Left Bank Apartment
 

We just returned from our trip to France (trip report in the works, I promise!) and we are already planning our next trip, hopefully in April.

We have stayed both times at the same hotel in the 5th and we love it but we are thinking it is time to try an apartment. Has anyone worked with VRBO? I saw a nice apt. near where we like to stay and it looks beautiful and not too expensive.

Is this a good company? Pros? Cons? From reading some other threads I can see that we should book early so any comments would be helpful. Thanks!

VRBO is not a rentalcompany in the traditional sense. They are basically a site that lets individual homeowners list their apts for rent. That is what the initials stand for: Vacation Rentals By Owner. Each owner sets his own rental rules, so you are basically in a buyer beware mode.

I have used the site various times, with great results, as long as you do your "due diligence" beforehand.

Also many of the larger rental Companies place their listings on this site, as well as their own site, to extend their exposure.

Thanks, intex.

Is anyone familiar with this apartment near St. Severin? It is a studio but I think that is fine for the two of us.

http://www.paristudios.com/severin.html

ttt

Hi cat :)

I've got some info on this agency and their apartments.

Do you want the info here or by email?

What a dumb answer I gave. Of course you want to read about it here. Why would you have posted...duh... sorry cat :)

My hesitation in posting was that my review would be based on not my personal experience but that of a friend who stayed there last spring.

So if you want that kind of information, I'd be happy to supply what I have heard from her.

Also, our traveling companions from this past spring stayed in their La Traviata apartment, and I could comment on that if you're interested.

Happy travels!

Hi cat. Just me again :)

Forgot to mention. Here is the link to the apartment my husband and I stayed in this past spring.

http://www.parisattitude.com/apartme...numProduit=114

It is also on Rue Saint Severin.

Patrick (on this board) has stayed here a couple times as well. It was from his recommendation that we stayed there.

Swisshiker, you can comment here or email me at my screen name at aol. Thanks!

The link of where you stayed looks great, too.

I am really excited for this.

NeoPatrick?

A question about the place you linked to. Is that just twin beds? That would be a problem.

Yes, it was NeoPatrick's recommendation.

And yes, the beds are twins; however, they are pushed together, one blanket, one sheet covering both beds, making it a king size.

Can we get a posted comment on this agency/apartment so we all can be in the know? Thanks!

I agree, a lot of people might find the information useful. Information from a friend is better than no info, after all.

I remember someone asking about that apt. before on here, not too long ago, but don't know if they stayed there. The only thing I noticed about it, in case you didn't, is that the bed situation might not be very desirable for many people. It doesn't have a real bed, nor even a sofabed, but just some kind of day bed with the mattress folding out like a futon. Obviously, there is no box springs to that situation (the Severin studio). Also, the TV is on a shelf near the ceiling, so you couldn't really watch it very well.

I know twin beds would be a big NO for us, even pushed together.

Swisshiker, I don't think it matters if it is a friend's reco, and not yours. But I'll let you decide. Thanks for the info, though. And to Christina, as well. I guess that is why the price was right!

Ok, so back to square one.

Any other good rec's for an apt. in the latin quarter?

On another thread I saw ParisAddress.com.

Anyone else recommend them?

I am torn between two:
In the Latin Quarter:
http://www.parisaddress.com/paris-ap....php?ref=FRSA5

And on Ile St. Louis:
http://www.parisaddress.com/paris-ap...php?ref=BOUR25

Anyone have any experience with either of these?

Topping because I know someone out there must know something about this!

Please.....????

I have no experience with ParisAddress but would comment on the apartments.

When we switched from hotel to apartment, one big advantage for us was having a space separate from the bedroom.

I tend to wake earlier than my husband and, with a separate bedroom, I could get up, fix coffee for myself, check e-mail, etc, knowing I was not disturbing him.

A studio seems too much like a hotel room (with more space and kitchen facilities) to us. If one of us is awake, we're both awake....maybe not a bad thing!

Francophile is the one who has stayed with ParisAddress. I'm hoping they read this and give me some info.

My big question, and it seems like a no-brainer, is if they have refrigerators. They seem to list everything else, but not that. Does anyone know?

Judy, not having a separate bedroom isn't really a problem for us. Although I do like the idea of the room being a little separate just so I don't have to make the bed!

Thanks for your input, though. I really appreciate it!

I am always looking at apartments for rent in Paris, here's my 2cents.

I prefer this one: FRSA5
France/Ile de France/Paris
5 rue Frederic Sauton - 75005

The sleeping arrangment is bigger, there are lights and tables next to the bed and a screen to partition it off. I can see the little fridge, so yes it has one (first white thing on the right hand side).It looks bright, clean, spacious for the size.

The other one, I don't like the bed area, up against the wall, who gets that side? No tables or lamps by the bed, where do you put your tea cup or alarm clock?

I didn't like the first one at all, and, it seems to be two different apartments, what's up with that?

Ok, I think we both decided that Ile St. Louis is too far from where we like to be but I have a few more.

Susanna, (or anyone) what do you think of these?

This one is near St. Michel
http://tinyurl.com/6rj2dw

The next is near the Pantheon
http://tinyurl.com/6sxlsg

The last is near the Cluny
http://www.historicrentals.com/paris/cluny/

Hi cat :)

Re the link to the St. Michel apartment (parisaddress).

I would be frightened to death to have to use that ladder to go to bed.

Then when you look at the pictures of the bed, it is obvious that loft area is extremely small, with only that curtain to separate it off. Not much room, if any, on either side of the bed.

God forbid you should have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom.