It would help to know what your budget is and if you can use a 1 bedroom with a pull out sofa in the LR (so 2 of yuo will share a doubled bed in the BR)?

Separately - if this is your first trip are you determined that you must have an apartment? You might find more availabiity in hotels.

As for a ground floor apt I would not one anywhere without gates on all of the windows - but I'm from NYC and our building has had break-ins due to idiot sub-tenants leaving gates and windows open.

Check out www.airbnb.com -- with "8,000 listings for Paris" you should be able to find one....rated A by Conde Nast Traveler w/ no minuses

I stayed here with my two sisters and Mom in November. It may work well for you.

http://www.vrbo.com/237796

"It would help to know what your budget is and if you can use a 1 bedroom with a pull out sofa in the LR (so 2 of yuo will share a doubled bed in the BR)?"
I absolutely could do a 1 BR. I guess my budget is that I would be willing to spend up to $2,800 or so for 7 nights. I would prefer not to go above that, but again...safety first.

"Separately - if this is your first trip are you determined that you must have an apartment? You might find more availabiity in hotels."

I actually was having such trouble finding available hotel rooms that fit 3 people, that I switched to apartments on the recommendation of a friend.

"As for a ground floor apt I would not one anywhere without gates on all of the windows - but I'm from NYC and our building has had break-ins due to idiot sub-tenants leaving gates and windows open."

Yep. The apartment I put the hold on doesn't have bars. I would feel a bit exposed. Maybe if there were a man staying with me, I'd go for it, but three women, and my niece is so small...I'd feel like a real potential target.

I got this on email: http://paris.citycosy.com/uk/paris

jmc714, thanks for this lead -- this looks lovely. I am going to message the owner right now and see if it is available.

aliced, I will also check out airbnb.com, the A rating sounds really promising.

honestly, it looks like a lovely apartment and whilst we get a lot of posts and indeed threads here about the various scams that tourists are subjected to whilst out and about in Paris [and elsewhere] i do not remember any about break-ins into apartments, ground-floor or otherwise. We stayed in a ground -floor apartment in Rome and the only thing that i thought was thank goodness i hadn't got a load of steps to walk up!

that said, if you are going to be nervous every time someone walks past the window, it's not going to be a very relaxing holiday, so perhaps it would be as well to find somewhere else.

hotels like Novotel often have three-bedded and/or interconnected rooms.

$2800 for an apartment for three for a week seems a lot.

Don't stick to one agency, whether vacationinparis or any other.

We are spending about $1000 for an apartment for two through VRBO (where we have always found our Paris apartments), and our time overlaps with yours. There were lots of other good ones available in that price range at the beginning of March, so there ought still to be places available at somewhat more.

My wife is a real estate genius, whether buying, selling or renting, though it was not her primary profession. She works at it hard and systematically. She never looks for perfection, merely the best available at the price, so she never gets hung up as so many others on this site do. I am incredibly lucky.

The process: scan a site you are comfortable with until you find five places that are acceptable in price, location, and size. Are they available for the time you want? If not, repeat at another site until you find five.

Look at the details: high floor, low floor; stairs or elevator; street facing or courtyard facing; nearby, bakery, grocery, bus, metro, eating places; access to/from airport or railway. How will you get the keys? When can you get in? Who pays for cleaning? Utilities? Put all this information on a grid. What matters most? Don't agonize, make an offer. It's only a week.

We are willing to walk to the first (US second) floor but not beyond; we want the bedroom to be on the back or courtyard side of the building; we want a washing machine and are used to European ones and their workings; a shower is more important than a bath but not a deal killer; we prefer buses to the Metro, so a good bus line is more important to us than a convenient Metro; and so forth. See? that's how it works!

Then just do it!

good advice from Akislander.

make a list of the things that are essential [in your case, not ground/first floor and in a "safe" area, two bedrooms, etc. etc.

then a list of things you'd like but aren't deal breakers,

then a list of things you won't accept - ie ground floor.

i'd be very surprised if you can't find an apartment to suit for your dates with almost 2 months to go.

