Anyone familiar with these Ile St. Louis apartments?
Sep 1st, 2014, 12:19 PM
#1
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Anyone familiar with these Ile St. Louis apartments?
We are 2 couples (late 50s) looking for 2 separate apartments on Ile St. Louis for 6 nights in mid-March 2015. Our budget is 200 - 225 euro/night per apartment. Is anyone familiar with the following VRBO properties:
http://www.vrbo.com/140080
http://www.vrbo.com/1010251a
http://www.vrbo.com/426395
or this from Vacation in Paris:
http://www.vacationinparis.com/listi...-island-studio
Other suggestions appreciated!
http://www.vrbo.com/140080
http://www.vrbo.com/1010251a
http://www.vrbo.com/426395
or this from Vacation in Paris:
http://www.vacationinparis.com/listi...-island-studio
Other suggestions appreciated!
Sep 1st, 2014, 01:11 PM
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Check out Guest Apartment Services, a great rental agency! The first year we stayed in one of their small studios, Angelica, the next year we stayed in a one bedroom, Cherry and this October we are staying in a 2 bedroom, 2 complete bathroom Nympheas because we are going with another couple.
Sep 1st, 2014, 01:45 PM
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If you don't mind sharing an apartment, we've stayed here http://www.parisvacationapartments.c...s-two-bedroom/
If you look at the floor plan the bedrooms are at opposite ends of the apartment
If you look at the floor plan the bedrooms are at opposite ends of the apartment
Sep 1st, 2014, 04:26 PM
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Oh bugger, missed that. Sorry.
We stayed at "Chateau 41" - an apartment the woman rented out at 41 rue Saint Louis en l'île, iirc. Something akin to the flats you've looked at, but less expensive (should be sub-200E). But it's a four-floor walkup so know that.
We stayed at "Chateau 41" - an apartment the woman rented out at 41 rue Saint Louis en l'île, iirc. Something akin to the flats you've looked at, but less expensive (should be sub-200E). But it's a four-floor walkup so know that.
Sep 1st, 2014, 11:22 PM
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It might be important to note that the VIP apt will have you literally sleeping in the kitchen. Convenient, if you like breakfast in bed, but otherwise, I wouldn't advise it.
As for the others, I would make sure you want to manage the stairs - the stairs to the mezzanines are quite steep. The apt "with lift and stairs" has a lift that doesn't go all the way up to the apt - you have to haul your stuff up one more flight of stairs.
Personally, I would avoid apts with wall-to-wall carpeting, since it's usually not well-maintained (dust/mold allergies, perfume-y carpet cleaning products, musty odors, etc).
If you're planning on using air-conditioning, the portable units shown must be vented through the open window, which means they aren't very effective at all, and will let in noise and light.
As for the others, I would make sure you want to manage the stairs - the stairs to the mezzanines are quite steep. The apt "with lift and stairs" has a lift that doesn't go all the way up to the apt - you have to haul your stuff up one more flight of stairs.
Personally, I would avoid apts with wall-to-wall carpeting, since it's usually not well-maintained (dust/mold allergies, perfume-y carpet cleaning products, musty odors, etc).
If you're planning on using air-conditioning, the portable units shown must be vented through the open window, which means they aren't very effective at all, and will let in noise and light.
Sep 2nd, 2014, 12:08 AM
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Hi agrebe,
I haven't stayed in any of the apartments you posted here, but I have stayed on the island.
I'm only posting because I see that the apartments don't have views of the river. Though it is a great location (right between the Marais and the Latin Quarter), I would definitely want a view of the river if I were on the island. Without that view, I might stay in the Marais or the 6th.
Have fun as you plan!
s
I haven't stayed in any of the apartments you posted here, but I have stayed on the island.
I'm only posting because I see that the apartments don't have views of the river. Though it is a great location (right between the Marais and the Latin Quarter), I would definitely want a view of the river if I were on the island. Without that view, I might stay in the Marais or the 6th.
Have fun as you plan!
s
Sep 2nd, 2014, 12:39 AM
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If you are looking at a apartments as far away as March of next year one of the things you need to be alert to is any changes in the law regarding short-term rentals in Paris. It is currently a subject of considerable controversy. Just reading the description of the first VRBO rental you posted it sounds exactly like the kind of short-term apartment rental the city of Paris is outlawing.
The problem for renters is that unless the apartment is being legally rented with all the appropriate permits then neighbors in the building can raise the issue to the authorities and force the landlord to cease renting the apartment. If you have booked the apartment now and it is pulled off the market in December or January, you will have a hard time finding accommodations for your group on such short notice. And you are running this risk twice in your case, not just once.
The recommendation to try Guestappartments is a good one (I have used them in the past very happily). Going with a professional agency might offer a lot more protection for your booking than dealing with an individual. (It usually does anyway.) But even if you use a professional then I recommend you ask pointed questions about legality and permits and ask to see written proof the apartment is being rented legally.
The problem for renters is that unless the apartment is being legally rented with all the appropriate permits then neighbors in the building can raise the issue to the authorities and force the landlord to cease renting the apartment. If you have booked the apartment now and it is pulled off the market in December or January, you will have a hard time finding accommodations for your group on such short notice. And you are running this risk twice in your case, not just once.
The recommendation to try Guestappartments is a good one (I have used them in the past very happily). Going with a professional agency might offer a lot more protection for your booking than dealing with an individual. (It usually does anyway.) But even if you use a professional then I recommend you ask pointed questions about legality and permits and ask to see written proof the apartment is being rented legally.
Sep 2nd, 2014, 01:12 AM
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sandra made some very good points, and even though the laws will take some time to be enforced, you would be wise to pay attention to the short-term rental situation in Paris.
