4th vs. 7th/Apartment vs. Hotel
 

I realized I posted this in the vast hole of the "europe" board, instead of the geographically specific. So, I thought I'd try again with a better title...

We're second guessing our decision of a hotel in Paris, and have found this (wonderful looking, if small) apartment through Charming/Paris Hideaways.
http://studio.provaction.com/paris/esmeraldauk.html

After reading several trip reports, I'm leaning towards trying an apartment, since we are there for 6 days. Cost is about 10 euros cheaper per night.

The one thing I continue to be unsure about is where to stay in Paris--truthfully, I don't care, as long as it shows some interest, and I'm safe walking around (as safe as any other big city). My concern with the Hotel Champ de Mars was the lack of activity in the area at night...we're late night people, and would like to have some options around our "home".

I can't seem to find any feedback on this property here, on trip advisor or Slow Trav.

Thoughts on the area? Or if I'm really lucky, does any one have experience with this group?

Thanks!!

Erika

I think that is a darling apartment!
This is the thing with apartments...( my opinion)...Paris apartments are small, but they are still larger than a hotel room. Or most hotel rooms :)
The cost is sometimes the same or more for apts, it is mostly ( in my way of thinking) about How you want to spend your time in Paris. ( or wherever)..
We liked the feeling of being among the residents, more than the hotel..believe me, I love hotels and room service and being waited on..but in Paris and in London, I have really enjoyed staying in a flat/apt and coming and going, for that small amount of time pretending that is My neighborhood and My town:)
We had an apt in the 7th, it is fine during the day, residential, busy with families and the markets during the day, quiet and nice during the night. We always felt safe, walking from rue de Grenelle to the Eiffel Tower late at night.
Our hotel is in the 6th and it is bustling during the day and into the nights. It is an entirely different atmosphere but no less or more special than the apt in the 7th.
It is really up to you and what you want out of the experience.
I hope this helps you some, I have been to Paris a few times now and we have never felt afraid or uncomfortable walking around at night.

I have never stayed in the 7th, I have only explored it. I have stayed in the 4th. Between the two, the 4th wins hands down. I found the area to be very safe, walking comfortable at night (two women). There is quiet history to explore, shops to poke around in, restaurants everywhere, tea shops, museums... I could go on and on. Just across the river from Notre Dame and Ile St. Louis.

I've stayed in the 5th and the 6th, but after staying in the 4th, I've found my favourite area!

Am I crazy? From the link you provided, the apartment is in the 6th (the Esmeralda, right?).

That said, it's a cute apartment. And personally, I'd rather stay in the 4th or the 6th than the 7th. But again, that's just my personal opinion. I like the 7th for walking through, but much prefer the 4th.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll enjoy Paris in either location.

Confirm again which apartment you are considering. This company has several at studio.provacation.com, some of which are in the Marais (the 4th) and some of which are elsewhere (like the Esmerelda which is in the 5th).

I'm a little confused is Esmerelda is 4th or 5th (which explains the heading), the map seemed to put it right in the middle of both. I am looking at the Esmerelda specifically, vs. the Hotel Champ de Mars. I think I'm leaning to the apartment...just weary b/c I can't find any reviews on it, or the company letting it out.

Thanks for all of the help!!

Erika

I love renting apartments in Paris but a fifth floor walk up would get old very fast. If you are young and in great shape, go for it. I love having the extra space, drinking coffee while still in pj's in the morning and the privacy vs. a hotel room.

My DH and I stayed in the Hotel du Champ de Mars in November and really liked it, but if you are night people you might be better off staying elsewhere. I have made several comments about the hotel on here, so I'm surprised you couldn't find anything by doing a search.

In any event, I usually prefer apartments, especially for longer than 4 nights. It just feels homier to me. I think the apartment looks great.

Tracy

Thanks to everyone..

Tracy, I definitely found your comments on the hotel (part of the reason I booked it...thanks so much for posting your thoughts). It's the apartment I can't find anything on.

Erika

Having stayed in both an apartment and hotel in Paris I'm not sure which I'd recommend for a first time traveler there.

An apartment can feel a little lonely. It's nice to interact with a friendly hotel staff. They are not only helpful to you, but if you are at the right place, they can help you feel a little, well, grounded, if you know what I mean.

I think an apartment is riskier too. If something is dreadful about it you really can't just check out and go somewhere else (at least not without losing your money). Hotels will have a lot more reviews (see tripadvisor.com of course) and you will have a much better idea of what you're getting.

That said, there are clearly some great rental apartments in Paris. I'm sure they are just about as expensive as a hotel.

The only BIG advantage to me was a refrigerator in the apartment. I mean, seriously, I have NO interest in cooking in Paris. But, having a hotel room cleaned is nice!