We had good luck through Paris Best Lodge

Very good advice, and thank you. I do see some availability on Parisaddress website, the photos certainly look good and folks on this site seem to have had luck with Parisaddress.

VRBO looks like a great site, and would love to use them, but how do I know the owners are legit? The site seems well regarded though. I guess that's the one thing I am confused/nervous about, even though I certainly could do well there. I apologize for what may well be paranoia!

VRBO looks like a great site, and would love to use them, but how do I know the owners are legit? >>

well, you look at the reviews and see what they say, but in the end, it is a bit of a leap of faith - but then so is renting through an agency [they may fob you off with a different apartment or it may not be clean] or staying in a hotel, if you think about it - how can you guarantee the honesty of the staff, the cleanliness of the kitchens, the provenance of the food?

even staying at home has its risks!

"even staying at home has its risks!"
Touche!

So, I have another question. I'm considering a couple of apartments through Parisaddress, but I noticed on the lease there is a 3,000 Euro refundable damage deposit. Is that really right?? No way am I plunking down 3,000 Euro. Does anyone know?

I have used Paris Best Lodge several times and also highly recommend them.

I've paid a €300 deposit in Italy - which was returned in full at the end of the let with no quibble but €3000 deposit seems vv high.

i'd think twice about renting through them.

You sound ambivalent about the apartment.....

Hotel Au Manoir on Blvd St Germain, is a perfectly nice hotel, in a very good and super safe location. We stayed there once when my husband was in Paris on business. I just checked your dates and they have 1 triple room left for those dates.

If they do, then maybe other hotels do as well.....

Needless to say, in a hotel w/24 hour desk personnel, safety becomes one less concern.

I've used vrbo and homeaway.com a number of times and have never had a problem. Someone mentioned that you should check out the reviews, and I agree and agree and agree. I will not stay anywhere that doesn't have a number of reviews.

My husband and I are booked in a studio in Paris next month, and we're paying 450 euro for 7 nights in the Marais (3rs-4th). I didn't have to give a deposit to book. Actually, I've had to give deposits (minimal) at only two of the seven places we're staying this spring.

Good luck!

Your budget seems generous. Parisperfect.com has very nice apartments and because of the Paris Perfect recommendations on this website, we used Londonperfect.com last month. We were very pleased. Quite good service, no hitches, and a very nice place in a great neighborhood. I know it was London, but I was so pleased that I would recommend the agency to you.

A hotel may give you more peace of mind and services for your group than an apartment. If one of you does not feel like going somewhere, at least you know they can be well taken care of in a hotel during your absence. Suggestions and recommendations are welcome when you are a newcomer to a city.Even coming home late at night if this is your first time in Paris might feel a little strange compared to a hotel.

I hope you find what you are looking for

Here is a list of hotels that offer triple rooms

http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k4175530-List_of_hotels_with_triple_rooms-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Wow, this is great, I am so appreciative.

Regarding Parisaddress, I might start a separate thread asking about the 3,000 Euro refundable deposit. Their FAQ says they only ask for your cc info but they don't charge you unless they find damage. But their actual agreement implies they could take you to the cleaners...bleh. The company seems so well regarded I might go ahead with one of the apts anyway.

However, I love several of the apts listed on Paris Best Lodge, and I sent them an email to check on availability for my dates. Interestingly they seem a bit cheaper than Parisaddress.

I guess I'm ambivalent about both hotels and apartments. Triple-size hotel rooms are really expensive and cramped, so I still am leaning toward apartment. I am just being a ridiculous and indecisive worrywart, lol.

I haven't even started bookings for London, so tuscanlifeedit, thanks so much for the Londonperfect.com recommendation!

Suggestions and recommendations and thoughts still welcome -- I am digesting and appreciating everything!

You are over thinking this! It's only a week!

Trust yourself. If 3000 dollars or euros seems like too much, it is.

The size of the women in the apartment and presence or not of a man is not the issue with a ground floor apartment. The chance of anyone entering while you are there or harming anyone is really nil. The risk is that if the apartment looks empty in the evening - when you are out to dinner - someone may enter and steal belongings.

