ParisPerfect apartment question
 

I wanted to book an apt. from ParisPerfect for 4 nights ($139 a night) but was then told they only book for 7nights or more. Do you think the apartment is still a good deal for paris at the higher rate of $975 per week, if I can only stay in the apt for 4 or 5 days (which comes out to about $240 a night?) Could I find a nicer hotel for $240 a night?
Thanks

I can't even imagine why you would want to pay that price for that apartment. I wouldn't usually rent an apt. for 4-5 days myself like that -- very expensive and lots of conditions. Are you aware you also have to pay a $600 security deposit and you must prepay everything two months in advance? That apt (I know it must be the Kir as all their others are very expensive) is only 160 sq ft! The small nice 3* double hotel room I usually have in Paris is larger than that and less than half that price of $240 a night.

So, first, I wouldn't do it because I don't think there is a need for an apt for four days. But I really do not think $240 a night is a good deal for that apt., even in Paris, because it is so small.

As comparison, I just rented a studio apt. in a Parisian hotel for four nights which is larger than that (about 18 m2) and it's only 125 euro a night. I wouldn't have rented an apt for that short a stay except because it is in part of the hotel, there is no deposit and no prepayment, and the four nights is no problem. They have larger ones (25 m2) for only a big more than that.

Why don't you just stay in a hotel?

Christina, may I ask what hotel?
My fave, has an apartment as well, but its 340E's a night ... I'll rent it...
after I win the powerball, but right now, ... ahem, that is not in my budget now. I LOVE the notion of an apartment tho...

I would certainly consider it. It's a gorgeous little apartment and I'm surprised it rents that inexpensively to tell you the truth. It has more than most hotel rooms could begin to offer. The owners are wonderful, but absent. (they have local managers). I am renting an apartment in London from them this summer. I rented the Cabernet and it wonderful. I presume you are renting the Kir. I don't think you'll find many apartments that rent for 4-5 days. Stay 5 days for sure and enjoy it. IMO. Perhaps Madelyn can rent it out to someone who wants some of the days you are booked for and then she would allow you out early. She may then charge you for cleaning, which she doesn't do. I would really consider working with them. Your obvious enchantment with the apartment should woo her a bit. :)
Also, you are assured of a partial Eiffel tower view, which no hotel will guarantee. That, IMO, is a very valuable asset. If you can afford it, do it. There are no hidden charges here. No electricity, phone(use your own phone card), damages, etc. They are very reasonable and kind people to rent from. I would do it for 5 days. 4 days pushes me to edge the other way. Is this your first time in Paris?
You aren't really going to want to leave in 5 days. It will become home VERY quickly. ;)

Thanks for the feedback Petal. The more I look at hotel alternatives, I don't think I will be able to find a similar hotel with balcony and view for the price of $200/Euro 160 per night, which is what the Kir apt. would work out to be for 5 nights.

Cuisinered,
I guess the questions I would have are:

1) Can you extend your stay to 7 nights so that you can get that rate? Or even to a 5 night stay might average it out if you have to pay 7 nights--to be a better deal than a hotel. I did see from previous posts of yours that you're looking for a balcony, and as I've seen on Paris Perfect's site they all have fabulous views of the Eiffel Tower. So if it's a guaranteed balcony or a guaranteed view of the Eiffel Tower that's top priority for you, I can see why you want to stay there.

2) If you can't extend your stay or if a balcony/view isn't the top priority but staying in an apartment is importatn, there are literally hundreds (but at least a couple dozen that have been posted here previously) websites you can rent from, individual owners, agencies, etc. One that immediately comes to mind is VRBO.com which is vacation rentals by owner. When I was searching for apartments (for a place that sleeps 6) I went there and saw many darling 1 bedrooms, some even with a little outside terrace with table for 2. Another thing that comes to mind is ChezVous.com based out of Sausalito, which has a minimum I think of 4 or 5 night stay. They are more expensive because they're all decorated and have been well promoted (with reviews in places like Bon Appetit), but they're lovely and their staff was great to deal with. (I ultimately decided not to rent with them because another couple is joining us and I just couldn't affort one of their larger places that would comfortably sleep 6 people. But if it had just ben me and my husband, I would have rented with them in a heartbeat.)

