Hi-my 22 year old daughter will be visiting Paris from the 14th of July for about a week. She is wondering if a one-week apartment rental is feasible in terms of price or if a hotel or hostel is a better bet? If anyone could provide suggestions or websites that she could use I would appreciate it! Also, what are some safer areas for her to stay in, and any other advice about the trip would be appreciated. Thanks!

I saw a hostel on Rue Moffetard (which is a great area) which I thought looked decent (called Young and Happy). But then I saw the reviews on Tripadvisor.com and they were AWFUL! Let her rent an apartment. I just posted an apartment mini-review on my post called "Paris report with teens." Check it out.

If I were 22 and alone in Paris I think I would prefer a hotel - even an inexpensive one to an apartment.

I certainly wouldn;t be using the kitchen to cook and would prefer the idea of mixing with other guests - and having hotel services - to being alone in an apartment.

Never mind the safety factor when you meet an interesting young man.

What is your daughter's budget? That's probably the most important question. She will probably have more opportunity to meet people at a hostel, but if she's an extrovert, it may not make much difference.

I have to admit apartment rentals usually make me uncomfortable in terms of security, but it doesn't seem there is much to worry about statistically.

You won't find an apartment rental through an agency at anything approaching hostel rates. It might be possible to find an inexpensive apartment offered by the owner or occupant through France-USA Contacts classifieds (on the Web, Google it), since many people are on vacation in August. But it is late to making such an arrangement, an there are unknowns. A hostel is probably the better choice.

Oops. Many people are on vacation in July (and August, too).

Regardless of price, I also would not recommend an apt. rental for a 22-yr old who is only in Paris one week alone, and sounds like hasn't been there before and doesn't have much travel experience.

YOung & Happy has a great location, I thought it was considered decent for a hostel (in comparison to some really grungy ones), but one can read more hostel reviews on web sites specific to that like www.eurotrip.com and www.hostels.com

I do know of one that is used by language programs but takes anyone and is more a student residence that might be a good idea. It will not be really crummy, and there will be other people she can meet (FIAP Jean Monnet). It's in a decent location in the 14th arr and has a website www.fiap.asso.fr

There is also another decent one on bd St-Michel near Luxembourg Gardens I would suggest -- I almost stayed there once and know someone who has, it's also decent and a great location. that is Foyer International des Etudiantes at 93 bd St Michel. they now have a website which is convenient (about 30 euro a night for a single room)
http://www.fie.fr

both those areas are safe. It's awfully late to be planning any of this for a stay in only 2 weeks, though, as the better places may be booked up. YOu can try, but I think the Foyer Etudiantes used to be booked a couple months in advance. You couldn't get a decent apt. and arrange all that in such a short time most likely, either.

Your daughter is going to Paris in less than 2 weeks and still doesn't know where she is staying??

I think she just needs to take what she can find and not be too choosy - since most anyplace Fodorites might recommend are likely already booked up.