5 days in Paris with 4 cousins
 

We are 4 lady cousins in our 50's and will be travelling for almost 3 wks to France at the end of SEpt. We will be spending 5 days in Paris and are wondering if anyone could give us a bit more advice as to where to stay. We were looking at hotels/inns but to get 2 rooms seems very expensive so we are thinking perhaps an apt. rental would be better value for our money. Does anyone have any comments about www.vrbo.com for that purpose? We use that website all the time for Hawaii and it has worked out well. Also, we notice that Paris seems to be in regions and we're wondering what would be the best 'region' if we want to do a lot of sight seeing, walking etc. We did see a place in the 16th region that seemed nice to rent but thought it would be out of the main Paris area. We'd love any comments or advice on what book to read before we go, etc. thanks so much.

It depends what you are expecting to spend and what you want, as to whether two hotel rooms are very expensive. An apt. can certainly be cheaper for four, but probably that means you will have small space, someone may be sleeping on a sofabed, probably only one bathroom, etc. As the larger 2-bedroom apts I've seen are just as expensive or more than a decent hotel.

Paris does have city districts just like many cities do (London, Prague, etc.). If you are definitely going, I would recommend you actually buy a map to look at so it isn't a surprise where an apt. is and how close it is to metro stops or areas where you want to be. You can buy a Streetwalks Paris map in the US at chain bookstores that is very convenient for the central area.

I like the 16th, parts of it are very nice, but it is a large area and so very difficult to tell how convenient it would be for you without specifics, such as address. Since you've never been there before, you might want to be in a different area.

If you like a place on VRBO, it's just like for Hawaii, I imagine. YOu know it's just renting from individual owner ads, so you are on your own as to what a place is like, the terms, etc. It's just like answering an ad in the paper.

there are lots of good guidebooks, I think Fodors does overall general guidebooks very well. I also like Frommers usually. I do not like Eyewitness guidebooks at all, but others do. They are not particularly good for hotels/restaurants, but might be ok for sightseeing, but they are also very limited in the information they give you. I don't like them, as I said. Their maps are not very good, either, and some of their information is confusing the way it is listed, I think. I think their maps are not the actual Parisian boundaries of the arrondisements, for example, but their own definitions.

Micah - how large of an apartment are you looking for? I am staying in a real three bedroom in the Latin Quarter - a few blockes from the Norte Dame and a Metro is right up the block - really a few different stops.

http://www.vrbo.com/112368

Hi,

I go to Paris often. I always rent from www.parisperfect.com
They have lovely apartments. Most are in the 7th arrondissement. That is where I like to be. I like the St. Dominique/Bourdonnais area. There are so many, many restaurants there. Also, the bus and metro couldn't be better. Most apts. have ET views and you are close to Invalides, Rodin d'Orsay and ET, of course.

Take a look. I think you will be pleased.

Enjoy,

Joan

Thank you so much for taking the time to write back to me, Christina. We are definitely going so will go to Chapters and buy a map, good idea to get a vision in my mind of where we are before we book. We are thinking that we will probably be looking at about $400US per night for accommodation for all 4 of us (so $100 per person per night) Do you think that would be giving us something reasonable in a good location - either in a hotel or apt. We were thinking if we had an apt we could have breakfasts and snacks there. Thanks again

I would definitely go for an apt. We loved dealing with Vacation in Paris. You pay in dollars, get the key and an information packet in advance and your security deposit is returned very promptly after you send the keys back. I prefer the 5th or 6th to the 7th. I find the 7th a bit too residential for my tastes

Here's a link to their 2 or 3 bedroom apts

http://www.vacationinparis.com/infop/two_br.htm

All of them under your price range

With four people, I would also definitely go for an apartment. Otherwise, as soon as you get back to the hotel, you have to split up into two rooms, not to mention you have to sit on the bed, and can't even make a cup of tea! I love having a living room to congregate in.

you're welcome. Yes, Borders or Barnes & NObles should have the Streetwise Paris maps.

Some others have given you some tips on apts., so see how you like them. $400 is around 284 euro today, so you should be able to. I just wasn't sure on your budget as it is easy to find hotels for 142 euro for a double, I think. I don't usually spend that much. However, you are right -- it can be nice to have a kitchen and for that rate, you probably can find one with some living room area and perhaps 2 bedrooms (although French apts are very small, so you will see 2 bedroom apts that are only 650 sq ft, for example).

You can check out www.slowtrav.com, they have people posting reviews on private rental apts, and folks do post reviews on here, also, as well as recommendations. Vacationinparis is one place people find easy to deal with as they are located in the US. There are lots of others, though, like
http://www.rentalfrance.com/
www.panacherental.com
www.parisperfect.com
as well as VRBO, of course.

Lots of folks on here like Paris Perfect, and they are in the 7th, so convenient enough. They are very expensive, though, so may not be in your budget, but you can check. I think their 2 BR apts are more like 400 euro a day (and that they have a one week minimum). Some agencies won't rent for five days, either, so there are some limits there.

Micah, lots of good advice here, but the one thing that crosses my mind is that some apartment owners say that they rent for only a full week or more.

Our experience, however (and we've rented about 20 places in France over the last decade), is that most owners are flexible, particularly during the shoulder and low seasons.

Here are two places that we have rented over the past two years:

1) A large two bedroom/two bathroom apartment in the 1st arrondissement. This flat is close to the Louvre, the Opéra, "les Grands Magasins", and Palais Royal. www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p143450

2) A slightly smaller two bedroom/two bathroom apartment in the Marais (the 4th arrondissement). This is newly-renovated and beautifully done. The area is vibrant, and is no more than a couple of minutes walk to Hôtel de Ville and the Seine. www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p210013

Both apartments are owned by a couple who live in London. We have dealt with them three times and have found them reliable and professional. They have a bilingual representative in Paris who will greet you and show you the ropes.

If you decide to pursue either of these places and wish further information, just ask.

Anselm

Another positive review for vacationinparis - we rented with them last month and found them great to work with, and they do have a local contact person in Paris. The downside to an apartment over two hotel rooms is having only one bathroom. Looks like you could rent studio 132 and one bedroom 134 on the same floor of the same building and get two baths, still be within your budget. They are in a building without an elevator, but are only two flights up.

Paris Perfect does rent for less than a week IF they happen to have the space available.

They also do have some "special" rates available.

If interested, contact me and I might be able to help you...

Enjoy....