Without knowing the street and how much traffic there is in the evening/night it's impossible for me to know how safe the apt is without gates. Just that where I lives they are routine - even in the best of neighborhoods.

My friend is staying in the 8th near the metro and many tourist spots: vrbo 176504. Sleeps 4, within your budget and available for your dates. Owner is here in CA, my friend received the key in person from a local rep. I will be seeing the apt. when I'm there and will let you know how it looks.

I don't get this paranoia about safety (seems to be the theme on various threads) - Has Paris suddenly become dangerous?

^Here's the link: http://www.vrbo.com/176504

I probably am overthinking it, lol.

Paris Best Lodge is fully booked. I'll call Paris Perfect (and London Perfect) tomorrow and see what they've got.

The size of the women in the apartment and presence or not of a man is not the issue with a ground floor apartment. The chance of anyone entering while you are there or harming anyone is really nil. The risk is that if the apartment looks empty in the evening - when you are out to dinner - someone may enter and steal belongings.

Without knowing the street and how much traffic there is in the evening/night it's impossible for me to know how safe the apt is without gates. Just that where I lives they are routine - even in the best of neighborhoods.

Take a look at www,parisianflat.com. We have rented fron them and all our dealings went very smoothly. They have apartments in the 6th.

That should be www.parisianflat.com.

Hi - I stayed in an apartment I rented from
www.Parisdeluxerentals.com
The agency was very professional and easy to deal with and customer service was great. They have some nice one and 2 BRs
Good luck!

Have you tried www.tripseurope.com. I rented an apartment in 2011 and everything was great (except the beds, which were quite uncomfortable). Also I hope that ParisPerfect works out because a friend of mine highly recommends them. Someone sent you a link to TripAdvisor, the hotels listed in the 5th, 6th and 7th districts are good. Also, have you tried Hotel Valadon (www.hotelvaladon.com) and Hotel Les Jardins d'Eiffel (www.hoteljardinseiffel.com) Last, check out www.cobblestoneparis.com and www.homerental.fr. If you have not been to Paris before, I would keep looking for a hotel plus you seem very very concerned with safety and a hotel might offer you the peace of mind that you seek.

There are 12 apartments offered by this agency that would meet your needs
http://www.myparisvisit.com/paris-apartments.html?arrivaldate=23-05-2013&departuredate=30-05-2013&category=&people=3&sortby=

We used them in 2009 and they were great.

I don't get this paranoia about safety (seems to be the theme on various threads) - Has Paris suddenly become dangerous?>>

no. if robberies and break-ins into tourist apartments were common in Paris, we'd surely know about it here, and i don't remember a single thread even mentioning it. sometimes it seems as if a handbag can't be dipped or a pocket picked without us hearing about it within 24 hours, but as for apartment break-ins, not a word.

given the OPs budget, I'd have thought that interconnecting rooms [or even separate rooms] with granny in one and the OP and "so small niece" in the other might be a solution.

Ackislander has a wonderful list of search details for finding a great apartment. Just pick 2or 3 "must haves" from his list and the rest are "like to have" and then just make the decision. My "must haves" are a metro within 2 blocks, an elevator if more than 2 floors up, and enough comfortable seating in the living room for everyone staying in the apartment.

I have rented through VRBO in Paris and other places many times. The deposit can be high, but unless you plan to throw a wild party, it should be returned to you with no problem. Remember, that you know more about the apartment than the owner knows about you, so they are just trying to protect themselves as well.

For that budget you could get two hotel rooms and have two bathrooms, etc.
For a first time visitor, I think a hotel is good. Have you inquired at the Muguet for a triple. And there are many hotels that people have mentioned that have triple rooms.
For your budget you might look at a Citadines location--apartment hotels. There is a lovely one overlooking the Seine with a view of Notre Dame.

If it helps, I rented through AirBNB in Paris and in Geneva. Both worked out great but I read the reviews for each apartment. The place you have reserved looks great. I personally wouldn't worry about the ground floor.

Actually your apartment on RentParis looks so great that I am marking it for future use.

