more ? about apartment rental in Paris
 

I can't seem to find answers to this...can someone help.

My husband has commented on the fact that if we rent an apartment in Paris for 3 to 4 weeks, I will be the one to change sheets and clean it..he feels I will miss that benefit of a hotel. Comments?..

Do they have cleaning staff if I wanted to pay for it once or twice? We have found we had refrigerators in some hotel rooms but they didn't want us eating in our room?...comments?

If you rent for multiple weeks, some apartments do provide a cleaning (and new sheets) at the end of each week. Or you could always inquire if you could pay extra to get this on the middle Saturdays (or some other day). The agency or owner will have cleaning staff available when apartments change hands, so I'm sure arrangements can be made.

We have rented 20 houses and apartments in various parts of Europe, including in Paris. Especially for an extended stay like you're talking about, I'd much prefer a rental over a hotel room. You'll have more space to spread out (ie don't have to be in your bedroom all the time), a place to occasionally cook a meal when you don't feel like going out, and the real experience of "living" in an area. It's also usually cheaper.

You might get more answers to your questions at www.slowtalk.com, a website that focuses on using vacation rentals in Europe.

Kathy

Most short term (vacation) rentals will change sheets and towels every 7 days but you need to clarify that. Many will have it done more often at your request - BUT - you pay additional for that. Ask how much and if it can be done every 3-4 or whatever days. Get it in writing tho so there are no unpleasant surprises should you go that route.

Every apt rental I've looked at included cleaning once per week. I rented a studio apt for 4 wks in Paris and it was cleaned and sheets changed each week and fresh flowers were brought in each week. Like others said, if you want more cleaning you could ask and then pay extra for that. Of course, you will have to wash the dishes, etc. each day.

An apt is so much nicer that a hotel room for such a long time. I would never go back to hotel rooms for an extended stay.

I agree that most apartment rentals include weekly cleaning. The one's from rentParis.com do. And the apartments, while bigger than a hotel room, are not that big, so cleaning is really not that big a deal. Yes, you have to make your bed each morning, but for all the other benefits you get, I'm glad to give up having someone make my bed for me.

What ever you do - get real ref. make sure you ask about the cleaning standards & type of mattresses they have. Slowtravel.com is a good place to get a ref. about a specific place. We rented in Barcelona, Portogul, Italy and many years ago in Paris, but had a bad expirence this time in Paris with Private-Paris.com, the owner is a rat.
Good Luck- they are very good places other then the one we fell with.

Hi lois,

Although you might have someone to change the sheets and towels once a week and do weekly cleaning, you will make the beds and wash the dishes. :)

In a hotel you get the bed made, fresh towels and the room cleaned every day. Someone else does the dishes.

((I))

Ira...hmm! Have to think of that.

Yep, for 1 week maybe 2, a hotel would be a vacation...but for 3 or 4 weeks, at some point, one might want to kick-back...listen to some music, read a bit, cook a nice enough hot meal WHEN YOU WANT TO (or reheat a roasted chicken, toss salads from "traitteurs" (I know, missed the spelling there).
Maybe it would be GRAND not get all dressed up, shoes, underwear, that sort of thing..listen to the rain on the windows...
In the morning, lull around in your robe with coffee and your hot, fresh toasted brioche...take a cuddle before the maid needs to come in...
...just a few arguments why an apartment for what I consider an extended stay

It is indeed nice to have someone change the sheets and tidy up daily, but I am in the camp that relishes the extras that come with an apartment. I don't do a lot of heavy cooking on vacation but it is great to be able to make coffee in the morning (or whenever) without leaving the apartment, and to rustle up something to nosh when the mood strikes. I prefer a place with a washer/dryer, especially for trips over a week. And who says you have to make the bed every day? :-)

Hi, we just came from a rented apartment in Paris, and the landlord had provided up front the name and number of a maid to call if we wanted maid service. Our apartment was lovely, in the Marias, with beautiful exposed beams, a lovely terrace with a garden, and mercifully, airconditioning. Each option has its benefits, the aparment option usually providing more space, a homey feel, and many of the conveniences of home. However, you will make the beds each day and do the daily dishes, but of course usually have a full kitchen (and I might also add laundry facilities) which is not usually available in a hotel (though there of course depending on the hotel, you might just have a laundry service).

air conditioning???...I am sort of amazed at that. I didn't know there were any with ac.

You know we found lots of hotels with ac but the problem was they didn't turn them on when we were there.

