apartment advice in Paris needed
 

Some of the apartments we were considering have booked. Anyone know of or stayed in any of these:


<http://www.flipkey.com/paris-condo-rentals/p261847/>
http://www.flipkey.com/louvre-condo-rentals/p169050/
http://www.vrbo.com/20017
http://www.vrbo.com/140430
http://www.residences-paris.com/luxembourg.php
http://benoitgeorge.com/fr/


We have two teenage daughters who will be with us

or this one?
http://www.vrbo.com/296779

My two daughters and I stayed at VRBO #141356 in May of 2008. We loved it. The location is great and the comments on that page are true.

My advise after 7 trips to Paris (and I know many Fodorites have many more trips under their belt) is, stay as close to The Seine as possible. Yes, we have stayed farther away but near a Metro stop, but it was never the same. The Marais is great, but your teenagers will love being close to The Seine and Notre Dame at night.

Good luck!

Thanks. Anyone stayed (or know of) at the ones I mentioned?

In general, if you could narrow it down to 3, you will have more people helping you. 7 choices just seems like a lot. (maybe I'm just being grumpy today)

1st flipkey - link didn't work

2nd flipkey - 5th floor walkup -- that is carrying bags, groceries, etc. up 6 floors every day.
- what is the blue curtain in front of the blue sink ? is that instead of a door ? blue sink has no place to put "stuff" - toothpaste, etc.
- do your girls mind sleeping on a couch with feet touching ?
- I think that area would be loud - right behind St. Paul metro

vrbo - 20017 - do they mind sharing a sofabed ?
- looks VERY small - table for 2 people and the red loveseat/couch -- is THAT the sofabed ? Can't see a good view of the living room ?
- no reviews would concern me

vrbo - 14340 - I would choose this over others above, but again, would be very tight for 4 people. (so far)

Luxembourg - living room looks tight also. Ground floor can be a blessing and a curse - you hear every single person who comes into the building. Feels less safe, but certainly avoids climbing stairs.

Benoit George - which apartment ?

vrbo - 296779 - "The flat is made of two rooms that can be separated by a folding-screen" - does that mean no door to bedroom ?
- again, sofabed issue


Since you seem resigned to a 1 bedroom (really? with teenagers ?), I guess I'd choose the last vrbo even though there is no door on the bedroom. It feels the most "open" to me and looks to be more comfortable with the open kitchen and bar than some of the others. Also, the bathroom looks much better for teenagers with some counter space.

surfmom. Thanks for you input. The first link is: http://www.flipkey.com/paris-condo-rentals/p261847/

I appreciate your comments, but my listing multiples was to see if anyone actually ever stayed there vs just getting (valuable) input

I have some apartments I help folks rent on my website which I started years ago after I was helped by a new apartment owner in Paris. Give me some details and I'll help you out if I can. [email protected] (web) chezprovence.com or chezparis.com What dates? We just stayed in the 7th and loved it. Being near a metro is important. Getting a week pass is also essential. With teens, 5th or Latin quarter is very lively and very close walking distance to everything. A trip on the Seine river boat for 10euro is a must upon arrival.

geeper,

There are thousands of vacation apartment rentals.

The odds of someone here staying in one of those particular apts. is small. You should still consider the comments here. Fodorites have stayed in many other Paris apts. and have valuable general apt. advice: sofabed issues, stairs issues, being close the river/islands, apt. layouts, etc.

My suggestion would be a slight increase in budget and finding a 2BR. Here's an ageny I love - they show the EXACT location, good photos, and are a pleasure to deal with:

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

Thanks. VIP is limited in availability. I started there and am expanding my search some. Im not knocking the comments, just hoping (as I have seen in previous posts) that someone has stayed in one of the apartments I am considering

Carol, email on its way

Carol, there are many detailed reviews of Paris rentals on Slow Travel here: http://www.slowtrav.com/france/vr/list.asp?r=Paris You could cross check there to see if any of the apartments you're considering have reviews.

Kathy

Kathy, Got your email and found you a place that you would like. Sent via email. Interested? I can connect you with the owner.
carol

We have not stayed in the apts. you listed, but here is a link to the apt. we stayed in for a week last summer in Paris:

http://www.vrbo.com/237796

It was very clean, comfortable beds and a great location. He has it listed as a 2 bedroom, but it's really a 1 bedroom with a side area off the living room for the other "bedroom." I loved the area and would rent this apt. again in a heartbeat.

Have fun!