Does anyone know about the 3rd party used by London Perfect for booking reservations, payment. etc.? I'm being re-routed to a 3rd party to complete the reservation for an apartment through "Docusign" and it's a surprise. This was not mentioned before. I dealt directly with Paris Perfect staff for all reservations, communications, etc. when I reserved apartments in Paris. Your help is appreciated

The 3rd party is "A Place Like Home" which also rents short-term apartments. I'm confused. Is this a customary practice?

from a very old Slow Travel posting it seems London Perfect uses A Place Like Home to manage some of their properties.
http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a...4/m/5771066283

It also sounds like some posters had problems w/ APLH back then....

newtome, thanks very much. Both of my experiences with Paris Perfect were great, so I'm having concerns now about APLH. Wish I'd started this process much earlier.

We've rented 2 places in London from A Place Like Home with no major problems at all. We've also rented apartments 3 times in Paris from Paris Perfect.

Stu Dudley

Stu, thanks--that helps a lot.

If you are uncomfortable why look at another agency, there are tonnes in London...

jamikins, thanks for your comment, and I agree, that's an option.

I'm not uncomfortable with London Perfect, because I've stayed at their Paris apartments and had a hassle-free, wonderful experience in every way. But, the apartment I chose is managed by APLH, so I'm essentially working with that rental agency instead. I may chose another apartment managed by London Perfect. I'm still looking, however.

For what it's worth, I've had a very good experience with A Place Like Home. Beautiful flat, very reasonable price and excellent customer service. Though it was 10 years ago!

I did work with them again recently and found the customer service to be just as helpful and efficient, but I chose to go with another agency only because I decided to stay in an area not served by APLH.

If you love the flat, I wouldn't let APLH put you off.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/RentalPro..._manager.80561

This might help. Perhaps the flat you are looking at is listed?

Thanks pandaschu. I like one of their apartments, but not thrilled about the security deposit of $800, making it a $3,000 outlay for a week's stay which is over my budget. I'm still looking around and may punt and find a hotel room.

Wondering if anyone has any recs on a boutique hotel in the Chelsea, Kensington, Belgravia areas.

GraceCO - google "a place like home" - they have dozens & dozens of places. We stayed at "the Lodge" in Notting Hill. Fabulous !!!

Stu Dudley

$800 does seem rather high.

Can't help with the hotel- best of luck in your search. There are so many choices...

We've used Paris Vacation Apartments many times in Paris. They have some London apartments. We've stayed in the South Kensington Chic apartment. The location was great and we loved the apartment, especially the terrace.

They have London staff ad all of their policies were the same as in Paris.

I have rented from A Place Like Home twice, was extremely satisfied with them.

Too bad that the few ruin things for so many....like the children swinging on chandeliers or liking the pretty flowers in the drapes, so they cut them out!! This is the whyfore of security deposits......

To be honest so many of these London companies are merging now and one doesn't know who they are really dealing with. There are still companies around that give good personal service and have a good reputation especially regarding the return of security deposits. $800 would put me off. I'd look elsewhere.

>>$800 would put me off. I'd look elsewhere<<

We've stayed in over 60 different gites & apts in France, Rome, and London. Our deposit on one in Paris was $500, because if someone didn't follow the "rules" & smoked in the apt - it costs the owner $300 to clean the drapes. This year we're paying a $1,500 deposit on a Gite. Last year we paid a $750 deposit on a Gite. Normal is about $300-600 (remember - the dollar is doing lousy against the Euro & Pound).

Stu Dudley

The $800 deposit is definitely putting me off and this apartment search has become very frustrating. I've stayed at several Paris Perfect apartments and there was no damage whatsoever and certainly no one smoked in the apartment! I don't understand why a security deposit applies to repeat customers, especially when we're using a credit card.

I'm now looking around for a hotel option, since it's just my daughter and I. She's in school in London, but may spend the night with me occasionally, so I want to be able to accommodate her. If anyone has any suggestions for a nice boutique hotel in central London, I'd greatly appreciate it. Many thanks!

>>I don't understand why a security deposit applies to repeat customers,<<

But you aren't a repeat customer of the owner - just the agency. The owner has a very (VERY) large investment and doesn't know you from a hole in the ground. Not that I like paying large deposits, but I certainly understand them.