Please help decide between these 2 apartments in the Marais
 

We're going for a week in May for 2nd trip in 10 years. Interested in Marais area as so many recommend it but concerned about being able to walk to Notre Dame, Latin Quater, etc. Also need a good kitchen for cooking food from the markets. Please have a look and let me know what you think. Any other recommendations very much appreciated. Thanks!




http://fabparispad.com/WhereWeAre.htm


www.flipkey.com/paris-condo-rentals/p239422/

The second apartment does not appear to be in the Marais and seems a bit dark internally. I prefer the location and appearance of the first one, and it's reasonably priced.

<< concerned about being able to walk to Notre Dame >>

If you're concerned about walking the short distance to ND or the left bank from these apartments you should be very concerned about the stairs in the second apartment - 5th floor (US). That's a lot of stairs. I couldn't find what floor the first apartment is on.

Regarding kitchen items: The apartments I've rented never had sharp knives. There was also only the minimum of cooking pots and utensils. If you want to do serious cooking you should bring your own knives and other cooking implements or rent an upscale apartment.

Hi Lily,
Based solely on location, I prefer the flipkey apt. We stayed about one block from that location for our one week stay in Paris. I loved being right on the Seine. It was very easy to walk to anywhere, and you are right by the Hotel de Ville metro stop. It also looks like a great apt. with lots of light. Have a great trip.
Michele

Fourth floor walkup? No way, es[pecially if it is really a US fifth floor walkup. So flipkey would be out for me.

Can't tell what floor the first flat is on, but I would want to know. The living room in the "Pad" appears to open onto the courtyard, the bedroom onto the Blvd Beaumarchais. In an ideal world, you would want to reverse that, but in April you should be able to keep the windows closed. The location is fantastic.

The walk to Notre Dame is easy from both.

This is so helpful, thanks so much! I kind of prefer the first one too. Any other thoughts?

You have a ceramic glass cooktop on the stove. Bring scotch bright pads and bon ami to get it clean.

FYI - In case you didn't notice, the fab paris pad has this note on the rates page:

"***The building's inner courtyard walls will be cleaned from April-June 2012, requiring scaffolding to be in place. Works will be carried out Monday to Friday during work hours. To compensate for the visual disturbance, current rates will be maintained during this period. A rate increase will come into effect from 1 July 2012."

I didn't see that! That would certainly be a concern. Thanks davispeets.

The two apartments both involve stairs (first is 3rd floor -- 4th floor to Americans) and the second is 4th floor -- or 5th to Americans. So that may be a concern for both. I prefer the looks of the first. If you're going to be on the go all day, the work crews might not bother you, but if you like to sleep in, that could be a concern.

We've rented apartments several times -- we like to make sure we've seen positive reviews of the rental agency and the specific apartment on this site and other forums to reassure us that we are making a good decision.

Thanks so much for all your feedback. Stairs are not an issue for us and will help with the extra pounds! I am now leaning towards the flipkey apartment which has wonderful reviews on tripadvisor and is still in the area we wish to be. I have one other apartment in mind which was recommended on this site - VRBO 339804. Would anyone have a chance to have a look and provide some feedback particularly on locations. Thanks so much.