATION and being away from as much horrendous NOISE as possible. And access to the metro. The Clement is about a 3-minute walk from Line 10 and a 5-minute walk from Line 4...who could ask for anything more...not to mention all of the available buses.

There is breakfast at the Clement, but it's not included in the price and it's no big deal anyhow. I almost never eat breakfast in hotels anyway.
The cafe is less than 5 minutes away on the corner of rue de Seine and Blvd. St. Germain. I eat there. I just grab an omelette and fries. It's a lot more interesting and nice to people watch. Plus, Pauls is one more block up the street at the corner of rue de Seine and rue Buci.
Last year, while flipping the pages of my American Express Platinum- Departures magazine, I noticed a small write-up about the Clement. My face dropped. I remember when the word wasn't out on the place yet. In the last 5 years the phone has been ringing off the hook according to a desk clerk I know, but now it's probably even worse.
I don't know if this is your first time to Paris or not, but I notice on this forum that first-timers stress out about hotel selection a lot. That's why I immediatedly thought that maybe you were first timer. Happy Travels!

We've stayed at the Bonaparte several times and were completely satisfied. The staff are wonderful. Have had both street and courtyard rooms, both fine. If on the street side, though, you will want a higher floor.

From the reviews, I presume the two hotels are fairly similar. Someone expecting top-notch decor would likely be disappointed at the Bonaparte rooms...as I suspect they would at Le Clement. But I always run over to the marche and bring in fresh flowers the first day. That will perk up any room! And our baths at the Bonaparte have always been considerably larger than we've had in other European hotels.

One thing I really like about the Bonaparte: when we walk home at night, the last thing we pass is the lovely lighted fountains at St. Sulpice. Nice to come home to.

You've been so very helpful in your elaborate replies! Guenmai, you're absolutely right, it's our first time to Paris and we've been stressing out about finding "the right hotel". Although I think you're so head on that it's all about location! I'd rather find a nice coffeeshop down the street and get a croissant and coffee too. My hubby got a little "worked up" because he'd had his mind set on "The Madison". When the price suddenly got up, he got sooo disappointed because he realized that's where he wanted to stay. I'm very grateful for your helpful insight on these two hotels. We have to now decide which one:-)

Well, if you're mindset is Madison, I don't think either one is going to be your dream come true, frankly. Have you checked into Le Régent or Hotel de l'Univers? These are a little pricier, though not as much as the Madison, and have more amenities than the two discussed here.

My sister was not particularly taken with the Bonaparte (she actually preferred the little one star we stay at) but didn't really have anything bad to say about it either. Many folks here on Fodors like it very much.

I actually prefer the Clement for location. The view from the front upper rooms are of St Sulpice Towers and the metro and taxi stand is literally around the corner (great for when we there in February and bad weather). There are restaurants literally across the street. We never ate breakfast there as 1)we found it expensive for what you get and 2) my husband loves Paul's for breakfast, which is just a short walk away. The only negative, if you want to call it that, is the reception is more reserved than many Americans like.

Have a great trip and I hope you post back to us. Happy Travels!

I'll be checking into the Bonaparte on Sat. June 14'th. I'll take some pictures for you and post as soon as I get back if you would like.

I took Ira's advice.

Robin

Correction to my above post...I've stayed at the Clement since the 2000s...not the 90s. All of the years/decades are starting to blur as I've been vacationing in Paris, almost annually, since the mid 70s....way back in my university days. So many hotels...areas...of the city etc... Smiles. Happy Travels!

Are you sure either of these is still available for your dates? That would be what I check first.

Yes, they are actually available. We're now leaning toward The Clement. Thank you all for all your help! I might be back with some more "annoying questions" but if not, I'll definitely give you a report upon our return in September.

Hotel le Clement has pricing discounts for August 1-25.
Doubles 117€ instead of 130€
Twins 126€ instead of 140€

http://www.hotelclementparis.com/english/rooms_2.html

I know the Clement was renovated recently. We saw the new exterior when we walked by a couple of years ago and it looks very nice. I read recently here that the Bonaparte has repainted rooms or at least some rooms yet it remains old and worn. It sounds like the Bonaparte has a cat on premises. A former guest had a problem with it.

Schnookies...Remember to ask for a room on a high floor...4th/5th, I don't think there's a 6th floor. I can't remember exactly and facing the street if you stay at the Clement. You will have not only the partial view of St. Suplice, but it's interesting to look across the square, at night, and see all of the apartments lit up and watching folks go on with their daily lives. Sort of like Alfred Hitchcock's movie Rear Window. You will definitely feel like you're in Paris. Smiles. Happy Travels!

If you read Ira's recent trip report you will see that the Bonaparte cat, Napoleon, has retired to the south of France. Lucky cat!

Hi S,

As you probably know, we always stay at the Bonaparte.

I have been inside the lobby of Le Clement, but not in the rooms.

I think that you will be happy with either one.

((I))

Thanks for the good advice about the room at the Clement! I'd love to see life of paris and parisians as much as possible during this visit. The update on Napoleon made me giggle....this is a famous cat by now:-)

Hi Ira

I think we were at the Bonaparte at the same time. I heard an Ira check into the hotel. I was on my laptop in the lounge just outside the breakfast room. We had nice weather most every day- a little rain one day.