Don't rule out a great little Paris hotel. It's sort of part of the Parisian experience I think.

OK, the apt is in the Latin Quarter, in the 5th.
That apt is in the 5th.
From the map you can see that you are across the Seine from the 4th/Ille de la Cite & Ille St-Louis.
I think it is a fine spot to stay, much more lively at night than the 7th.
Get yourself a Streetwise Paris map..they are Most helpful.

I just returned from Paris and rented an apartment in the 4th. I have to say I couldn't have been happier. The place was on the rue Rivoili right in the Marias in a great neighborhood with shops, bakeries, markets, wine store and cheese shops right across the street. It is also right at the St Paul metro station. The apartment itself was really quaint and cozy and had a very comfortable atmosphere. It was also quiet and had a view over the rooftops with the top of St Pails church visible. Very pretty. Thierry, the guy who manages it is very helpful and friendly. His rates and terms are also very agreeeable. Here is the link to the apartment and I have to say it looks just like the photo.

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/rivoli.html

You will really enjoy the location since it is in the Marais in the heart of Paris and close to shopping, cafes, the Bastille and Hotel de Ville.

He also has a bunch of other places including this one...

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/mazarine.html

which I hear is very nice. I walked up the street and it is located right in St Germain in the center of things.

P.S. The place you are currently looking at is cheap but its also on the 5th floor with no elevator. Do you really want to do that after treaking around Paris all day?

Also, I would even consider matching what you
I know these are a bit higher than your price range but maybe he has something for you if you tell him how much you want to spend.

I would do a bit more internet searching to see what you can find, there are a few posts on here which also have links to good properties, but you have to search.

From the website, if the map there is right, the apartment appears to be on rue Saint Julien le Pauvre. You might try www.pagesjaunes.fr to see the street. It looks quiet and is right off the left bank of the Seine and across from Notre Dame. That would be the 5th, though. The 4th is on the right bank (and might include the islands but not the left bank). I don't know the area otherwise but it is quite central to wherever you might want to be.

Mea culpa, I was saying the 6th, but it's the 5th. In any case, not the Marais, but, as Laurie Ann says, central and convenient.

I like staying in apartments, so that's probably the route I'd choose. I also like the 7th, but it's a little...stodgy. That's not exactly what I mean, but can't think of how to describe it better other than "my mom really likes the 7th." :)

Still, you'll enjoy Paris regardless of which location you choose.

I wouldn't rent an apt. for such a short stay and if I hadn't been there before, but those are just preferences. That apt. is pretty basic and I just wouldn't rent a fifth-floor walkup -- but it looks like it has a very small hot water heater if that's the thing visible in the photo near the kitchen. I think it might be better for one than two people, but I just wouldn't risk the apt. rental thing for a short, first-time stay. The risk is the cost (nonrefundable, plus deposit), trouble dealing with the people in terms of payments if you have to do special things, and just not knowing what the place is really going to be like if you don't have specific references on a place.

I just don't care about kitchens when I'm on vacation and in a place for a few days as I like to eat out. The only thing I want is a minibar to store cold drinks, and I'm happy.

That street is probably quiet enough -- it is a very busy tourist area and in front of a park where some riffraff can hang out at times, but not too worrisomely. But, that is a slight jog off the main thoroughfare and it isn't a street with much on it (other than the church), so it won't be as noisy as some other streets around that area with tourists, I imagine. It isn't really a big residential area, though, but you may not care about that if you just want to be near things and places to go out -- you definitely have that.

I might just look for something else for comparison if you are interested in the apt. thing. I just wasn't impressed with that one, but after all, you like the place and have seen all the photos and facts of it, so we just have different taste and things we like. I'm just not into the whole renting apts thing for a short vacation stay as much as many folks.

I believe I rented that place in 1998. When I stayed there, it was part of the Esmeralda Hotel. It was a huge room. The bathroom was old and the plumbing rusty. I see that they have painted it and added a small kitchen. The bathroom seems to have been retiled. The fact that it was on the fifth floor was a big deal for me. It was not fun to go up and down those stairs. This is a very old building.

On the other hand, it is right smack in the thick of things. When you open the windows, you've got Notre Dame right in front of you. It is located in a quiet little street yet you walk half a block here or a block there and you are in the middle of hundreds of tourists.

Hi E,

Lovely place, nice location (I think it is in the 5th or 6th), certainly a good price.

I note "Perfect for a couple fit enough to climb the 5 stories with no elevator".

Can't tell if it has cross ventilation. Doesn't mention AC.

Maid service?
My Lady Wife doesn't make beds, do dishes or clean toilets on vacation.

Towels replaced daily, weekly?

Hope this helps.

((I))

Thanks to all. I am loving the www.parisbestlodge.com apartments...email sent, awaiting word on availability...

Thanks!!