tamaraten

Wow, Christina, thank you. That sounds horrible - obviously I won't use them. This is exactly my fear. Thank goodness for good advice.

Has anyone used My Paris Visit?

djkbooks

You could search TripAdvisor Paris forum for reviews of MyParisVisit.

Note that the results of the search in the link above all default to a week long stay. The least costly (1180) has a nightly rate of 236.

Before using any vacation apartment resource, it's critical to read the FAQ's, Terms and Conditions, etc. MyParisVisit mentions an additional "small processing and administration fee is due to the licence holder, depending on the apartment category, from 50€ to 150€ payable on arrival.
- Studio: 50€, One bedroom: 80€, Two bedroom: 100€, Three bedroom: 150€.

Strongly recommend you shop like the dickens and book two hotel rooms forthwith, noting cancellation policy. Then, keep shopping if you wish.

jpie

Try the Odessa-they have large family rooms and even if you need 2 rooms they are pretty reasonable:

http://www.hotel-odessa.com/rooms-hotel-odessa-paris/

They are near Montparnasse so good location and really a good value. Simple and clean! We have stayed there numerous times and always send friends there.

tracilee

If you do decide to go with one of the My Paris Visit apartments, you will be given several days to complete the contract after you reserve it. This will give you time to read the terms and ask any questions you may have. There is an agency fee as pointed out above.

We've rented one and two bedroom apartments from them in the past with no problems. The nice thing about an apartment is the extra room to spread out. I can't remember if any of the ones available for your dates had a washing machine, but that could be an added bonus.

As far as getting the keys through MPV, it's been different with each apartment. The first time, they met us there; the second time we arrived in the evening so they gave us a code to retrieve the key from a lockbox in the apartment lobby. For our most recent rental, we had to go to the MPV office to pick up the key. That was a bit of a hassle as they are located in the 1st and we were staying in the 6th; in the end it was no big deal, but I prefer going directly to the apartment without making a stop at the office.

The workers at MPV all speak English very well and the manager, Tracy, is from the Seattle area. I think you'll find them easy to work with.

tamaraten

djbooks - appreciate the small print warning. Thanks. I looked at TripAdvisor reviews and they're for the most part decent. It's still so concerning...There are many pluses in going with a hotel in that regard, yet the price for 2 rooms is expensive. The apartment route makes so much sense given the space you gain and the reasonable cost.

Thanks joie for the hotel suggestion - looks very nice. Just waiting to see if apartment idea can be worked out first.

Tracilee- thanks for the firsthand advice. It's always reassuring. I've written to the company about 5 options that looked good and were available on the website. Tracy wrote me back though, saying that only one of them was available. It was a little strange. I wrote again and I'm waiting to hear back. Hopefully something will work out.

casperjj

We stayed in connecting rooms last summer at Westin Vendome with 5. its in the 1st. We're staying in the 5th this time which is, I think, a better location with kids. We'll be staying in an 'apartment' in Villa D'estrees. Its actually two connecting rooms. The hotel has good reviews. There's also a room for 5 at Hotel Left Bank which we were considering until we became a group of 6 with my mother in law coming. Check those out. Both seem very nice.

Christina

At least Tracilee has experience with them, so that's a good point.

I also found the website confusing as it seemed to only list weeks, but if I started a search from scratch, it did come up with some for a 3 day stay (and the total amount was based on that, the St Andre in Latin Qtr for 310 euro a night came up as 930 euro total).

That isn't an agency exactly, though, the FAQs clearly state it is owner-direct, which means it is sort of like VRBO and that is why tracilee found different methods with different apts. They have different owners. But they seem to just use the website and then they all use the services of one mgt company--Paris Visit Services. So a 2 BR apt adds on 100 euro to the price for the admin fee, which means for that one I saw, the total would be about 330 euro a day for a 2 BR apt. Well, if it works and you find a place, fine, but you can easily find a modest double hotel room for 150 euro a day, that isn't that difficult. But I guess with 5 people, it is a bit better plus the fact that you only have one real adult and might not want children age 15 and less to stay in a hotel room by themself. IN fact, some hotels might not allow that -- you'd need to find one with connecting rooms, probably.

They say you have 48 hrs from getting the contract to returning it signed, the period they will hold the reservation without that being signed. Also, be aware that 50 pct of that fee is due immediately (at least this close to the date), and you also have to pay a security deposit on arrival. You will not get any of that money back if you cancel, not at this late date. It doesn't say how much the security deposit is, that would concern me. Be sure to find out how much that is as you won't get it back for a while. They say it is released in 48 hrs after departure, and it's by credit card, so that's easier than having to get cash back, that's for sure. And notice that they will deduct money from your security deposit if you do not clean the dishes and empty the trash before you leave.

djkbooks

In addition to the key procedures, you need to consider whether not being able to get into the apartment until 1 PM and having to vacate by 9:30 AM will be convenient. You also need to make a phone call on arrival, so have to know how you will do that.