I don't understand why people think crime does not occur in Paris, of course it does, and it has nothign to do whether an apartment is a "tourist apartment" or not, what's that got to do with it. Ground floor apts everywhere are obviously more susceptible to theft or breakins, that's just obvious. But it de4pends on the set-up, I'd check that out as to windows, are there any othe street, etc. Personally, I would never rent one but my main objection would be a ground floor location, in general, not necessarily safety. Who would want an apt with windows right on the street with people walking by right in front of you? If it doesn't have any windows on the street, fine. However, I rented an apt within an interior courtyard so that hardly any apts really overlooked the main street, but the ground floor apts were still entirely visible to anyone comign and going in that building through the courtyard. In that apt, it would be like living in a fishbowl if you had that location, but it wouldn't be that unsafe because the only people who had access had to get through the digicode and past the concierge (who wasn't always there, of course). And I had another apt in Paris where the tenants (whether longterm or perhaps "tourists") would often leave the door slightly open to the street and not close it so anyone could get in without the digicode.

If you can afford Parisperfect, that's obviously very high end, so money doesn't appear to be the issue. I wouldn't do something just because someone else told you to, however, rather than you wanting to yourself.

I looked at that VIP 142 apt and the ground floor issue doesn't seem a problem to me as it is on an interior courtyard and the windows start fairly high up, that part looks ok.

I think you are totally overthinking the safety issue. Where I live in the USA is infinitely more dangerous than just about anywhere in Paris, though of course Paris too is a big city and crimes do occur. But you seem a bit obsessed with this. I wouldn't want a ground-floor apartment anywhere, not because of safety issues but rather for more practical reasons, although if it's facing an interior courtyard, I don't see the problem.

If you are really freaking out about safety, get hotel rooms. Not a bad idea for first-time visitors to do that anyway.

I'm not worried about safety so much for myself (I am a New Yorker) -- the paranoia over safety revolves entirely around my niece - her parents (my sister and her husband) are the world's most overprotective parents, and as ridiculous as it is, their "bogeymen are out to get our kids" paranoia was rubbing off on me a bit. That said, I think you all have convinced me that Paris isn't particularly unsafe.

Anyway, I reserved a triple at Hotel Aramis (thanks so much for the link of hotels with triples), but since that room would cost me over $3,000 and I'm not a wealthy woman, I am still looking at apts, but at least I have a good solid backup plan. I can't thank you all enough. Suggestions are still welcome, but I am truly grateful.

$3,000 for 7 nights. WOW

Try the Hotel Clément in the 6th. Their superior doubles are around 160€ a night, with a double bed and a single. The junior suites are around 175€, rates may go up for summer. The suites have a small room with a single bed and a double bedroom--neither are large but I've stayed in much smaller rooms. One caution, the double bed is just that, not a queen or king.

It's a very safe location, one block off the Blvd St Germain. I can personally recommend the Clément but there are many others that are good and will come in around $1,600 to $2,000 for a week.

www.hotelclementparis.com

Is vacationinparis #122 booked? It has a comfortable sofa bed and a queen, 1.5 baths. On Rue St Andre des Arts, secure building with an elevator. No AC but fans and cool at night.

Hotel Saint Jacques has triples available for that week for a total of €2,050.

http://www.paris-hotel-stjacques.com/

Have you tried this site? We have friends who loved it.

They have studios in your price range that are for 1-4 people:

http://www.parisperfect.com/studio-paris-apartment-rentals.php

Might want to jump on this one:

"Special rates available in a few apartments for stays from March 2013 to May 2013. Please note: availability is extremely limited so call or email our Reservations Team for up-to-minute dates.*"

40% a lot of their apartments.

http://www.parisperfect.com/last-minute-specials.php

when checking hotels try www.trivago.com. They compare lots of sites and sometimes I find deals there there are NOT on hotel websites, but of course I always double check.

I have had the apartment you first mentioned on my radar for a long time. It looks really, really nice.
Last time in Paris, we stayed in a ground floor apartment, on the Ile St. Louis, GuestApartmentServices, and there was absolutely NO feeling of danger. Very heavy doors and locks between us and the outside. Only slight quibble, it was dark.
But this #142 of Vacation in Paris does not look dark, and it doesn't even look as though it faces on the street.
I wish you good luck, but I did not worry about ground floor at all re: safety.

