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7 Different Paris Apartments - First Timer, Need Help Choosing

7 Different Paris Apartments - First Timer, Need Help Choosing

Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 03:43 PM
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7 Different Paris Apartments - First Timer, Need Help Choosing

Hey everyone!

First off, I posted this same request hours ago but for some reason it never showed up on the boards. If it ever does, please disregard it. I'll try to delete any duplicate posts if I can.

So, down to the nitty gritty! I'll be staying one full week in Paris with my Mom. I just spent the last few hours poring over Parisian apartments and now my head hurts and I'm suffering from information overload.

Can anyone give me a few ideas on the neighborhoods these places are in, if they are worth the money, which is the best for a first timer in Paris (likely without a vehicle), etc, etc?

I really appreciate your help! Hopefully I can reward you all with a Trip Report when I get back. ;-)


http://vacationinparis.com/apts/id_57.htm
910 dollars/week

http://vacationinparis.com/apts/id_152.htm
875 dollars/week

http://vacationinparis.com/apts/id_146.htm
(on sale) 840 dollars/week

--------------------------

The following come with a 15% discount if we wait until 14 February to book them:

http://www.residences-paris.com/pont...-2nd-floor.php
1,145 dollars/week (900 euros/week)
***973 dollars/week (with discount)

http://www.residences-paris.com/duc-de-savoie.php
763 dollars/week (600 euros/week)
***649 dollars/week (with discount)

http://www.residences-paris.com/louvre.php
763 dollars/week (600 euros/week)
***649 dollars/week (with discount)

http://www.residences-paris.com/richelieu.php
954 dollars/week (750 euros/week)
***811 dollars/week
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 05:07 PM
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I only had time to look at the first three. Montmatre is far from things. Numbers 1 and 3 are fine. Happy Travels!
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 05:10 PM
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Read the, "Which Apartment Should I Choose?" thread. It's among the first 50 threads. There's a lot of info there that I've written to help out another Fodorite. Happy Travels!
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 05:12 PM
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Correction-"Which Apartment Would You Chooes?". Happy Travels!
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 05:20 PM
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>>>a first timer in Paris (likely without a vehicle)<<<

Just wanted to point out that you definitely do not need or want a car in a car.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 05:23 PM
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I meant you don't need a car in Paris. But you don't need a car in a car, either.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 06:40 PM
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Smile Darling,

I would recommend you take an apartment in the 1st-6th, the closer to the Seine, the better. That will put you in a convenient location for walking and taking the Metro. I think Montmartre is a little to far out for most first-time visitors.

Then I would take one of the larger apartments you listed. One of the latter four didn't look like it had a separate bedroom, the bed had curtains around it. Another was only 20 sq. meters--that's pretty small. But they all looked fine.

Looking forward to your trip report!
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 07:02 PM
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I took a cursorary look at all 7, here are my 2 cents:

#1 (ID#57) - I like it. It's one of the bigger apts (>500 sq ft). It says a Loft - I can't tell how you get upstairs to the bedroom/loft. I'd check to make sure it's not some ladder you have to climb up/down.

#2 (ID#152) - In Montamarte, not convenient. nuff said.

#3 (ID$146) - looks okay, smaller (343 sq ft), but where do you eat your meals? I don't see any dining table in the photos.

#4 - looks nice and decent size.

#5 - very, very very small (215 sq ft)

#6 - Also very small. the red sofa doesn't even look like it can fit 2 people.

#7 - I don't like the fact that the photos are close up of faucets and coffee maker. You can't even see what the apt really looks like. Raises a red flag for me in tha aspect.

So, I'd choose either #1 or #4 based on the looks. Hope this helps.
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Old Feb 2nd, 2009, 08:00 PM
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And between #1 and #4, I would choose #1.

It has a much nicer kitchen area, and the bedroom looks nice. (The bedroom is not up a ladder in a loft; the whole apartment is a "loft" because it is on the 5th floor----with an elevator).

The Marais is a nice location.

Also, we have dealt with VacationInParis and found them to be professional and reliable.

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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 02:16 AM
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Thank you so much everyone for looking these over! Based on all the advice so far I've narrowed my list down to four, the latest options being:

http://vacationinparis.com/apts/id_5...apts/id_57.htm
910 dollars/week
I like that it's larger and has a separate eating area. However, I got an email back saying that this property was available but needed "painting." Do you think that would be a good barganing chip?

http://vacationinparis.com/apts/id_1...pts/id_146.htm
(on sale) 840 dollars/week
Seems nice enough and close to a lot of good shopping (which according to my Mom is indicative of a good area. True?)

http://www.residences-paris.com/pont...-2nd-floor.php
1,145 dollars/week (900 euros/week)
***973 dollars/week (with discount)
I like the fireplace. I'll have to find out if it's functional.

http://www.residences-paris.com/louv...com/louvre.php
763 dollars/week (600 euros/week)
***649 dollars/week (with discount
It's just so cute! How close is it to everything?

The general consensus seems to be for either ID_57 or the Pont Des Arts, 2nd floor apartment. I'm guessing it is because they are the largest in the bunch? How are the neighborhoods though? The only off-putting thing about ID-57 is the rental companies description of it as "very basic and needs painting." What?! It doesn't look very basic in the photograph and how old is this paint they speak of... hm.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 02:18 AM
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btw, when my Mom says, "good," I think she's speaking along the lines of safety.

