Christina

Since you are spending so much money on this, you might just invest in a map, I sure would before putting down money on an apt. You can get a nice one at US bookstores that is laminated and you'll get a much better picture of the layout and where things are (and distances). Streetwise Paris is a good one, it does cut off the outer arrondisements, but for your purposes, it will work fine.

I stay in the 5th a lot and like it (but not near the Seine, I don't like it there, or near bd St Michel), but I don't consider the 2nd very interesting or great a place to stay. I wouldn't myself. Parts of the 3rd are fine.

I've never stayed in a hotel as small as the one mentioned above, I like hotels. You just have to pick good ones, that's all, and read reviews and know what you are getting. Sure, you can't go super-cheap, either, so I think in your budget the hotel room will be very small. I don't like to stay in at night myself when I'm in Paris, I do that enough at home.

MomDDTravel

I loved staying in the 5th. Have you called the agency? They are here in the states and I had the best luck calling them directly.

Leely2

You're Africa-board schlegal, right? For some reason I think you'd like the 3rd. Which places are you considering?

Poconolady

bookmarking

schlegal1

The agency got back to me and they didn't have any availability for my dates and price range. There is, however, another site that has availability in the 3rd and the 5th.

We'd love the option of eating in more often and we aren't big on going out at night. We cram a lot in during the days and take it easy at night.

I am from the Africa board, Leely (and I miss it--wish I had an Africa trip planned, too!).

Considering:
http://vacation.lodgis.com/en/paris/...lin-apartment/

and

http://vacation.lodgis.com/en/paris/...urs-apartment/

amwosu

I don't think I would be able to sleep on a futon for a week...

Southam

Ibis hotels, in my experience, offer decent value for money -- budget prices, occasional small problems. Their efficient performance recalls the qualities that made Holiday Inn so successful decades ago. No surprises, good or bad.

They are spotted all over Paris, often at substantially higher prices than the one mentioned above. The La Defense location is cheaper because it is a long transit ride from the centre -- Defense is in a different price zone.

Avid bargain-hunters can check out www.accorhotel.com which is the parent of Ibis, Mercure and many other brands. All its Paris hotels can be seen and compared at that site.

Look at the sibling Etap chain, often in the same or adjacent buildings as Ibis, usually new and always far more spartan, and cheaper thanks to its simple mass-produced economies of operation.

Again there's a trade-off. Only one Etap is inside the ring road that marks the edge of central Paris. The rest are essentially overgrown suburban motels -- and economical for what they provide.

Luisah

I don't think I would be able to sleep on a futon for a week...or a sofabed. I prefer a comfortable bed.

The second one looks tiny and the cafe chairs are not comfortable for long. It's on the 3rd floor with no elevator. In France isn't the 3rd floor our 4th? So a lot of stairs.

Leely2

Schlegal, what exactly is the budget, for how many days, when and how many stairs (or none?) can your husband handle? I had did a lot of apartment-looking for my trip last spring but wasn't worried about stairs.

I loved the location of this little place, and prices are in USD--but no lift:

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p208982

Try to check Homeaway and vrbo too. If I have anything in my travel file bookmarked that looks suitable, I'll post a link.

Good luck! I spent Christmas in Paris with my family several years ago and we had a terrific time.

schlegal1

We can sleep on a futon for better ability to spread out and a better location than what we can afford in a hotel. I'm trying to balance the trade-off. hearing the "cons" loud and clear--anyone want to weigh in on the pros of the two potential apartment locations in comparison to the hotels that are in our budget?

tod

Wrong Southam! Do you call a long transit ride to the Arc de Triomphe 8-10min?
And NO, I do not work for the Ibis chain ( some say Ira has shares in the Hotel Bonaparte!?) When you see a fantastic deal and are about to experience it for the third time, I guess one gets enthusiastic. Is that so bad?
Schlegal1 you seemed to want a very reasonably priced hotel, well this hotel is that and much more.
It has a wheelchair promenade from the esculator at the metro to the esculator at the hotel. You are looking at getting a hotel room normally at 126euros for 48.3euros. Enough said.

schlegal1

The factors that weigh in favor of an apartment for us are:
1. Seems like we can get a better location for similar price
2. Can spread out a bit more than a hotel room.
3. We could eat in often, which would be a HUGE plus for us (we always do this on vacation and being in a hotel restricts what kinds of foods you can actually eat "in").

Factors in favor of a hotel:
1. more comfortable bed and furniture
2. Front desk to assist if needed.

schlegal1

6 nights. Trying to keep it under 75E a night (one of the apartments comes out to 78, the other to 72 E per night)

Leely2

Out of the two you listed, I prefer the location of the one in the 5th by Censier Daubenton metro. I haven't taken buses in Paris (do that every day at home!) so I don't know how those conenctions are. But that's a convenient location, walking distance to a number of the major sights.

schlegal1

Sorry, for got to address stairs. It's true as Luisah said, a third (really fourth?) floor is probably a bit much for my husband. He can do it but we'd probably avoid it if we're going to walk around a lot during the day.

I'm now leaning toward the available apartment I posted in the 5th arr.

Luisah

Europeans count our first floor as the ground floor, so in the 5th arr. apt. the first floor with no elevator is one flight up.

Factors in favor of a hotel:
1. more comfortable bed and furniture
2. Front desk to assist if needed.
3. Better location, closer to most sites/sights,many within a few minutes walk.

There are several hotels suggested that are in better locations, within a few minutes walk to Notre Dame area, Ste Chapelle, Ile St Louis, the flower market.

But if cooking is important to you the first floor apartment near Censier Daubenton metro may be what you want. You'll be doing a lot of walking from there, but you may not mind that.

If you decide on the apartment make sure that there are no extra charges, deposits, etc.

Good luck. I'm sure you'll enjoy Paris wherever you decide to stay.

amwosu

http://www.hotel-collegedefrance.com/index.html

Just in case you opt for a hotel... This one has last minute and internet rates as low as 70-78 euros. I haven't stayed but looks cute is very well located and is recommended by Fodorites.

SUMMAGOLD

hi schlegal, we just confirmed a rental apt in st. germain des pres area from Paris Best Lodge. He seems very nice and honest. i was happy to find a couple of good words on him on this forum too. there wasnt much choice for us as most of the apts were booked up. we, too, planned this trip last minute, about 2 weeks ago! i found the apts thru vrbo.com (thanks to gracejoan). we will be in Paris 9 nights, christmas-nye. when will you be there?

Leely2

If you're still looking, I don't know if it's available but this is in your price range and has a lift:
http://www.rentparis.com/appart-en-49.html

Summagold, I rented from Paris Best Lodge in the past and had a terrific experience.

SUMMAGOLD

hi Leely. thank you for letting me know you also rented and had a good experience with Thierry at Paris Best Lodge. i guess its only natural to feel leary about wiring a complete strander so much money up front, but I feel real good about it now. i have a question, though. do i need to bring laundry detergent or will Thierry have that in the apt already?