After a long amount of research and deciding on a hotel in Paris, my husband tells me today that he now wants to stay in the 4th arrondisement or Saint Louis because of how central it is. So, here is the debate. We have this hotel booked - http://www.hotelqueenmary.com/uk/index.php. This hotel has AC which is a major advantage compared to the apartment rental that does not.

Here is the link to the apartment rental - http://www.vrbo.com/164772
This place has no AC. However, I do love the exposed stone and the decor seems charming.

Okay, so based on all the wonderful Paris experts I have gotten to know over the last 2 months, I would love for your opinion. I would like to know which accomadation you think looks more elegant, has character, etc. I would also like to know which place you think has a better vibe as far as the neighborhood surroundings. Which location is better? I have heard so many wonderful things about the 4th arrondisement that this apartment rental is very enticing. I am just worried about no AC. We are going June 29th-July 3rd.

Thank you so much!

When Paris gets warm it can also become uncomfortably humid. Having A/C allows you to keep the windows of your room closed at night and have quiet for sleep. I'd want accommodations that had A/C unless you want to take a chance on the weather.

We have stayed both on Ile St-Louis and in the Madeleine and much prefer Ile St-Louis. In fact, we checked out of our hotel in the Madeleine district and moved to the Left Bank on our first trip to Paris.
We have stayed in Parisian apts w/o a/c during warm weather. The old stone walls kept them cool enough for us.
Is this your first trip to Paris? On a first visit it is helpful to have a ront desk give your directions, make reservations; perhaps the apt. owner can do that for you as well since it says she lives in Paris.

This is my 1st trip to Paris. However, I think I am comfortable with not having a front desk clerk because by June I will have done so much research. (thanks to Fodors!)I am just really worried about the AC. I don't want to miss out on a great apartment at a wonderful price on Saint Louis. Do you feel this apartment is so great (at 100 Euros) a night, that is warrants a risk of no AC? Don't worry, I won't hold you accountable if a heat wave comes through.

Have you already booked the VRBO apartment? When I pulled it up it looks to be booked during the time you will be in Paris. Anyhow, it is lovely, good price, looks to be super. That said, I've rented approximately 7 apartments all over Paris but don't go in the summer so no AC might be a deal breaker. Whichever you choose have a wonderful trip.
Susan

Sorry Jill, had a brain bubble there, I see it is available, please excuse my case of "the blondes".
Susan

I would much prefer the apartment's location. Maybe it's a bit of an exaggeration, but the ile is like a small village within Paris.

I've stayed in an apartment in Paris without AC in a warm Sept., but it cooled down at night. The apt. had a fairly large rotating fan on a floor stand, which is all I usually need to be able to sleep.

It's so hard to know what the weather will be and heat tolerance is subjective. I'd ask the owner if she provides fans. I would think as it's a ground floor apt, it would be cooler.

Have a good trip whatever you choose.

It depends on how well you cope with heat & humidity. It does sound as if <i>a/c</i> might trump <i>location</i> in your decision-making.

Have you done a search for apartments with a/c in the 4th arr?

I stay in Paris for work quite often and would not stay anywhere there in May through September without A/C.You are not going to be in the apartment that much so go with the A/C so you can be well rested to run around!

Cathinjoetown - thanks for your response. I think it might be worth the risk, but I am a little nervous. The location is so darn adorable! The price is so awesome too.

2010 - Well, I am from Florida so I am definitely used to the heat and humidity. I just want to make sure that I can sleep comfortably after a long day.

I have done a search for apts. with AC in the 4th and there are not many available. (well, in my price range anyway. I am trying to stay at around 130 Euros.) I can spend a little more if need be.

Duty - I usually keep my home here in Florida at 75 degrees. At the end of June/July, will it get higher than that at night time?

I think the A/C is a personal matter. I have been to Paris in July and it was stifling enough to affect sleeping for me both times.

I think the relevant parameters are the value you place on the location, the A/C, the negative impact of the road noise if you (can) leave the windows open. The others can share their equilibrium points, but in the end none of these matter except yours.

I stayed in Paris pretty much those exact dates in 2006. It was between 28-30 C during the day, and fairly humid. I don't how hot it was at night as we were (happily) in a hotel with AC. If you are lucky you may not need it, but what if it turns out to be in the middle of a heatwave. Are you still okay with no AC then?

Yes, I know what you mean! It is such a hard decision. A safe decision would be to just stay in the Madeleine district with my AC but I am torn!

For me it's not about temperature as much as it is about noise trying to sleep in a busy city. I use the AC at night so I can shut the windows, to make it more quiet so I can sleep. Otherwise with windows open often it's too noisy for me.

Why not look for something in the 4th w/AC? I know you're doing a lot of research from seeing all your posts, but why limit yourself to these 2 choices?

Good question Suze. I have actually researched all day today and could not find anything that I liked (have kind of picky taste) in the 4th arrondisement with AC for around 130 Euros. I know my budget is not that high, so that is the struggle. I don't think I will give up quite yet though. So I will still search. I just love that darn apt! I wonder if that street is noisy or quiet enough to open the windows????

Well it says it "opens onto courtyards", which I would assume means it is on the ground floor. I'm not sure how I'd feel about sleeping with windows wide open in the city on the ground floor.

Sorry should have put a (?) after ground floor

Sure I think it appears to be a cute (small) place. But for 130 euro ($177usd!) I think you should be able to get AC if that's important to you.

I wish it wasn't so hard to find an apt. with AC in the Marais/Saint Louis area! Perhaps I am destined to stay at Hotel Queen Mary.

I'm no Paris expert but the 8th isn't a district I often see recommended to stay. 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th... yes.

I'll quit now because I feel like I'm sounding argumentative but I can't believe there's not a nice hotel room or apartment in the Marais in that price range with AC to be found. bon chance!