Paris Best Lodge Apt. - Questions
 

I've always stayed in hotels on my past trips to Paris, as it seems easier than getting involved
finding and renting an apt., and I like to go solo. However, I'm beginning to think a small (studio?) might be a nice change. Paris Best Lodge gets such good reviews, and good prices, that I'm tempted to try it. But not for awhile, as I just got back from a Paris trip in May,
so I don't want to contact them yet. I know I'll have to book way ahead, but still not quite ready to do that!

My question is, how much of a deposit do they require to reserve? Couldn't find that on the web site. I know you need to pay them in cash upon check in, and they say they hold your deposit check without cashing, unless you cancel. Then they keep the whole amount of the deposit if the can't re-rent the apt. Anyone know?

Also has anyone stayed in their smaller apts. who can comment on the experience?
Would appreciate. Also, how do you contact them on arrival, and does that system work well? Thanks.

We will be staying here at Christmas time. They have been very easy to work with and the apartment looks great.

http://www.vacationinparis.com/listing/305/0

I like that they are located in New Jersey, so phone calls with questions are easy to do.

Terms and Conditions here:
http://www.vacationinparis.com/terms-conditions

It's great to see that Vacation in Paris updated their website... I hated the old one, I found it impossible to search for anything, so I avoided them the 3 times I've rented in Paris.

I find Paris Best Lodge to have few apartments for rent, so you would have to book well in advance, and most of the ones they do have are smallish studios...

I rented once with Paris Rental Connections and loved the service... the reason I didn't go with them the last 2 times is my trips were quite last minute (both planned under 6 weeks) and the choices were limited, as Paris Rental Connections again doesn't have too many apartments.

I've had great luck with Paris Address... rented twice and got the exact apartment I wanted in the exact location... The last one I rented from them was on Rue Rambuteau in the 4th... amazing location for me..

Good luck! Do read the fine print when renting an apartment...

Sue, I've rented from Paris Best Lodge twice. I think the deposit is 30%-- but let me see if I have any old emails saved. I never booked very far in advance and canceling wasn't my concern, so I don't know what their SOP is in those cases.

Both times I rented I was given a way to get a key once in Paris, usually in some lockbox if I remember correctly. Then once in the apartment, I called PBL and someone came over, showed me how to use everything, where to take trash out, etc., and got the rest of the payment.

I stayed in a studio on Rue des Tournelles that is no longer available. Also stayed with my cousin here:

http://www.parisbestlodge.com/rosiers.html

Both places were comfortable, as photographed, and convenient. They gave me deals both times, once for a long stay and once for booking very last minute.

We've always used Paris Perfect for both ourselves and clients. Very professional and easy to deal with. Everything is taken care of ahead of time, so you don't need to carry around a lot of cash to make the payment, or wire the funds. And they own most of the apartments they represent, which is a major factor in quality and control.

We used Paris Best Lodge twice in recent years, Mr. Prince in 2012 and Castex in 2013. We had very good experiences with them and would recommend them to you. Mr. Prince is in a great location in the 6th arr. on rue Mazerine a half block off rue du Buci. Check that one out. The only bad thing is that it is up 4 flights of stairs and there is no elevator. Otherwise fantastic. They ask for a deposit check (about 700 euros if I recall) but they don't cash it. You pay them cash at check in and they send you a picture of your torn up check when you leave. Theirry is the manager and he is friendly and professional.

Sue4, I've rented from Parisbestlodge 4 times and I have already rented apts for trips in April '15 (Castex) and Aug '15 (Fleur de Lys).

I stayed in the Studio St. Germaine twice and the Studio Dauphine twice and traveled solo on these trips. Loved the locations of both apts.

Each time and with my upcoming 2015 trips, the reservation process is very easy. The contract is done via email and I mail a personal check for $750 post dated about 5 months prior to my arrival. Thierry emails me when he's gotten my check and sends me arrival instructions. I get the door code and the code for a key box with the apt key. I let myself into the apt and then call Thierry who comes to collect the rent money and explain how things work.

I usually get there really early and put my suitcase in the apt and come back a little later after it's been cleaned. A few times the apt was ready when I got there. Just depends on if someone was vacating the apt the morning of my arrival. After my departure, Thierry will either return the check (if no damages) or destroy it.

I've also rented several times from Paris Perfect and rented in May '14 from Parler Paris (another good experience).

Hope I've answered some of your questions!

Sue, I was booking less than a week in advance last time so my recent experience is probably anomalous, but I checked and my deposit was $250 and I sent it via PayPal.

I had the option for my 2015 trips of using paypal for the deposit but chose the post dated check route. It's nice to have an option. I booked so far in advance because the April '15 trip is over spring break and I wanted to make sure I had AC for the Aug '15 trip. Plus, once I've booked the apts, I'm definitely going(and I'm a bit of a planner)!