I just reserved a studio through http://www.homeaway.com and the place is right in the heart of St Germain des Pres... for just $840 for 8 nights!!!! You should try find one through them too... cheap, convenient and cute

Thanks so much. Cathinjoetown, I put in a request to book Hotel Clément -- that would bring my cost down to about $1,600. It's an "Internet special," so they have 48 hours to accept my request though, which seems weird to me but whatever -- any reason why they would decline the request?

VIP #122 was apparently booked, #142 was the only thing available for my dates, and the ground floor thing made me nervous, the back opens to a courtyard but the front door opens to the whole world.

I reached out to Paris Perfect today, and the only thing they offered me was sky-high in price, so I passed.

Hotel Clément DENIED my booking request - WHY?!?
I'm so discouraged

Call them up ==don't just do an email.

The Roland Garros event is on during our stay, which is probably inflating hotel prices and decreasing availability. If the tennis had been on my radar, I would have picked different dates, but I had already bought the plane tickets so we are pretty much locked in.

Oh Gretchen, our emails crossed. It was an Internet special, I input my request on their website. I guess I could call them but I imagine they'll offer some insane price in best case scenario.

I would at least email them, tell them what happened and ask for their best price.

I just paid 170€ per night for 5 nights but this was in early March.

I'm a little confused on your budget as Parisperfect is a really expensive agency, and Clement is a budget hotel. I suspect they just didn't have the rooms available (the Clement), that's all, I'm sure it isn't personal. I wouldn't think a tennis match would affect things that much in the whole city, just near it. Paris hotels don't really vary their posted rates much, they can't legally, as far as I know. They have a few rates during the year based on season. Now they do have more of these internet specials or special rates for special rates or prepayment, they never used to have much of those.

For hotels, I'd use www.booking.com. They have a big inventory and can tell you availability right away. I've used them successfully. The problem with some of those sites is you can't specify a triple, not sure about that one, I think they may show them.

FOr apartments, here is a website I've been considering, they do have quite a few available for your dates with reasonable rates www.clickappart.com. I think this may be the best one for what you want http://www.clickappart.com/apartments/apartment/details/id/97


That is a 2 BR near place Bastille (60 m2) for only 1080 euro for your week. That is a very convenient location. It says first floor, but in French that is not the ground floor or it would say rez-de-chaussee (and I know that website uses 1e etage for what is 2nd floor in the US). It doesn't have an elevator, however, but on that floor that doesn't matter. They have a couple other decent possibilities for what you want, also, such as the 44 m2 St Dominique IV (no. 8082), a 1 BR for only 920 euro for the week (1st floor with elevator), or the St Guillaume III (no 8139) in St Germain, a 50 m2 1 BR for 1000 euro.

I've read good reviews of that agency on places like slowtrav and possibly on Fodors, not sure, although I know you don't hear about it a lot. I really like their website. I read it in French but I think it has an English section.

This hotel does actually have a triple room available for your dates for around 200 euro http://www.hoteldelavenir.com/
It's an excellent location in St Germain on rue Madame near Luxembourg Gardens. It may not be as glamorous as some hotels, the furniture is a bit bland, but it's a good deal otherwise.

This hotel does have a deluxe triple room for your dates for around 300 euro (your max) http://www.hotel-saintmichel-paris.com/
and that is a super location near Luxembourg Gardens. The only problem is that triple rooms are usually for a couple and one child, meaning not 3 separate beds. That one has a queen and a sofabed, it appears. But I haven't looked for 2 separate rooms, that just may be more difficult for an average of less than 150 euro each, but possible in real cheap hotels.

Try Parler Paris. I am thinking of using them next time.

Bookmarking, thanks.

Thanks so much, and sorry for the delayed reply. Hotel del Avenir was booked for the latter half of the week, so I grabbed a triple at Saint-Michel, it's expensive but less so than the other hotel where I had a reservation, and it certainly looks nice. I'll keep looking at various apartments in the meantime, though.

