London/Paris apartments
 

London has been calling us for many years, and now we are finally going, with our three children in tow, aged 10, 13, and 16.
We are looking for apartments in both London and Paris and need help with where to stay.
Although we would like to stay in the Kensington area of London, finding an affordable flat anywhere near there to is difficult.
I have found two apartments that we are looking at, one in Harrod's Village, a new complex, and the other at the London Tower Bridge Apts., in the Canary Wharf area.
If anyone has stayed at either of these places, or in the areas in which they are located, please let us know.
In addition, if anyone has a place in mind which they can recommend, in either London or Paris, please let us know. In Paris, we are currently interested in the Marais or St. Germain districts. We are trying to stay below $200 per night, if possible.
Thanks.

In Paris, check out parisholidayapts.com. The owner has a couple of apartments in the Marias area (our family of 5 just stayed at the "Louvre 2 Bedroom") and the price should be well within your range. Our apartment wasn't luxurious, but it was well stocked and pleasant. The best things were that it looked exactly like the pictures, reality totally matched the description and the transaction went very smoothly. No unpleasant surprises.

Just reread my post...don't want you to think that I think that the Louvre is in the Marias area. The guy has apartments all over the city; we stayed near the Louvre but he also has apartments in the Marais.

Message: Hi Missypie. Thanks so much for your response. I have not searched parisholidayapts yet, so, I'll give it a go. I put in several requests last night on others (parisrents, VRBO) and did not have any luck. Did you get the sense from the people you dealt with that apts. could be found last minute? I seem to come across many deals for March and now April in both London and Paris. I don't know if we should take our chances for July, but maybe with a hotel backup?
Also, did you try searching for places for four and then just ask permission for the fifth?
Thanks for you input!
londoncalling

Sorry - I'm compulsive and booked in July for a March trip. Many of the web sites show availability. No, I didn't search for 4 and ask permission for a 5th...I wanted the largest place in our price range. Your kids are even bigger than mine, so I doubt that you'd want to squeeze in a place for 4. (The exception would be if there was a 2 bedroom that had a sofa that could be slept on.)

Two excellent sites are

londonperfect.com and

parisperfect.com.

Friends of our are staying in one of the London flats with their 2 kids and really like the place. I've been able to see the photos and some of the mail from the owners, and they do a very good job of providing information.