I rented from them a couple years ago, the Coupole in Montparnasse. FYI they have various owners who use their website so the terms vary by the owner. The one who owned Coupole did not own some of the others you are talking about, as far as I know. I also think their deposit isn't a standard amt and that's why it isn't listed. It may depend on your length of stay, how many people are there, how they size you up, who knows. Also, the owner I had did not do this thing about taking a check and not cashing it (which I personally think an odd business practice since anyone can cancel a check easily, they would have no idea, you could even give them a check you had already cancelled). The owner I used required Paypal, but the amt wasn't super huge, it wasn't too bad. it could have been 30 pct, though as I was only there a week and that probably would have been a couple hundred dollars. I got it back without too much trouble, but I had to remind the owner to send it after several weeks, it wasn't sent immediately nor without me asking. I did have to pay cash for the rent upon arrival. Now I'm thinking of the security deposit, though, I don't remember about the rental deposit as I didn't cancel, of course.

The arrival situation also varies by owner, I'm sure. I had made an appt to meet at the apt at a certain time, that's all. Because that changed, the owner had to contact me by phone, which she did but I was staying in a hotel the day before as the apt wasn't actually free my first day, so I booked a nearby hotel for one night. That worked out well, actually. So she just called me at the hotel where I happened to be. If you have a cellphone that works in Paris, that would be fine, also.

For one person, the Coupole was okay, but had some drawbacks. I know the area and that was my main desire, to be around there and I couldn't find too many apts. The apt didn't have any freezer in the frig, and the bathroom situation was a little primitive, but otherwise it was okay. The bed was comfortable and it was attractive enhough, as you can see from the photos. The photos don't show the bathroom. It has a toilet near the front door, not near the bathroom with the sink and tub, which I didn't care for. It was worth the money, as the rent wasn't too high.

I just found my contract for Paris Best Lodge for the apartment we will be staying in this September. It states that if we cancel less then two months prior to our arrival the deposit is nonrefundable unless they can re-rent the apartment. Given how popular these apartments appear to be, I would think there would be a good chance it could be re-rented.

We have not stayed in an apartment in Paris before but have been pleased, so far, with dealing with this company.

powhatangal- We stayed in the Castex in June of last year. Since you brought up AC, please note that the Castex does not have central AC. They provide portable units with a hose that hangs out of the window. Not ideal for hot summer nights. May be OK in April. Otherwise, nice apt. in a good location, a block and a half from the Bastille metro station and a couple of blocks from the back of Ile St. Louis.

Thanks letsgeaux! Arriving April 2 so I'm thinking cooler weather and no need for AC. Glad you liked the apt and the location does seem great!

Yes. Our favorite restaurant in that immediate neighborhood was Le Temps des Cerises, a casual bistro on the next block over toward the river. If you are looking for an atmospheric bistro with delicious French food and wine that is packed with locals and is not the least bit touristy, this is the place.

Letsgeaux - I've put Le Temps des Cerises on my list for Paris. Sounds good and I like that it's an easy walk from the apt. Merci!

Thanks so much to everyone for the great responses. I've been busy with some family health issues, so wasn't able to get back sooner. But the info I've gotten on here will certainly help me when I plan my next Paris trip. I usually stay 2 weeks, so I'm sure an apt. would be wonderful. I definitely would prefer to use Paris Best Lodge mainly because of all the good comments, and the fact that Thierry seems easy to work with. Being solo, a studio would probably be fine for me. But it seems I'd better decide to book way in advance! Especially as I want A/C, St. Germain if possible, and an elevator, or a lower floor.

We have rented from PBL twice. The Esmeralda and the Rue Marazine apts. The Esmeralda had a DREAM view.. a tiny balcony overlooking Notre Dame.. and was on a quiet street but only a block away from the bustling busy area of the fifth and the river! The Esmeralda had great central AC too. There is an elevator at the Esmeralda but you will still have one steep set of stairs.
The Rue Marazine had portable ac but we found it worked fine because apt was on lower floor with little direct sunlight. The apt was well appointed.. bed comfy.. clean well set up kitchenette. Only 1/2 block from river !

Both were in great locations!!

Thierry is easy to deal with,,speaks perfect English, and is very helpful answering questions.

Thanks, Justine. Glad to hear you stayed in, and liked, both of those apts. Both areas are great, and sizes good for me. I can manage stairs, but just not a lot of them. My back is still recovering from my May trip to Paris, as I used the Metro constantly. All those steps!

Sue.. in the same building as the Esmeralda there is the Ablelard and another one.. no steep stairs to worry about !

The Esmeralda is my favorite.. but I would not suggest it for anyone with stair issues.

Sue - yes, transport via Metro can involve a whole lot of stairs. On a trip with a mobility limited companion I started using the bus and am now a fan of that mode. In addition to fewer stairs, you get a better view en route. And with a transit pass it's easy to jump off at any stop along the way when something strikes the fancy, then get back on a later bus.