Travelling to Paris in late July for a week. I have reserved a hotel near Arc de Triomphe for $250/night (USD). The more trip reports I read on this site, the more I like the idea of renting an apartment for our stay. I would like to be centrally located (hence the location of our hotel and the views from our hotel room are amazing). But the neighborhood is important too.

Any recommendations on apartment rentals? I prefer to be somewhere near Seine, in a nice/safe neighborhood with lots of cafes nearby. The apartment must accomodate three (2 adults and a child). I would like something roomy, clean and tastefully furnished. (My taste is more modern/contemporary, but I like French decor as well). My budget is in the $200-$250/night. I think staying in an apt will give us more room for the buck and also we can pick up some groceries and munchies and leave it in the fridge instead of going to a bistro/ restaurant every time we want to eat.

Any suggestions or recommendations are greatly appreciated.

I highly recommend renting apartments! It's a wonderful way to travel. I've rented apartments in several countries in Europe, all over the US, and in Mexico too. The apartment where I stayed in Paris doesn't sound like what you're looking for, but have you checked the reviews and listings at slowtrav.com? That website can be very helpful when you're looking for apartment rentals. www.Beau-Paris.com has some nice options too. I found reviews at HomeAway.com and TripAdvisor.com to be pretty reliable also. FYI, apartment owners vary a lot in their involvement. I had some who were extremely responsive, met us at the apartment, and stopped in to check on us later, while others left keys in a lockbox at the apartment and we never saw them. Some apartments will have dish soap and basic condiments, while others won't have a thing. Just something to keep in mind. Either way, it's my favorite way to travel. One last thing: I hate to say it but the apartments owned or managed by Americans or Brits were the cleanest, most comfortable, and best-stocked.

Search for Paris apartments and you find lots of info. You could start with vacationinparis.com. They are based in US. Having an apartment is a great way to travel especially if you have more than 2 people. We are staying in the Marais in May in a one bedroom with an outdoor patio.

You might like ille St Louis area-it is located close to Notre Dame and in-between left and right bank. Great location for walking to lots of sights. Arc de Triomphe area does not seem as central and is very touristy.

There are many apartments for rent short-term - but I'm not sure that you can expect any specific type of decor. Some are furnished in Ikea style and others with whatever the owner has left over. I'm sure there are some that are nicely decorated - but the ones I have seen are more dorm room than interior designer.

I too recommend Vacation in Paris. I think macdogmom is staying in the unit we rented last year and have rented again for November, Marais Garden Delight.

A friend has a brand new fully remnovated apt on RueMonge that she rents via guest apts . http://www.guestapartment.com/proper...m/alyssum.html

The best vacation we have had in Paris was staying in an apt. I highly recommend the apt below from Rental France - talk about a view. The eiffel tower web cam is on your balcony and on the other balcony you over look Paris. It is just like the pictures and Pasqual was vey easy to work with. Perfect size for a family of 3. Only a block from the Seine.

http://www.rentalfrance.com/index.ph...effeil-terrace

Things to look for:

For Paris in July, air conditioning

Elevator if on upper floor. Remember 1st floor European is 2nd floor American and so on.

Washer/dryer, especially since you have a child. Often this is combined in one unit.

Close to Metro stop.

Quiet bedroom if sensitive to noise.

I'm not a fan of the area around the Arc de Triomphe, prefer the Left Bank, 5/6/7th arrondissements or, on the Right Bank, the 4th. Lots of restaurants and shops, sights to see.

There are a couple of long threads about Paris apartments. You might search for them. More information than you could want.

thank you everyone for your responses so far

Avalon: i love this apt. It is exactly the style i am looking for and i love the quaint balcony! Unfortunately it is booked for the summer .. (as are a lot of apts i have been looking at) I guess July IS a pretty high tourist season, lol...

I think I got a pretty good deal on the hotel i have reserved. If we do decide to stay there, how practical is it to travel back and forth to the left bank. I would ideally like to stop by the hotel mid-afternoon (naptime for my son). I know the metro is very accessible from the hotel and throughout Paris, but is it doable from this location? Is it really that sterile of an area? I am from a big city and am used to the hussle and noise and dont mind the big city feel of a place...

I guess I just want to know if its reasonable to travel to the above mentioned areas easily a couple of times a day (does my question make sense?)

PS - I am sooooo excited about this trip. Second time in Paris. I have travelled to many places, but Paris is my favorite place in the world. I can't wait!!!!

