Recently "booked" by Internet form a 9-night stay in March 2000 for family of four with Paris Appartments, recommended by Rick Steves. Have talked to them twice by phone but we're not quite on the same page. Despite acknoweledging receipt of Internet registration form (which includes our credit card number), they politely explain that one cannot actually book an apartment until a month in advance, and the actual apartment location won't be known until one week before we depart! "It is too early," they say. "Call back a month before you leave." While they insist there is "nothing to worry about," they will not provide a confirmation number. Is this standard practice for apartment booking in Paris? Shouldn't we at least have a confirmation number or some other guarantee in addition to the email acknowledgment they sent (which didn't seem particularly specific to our inquiry)? How can it be "too early" to reserve an accommodation? Why can't they tell us now where the apartment will be instead of waiting to the last minute? Given these uncertainties, should we be looking elsewhere for a Paris apartment?

Mike, <BR>I certainly would look elsewhere - but that's just me. I would like firm confirmations/details/etc. While they may be fine it would make me too nervous to deal with them. Try Orion or Citidines, they seem much more "with it" as far as apartment rentals go. Certainly you want to know the location of the apartment .. that is not asking to much of rental companies and they certainly should be able to provide it. <BR>Good Luck - but if it were me I'd cancel them real fast.

Since I have not booked an apartment in Paris, I cannot answer your question specifically. <BR> <BR>I have my oberservation regarding: <BR> <BR>"Shouldn't we at least have a confirmation number or some other guarantee?" <BR> <BR>Coming from a country where what is not written never took place (USA), we were uncomfortable at first that many bookings in Europe, not just Paris, were just verbal. About the only confirmation with number I have gotten were from international hotel chains which usually equates hotels with less charm. <BR> <BR>We realized that this was one of the cultural differences we have to accept: that in the European countries we have been to, they take verbal commitments seriously. We were again tested when we visited Denmark. While Franch hotels would take our credit card for deposit, the hotels in Denmark we stayed did not even do this; that they would keep our room even until the late hour we have promised we would arrive. <BR> <BR>I still call the hotels few days ahead (still too American?) to make sure that there was no verbal misunderstandings. So far all the verbal bookings have been kept as promised for us.

Hi, <BR> <BR>Just thought I'd say that I agree with the above post. We stayed in about 20 places on our last trip and we only got booking or confirmation numbers at about 5 of them. If there was e-mail correspondence, which most of them had, we brought along a copy of the e-mail. We did that on our last trip, and not once did we have to pull it out. They were quite reliable and even when calling ahead and telling them we'll be there in two weeks, it was fine. We didn't have to give our credit card number to quite a few of them. <BR> <BR>It is a nice difference, but one that would take you out of your comfort zone. <BR> <BR>Amanda.

I am with Greg on this one. European standards of reservations, and such, is different. It does not means is inefficient. If you were making room reservations at a hotel, they wouldn't be able to give you a room number either, right? If you need to have something, ask them to fax you a written acknowledgement of your reservation. Most of the times, that's all my husband and I have and it's never been a problem. <BR> <BR>The suggestion of calling 2-3 days prior to arrival is a very good one to ease your mind.

We had sort of the reverse experience in May '98. Our Paris hotel reservations were made by a travel agent, but we'd had an email communication with the hotel (L'hotel de Mericourt) several weeks prior to arrival. When we checked in, the desk clerk asked if we had voucher from the TA. We did not, but it was apparently no problem. Never during the entire 8 days did they even ask for a credit card. The staff was wonderful. Breakfast every morning, always extremely helpful. Very clean room, plentiful towels (even washcloths!). It wasn't until two weeks AFTER we were home, that the travel agent called to apologise that she had completely forgotten to charge us for our hotel. So, it just turned up about a month late on my Diners' Club card. Guess they all just trusted that everything would work out.

Don't want to discourage further replies but to all who responded, Thank You! Still thinking this over but feel a little more reassured. Still wish I could hear from someone who actually rented through this agency, though. If anything more develops I will post.

Just an "add on" to Greg's observations. <BR>We didn't have reservation when we went to Bruges. Our first choice was full and the kind gentleman called a similar hotel--they had rooms. After looking at the rooms and deciding to stay, I presented the credit card. "Oh no" he said pushing it back towards me, "first we give service, then you pay." <BR>What a pleasant surprise.

I agree with Lori. There is a difference between booking a lodging directly and booking with a holiday rental agency. And there is a difference between booking a hotel, which has many rooms and short stays, with booking nine nights in an rental property. <BR> <BR>If booking with an agent, request a confirmation in writing and a receipt for the deposit and final payments. All reputable agents will provide this as part of the booking process. In addition, agents will ask you to sign a booking agreement so they (and you) will be protected. <BR> <BR>It may be that Paris Apartments (an established agency)hasn't yet completed their year 2000 contracts with all of the owners they represent and so cannot commit some places. Whatever, you do not have a confirmed booking, Mike, until you, well, have a confirmed booking. <BR> <BR>Jeanne <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Thanks, Jeanne. This makes much sense.