3) Is this your first time in Paris? If so, I wouldn't even consider renting an apartment, especially for only 4 nights. There have been a number of posts on this topic and the general consensus seems to be that although many people love it for "living like a Parisian" it seems to distance you a bit from the day to day interaction with people like a desk concierge, etc. Then again, if you've got children with you, or have been to Paris and want to try something different this time, give it a go. I've been to Paris 3 or 4 times, and now I'm going back with my parents and a toddler, so an apartment is our only option.

Good luck,
Kat

HI Cruisinred,

I'm confused--did Madelyn at ParisPerfect tell you they only booked for a week at a time? I rented from them last year and I thought at that time she said they'll rent for shorter stays if the apartment is available.
My stay was also my first trip to Paris and I loved staying in an apartment--I loved shopping for groceries in my neighborhood, being able to cook a meal if I felt like it, and just having space to stretch out. I did not for a minute feel like I was missing something not being in a hotel--in fact I felt more like a "native." And all the apartments are so bright and beautiful it really adds to the experience. I hope you can make it work for you!

Patti

Cruisinred,
We have rented from Paris Perfect several times and already have a reservation for next year. Yes, they were changing their policy to have a minimal one week stay, but as Patti has posted, it doesn't hurt to ask. The Kir apartment is as cute as it can be but you must remember that it is small. We have seen all of their apartments and each one has it's own special something that stands out. We have also rented several other apartments in the 7th but the only other one I could recommend is www.vrbo.com #8667. The owners are also lovely to work with and you also have a spectacular view. Check it out. They do have a minimum of 5 nights. It rents for 190 dollars a night if you rent it for less than a week. It's location is wonderful if you love the 7th. Not sure when your dates were-----I do know that Both of these apartments book up fast. You couldn't go wrong with either but you would certainly have much more room in #8667. Hope you find what you are looking for.

Cruisinred- why do you want an apartment? Are you planning on cooking? Are you several people or a family that would be paying per person at a hotel? I did a rigorous search of all sorts of accomodations in April before my trip to Paris. Some of the apartment services posted schedules showing availability, but 2 I encountered required a series of emails back & forth with the contact. That was not for me. Especially during high season, there was a 5 day or 7 day min. stay, and deposits and longer cancellation notices were required. For $240/night you could find quite a hotel room! You might want to consider visiting the Fodor's thread on hotels and look at the rates and guest reviews. That was how I found mine. Also, what if you decide you want to take an overnight visit somewhere? I decided to go to Giverny, and gave 3 days' notice to cancel my little hotel for that night, no penalty no worries, and they kept my suitcase for me. One more thing- do you know what floor the unit is on- is there an elevator? Is it air conditioned? In the summer heat, you may not want to chug up a 5-flight walk-up. Just a thought. I wouldn't pay for days I won't use- that's a fine meal, or a perfume purchase, or entry fees and lunch for the whole gang to someplace great. Let us know how you make out.

Well, for 5 nights paying 975 it is about 195 per night. I repeat that I wouldn't do it for 4 nights, only 5. The first time I thought about renting an apartment in Paris for a week I thought it was too much trouble. Honestly, this apartment won't be too much trouble as Madelyn is easy to work with and makes it as easy as pie.
Ninasdream: If you check it out at the website Parisperfect.com you'll see why she is attracted to it for the price. Everything done by this couple is top of the line, classy, and geared for comfort. It does have an elevator. You do make a good point about not being able to make an overnight spontaneous trip when you rent an apartment. That's too costly. It's a good point. But I suspect she will stay the full 5 days right smack in the heart of Paris. BTW, we did an day trip to Giverny without a hitch.

Think of it this way: if you decide to take an overnight trip, you have a safe place to leave whatever you don't need to take with you.

Try an apartment we stayed in in the 15th arrondisement with views of the eiffel tower.The owners are flexible about how long you stay and I think will take bookings for a minimum of 3 nights at around 140 euro per night. It's a fabulous apartment, very stylish, sleeps 4, good furntiure and you can cook!. Owner can be contacted on [email protected]

Try www.citadines.com They allow for stays less than 7 days.Furthermore it is an apartment hotel.They have these all over Paris.