Toucan2

I thought I had decided on an apartment. I'm all the way to the point of faxing back the contract, but I am having second thoughts. Here's why.

I thought the location was fine, it is right at the border of the 6th and the 5th at 2 Place Saint-Michel. But, the reviews said it was quiet, and there is a metro right across the street, and lots of things walking distance like Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle. And it is a nice looking apt, 2 bedroom which is what we wanted.

Then little things started popping up. The owner wanted 35 more Euros for the week. Not that much really. Then they said we couldn't get into the apt until 3. With a hotel, that's not a problem, you can drop of your bags and go. Although I'm sure I could figure it out, now I will have to figure out what to do with my bags as my flight arrives at 8 am.

Then I read a trip report where someone talked about hating staying in the Latin Quarter. Although the apt isn't in the 5th, it is right across the street.

I have the contract here. What would you do? Am I just being overly anxious? I'm super swamped at work, and part of me says just do it, it will be fine, and be done with it. I leave March 10.

Here's the link:

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p473310

zeppole

What was the justification for the change in price? I might be sympathetic to an explanation like "I made a typo" or "some of my website ads are out of date" -- you know, something human any of us could do.

But do you have any reason other things are going to get upped or not fulfilled?

I would try to work it out with the renter about accepting bags.

Keep thinking about it. If you lose the apartment, there area always others.

Judy

Have you asked the owner if you can drop your bags when you arrive? We've done that many times. We leave our bags while the apartment is being cleaned and return for check-in.

I think in March Place St-Michel would not be as chaotic as it would be in the summer. The bedrooms do not face the Place so I wouldn't be that concerned about noise.

The apartment obviously appealed to you in the past.....perhaps since you're swamped at work and stressed you are second guessing.....let us know what you decide to do.

janisj

"<i>Then I read a trip report where someone talked about hating staying in the Latin Quarter. Although the apt isn't in the 5th, it is right across the street.</i>"

I almost always stay in the 5th--it is one of my favorite parts of Paris. You can find someone who doesn't like a specific neighborhood -no matter where it is.

The location of this flat about as central/convenient as you could find anywhere.

Not getting admittance until a set time is very common. Only you can decide if it is a deal breaker. It is a fairly expensive flat - but looks VERY nice.

But I do know -- it is pretty late to start an apartment search over again for a trip in March.

lucyp

Hi, my only worry would be about noise in the apartment from outside but their site says the windows are double glazed and both bedrooms are in the back on a courtyard. The 5th has a rep as being very touristy but really most of Paris is. I love the 5th myself, but then again, I'm a tourist when I visit Paris.

Toucan2

<The apartment obviously appealed to you in the past.....perhaps since you're swamped at work and stressed you are second guessing.....let us know what you decide to do.>

That is what I am worried I am doing, and think you are probably right. and as Janisj says, it's late to be looking at another place.

Honest, I am usually not this wishy washy!

jubilada

Toucan2, You probably can drop bags earlier.
You have liked this apt and its location.
I would want to understand about the difference in rate, but honestly, don't overthink!

easytraveler

The 5th doesn't bother me, since my friends live there and they've recently bought another apartment close by for their son, so i'm quite familiar with the 5th.

What would bother me is the additional 35 euros. Did they ever offer an explanation?

There are five reviews and they are all 5 stars so seems like this is an excellent choice on your part.

Have you been able to find more reviews?

Location is ideal.

As for getting in at 3pm, that could be for any number of reasons. The people renting before you may not be leaving until noon, which gives the host only 3 hours to clean up before your arrival. As someone has suggested, ask to see if they would have some way to store your luggage before 3pm.

Toucan2

I will write to Paul tonight (the agent) asking about the bags. Regarding the price increase, he really was very nice. He emailed me to say that when he contacted the owner they had upped their minimum. He apologized and said he would understand if I changed my mind and that he doesn't like to do business that way.

I just tried to fax over the contract and couldn't get it to go through, but think I am just going to scan it and send to him as pdf.

Thanks for talking me down from the ledge

AlessandraZoe

Toucan--Nothing you have stated is that abnormal--including your worries! We had to do four-month rental in the fall, and I was just sick with worry with all the sudden requirements, etc.

For our one-week rental, they make it clear that while we can check in with the agent at around 10, the apartment will not be available until 1 pm or later.

Your location is excellent.

I do think that if someone (either rental owner or the agent) can't come up with some sort of storage of your luggage for the time period, then you surely can demand monies for compensation or refuse the rental.

Bobby_Tulio

If you are on a budget and would like a place that is affordable (accomodations, shopping, and restaurants) that location is perfect. Communicate to your landlord on your desires to leave your luggage. It all could be that the previous renter could be leaving the same day you arrive and therefore need time to clean the apartment. Have you asked for references? I live in Canada and I have had calls on the apartment we stayed in as far as Singapore to ask about it. If they are used to renting this place out, they shouldn't have a problem providing a couple of people.

spaarne

<i>
Having second thoughts about Paris apt. What would you do?
Posted by: Toucan2 on Jan 10, 12 at 6:44pm
I thought the location was fine, it is right at the border of the 6th and the 5th at 2 Place Saint-Michel. </i>

Place Saint Michel is the heart and bowels of Paris. It probably couldn't be noisier unless you were under a landing path at CDG.

