sassy_cat

I told my DD that she could invite one or two friends to vacation with us next year..
Lo, and behold both girls said 'yes' and one doesn't even have a passport yet!

Limited accommodation budget (max 300-400 per night) and we'd prefer an apartment for the space. 3 bedrooms ideally or 2 plus a sofa bed.

Anyone stayed with vacationinparis apartments ID 199 or ID 52 in the 3rd and 11th respectively?
Which arrondisment would you choose?

My family has been to Paris many times but this would be the first trip to Europe for two 14 year old girls...

Thanks for any advice

susanna

I would think that 14 year old girls would be quite comfortable in the 3rd, they can venture out on their own, there's tons there for them. I probably prefer the 11th and you might too since you've been there many times...but for a first time visitor I would chooose a little closer to the center.

The furniture and decorations of the apartment in the 3rd hurt my eyes!

cherrybomb

# 52 in in a high nightlife area if that makes a difference to you, #199 is a busier and less charming section of the northern Marais bordering on the 2nd arrondisment, also a nightlife area that is less interesting IMO. Both are central and on the metro line though.

Personally I'd choose #52 as you can explore a bit more off the beaten path - you would be right off bus 96 which takes you to Ménilmontant, and into the 19th and 20th arr. The bus going in the other direction goes to the left bank. You are also close to the canal in #52.

I think either choice is fine, depends on whether you want to get a feel of the less touristed areas. Not that #52 is in any way in a non-touristy area, but it is certainly a bit more mixed.

cherrybomb

Also, I think the girls will have more quirky shopping and browsing in the area around #52.

sassy_cat

Thanks susanna and cherrybomb
I was leaning towards #52. Quirky shopping and browsing seals the deal for the 3 teenage girls!
I do like the idea of a less touristy area too.

The nightlife will be a big plus as my 20 year old son will also be with us.

trvlgirlmq

When we thought we were going to have 6 people in our party for Paris we chose #52. We liked the fact that their were single beds and people wouldn't have to share. I can't comment on the location because we aren't going until next July. Ended up with only 5 people and booked VIP 18.

Have a great time.

Seamus

#199 would be out for me because there is only one bathroom. With 6 people, including a couple teens, that is a recipe for mayhem. Agree with susanna about the decor in the one in the 3rd! I'd keep looking.
The things I would look for in your situation:
<b>Need to have:</b>
Three separate bedrooms
Two bathrooms
Elevator if above third floor
<b>Nice to have:</b>
Full size refrigerator
Convenient to a metro stop with good service
A/C depending on time of year

sassy_cat

You're right Seamus, two bathrooms are essential and this one has a separate master bathroom for us... sharing with 3 teen girls and my son would be a nightmare.

We could survive without the 3rd bedroom and stairs are no problem.

Hey, trvlgirlmq we're also going next July. Best wishes for your trip too!

sassy_cat

OK, I'm sold on #52.
(Bit more research to do on the area but I read an old post on Tripadvisor that kerouac says next time he moves it'll likely be to the 11th or 10th ..)

trvlgirlmq

I think it's a good choice. I liked the location in the 11th because it was on the border with 3&4 and that was our target area.

We will be in Paris the week of July 9-16. I'll have my 2 boys (15, 8 when we go) and niece (turns 7 on 7/15 while we are there!). If you are looking for a GTG we'd be up for it.

sassy_cat

trvlgirlmq
I'm looking forward to exploring in the 11th.
I would love to meet up but we arrive in Paris 7/15 which is your niece's birthday.. is there a party we can crash? .

I haven't booked our Eurostar tix yet but we will probably arrive after lunch (we have a couple of nights in London before Paris)

trvlgirlmq

sassy_cat - I haven't got that far in the itinerary yet! I think we will be recovering from all the 14 juillet festivities until at least Noon. Will probably do a special birthday dinner but haven't asked the resident Paris experts for recommendations yet. If you are interested in meeting up you can reach me at trvlgirlmq at yahoo dot com. I am sure my teenage boy would welcome the chance to talk to others his age after spending 2 weeks with me, grandma, his pesky brother and girl cousin.

sassy_cat

trvlgirlmq, Ack, I overlooked the fact that we will miss 14 juillet in Paris but we do have to be in London that day!

It's taken me about 3 days of concentrated effort to plan this trip.. I was really feeling the pressure and responsibility of taking someone else's kids with me so I went into overdrive. Hmm, I've sure three 14 yr old girls would love to meet up with a 15 year old boy on vacation

Seamus

sassy - we stayed in that general area this past July and it was fine. Not upmarket but certainly no slum either. Getting around often involved metro transfers unless you walk down to Republique but usually just one transfer was needed to get almost anywhere. Also found that bus service was great. Think you are making a good choice. One thing I will note is that it was bloody hot during several days of our mid July visit so I would be sure to ask about having several fans available (since no AC.)

trvlgirlmq

sassy_cat - Funny. I don't know why I thought you would have one boy. He's shy but the girls seem to like that more. We went to London in 2007 and loved it. I'm sure all of the girls will have a great time there.

sassy_cat

Seamus, thanks I'd read that buses were the way to go and I prefer walking/buses to the Metro anyway as I like to 'see' where I'm going. I'm hoping the weather gods are kind to us on this trip and Paris isn't too hot (and Iceland isn't too cold; this trip is a logistical and packing nightmare!LOL).

trvlgirlmq, my son will be with us but he's 20. He might spend an extra day or two in London with his friends so he may arrive in Paris after you leave. His plans will be last minute of course!
We love London too (we're British) My daughter is definitely looking forward to spending some time in London and showing her American friends 'home'

trvlgirlmq

What fun to show others your "hometown".

We hope its not too hot as well since the apt has no AC. They do offer a couple of fans so that will be nice.

I've been so busy planning this trip and we haven't even gone on our Fall Break vacation yet. I guess this is way more exciting for everyone than Disneyworld!

Leely2

The apartment looks great, sassy cat. I hope you'll post more about it after your trip.

sassy_cat

trvlgirlmq, Disneyworld is a whole different kettle of fun

Didn't you post that you're going to Disneyland Paris too? I think that may well be on our 'to do' list as Sleeping Beauty's castle is more appealing than Versailles for the girls!

Thanks Leely, I'll write a trip report.

trvlgirlmq

sassy_cat - Yes, we plan to do DLR Paris. I know it will take a whole day away from the city but with kids you make concessions. Plus, I think it will be fun too! We're doing Versailles also though. The kids are great about going to museums but they need it in small doses. If it was just me I would probably set a tent up in the Louvre for the week.