Second, Guenmai - I'll check out that thread right now! Thanks
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 07:01 AM
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Good luck to you. Happy Travels!
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 08:40 AM
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I would take the Pont des Arts apartment because of its location and extra room. As long as you don't mind climbing the stairs (3d floor American probably), it's in a terrific spot. You easily walk to most of the major tourist spots.

If the agency is warning you about the paint etc. of #57, then I'd probably stay away. You don't want to come back to a dingy looking place.

They are all in good areas and you will not have a problem finding interesting shops.

My second choice would be the Louvre apartment, again because of location.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 09:20 AM
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If that agency is warning you that 57 is basic and needs painting, I'd avoid it also. Photos can actually make places look brighter and cleaner than in person. So I suspect it isn't just that the paint is old, but it is marked up or really noticeably stained or dirty or something. As I have offwhite paint in my living room that is over 10 years old and doesn't look that bad at all that I would warn someone against it (mine is eggshell and washable, so I wash the walls every couple years). It doesn't look fancy (particularly the sofa), but the warning about it being "very basic" would concern me. It means something is up with the fixtures, plumbing, something is wrong with it.

I don't think the one in Montmartre is so bad, and it's not too far from a metro stop at the bottom (Pigalle metro) so isn't that inconvenient. However, since you've never been there and don't know the area and what you'd be getting into in many ways (distance, as well as the main street at the end isn't pleasant), I'd forget that one.

I didn't like the third no 146 much, but I'd never rent a place with that cold tile floor -- at least not in Paris, that's something you'd want more in Provence or a hot area. I just stayed in an apt. with tile floors in Sept and didn't think about it, but upon experiencing it, I really didn't like it. It made the place feel very cold, and you really had to always have on some kind of footwear.

The fifth one looks very dicey with that built-in "mezzanine", who knows what building codes that may violate or how safe it is. I wouldn't even consider such an arrangement.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 10:05 AM
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A while back I read a review posted on the Paris Forum on TripAdvisor about the first apartment. The poster had nothing but negatives to say. You may want to do a search there.

The apartment in Mont Marte looks nice enough but I would not stay in that location. It is too close to Pigalle for my taste. That is probably why the price looks (IMO) too good to be true.

I don't mind the tile flooring. I'm not crazy about carpet in a rental. Never know what it is harboring.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 10:44 AM
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I'm not crazy about carpet in a rental. Never know what it is harboring.

Wear shoes
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 01:24 PM
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my, gosh! You are all just so wonderful!

Guenmai, I spent at least 20-30 minuted reading the Paris Apartment Thread and got some *great* ideas from it. So, to follow...

Now you're all going to hate me because I'm throwing a few new places into the mix!

It seems like the best apartment from the original list is the La Résidence du Pont des Arts - 2nd floor by Residences Paris. I guess since it's the most expensive I'm not that surprised, ha!

Paris Best Lodge was so highly praised that I looked over a few apartments from this website. I'm mostly interested in the following:

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/mazarine.html
I read this was a good apartment from a fellow Fodorite thread but I want to know any updated thoughts.

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

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

How are the neighborhoods? Has anyone stayed at any of these specifically? Would you rather stay at any of the new ones versus the La Résidence du Pont des Arts - 2nd floor?

Can't wait to read everyone's opinions!
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 01:36 PM
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SCRATCH THE ABOVE POST! I hit Post my Reply too soon! None of those are available SO...

It's now down to the following two - Cast your votes!

http://www.residences-paris.com/pont...-2nd-floor.php
1,145 dollars/week (900 euros/week)
***973 dollars/week (with discount)

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/quai.html
1,025 dollars/week (800 euros/week)

At this point I almost hope that I stop running across great apartments so that I can take a break from this obsessive planning. Does anyone else feel this same way??

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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 01:52 PM
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Personally I'd take the one in the 6th. I like that district as it's has lots of transportation options...two metro lines...#4 and #10 and great buses and is easy to walk to interesting places.

I've stayed all over Paris, but have stayed in that district since the early 80s. If you choose that apartment, then just copy the sightseeing plan that I've written out, for Yellowrose, on the "Which Apartment Would You Choose?" thread as the person who started that thread will also be in the 6th. Good luck to you. Happy Travels!
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Old Feb 3rd, 2009, 02:11 PM
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Just my opinion, but I'd take the apt.on Ile de la Cite.

It is convenient to the left bank(my preferance) and the right bank. It's walking distance to alot of the sites and right on the Seine for the boats.

We have been staying on I'lle St. Louis for several years and love the location.

As far as safety, we walk all over, day and night, and have never felt threatened in the tourist areas. There are so many people around all the time.

I do agree with you. When you're looking for an apt. it sometimes gets overwhelming. Especially when you decide and then it's not available.

Once you make your choice, you can move on to planning your daily itinerary.

My best advice is not to cram too much into a day. Paris is so wonderful, it's nice to savor the moment.

We'll all look forward to your trip report. When are you going?
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