Changing terms after an agreement is a sign of bad faith. The owner is a scoundrel. Don't be an American sucker.

Cancel and look for a place in another part of the 5th or 6th. There are plenty of recommendations on Fodor's. I lived in the 5th 20 years ago on a street just outside the NOISE. In fact my parties made more noise than anyone else in the building or those surrounding, except for one with a dog. I recorded the dog and played it back. The owner was not amused.

The <i>metro right across the street</i> is convenient.
Let me tell you that this Metro station is the Mother of All Pickpocket Wrens.

You say <i>Honest, I am usually not this wishy washy!</i>
I think you are impulsive and I fear that you will have second thoughts way too late. When are you going? How long are you staying?

AlessandraZoe

My viewpoint:
I actually like that Metro stop. Chatelet/Les Halles is the one I avoid like the Black Plague. I walk to adjacent stations just to avoid.

and

We just stayed in a very quiet neighborhood on the 6th/7th border. The people in the building were relatively quiet. Our bedroom windows faced the courtyard.

All good.

Except that they were renovating the floor above us and the floor below us.

There are just things one can never control.

Toucan2

Thank you all for your thoughts and input. I will let you know what happens.

denisea

I think you will be OK. Did you say why you chose that apartment in the first place?

I am not a fan of the 5th, but those preferences are SO individual, so I wouldn't worry too much.

YOU ARE GOING TO PARIS! No matter what you do there are always things that could have been differently or better, despit your best efforts. If things so a little South, make the best of it. Take earplugs in case it is noisy but do enjoy it. I wish you all the best!

djkbooks

I wouldn't be so concerned that the rate increased slightly with new owners, or perhaps there was a price increase since you inquired.

If you like the location, I wouldn't be concerned about what others say about staying in the Latin Quarter as it is a very large area and quite diverse.

3PM is typical check-in time for hotels and apartments. Almost always you can arrange to drop your bags, either with departing guests or the cleaning crew. If you have a cell phone, you can be phoned when the cleaning is done. This does have to be coordinated with whoever gives you the keys. Usually, if no guests are departing the day you arrive, you can get in much earlier.

You could always indicate that you will sign the contract only if you can get the original rate and assurance that you'll be able to drop your bags earlier.

grandmere

Why does the ad say "1 Half Bath"? Reviewers mention hot showers so there must be one although I did not see it in the picture of the bathroom.

I think the location is great, and if people who were there in July didn't mention it being noisy, then I would not worry at all about March.

It is not an inexpensive apartment, and I think they ought to be able to store your luggage for you for a few hours.

Good luck!

KarenE

"There are five reviews and they are all 5 stars so seems like this is an excellent choice on your part."

The owners who advertise their apartments on homeaway have the full control over the "reviews" being posted. I would not trust any review on this website.

Christina

I wouldn't choose that location, but never would have the first time, so if you think it will be quiet, don't worry about it. I don't like locations right in tourist central, that's all, and of course, you knew that was, yo upicked it intentionally because of that. I stay in the 5th a lot and like it, I just don't stay there. That's the problem with thinking that way, arrondisements are large, whwere someone dislikes may be irrelevant for another address in the same arrondisement. It sounds like you have never been to Paris and so don't really have any idea about the location, which means you have no way of assessing someone else's comments, either, as to their location. I look at a map and trust my judgment about proximity to tourist sites and what that means.

Many apts have that criteria that it isn't available until 3, nothing new there. If you didn't like that, you will limit your choices a lot. I wouldn't like someone changing the price for no reason, though. It indicates poor behavior and attitude to customers and duties in advertising some place for rent.

It does look nice, but is very expensive. Of course it would be for what you want, I'm just saying raising the price 35 euro is odd given the base rent without some explanation. What was the explanation? I wouldn't like the location, but I am not a typical tourist, so if you like it, I wouldn't worry about that part of it. If you don't like the time thing, you are going to have a lot of trouble finding other stuff that may suit you.

TPAYT

If it was me, I'd go with it. For a 2 bedroom the price is reasonable. Yes, you can find cheaper, but it won't be as nice as that apt. It will probably be much plainer looking.

The location is great IMO. You can walk to so many sites, restaurants, etc.

It sounds like you had confidence in your dealings with the agent so don't worry about the price increase, it's minimal.

As far as dropping the bags, you could check if the agent has an office nearby. You might be able to drop the bags there if you can't get in the apt. itself.

We have rented through Homeaway in different areas several times. I know they are individual and each owner runs things differently, but our experience has always been good.

Good luck!