3mkids, could you give us the details about your apartment? Still looking for a Paris apartment for next year. Thanks

3mkids - what rental service did you use?

3mkids - looking for an apartment in Paris - details, please!

Be extremely cautious when renting an apartment in Paris. Prepayment is expected and refunds are almost always difficult to arrange for, if not impossible. You are not guaranteed what is advertized. I suspect few realize that owners and their agents might not accept responsibility for nonfunctioning advertised assets without special clauses in the contracts specifically referring to those assets, and that agencies, representatives, and owners can blame each other and refuse reimbursement of significant advance rent as a result. We arrived in Paris to discover our promised luxury 4th floor apartment in a high security building with elevator had a free swinging front entrance and a non functioning elevator. We did receive our agency fee back from Paristay but the owner of the apartment refuses to refund our 2300 euro prepayment. If you have any physical limitations be quite certain you are not given a "standard" contract but request one specifically crafted to fit the advertised amenities of the apartment you are seeking to rent.

algray is correct in what she (he) says but I would add that sometimes hotels are not exactly as they advertise either. I have occassionally been to a hotel where the elevator is "temporarily" out of order - makes no difference if it works most of the time if it is out of work during the week you are there. Obviously the more upscale/expenisve hotels the less likely this is to happen. Same is ture for things like air conditioning, etc. So I guess I'm saying the same things can happen in a hotel as an apartment. Of course, it is probably easier to just switch to another hotel if you need to.

While our apartment was a little more "shabby" than the photos on the website led us to believe, it was essentially as stated, the rep came back right away when we called about one of the keys not working right, etc. Also, they only required half paid in advance, the rest after you got there (and could check it out). I would say renting an apartment is a bit more "trouble" than just popping into a hotel. Worth it for me, but I also don't think it's the greatest idea for someone on a first trip to a city.

I rented through parisbestlodge.com and I was perfectly happy! I also believe they change linens if you saty longer thn a week. I stayed at their Studio Rivoli and it was perfect! The location was great and the unit was comfortable!

My suggestions come as someone who has:
-Rented apartments from a complete strangers on VRBO...
-Rented out our OWN Paris apartment via a property manger...
-Cleaned other apartments in Paris for other property managers...

I would never hesitate in suggesting an apartment for a longer stay. I might also mention that most apartments have at the very least one extra set of sheets and multiple towels, so if you wanted, you should be able to change them and leave the dirty ones in a laundry bag/pile for the cleaner to handle when you depart. We have also done mid-stay cleans for renters and charge about 30-40 Euro (depending how long it takes to clean). Ask for a cleaning to be done when you are out and about, and when you return it will be just like a hotel. I think most rental agencies and property managers will not have any problem with this.

You might also consider that in an apartment you will likely have a washing machine at your disposal for your own clothes (not just the drudgery of sheet-washing!) which for many tourists is an advantage over dealing with a laundro.

Enjoy your stay!!

arlgray had a horrible experience, and that can happen, but from the postings here and my own experience that is the exception rather than the rule. My own experience renting in several European cities over the years has led to a few guidelines I try to follow:
1. Be leery of pictures that focus on small details - a beautiful, artisitic sink basin does not make up for a tiny bathroom. If possible, try to get a plan of the whole apartment, even if it is just a rough sketch. Look at the overall size of the place as well as how things are arranged. It's temporary so it need not be your dream house, but consider privacy/personal space and whether or not people sleeping in living areas will work with your group.
2. Kitchen(ette) can mean different things to different people. Unless you plan on doing some heavy duty cooking, two burners is probably fine, and a less than full size refrigerator is probably just fine unless you are a large crowd. A coffee maker is not negotiable.
3. Confirm on what floor the apartment is located (and whether by US or European standard), and whether or not an elevator is present.
4. Get a local contact name and number for emergencies. Use it only for emergencies - not for burned out light bulbs.
5. Have realistic expectations. Many of these places are occupied by vacationers most of the time. Tenants just don't take as good care of things as do resident owners, and owners may be reluctant to provide high cost amenities. That said, do expect at least the basics (clean linens, towels, basic cooking and eating utensils, etc.) but consider it a nice extra if the owner provides personal consumption items like coffee, tea, or toiletries.
6. If it is important to you that the place have air conditioning, specifically ask, and ask if it covers the entire apartment - some places have a portable AC unit in some rooma only.
7. Get the exact address and find out what you can about the neighborhood.