hello! how is this location for a Paris apartment?

http://www.myparisvisit.com/rental-s...-paris-36.html

we will be there march 31-april 14 2011. have taken the advice of fellow fodorites and posting the apartment and location before i book.

At 15 square meters, 161 square feet, and only a sofa bed you may find this cramped for a two-week stay. It also looks like it faces the street, in a pretty busy area.

It will cost more, but a larger studio or one-bedroom will make your stay more pleasant.

Since you state no other area preference, let me just mention that the public transport system is so good, (www.ratp.fr),it pays to look for lodgings a bit further out. It seems that with every two métro stops away from, say, the Louvre, the price comes down and the size of the accommodation goes up, in roughly equal proportions. You get quickly from anywhere to anywhere once you get the hang of it, so don't let a few kilometers from the Louvre or the Ile de France stop you from considering lodgings.

Just to respond to your request about the location itself-it is good. The "pros" are that the number 1 metro line is a main east west line and you are close to the river which many people visiting prefer. The con's are that it could risk to be a bit noisy depending on the exposure-but frankly on the 3rd floor I would not expect that to be a problem. You are near the Les Halles area which has a major underground shopping and metro area, although the area can be a bit "seedy" at night-not particularly dangerous, just a kind of a hang out area for kids-lots of fast food places, etc.

Many people prefer to stay in the 6th Latin Quarter area on the other side of the river, or a bit further east on the right bank from where this apartment is located in the Marais-4th district. But the location itself of this apartment is not at all bad.

http://www.myparisvisit.com/rental-s...-paris-48.html

would this apartment be better?

I actually prefer the location of the one in the 1st. jpie gave you good thoughts about the pros/cons of that location. I love to stay in the 1st... it is easy, convenient to things and I love to be close to the Louvre (I put kids to bed and go out at night/sunset and take photos). The balcony looked all kinds of awesome!

However, I wouldn't relish the thought of sleeping on a sofa bed, no matter how good. Reality for me would be that I wouldn't make it a sofa again and it would be a bed in the middle of my 'living' area... why not just get a real bed then ?

The apartment in the 6th is probably better (altho no elevator... better kitchen, larger, also nice balcony) save for the sofabed issue. I would take the one in the first based on location though (but that is my preference).

i'm ok with small, i just wanted a good location. and a sofa bed is better than a floor (we know). my b/f and i will have just graduated college and have gotten used to just getting by. i'd rather save some money on accommodations and have a nice meal (we are in France!!) thanks so much for all of your help!

If the bed is an issue, here's a different MPV that is actually a little cheaper http://www.myparisvisit.com/rental-s...-paris-50.html

Kaydoll, given what you have said about you and your bf being young, just having graduated, etc., I think either location/apartment would be terrific. I'd probably take the bigger one by Odeon just because it's bigger, has a little balcony, is near the Luxembourg Gardens, and I don't mind climbing stairs. But ultimately they both look fine to me.

Please come back and post about your apartment when you return. Have a great trip.

apersuader, what a great find! I would def take that option over the other two... a seating area, a real kitchen, a real bed. very cute!

All three flats are in great locations. I personally wouldn't book the first one (#36) because it is so basic/small. But I'd be very happy in either of the other two.

#48 is much larger and while #50 is small - it has a separate bed on the loft so one wouldn't need to make/close/open the sofabed over and over. That would definitely be a consideration since you are stay so long.

apersuader: I LOVED THAT ONE!! unfortunately, it wasn't available for the complete 2 weeks. only the first part.

Hi KayDoll,

I thought I'd post this link - I stayed in this studio last year. I guess it's not the most upmarket place to stay BUT it was very, very clean and comfortable and at 75 euros a night I thought it was quite a bargain. Transport is nearby but we so enjoyed walking to a lot of our destinations - we even walked the whole length of the Rue de Rivoli (well until we got to Angelinas at least).

http://www.homelidays.co.uk/paris-11...o-41802en1.htm

I thought I'd just put it out there because I would rather spend less on accommodation and have a few more dollars for a nice meal and tours etc.

I think the advertised cleaning charge is only if you leave the place dirty - we were not charged a cleaning charge at all. I'm keen to see where you end up staying Kay! Bon chance!

stormbird, I find that area quite convenient and am bookmarking the apartment. Was it very loud at night? Thanks for posting.

I've stayed here (and posted a review on homelidays)

http://www.homelidays.co.uk/paris-05...t-57358en1.htm

It is literally steps from the river and Notre Dame in the 5th. The photos look quite basic--but it is nicer/larger than the pictures represent. The furniture/decor is a bit updated from the photos. Definitely not posh/modern but terrific vale for the size/location. The owner is a doll - could not have been nicer. €75 a night for a full bdrm/living room/dining ell/full kitchen. Only slightly inconvenient issue is the one closet is in the dining room. But it is plenty large.

BTW -- if you are looking at other homelidays properties -- the owners don't select/post the reviews. Homelidays contacts renters after the fact and solicits reviews. So you can trust that they are not the owner's doing the reviews/stretching the 'facts'.

Hi Leely,
No I don't recall noise being a bother at all. There is a laundromat immediately downstairs and I think maybe an internet cafe (without the cafe) and further down the street are some bistros etc.

I really quite liked this place and I like dealing with homelidays - I've had 3 different apartments through them and each time has been very easy and absolutely trouble free.

Hi KayDoll,

I'll pop this one here as well I've stayed in this building in a bigger apartment (there were 4 of us at the time) BUT it is the same owner and he lives in the building as well. This owner, Alex is just the nicest guy - a real dream - was extremely helpful and couldn't do enough for us. There is a supermarket just about next door and the metro is only metres away.

http://www.homelidays.co.uk/paris-10...-181063en1.htm

I don't wish to add more confusion but it is another option - and I'll butt out now!

thank you so much for all of your input! i had a hard time figuring out where to stay as i didn't know any good locations. all of these look great!

stormbird:: please don't butt out! lol this is one of the reasons we're all here!

janis - where is that apt. located? I couldn't get a map on the site. Thanks!

kay - sorry for buttng in. Have a great trip. CJ

Carol: how rude!! hehe j'k not a butt in at all. thank you very much. i'm just trying to survive the planning process right now.