travelready1

We are planning a trip to Paris either in May or early September. I have read all the pros and cons about renting an apt. versus staying in a hotel. Since there will be 1 couple and 1 adult single, we need two full baths, and two bedrooms. I have found this flat online at tripadvisor and wonder if anyone has stayed here within the last year. I'd really appreciate honest feedback.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationR...de_France.html
This is the location we want to be in during our week's stay. Any help would be appreciated. AND, if you can recommend another place in this same district, please do!
Also-do you recommend the 3-day isango.com hop on/hop off tours? I thought that might be a good way to see the sights without walking too much as one of the adults cannot do long walks.

cw

I took a quick look at their website. I couldn't find whether or not they have an elevator--maybe I missed it but since they say the unit is on the 3rd floor (maybe 4th floor U.S.) that would be something I'd want to check. Especially since you have an adult who can't do long walks.

The third bedroom, which you may not need, is divided only by a shoji screen from the living room and has no window. The other two bedrooms appear to be in the rear of the apartment and one has two windows and the other one, according to the 3-D view. I guess these would be on a courtyard or smaller open space. That would make it quieter for sleeping. I would ask about that though.

It has good reviews. I'd also check on the size--those bedrooms are pretty tiny--though it looks big enough for three and has enough seating in the living room for you.

IdyllicItaly

To cw's point about an elevator, the review of this apartment,posted Jan. 29, 2013, says there is no elevator, as follows:

"The apartment is on the third floor and you need to take the stairs as there is no lift. We had no problems with this but maybe some older people may find the climb up a little difficult."

Christina

The hop-on/off buses could be something to do for maybe a day but believe me, you really do not want to do that for 3 days. I did one last year just for fun and to drive around Paris looking at the buildings from the top, so wasn't that invested in it -- but it took a lot of time because the bus waited at some stops for maybe 10-15 minutes (not all) and the traffic can be really bad in the central area. So you don't get around very efficiently. Now that may be okay for 1 day as a break, but not 3.

And if you do that, I would not buy from some outside vendor like isango, they can't add anything to the ticket, buy it directly from the company itself, they both have their own website (or you can buy on site). It appears their price isn't too bad, but no purpose to it.

There are two buses, Les Cars Rouges and l'Opentour, check the routes and prices and decide. Les Cars Rouges only has a 2 day ticket for 26.1 euro if you buy online ($33.85). isango charges $34.09.

I did l'Openair, they have 1 day tickets but they are 31 euro which is about $40 (2 day is 34 euro). I think they have more routes, not sure why I chose them, they are basically the same idea, you can see the routes online
http://www.parislopentour.com/
http://www.carsrouges.com/

It's not really a tour, of course, just the bus with a headphone for commentary. But if one of the adults really can't walk much, it might be a good idea.

rosemaryoz

Have you looked into the Batobus? It's not a tour per se, but a ferry-style boat which runs one way on a circular course up and down the Seine, stopping at eight points. It's a good way to get to some key sites if you can't walk much, using their all-day ticket. And the views from the river are wonderful, especially as the sun goes down and Paris lights up.

mango805

I second the Batobus suggestion! It's not the speediest way around town, but it's fun & convenient.

travelready1

Thanks for the feedback on bus routes, etc..I'll look into the Batobus.
Any additional opinions on the apartment rental I've mentioned would be greatly appreciated. Climbing the 3 flights daily won't be a problem. I'm more concerned with the renting process. The place looks clean and updated..just need reassurance that people have done this before and have been pleased. To book 2 hotel rooms for 7 nights would cost more and we'd be limited to sitting in a bedroom. HELP!

IdyllicItaly

For stays longer than 3 days, we choose apartments. We will be in Paris in September for 12 nights and will be staying in an apartment again. We almost always choose apartments that have several customer reviews. I think you can have a high degree of confidence in this apartment, given the reviews.

Besides the decor, the amount of space, natural light, and quietness of the apartment are attractive to us. I don't see any mention of total size of this apartment.

cw

Have you searched for reviews of the agency, pad-a-terre? It is mentioned here and on tripadvisor. That may answer the questions you have on the renting process, if not the exact apartment.

We have rented twice in Paris and both agencies had good reviews so I knew we were dealing with a legitimate entity.

swalter518

You may want to check out Small and elegant hotels website or Vacation in Paris website. Both have great rates with good descriptions of accomodations and consultants here to answer questions.

justineparis

Well I am not for the Batobus, it only goes up and down the Seine, and it involves going up and down the river bank stairs every time you get off and on.

I like the L'Opentour buses, they ahve more stops and routes then the Red Cars, and the two day ticket is only a few euros more then the one day, so why invest in the one day only???

They do give you a nice perspective on the neighborhoods as you drive through them, and my 13 yr old thought a highlight was driving around the crazy traffic that circles the Arc De Triomphe.

The downside to the hoho tours is for me, they are only fun if the weather is nice enough to ride on the open top, as I said, the views are great. To that point, the L"open tour bus ticket does NOT have to be purchased in advance .. you just pay for it when you board the bus, no need to order from some company that just pads the price and then worry about not losing the voucher before you use it. no point in prebuying it at all!!

jasmine3

Last summer, I brought my family to Paris. We used
www.vacationsinparis.com



Highly recommend. I would highly recommend their rentals in PLACE DAUPHINE

We are returning again and using them to rent this summer.

I have also used VRBO.com for rentals around the world with no problems

jasmine3

I forgot to add, we tried an ISANGO tour last summer and it was not a good experience for any of us on the tour. The tour guides were yelling at us all the time. Many of us ended up leaving the tour.

justineparis

ISANGO didn't run the tour though, you bought a tour from them, but what tour company did they use Jasmine, that sounds horrilbe!

travelready1

UDATE ON MY REQUEST--
I have narrowed my apartment search down to this one:
Palais Royal Elegant 2 Bedroom First Floor
http://www.flipkey.com/st-arrondisse...ntals/p137368/
It's in the 1st arrondissement.Please!Has anyone stayed here (there are only 3 reviews-all excellent).
It reads like a reputable company but it's a lot of money to send them PRIOR to arrival! Is this normal procedure? Thank you for your help. We are going Sept. 2nd-9th, 2013.

cw

That's a Parisvacationapartments.com unit at the Palais Royal. We stayed in their three bedroom on the top floor of that building. PVA is a top notch agency with wonderful apartments and service. You can do a search for reviews here. The location is wonderful.

But, and it's a big but, they are usually all booked up months and months in advance. Check their website not flipkey for availability.

cw

Have you checked vacationinparis.com? Many people here recommend them highly. We have also rented successfully from parisianflat.com.

tracilee

Try myparisvisit.com and look at Louvre Terrace (#111). We stayed there last August. It is 2 bedroom 2 bathroom, in the 1st. We loved it. Second time renting from this company and they are very good.

TheZim

As long as the agency has good reviews, I would not worry too much about sending the money up front. We are staying in an apartment from myparisvisit.com in May and we had to pay half of the rental fee in advance. Seeing positive reviews from several different sources made me confident that they weren't going to take my money and run. We haven't actually stayed in the flat yet, but so far the experience with myparisvisit has been very good -- they always responded to my emails within 24 hours and were patient in answering all of my questions.

travelready1

Thank you tracilee--if we change our travel dates that apartment is available. Good to read that people are ok with paying upfront. It is a bit scary. I'm assuming you all took out insurance?