Hôtel Bonaparte

61 rue Bonaparte, 6e, Paris, 75006, France
https://www.facebook.com/HotelBonaparteparis/

Why We Like It

It may not be the height of fashion, or even chic, but it's a small, comfortable hotel in a location truly that can't be beat.

Fodor's Expert Review

The service, amenities, and petit déjeuner (breakfast) may be far from luxurious at this unpretentious family-run hotel, but the location in the heart of St-Germain is fabulous. A congenial staff and cozy lobby brighten your stay and Wi-Fi access is free. Don't be afraid to bring the kids; baby cribs are available.

You Should Know There is some room for sprucing up, which the hotel is doing little by little.

Recommended Fodor’s Video

Room

Relatively spacious rooms are comfortable, though dated, with old-fashioned wooden furnishings, and cheerfully colored upholstery. A nice touch: Some rooms retain the pretty features of this 18th-century building, like flowered moldings and marble fireplaces with elegant mirrors.

Tip Some rooms have been recently renovated, but not all. Ask for one.

Bathroom

Bathrooms run the gamut from quite small, with deficient shelf space, to quite ample. None are up-to-the-minute but all provide the essentials, including a blow dryer.

Lobby

The cozy, beamed lobby offers comfortable seating areas and a library to peruse, with newspapers and some thumbed over guidebooks.

Dining

A basic buffet breakfast is served in a rustic stone breakfast room, with vending machine coffee.

Tip Pierre Hermé, just across the street, is one of the few pastry chefs to enjoy rockstar status, and you'll see why. Though his flavor combos may seem far-fetched, do not let that stop you, the macarons are some of the best in the city and his Ispahan (rose, lychee and raspberry) defines sublime. If you don't agree with the steep prices, just grab one of his heavenly croissants or a pain au chocolat and head to the Saint-Sulpice fountain for some people watching.

Chocolate

Chocoholics take note: Saint-Germain is Paris's chocolate central, with more than a dozen world-class chocolatiers within 10 minutes of this hotel. Besides the flagship of pastry guru Pierre Hermé across the street (72 rue Bonaparte), you've got Jean-Charles Rouchoux (rue d'Assas), Henri Le Roux (rue de Bourbon le Château), Patrick Roger (basically across the street), Jean-Paul Hévin (rue Vavin), Maison du Chocolat (rue du Sevres), Pierre Marcolini (rue Scribe), Franck Kesterner (across the Luxembourg gardens) and that's just a start.

What's Nearby

Getting Around

The hotel is to Saint-Sulpice (line no. 4) and Maubert Mutualité or Odéon serving line no. 10, a crosstown metro.

Minutes from two historic churches—L'Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés one of Paris's oldest churches, and Saint-Sulpice with its lovely fountain—and off the bustling Boulevard Saint-Germain. In other words, you're in the heart of Left Bank life, buzzing with sophisticated boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, and close to many not-to-miss sites. You're also only steps from the Musée Eugène Delacroix, a few minutes walk to the Luxembourg gardens and museum, and a 10-15-minute walk from Notre Dame and the Louvre. Great restaurants, cafés, wine bars and sophisticated shopping abound, and the flâneurs among us will never tire of the discoveries to be made on foot.

Restaurants

A few minutes away, at the Carrefour de l'Odéon, bistro king Yves Camdeborde's Le Comptoir du Relais is a favorite small bistro with outdoor dining, a big mirrored menu of the day and plenty of fresh bistro salads. Semilla, an absolute favorite for its friendly vibe, fresh and plentiful dishes. For a budget meal, Little Breizh, a branch of Paris's most famous sit-down crêperie, is a few minutes away on a charming backstreet (11 Rue Grégoire de Tours).

Bars

Though not exactly a bar, you won't get a more classic Parisian café society experience than at the Café Flore, just up the street. Or you could sit on the terrace at Brasserie Lipp, one of Hemingway's favorite watering holes in his Montparnasse years. But if it's craft cocktails you're after, head to Tiger, for a truly top-notch drinks experience. We also love Freddy's Wine Bar, next door to Semilla, and the Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, a few minutes away, for a glass of natural wine and a great choice of small plates.

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: -01–43–26–97–37