25 proprietors were fined in the last few months, as a result of the current "sting operation" being carried out by the new Mayor's task force. There was a recent French TV report that featured the agents in action - knocking on apartment doors and inquiring if the people there were tourists or residents. The report also showed neighbors and gardiennes who had been complaining about too many strangers in the building and the problems this causes. In many instances, the proprietors were denounced to the Mayor's office by unhappy neighbors.
That said, the report made it pretty clear that the target of this sting operation is mainly investors with many rentals on the market, who don't have the right to rent their properties on a short-term basis. AirBnB was also discussed, stating that the typical rental is sub let by a tenant who does not have authorization from his landlord to do so.
When someone complains about the rental, it will become suddenly unavailable, usually with little or no notice beforehand (usually there's an excuse about plumbing problems, etc). An individual with one property (such as AirBnB) would not have anything to offer you. A multi-property owner might be able to offer you another apartment, but it might not have the same amenities or location as the one you paid for. On the other hand, an agency that has a good reputation would work hard to find you a comparable apartment, or would refund your money and probably help you find a hotel.
Given the current situation, if you are still set on renting an apartment, you might investigate the many apart'hotels in Paris - Citadines, Adagio - or consider renting from an agency with a good track record. You could avoid all this stress, though, by just looking for hotel rooms, instead.
25 proprietors were fined in the last few months, as a result of the current "sting operation" being carried out by the new Mayor's task force. There was a recent French TV report that featured the agents in action - knocking on apartment doors and inquiring if the people there were tourists or residents. The report also showed neighbors and gardiennes who had been complaining about too many strangers in the building and the problems this causes. In many instances, the proprietors were denounced to the Mayor's office by unhappy neighbors.
That said, the report made it pretty clear that the target of this sting operation is mainly investors with many rentals on the market, who don't have the right to rent their properties on a short-term basis. AirBnB was also discussed, stating that the typical rental is sub let by a tenant who does not have authorization from his landlord to do so.
When someone complains about the rental, it will become suddenly unavailable, usually with little or no notice beforehand (usually there's an excuse about plumbing problems, etc). An individual with one property (such as AirBnB) would not have anything to offer you. A multi-property owner might be able to offer you another apartment, but it might not have the same amenities or location as the one you paid for. On the other hand, an agency that has a good reputation would work hard to find you a comparable apartment, or would refund your money and probably help you find a hotel.
Given the current situation, if you are still set on renting an apartment, you might investigate the many apart'hotels in Paris - Citadines, Adagio - or consider renting from an agency with a good track record. You could avoid all this stress, though, by just looking for hotel rooms, instead.
Sep 2nd, 2014, 04:56 AM
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It is always a matter of personal preference.
For us, we understand the concept of a studio and aren't bothered by the setup of the VIP apartment. As gas as not having a river view, in all the times we have been in Paris, I can honestly say that I can't recall looking out the windows for more than a brief moment.
We are more interested in the ambiance of the neighborhood and hence chose the apartment on the island, rather than IN Le Marais, as we have done on our past stays.
As I said, we each have our own personal checklist of what matters. I prefer to have only a short climb of stairs or a lift. And a real shower, I noticed one of those apartments had what looked like a tub with "perhaps" a handheld shower and THAT is a deal breaker for me.
For us, we understand the concept of a studio and aren't bothered by the setup of the VIP apartment. As gas as not having a river view, in all the times we have been in Paris, I can honestly say that I can't recall looking out the windows for more than a brief moment.
We are more interested in the ambiance of the neighborhood and hence chose the apartment on the island, rather than IN Le Marais, as we have done on our past stays.
As I said, we each have our own personal checklist of what matters. I prefer to have only a short climb of stairs or a lift. And a real shower, I noticed one of those apartments had what looked like a tub with "perhaps" a handheld shower and THAT is a deal breaker for me.
Sep 4th, 2014, 10:26 PM
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DebitNM, I would probably agree with you -- if not for one particular rental. I rented an apartment on a very narrow street one time, and the windows in the living room looked out on the windows of the building across the street. We were so close, it seemed that they were in the same room as I!
Ever since then, I've been hugely mindful of windows and views. I felt clautrophobic for the entire week. If I'm in beautiful ****Paris****, I want to know it. I don't want to spend any time looking into another apartment or to close the drapes and live in a dark cave. I want to look out the window and see the boulevards or rooftops.
s
Ever since then, I've been hugely mindful of windows and views. I felt clautrophobic for the entire week. If I'm in beautiful ****Paris****, I want to know it. I don't want to spend any time looking into another apartment or to close the drapes and live in a dark cave. I want to look out the window and see the boulevards or rooftops.
s
Sep 5th, 2014, 04:25 PM
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Debit, I noticed the 3rd vrbo is in US dollars, a considerable savings! And it had many reviews.
On our first visit we stayed on the I'sle and it was very fun to do once. Now we prefer to stretch our stay by staying a bit further out
Mary
On our first visit we stayed on the I'sle and it was very fun to do once. Now we prefer to stretch our stay by staying a bit further out
Mary
Sep 5th, 2014, 04:33 PM
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I agree, always better to have more days in Paris. The VIP apartment that we are staying in is the least of the 4 listed.
When I asked about the windows in the VIP apartment - I got this prompt reply:
Hi Deb,
The windows open/look onto the courtyard of the building. I don’t think there are any great views but the location is still really great.
When I asked about the windows in the VIP apartment - I got this prompt reply:
Hi Deb,
The windows open/look onto the courtyard of the building. I don’t think there are any great views but the location is still really great.
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