It's really better if a greeter lets you in and shows you how to operate everything. Apartments do have manuals, but translations are often lacking. Usually, there are two remotes (cable box and TV) and if one of your kids starts pushing buttons in the wrong order, and then you can't get the TV to work, there's no front desk to call.

Again, highly recommend booking two hotel rooms, now, so you'll have accommodations. (Hotel Odessa has a three night minimum and no triple rooms available for your dates...)

jpie

Odessa is showing 2 quad rooms available and not requiring a 3 day minimum for April 6-8 2 nights or 6-9th 3 nights on booking.com at the moment if you decide that is still interesting. When you try to get one room it does show booked so maybe that is just their policy....

Another thing to think about if you go the hotel route would be to check out the Novotel Hotels since many times they have family deals.

tamaraten

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of your excellent advice, pointers and suggestions. It's way easier going the hotel-rout. No risk of being duped and no hassle. But there are so many positive reviews for the apartments I've looked at - my head is spinning from the 6 days of straight of research. I've barely done anything else!

My dates are now confirmed - April 6-April 10th. ( we need to leave apt. or hotel by 12:00 p.m. April 10th).

I'm going to check out hotels suggested now. I just can't decide what to do. The apartments look so spacious and convenient...

Casperjj, why is the 5th more convenient for kids? (I've been focussing my search on the 1st - not because I don't recognize other areas are nice - but because I needed to narrow things down. Otherwise I'd never make a decision. Also, it's just so nice for the kids' first time to be able to walk to the Louvre, Angelina's, etc.)

thanks again,

Tamara

tamaraten

Ok, I went back on my idea re the Excelsior because I saw that they took care of the bedbug problem....I corresponded with them and got a rate of 254E/night. We can all be in one room with 5 beds. (32 square metres). I almost booked it and then started thinking of apartments again.

The apartment route is similarly priced (in some cases of what I was interested in, a little less) and you get much more space. I'm thinking about a few that are about a 10 minute walk from the Louvre and another that is on rue St. Martin. They all have 2 bedrooms, usually 2 bathrooms, most with an elevator.

On the other hand, there's the huge hassle of going the apartment route - the dealing about it, worry about deposit, not getting keys easily, and all the stuff I've been reading about for days....

What do you who have experience think? I'm going nuts after a week of this...!

Christina

To be honest, I don't think it matters that much for such a short stay -- in terms of location, nor whether you have a hotel or apt. I don't think the 5th is more convenient for kids, I'm not sure what difference it makes in terms of convenience since they both border the Seine. I imagine some might say that because the Sorbonne is there (or the main building, anyway, I attended once there in a summer and there are actually classes all over Paris), so there some college-age students around more and some younger cafes, but your kids are really too young to be hob-nobbing with college students, anyway. It's just a slightly different feel in many parts of the LEft Bank than the 1st (or other parts of the RB) because the 1st isn't that residential, there are more businesses there (including some expensive shops, like place Vendome, and the Louvre, etc. Of course some people live there, obviously, but it isn't mainly residential.

I don't know what I'd do in your situation given you do have 3 kids. But it's such a short stay and I wouldn't ever rent an apt for that short a stay as it is a hassle. But I don't have 3 kids, either. But if you really can get connecting rooms for that same price in a decent area, I'd book a hotel. Most apartments (if not all) never let you into the place in the morning, because they have prior tenants to leave and then they have to clean it. I've seen some that have an official time of around 3 pm, actually. So then what do you do? In a hotel, you can at least check in and leave your bags and go do stuff. And a hotel can call a taxi if you need one or handle little issues like that. And you do then have to figure out the departure terms, also. Some apartments allow you to just leave when you want and leave the keys there, others may not. If you have to meet up with someone, etc., well, that is really a hassle if you are trying to catch a plane.

I've rented several apts in Paris but I know the city very well and speak and read French, so it isn't the same issues. I've mainly dealt with French owners and French firms and for longer stays. But I was on my own pretty much (which was okay with me) so I had to figure out taxis, etc., and make phone calls upon arrival, and I actually had about half a day wasted due to stuff like that (and never could get a taxi to come upon departure, they were all busy, but I had a backup plan). And some firms won't allow Sunday arrivals, either.

You may need one of those firms that are more used to dealing with Americans and provides more services. Even the one firm that had a good reputation that I used that was more American-oriented did not return my deposit within a few weeks and I had to nag them about it, although I finally got it. That was Paris Bestlodge.

I'm not really sure about one room in a hotel with five beds, yikes. Is that possible? Literally one room?

