tripgirl

Hi all,

Well after many threads awhile ago we thought we had all settled for our 3 week trip to Paris next June.

On a recent trip to Paris this summer, I had the privilege of actually visiting Paris Perfect apartments and was able to settle on the Layon apartment for the first 2 weeks in June, yay!

Originally I had booked the Layon for all three weeks that we are actually staying, but thought it would be fun to move to another area since we are there for so long and that we've been to Paris so many times, but wanted to try another area in which to live. so I booked another PP apt shortly for our last week after I returned from Paris that is located in the Marais. I have trampled the Marais pretty good throughout the years, but never actually have stayed there; this time we wish to for part of the time.

So the Layon is all booked, all safe all good to go. Love the neighborhood, apt, everything about it, all good!

Just found out today( about 2 hrs ago) the Marais PP apt is not going to work. I don't want to disclose the apt or the reason why as that would be unfair to PP. But safe to say we won't be staying at this apt.

PP was gracious and forthcoming so early in advance of our stay to sort something out for us. But unfortunately I want to stay east and other than moving to another 7th eme apt which is dumb because we are already there in the Layon for the 1st 2 weeks. They offered some of the 5th and 6th eme apts, but we have done the 5th and 6th so many times so many times and want something else this time.

So I am contemplating on going with Guest Apartment Services as I have done this past summer, for the last week. I love these guys, really fab to work with, we rented the Snowdrop this past Aug.

We have no qualms about using 2 diff companies or moving, I do indeed want to stick with PP and the Layon apt for the 1st 2 weeks., I saw the apt in person, fell in love, its fab! Since we've been to Paris so many times, a moving and losing a tad of Paris time is no biggie, so no need to chime in about your concern for me on this point.

I just want your opinion of these three apartments. I know in your effort to be gracious and helpful, you might want to suggest entirely different apartments or different companies altogether. I am sticking with a PP/GAS combo. Do not suggest Montmarte either. Please, I don't need you to. I just want opinions on the 3 listed below as it will be one of these 3. Do not judge what I am paying as well.

So now that I laid out what I seek, here are the apts.

http://www.guestapartment.com/proper...oms/lupin.html

What I like: I was going for a 2 bdm with PP( the one that we will have to cancel) in the thoughts that my son and his girlfriend may come ( if you all remember from a previous thread we had orginally had another couple joining us, not now happening). This is remote chance he will come for our last week. He would not be upset in the least if we decide we want to pursue the other 2 listings below of 1 bdrm. My son can't let us know early, it would be so last minute, so even if we took it and he didn't come, its always lovely to have extra space;

What I like about Lupin: The balcony( it looks fab), kitchen ( really, really love), size of apt( quite huge), fab office area for hubby.

It's in the Marais as I wanted, but its closer to west than east as previously booked with PP. It's located at the corner of Rue de Archives and rue des 4 Fils. I want to be sure that the street is not a busy thoroughfare and that it feels "neighborhoody". I've been on Rue des Archives before, but I don't believe I've stood in the location of the apt. Please let me know what you think if you've been to that corner.

This past summer as much as adored the GAS Snowdrop apt itself, being on the Quai de Montebello was just too busy, I didn't feel like I was living in a residential area which I crave for this next trip. ( that by the way was my own fault, I know Paris pretty well, I chose the apt itself over location, we loved, loved the apt itself).

Just want to be sure that Lupin isn't located in the midst of too much stuff, I want to feel like I'm living there. You all know what I mean

On to the next..

http://www.guestapartment.com/proper.../hyacinth.html

Now this GAS apt is not in the Marais but it is on St Louis. We love St Louis and as similar to the Marais, have been all over it in all the yrs, but never lived there. I know this feels very neighborhoody ( I do know that of course in the daytime it teems with tourists).

What I like about Hyacinth: The decor, size and it has a beautiful view of the Seine. It's close enough to the Marais that I would be fine with it. Love the bathroom and bedroom in particular. Like the kitchen better at Lupin ( I cook alot!), but the kitchen here is lovely.

Concern that while I like feeling quiet and residential, the Marais is livelier. I know we can walk right over, so would it matter so much if we weren't on top of the Marais?? Not sure.

And lastly

http://www.guestapartment.com/proper.../ortensia.html

This GAS apt is in the Marais, in actually my second fav area of the Marais next to the east bordering the 11th: Village St Paul. I really get a sense of neighborhood here. Walked that area alot this past Aug.

What I like about Ortensia: Love that little street of Rue Charles V. Love the paved courtyard entrance. Feels very homey! The living area is very cozy, a little more ornate and proper than we are used to, but looks good and "cushy". Kitchen is lovely. Bedroom I like the least of the three, but its still lovely. Love the office area.

However, there is no special view except of the street from the living room and want to make sure I don't feel boxed in ( the apt is large, but the smallest of the three).

So I know, I know.. what a predicament to have!

But I trust and love your inputs, so input away...

Thanks a big mil.......

tripgirl

TTT

tripgirl

Anyone??

CarolJean

I like Lupin, because of the balcony, etc. But also love Ortensia. I could be very happy there. Also appreciate the separation of the shower and toilet. Cannot comment on the locations since I haven't stayed in the Marais. Do really enjoy staying on the Ile and, agree Guest Services cannot be beaten. Whichever you choose, you can't go wrong. Have a great trip.

tripgirl

Thanks Carol Jean!

Your thoughts are appreciated

Anyone in addition...

sassy_cat

Try Google earth for actual street views. You can 'walk' you and down your street virtually.
I did this with the apartment we booked this summer and when we arrived I felt I already knew the street!