If your hotel is right near the Arc, it isn't far at all to the Left Bank, it's just across the river. And the Arc isn't that far from the river. I'm not sure what you mean about how you know the metro is extensive and there is a stop near your hotel, but you don't know if it is do-able to travel by metro from your hotel. Of course it is if your hotel is really near a metro stop. I don't think you've given its address nor where it is, so hard to tell (I just say that because many hotels will claim to be near some landmark but may be blocks away and not that convenient to a metro).

It really depends where you are near the Arc, I stayed in a hotel near it once, but it was in kind of an upscale residential area in the 17th arr, really, not on the Champs-Elysees or anything like that. It was nice enough. The area towards the Seine from it to the east is more luxury stores, although I think the George V is in there and some other luxury hotels. I don't know the area just north of it that well (just off the Champs-Elysees to the north). If you are in the 16th to the SW of it, kind of, that's a more upscale residential area, also.

So it's hard to tell without knowning where it is. But yes, it is pretty sterile right on the Champs-Elysees. Its different if you aren't really on it but more around Jacequemart Andre museum or Parc Monceau (but not as convenient).

so if you want more specific advice, why not say where you are talking about

jazzy , what is the hotel you have reserved? I love the Paris bus system! I never have problems getting around unless the y are having a PERTUBATION!!

www.hotelbelfastparis.com

Jazzy, for July, your hotel seems a reasonable price.

Unless i have missed it--HOW LONG are you staying for?? Know that for stays of less than 5 days, many rentals will charge a hefty "short stay" fee.
For ex, I'm paying one for a three day stay on Rue de Buci in the 6th Arr (also through Vacation in Parsi) b/c we LOVE staying in apts.
IME, Ile de la Cite is not a good BASE, but it does have a wonderful ambiance. It gets very quiet at night, if that matters to you.
You might also consider asking at hotels if there is a small mini-fridge in the room.

Christina: what i mean is I like the hotel and the area, but will probably like to be near the Seine and 4,5,6 arr for lunch, dinner, strolling around, etc. So, is it more convenient to stay in an apt closer to those areas or would it be just as easy to get there on the metro whenever we please. We drive everywhere where i am from and never use the public transport system, so i guess i am a little anxious mentally preparing my days spent in Paris (then off to London).

we are staying for a week... great advice calinurse. thanks. i think a minifridge would make a huge difference in a hotel room for refreshments, quick sandwiches and such...

Maybe go to Vrbo.com and enter dates and see if any apartments are available in Paris. If you are staying a week and have a small child, having an apartment for your stay would be so much nicer than a small hotel room.

We are staying in an apartment through this agency-
http://www.SuperiorWorldVacations.com/France/Paris.html

I prefer apartments because 1) you can get a kitchen, which is quite useful even if you're not cooking but slicing fruit etc. 2) you can find one with a washer/dryer, which is great for a stay of a week or more (or even just to do laundry before you leave so you have that done instead of waiting until you get home 3) so you're not trying to work around the maid, if you like popping in and out of your room during the day, to drop off stuff, or change, or take a nap.

Check out the Paris Apartment Thread, which has ideas and talks about a number of trusted agencies too.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ent-thread.cfm

Paris is spread out and it's not a great idea to stay in an area far away from the places you will want to be all day every day (as it sounds like) - no matter how efficient the Metro. There is always the walk to the station, heading downstairs, perhaps a chance and a correspondence, then the walk from the Metro to the hotel.

I would stay IN the area where you plan on spending most of your time - esp if you want to go back to the hotel/apt. a couple of times a day.

Jazzy, duh! Sorry i missed it--you wrote in the OP that you stay for a week--in your first sentence!
Anyway, you can also check homeaway.com and plug in dates, number of bedrooms, and price desries, and see what comes up for your week.
good luck!

Here are just two on Homeaway with weeks in July--in the upper part of your price range, but eachwith 2 bedrooms. Just checking to see if the Homeaway site was as good as i recalled. They are the "sister" company of VRBO. I'm sure tehre are others as well that would fit your needs.
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I don't like using the washer and dryers in apts. They take FOREVER. I prefer finding a nearby laundromat and getting it over and done with. That is one reason I like the Marais apt we rented. There is a laundromat right next door and a cafe across the street where I can enjoy a glass of wine while the machines do their stuff!