Need recommendations on VRBO One bedroom/Studio Apartment Rental in Paris
 

I am in the planning stages for a trip to France in September 2014 and need help in choosing a VRBO rental for a Studio or One bedroom in the heart of Paris. We would be staying 4 or 5 nights.

Can folks list some actual VRBO rentals that they have used in Paris and had a great experience?

Preferably in a location in the heart of the city with easy access to the metro.

I have been searching the VRBO website for Arrondissement 1, 2, 3,4,5,6,7 and have come up with quite a few that look good with solid reviews.

This is the first time I would be using VRBO so I am not comfortable in picking one on my own and hoping somebody can give me a good lead on one they have used before!
Thanks in advance.

We have used this agency 5 or 6 times and have been happy. Most of their apartments are located in the 3rd and 4th in the Marais. We have stayed in the Argenson-nice place up 4 flights. We have been renting larger places the last few years.

http://www.parisautrement.com/en/

Not VRBO but a couple of agencies that I, and other family members, have dealt with have been great and the apartments as advertised. We are again renting the first apartment in June.

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_201.htm

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_224.htm

http://www.rentalfrance.com/index.ph...on=rue-st-paul

I've stayed in many VRBOs in France, and can heartily recommend www.vrbo.com/58971 for a one bedroom. It's in the 6th, very close Metro stations, bus stops, shops, ATMs, everything. I have nothing but good things to say about it. It's on the ground floor but access is through a courtyard so there's no concern about security, etc. It's in a vibrant part of Paris but it's quiet b/c of the courtyard location.

In peoples’ opinions, is vacationinparis “better” for a first-time renter than vrbo? Or are there good and bad rentals in both?

I’ve been following advice I’ve read here, looking at photos (what is/isn’t being shown) and reading reviews. Some renters are bothered by things that we wouldn’t mind; others not bothered by things we wouldn’t prefer. So I understand that, to a point, it’s very individualistic. I have seen that vrbo often has less expensive offerings--is that due to the system used or quality?

We’re looking in within 6 blocks of Les Halles or St Michel. I know some prefer the St Michel locale more, but that’s not at issue here as we haven’t decided yet. It’s more budget and rental availability that will decide. Our budget for lodgings is about $175US/nt or less.

I’ve narrowed a list and bookmarked about a dozen offerings from vacationinparis for my husband to review and narrow more. Once he does that, I’d hoping to get input on 3 or 4 specific places. Ditto with vrbo.

When you rent via Vacation in Paris, you are dealing with a reputable company that more or less guarantees its apartments. If the apartment you book has a plumbing breakdown the week before your scheduled arrival, ViP will try to find you another place.

With VRBO, you're dealing with an individual owner, who may or may not be representing their rental accurately. If there's a problem with that rental just before you arrive, you're probably out of luck. You'll have to scramble around to find another place or an available hotel room.

That’s exactly the information I was wanting. Thanks!

We stayed at this VRBO rental on Ile St Louis and just loved the apartment and the location: http://www.vrbo.com/360183
The pictures and reviews are accurate.

The thing I like most about Vacation In Paris is the ability to pay in USD and online with my credit card. Also, payment is due fully before departure so one less thing to worry about.

We are also renting a house in the Dordogne the week prior to Paris and we have to pay the balance plus refundable deposit on arrival. That is a lot of Euros that I have to get before leaving.

We stayed here in May and really enjoyed it: http://tinyurl.com/kyadaxu
This isn't as central, but a good neighborhood with decent bus and Metro connections. Family-owned apartment, basic but nice and quiet.
Usually available for minimum six nights, but depending on time of year it may be open for less days.

We stayed in this studio in September and loved the location and comfort level. It is a place we would certainly return to on future visits. The owner was very easy to work with and for a studio it felt spacious.

We like to stay close to the Seine and the Notre Dame/Saint Michel metro/RER stop

http://www.vrbo.com/81771 Deborah

We wanted to book with Vacation in Paris a few years ago but the apartment of our choice was booked. VIP had been recommended by a friend who stayed with them twice. We ended up in a Paris Perfect apartment and had a good experience in Paris. Last year we stayed with One Fine Stay in London and found the service offered to be superior. The customer service was excellent, they were a phone call away on the iPhone they provided, and came by on scooters if we needed anything. We are watching as they add more Paris apartment in hopes of staying with them in Paris in the future.

Great information thank you all for the replies as now I have numerous reputable websites and apartments to choose from!

If you have someone recommend a certain VRBO apartment and they know it went well, I don't see why VIP is superior. VIP is not perfect by any means, various people have had some problems with them, in terms of the apartment or the terms, etc. And they don't own their apartments, so I'm not sure what kind of vetting they supposedly do. I remember one incident on here where someone rented one from them that was touted with lots of photos as having a great Eiffel Tower view. Well, there was construction going on during the time, which created noise, but also cranes in front of the window obstructing the view. VIP didn't do much of anything about it, said it was up to the owner to decide whether to refund any money or not. I think they also blamed the owner for the fact that is was misleading advertising on VIP's website and no disclaimer as to the construction. The owner did refund a little, but not very much, as I recall (maybe 10 euro a day).

We've rented from private owners before but usually use parisvacationapartments.com They book up early, though, as they are well located and fairly priced.