I really like the look and feel of Lupin. The space would be wonderful.

I wouldn't choose Ortensia as it looks a little dark to me.

Judy

I really like the first two. The third is a good location but just doesn't look much like any of the others you've expressed an interest in.....while I don't know you, it doesn't look like you. The low ceilings and closed in feeling isn't my favorite.

I just returned from a 2 week stay in Paris. The first week was in a 2 bed/2 bath apartment on rue de Bourbon, not as lovely as Hyacinth! We loved the location. It was so easy to get just about anywhere, especially once we learned the bus routes which cross the island.

Our second week (husband went home and girlfriends arrived) was in PP Touraine apartment, also with easy access to the Marais. One of my daughters prefers bus to metro and on a few trips to finish some shopping in the Marais, we took the bus and got off at rue des 4 Fils and rue des Archives. I remember having to walk south to rue de Franc Bourgeois before running into crowds. The first apartment really is not that much further west than the PP apartment you were probably considering.

Not sure how much help this is.

taconictraveler

We are in a guest services apartment right now, and loving the neighborhood feel of the ILe St. Louis.
I think I would opt for the Ile St.Louis one with the fabulous view.
however, I also prefer the Village St. paul area of the Marais, but am not too familiar with the Western Marais, nor north of Place DES Vosges.
in fact we will explore that tomorrow!
You are lucky to have such choices, but you already know that. I wish you a fabulous trip

cw

I guess I would rate them in the order that you listed. First, you want a view. I totally agree with the view part and, though some people want apartments on courtyards, I want to look at something interesting.

I do remember being right in front of the Archives while walking around the Marais and it wasn't busy--but it may have been a Sunday. And I'm a sucker for a terrace. The second apartment, hyacinth, though a one-bedroom does have the option of a somewhat private second bedroom. The third is beautiful too, but it doesn't have a view.

Maybe a view will be less of a concern for you after two weeks? It's a delightful decision to have to make, but that doesn't make it easier. I've stayed with Paris Vacation Apartments and Parisian Flats. I know PVA has a two-bedroom on the Place des Vosges.

I guess I'd choose the Archives view--you've already stayed on the island and it would be a different experience. Good luck!

tripgirl

Thanks all

Just want to be sure that Lupin is not too close to Pompidou

Paris Perfect offered me another Marais apt, but it's 200yrds from Pompidou, so I'm not wild and crazy about that

Thoughts all......?

StCirq

I like Lupin. Hyacinth is gorgeous, but I'd be afraid of spilling on all that white furniture (but that's just me).

tripgirl

Cw

Thanks, we haven't stayed on St Louis so that's why I am considering Hyacinth

tripgirl

StCirq

I trust your thoughts completely, do you think Lupin is too close to Pompidou craziness

You're funny about spilling on white furniture !

If you truly had to choose, which one??

Judy

tripgirl, I am not St Cirq but Lupin is at least 4 blocks from Pompidou.

StCirq

Well, I'd be tempted to stay on the Ile Saint-Louis, but that can have its own kind of craziness - such a small but popular place, with lots of foot traffic on nice days.

And I really love the balcony and kitchen in Lupin, not to mention the décor, which I find more appealingly traditional. I can't actually picture myself on that corner - rue des Archives and rue des Quatre Fils, but generally speaking, once you fan out a block or so from the Place Beaubourg, as long as you're not on Sebastopol, it gets quieter and more residential. Can't speak to what it would be like at night, though, as I'm hardly ever in that neighborhood after dark.

StCirq

Hmmm...thought I posted a fairly long response to this, but it doesn't seem to be here. Maybe I posted it in the wrong place.

Anyway, what I wanted to say was I would be sorely tempted to stay on the Ile Saint-Louis, but that, being a small and popular place, can have its own sort of craziness, especially on nice days.

I love the balcony and kitchen of Lupin, and find the more traditional décor appealing. And IME, once you get a couple of blocks away from the Place Beaubourg, it gets fairly quiet and residential, unless of course you're right on Sebastopol. That said, I'm hardly ever in that neighborhood after dark, so I can't speak to what it would be like in the evenings as far as crowds and noise go. But generally speaking, no, I don't think it's too close to the Pompidou.

tuscanlifeedit

I would go for the first or second apartments; they are gorgeous and the third doesn't seem in quite the same category, plus, no views at all.

I'm a fan of the Marais, after staying 3 times. But those views from the Ile apartment are so gorgeous.

Just in case you think I don't stay other places, we are trying St Germaine this time, and have stayed in the 7th a couple of times.

tripgirl

Isn't it funny how some of have stuck with same arr over the yrs! Tuscan: you will love St Germaine

Soooooooo torn!!!!

Anyone else..... Loving all your thoughts!!

zoecat

I would go with the first one. I like the style and it is so nice to have a balcony. It looks like what you would expect of a nice apartment in Paris. It reminds me of (and probably feels like) Paris. I love the area (although the other two are also well placed).

jo_ann

For what it's worth: #2 does it for me, despite the fact that we are big fans of the Marais (have rented there the past two stays.) We were staying both times on Henri IV - which wouldn't seem to have a neighborhood feel, but we also loved the rooftop views, the marvelous small restaurants, the bakery runs in the morning, and the sense of families living all around. BUT - we'd find ourselves so easily on Ile St Louis almost daily for a bit, and I think that apartment and its views call to me over your other choices.
Don't forget the incredible market every Sunday up at Bastille (Richard le Noir) - very very walkable, probably no matter which spot you choose - we'd be there weekly if we could.