Christina

oh, BTW, I checked on a hotel I often stay in, the Aiglon in Montparnasse. They have a 2 BR apartment, I think it's on the ground floor. It happens to be available for your dates, actually, at an online discount of only 296 euro per night. I think that would be better than the hotel you found at 250 euro with five beds in one room. You don't mention the quarter because it wasn't on your radar screen not being near the Seine, but it is a very nice and comfortable area with excellent transportation connections (a metro stop just across the street). It wouldn't have the problems with these vacation rental apartments. It is 500 m2, and has cancellation up to 24 hrs in advance, I think. I suppose you don't intend to cancel, but you won't have the deposit and other issues, no extra fees, and you will have hotel services of a front desk, etc. http://www.paris-hotel-aiglon.com/en/ I think it is a better quality hotel than the Excelsior.

Just another option which is an apt within a hotel.

KTtravel

I think I'd just go with the hotel. It is in a nice area and you can book it and be done. You can always go the apartment route for your next trip.

justineparis

Christina.. thats interesting about Parisbestlodge.. did you damage something? I got my check back the day I checked out.. right then and most people I have talked to had the same experience.. Was this a long time ago.. or recently. I am renting again from them this year and they are not even bothering to get a damage deposit from me.

tamaraten

When I said one room with 5 beds, I mean at the Excelsior, they offered a room without an adjoining door from within - ie. it's, I suppose, the size of 2 rooms, but it's really like one large space because of the lack of door. It has two beds pushed together and then three other separate beds in the other space. One bathroom I believe. And a small room at 32m.

I have four kids, btw! That's what makes the small room so unappealing. While I know we'll be out all day and will just come back at night to sleep, I figured it might be more comfortable for when we are there to have more space just to hang out, even if it's for a bit.

I cannot believe I'm thinking about this so much, for such a short amount of time (the decision of where to go skiing took about 1/2 an hour and I've spent days on this one) but I just want it to be well located and comfortable. And I suppose because there are so many options, it can make your head spin. Also, the apartments are so reasonable for the price, that it makes them appealing (albeit nerve-wracking....).

Seamus

Yep, head spinning is an occupational hazard of DIY travel planning, especially with the range of input and experience in Fodorville!

At this point you are on a short fuse for a short stay - I say, pull the trigger on the easiest option which sure looks like the hotel Christina last suggested. And don't forget to report back after you travel!

Christina

Justine, no I didn't damage anything at all, they just didn't send the security deposit until I nagged about it. They sent it back, finally, I just had to be after them to do it. And it was about 3 weeks, also, not that I didn't wait and wanted it back within a couple days. I did not mean they didn't return it, just that they didn't do it expediently. And I didn't pay it by check to begin with, but by Paypal.

Also, the idea that you got it back when you left implies you waited around to meet up with someone, which is something a lot of people (like me) don't want to do. I had to leave very early, I had no time to be meeting up with people and a lot of people don't. But I didn't pay by check. Furthermore, in case you are unaware, they have apts on their website that are run and managed by some other people, so there may be different methods. This was last year. YOu won't know until you rent an apt from them who is handling the details but if you already have one booked, it seems like you would know. If they don't even require one from you, it's probably not the same person I rented from.


Well, it's up to you, but I would not prefer two rooms at the Excelsior at 32 m2 for 250 euro, over the Aiglon at 500 m2 for 296 euro for a 2 BR apartment. The Excelsior is a good location, though. The Excelsior only had one bathroom, I think (sounds odd if two connecting rooms). The Aiglon 2 BR has two bathrooms, 2 BRs plus a living room area. It doesn't have a real kitchen, though, just a minibar -- I suspect it was just 2-3 hotel rooms they put together. But you can see photos on the website if you check that rate.

You'd better do something quickly or you won't have any choices left, I think.

justineparis

Yes we paid damage deposit by post dated check.. not paypal and yes ours was owner managed but I know some are managed by them but owned by other people who may have different rules.

casperjj

sorry for the delay in getting back to you Tamaraten. If Fodors has a way to get emails when someone responds to a thread you've posted on I have yet to find it

We loved our hotel in the 1st. It was close to Angelinas which we loved, across from the Tuileries and Louvre. We regularly walked down Rue de Rivoli and we spent our last day visiting the area around La Madeleine. We'll return to that area this upcoming trip as well as we plan to visit the Opera this time and we really want to go back to Angelinas. But as for a place to stay, the area we stayed in was very business centric. It didn't feel 'homey'. It was one business after another. We travelled to the 5th/6th a few times that trip and it felt like we were often going to the 'other side'. One day we spent around Notre Dame, another day we did a self guided tour of the Latin Quarter and Lux gardens, our last full day we took the bus to Rodin and headed to the Eiffel Tower. It felt easier to stay on that side fo the river this time. There were some great restaurants near our hotel in the 1st but many many more small bistros on the left bank. Also, ultimately, I found that in looking for a place to hold all of us, the 5th was much less expensive. (We stayed on points last trip so we didn't intend to actually pay for two connecting hotel rooms at the Westin this time around.)