Thanks again to all.

The saint Michel looks very nice. Have fun!

At least that gives you room size, 20 m2, which is a good size (about 215 square feet). I have thought of staying there but never have, although I've been by it and can say the location is very good so you won't have a problem with that. It is right in the Latin Quarter near the Pantheon, but about a block off bd St Michel on a small size street, so should be relatively quiet. I know several others on Fodors have stayed there and liked it, one said they had a triple room and did. Here is one post from someone who stayed there a week and said they loved it

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/help-choosing-paris-hotel.cfm

So at least you could do a lot worse, I think, and at least it's less expensive than the other one you had.

Try www.guestapartment.com. My husband and I stayed in one of their apartments as a splurge last June and we really enjoyed it. Most of their places are in the 4th and 5th.

My wife and I stayed at the Grand Hotel St Michel in 2009 and loved it. Dozens of places to eat within a 5 minute walk. I usually prefer a cab but with the hotel so close to the Luxembourg RER we took the train. If you have roller luggage it's an easy walk to the hotel.

I never eat breakfast in hotel basements... there's an inexpensive cafe right across the street.

I am not sure about the above comment about eating in a hotel basement. Every hotel we have stayed at in Paris has always been willing to deliver breakfast to the room, if one wishes.

I've also used guestapartment.com a couple of times. In fact last May I had a four night stopover on my way elsewhere, so my mom booked a 1-bd from them for a week and I crashed at chez maman for those nights. This Christmas I rented from ParisBestLodge, but I think you said they were fully booked.

I just moved from a hotel in the Marais to the vrbo apt. that I mentioned earlier in this thread (rented by friends) - The apartment is okay (not fancy, view of an unattractive courtyard) for 3 people but I don't recommend this area...the apartment is located adjacent in a mall on the Champs D'Elysee. For charm, stick to the 4th or 6th.

In Paris I choose to eat at a cafe where I can see Paris rather than in my bedroom or down in a basement is all. Paying about 25% of what most hotels charge is a plus too. A chacun son gout.

crosscheck, are you there now? I was reminded by a thread currently on chowhound how much I enjoyed a meal at L'Auberge du 15 in the 13th. A la carte is not inexpensive but worth. The lamb was so, so good.

Hi Leely, Oui, je suis ici. A bit chilly, but as enchanting as ever. Your recommendation is noted, but I might be running of out time. So far I've eaten at Philou (cool foodie bistro in the 10th) and L'as du Falafel (yummy and iconic as ever). Apologies for hijacking this thread - will move back to mine.

The last four small hotels I stayed in in the 6th (Dauphine, Clément, Bonaparte and Relais St. Germain) had breakfast rooms on the ground floor--i know many are in the cave but not all.

The breakfasts at Clément and Relais were excellent, far superior to any café. The Bonaparte breakfast was similar to that at a café but at a better price. In terms of quality, the Dauphine was a let-down. I think the hotel has changed hands since I was there three years ago so there may be improvement.

Parisian hotels have a variety of situations, many of them do have breakfast rooms in the basement, but others do not. And some will deliver to your room (in fact, some do that if they don't have a breakfast room, I think in order to get a certain star classification of a hotel-- maybe even 2* -- you have to provide breakfast in some manner, even if sent to the room).

I assume the comment was in reference to the fact that the Grand Hotel St Michel does have a basement breakfast room, which they didn't care for. I never eat breakfast in a hotel no matter where it is and would never want to eat it in my room, actually, to me it is part of getting going in the morning and I like being out and about), everybody has different preferences on that point. If you are in an area such as this hotel, it is really easy to find other places, though, whereas in some areas, the hotel is more convenient (but hotels always make a lot of money on those breakfasts).

in Paris i rarely have breakfast in the hotel, as i like to save my eating for later in the day, so a croissant or baguette and butter will do me.

but else where, if I do want a proper breakfast for some reason, I will have it in house on the first morning to suss it out. then i know what I am or am not missing.

"rooms on request" actually means they don't have a room , but they are perhaps holding a room for another reservation and if it falls through they may then have availability. Basically it means keep looking.