I know Priceline doesn't allow you to choose your location, but if you want a good-quality 4* hotel for a relatively cheap price you can often get a good deal. For example, in 2004, I bid for a 4* in the St. Germain - Latin Quarter - Montparnasse zone and got the Le Meridien Montparnasse. With taxes and fees, this worked out to about 95 Euros per night (my bid then was $110 USD, and I calculated the final amount based on the exchange rate back then). I can't say whether you could get a similar deal or not. But the room was clean, elegant, a good size, on a non-smoking floor, and with a large bathroom. Four metro lines and many buses were nearby. The lobby was attractive and the staff were helpful. Based on what people post here, it seems many pay more for a lot less.

Some of your suggested hotel locations are further out anyway, so it doesn't seem being super-central is that important to you.

Another possibility is Hotwire - many people are getting the Hilton Paris with that.

Another possibility is choosing a chain hotel - try Accorhotels.com . I found a good prepaid rate for a 3* Mercure hotel with good reviews, so that's what I'm choosing this time.

If interested in Hotwire or Priceline, read and post at Betterbidding.com . You have to be very careful so you don't get a dud of a hotel in a bad location.

"Plus, it's probably cleaner than a hotel and they are probably more helpful than a hotel staff since it's their own home."

I don't get the logic here. An apartment is probably cleaned when a renter leaves and hotel rooms are cleaned every day -- vaccumed, bathrooms cleaned, fresh towels. Hotel staff are there -- in the hotel -- while the apartment owners are not, and may not be accessible at all. If you check hotel web sites you can see what services are offered. Even in 2* hotels staff will offer restaurant suggestions, make reservations for you, give directions etc. Hotel staff have opened wine bottles for me, drawn maps, delivered emails from home and even made phone calls to check on shop hours.

Sylvie, I stayed at the Abbatial on one trip and found it to be clean, comfortable, quiet and convenient. I asked for a quiet room and was at the back, and didn't hear a sound. Did yuou get street noise in your balcony room?

Thanks for everyone's comments! The decision isn't final yet, but I actually just emailed the owners of the apartment fishee stayed at to see if my dates are available. I was a little nervous at first but between fishee's rave review, the positive comments on the website where the ad is posted, and the fact that my insanely overprotective dad actually called one of the women who left her phone number with her review and heard nothing but good things from her, I think it might be my best bet.

I know the area isn't exactly where I wanted to stay, but I don't mind not being right in the center of Paris, since I plan on spending each day i'm there in a different part of the city anyway, so the area I start from won't matter too much. Plus, since I'm going alone, the money i'd be saving by staying there instead of a hotel would let me take a cab back every night which makes me feel safer about staying out late at night. Hopefully they have my dates available and I can arrange the rest of the trip without a hitch.

Thanks again to everyone who responded! I'm sure i'll have more Paris related questions in the future.

JS,

Have you checked out other vrbo apartments in more central areas like Saint Germain des Pres or Latin Quarter? They're more expensive - around 120E - but might be worth it to you to be in an area that stays up all night. I don't know how easy it is to always grab a cab since I don't think you can flag them on the street.

The neighborhood around Rue Saintonge closed up pretty early, around 9:30 pm, although it may be more active in the spring (I was there in winter when the sun set at 4:30 pm.)

I think if you do your research before hand you won't need to be dependent on a hotel staff, and should be fine. But I would at least consider apt's in the 5th and 6th if you're a little nervous. How's your French?

Hey fishee,

I took French in high school but was never very good at it. I plan on brushing up a little over the next few months before I go, especially if you think that I am more likely to need some basic French in the apartment.

I'm always very nervous booking hotels and apartments sight unseen, and I honestly feel 100% confident in this apartment having spoken to you, and read all the reviews, so I'd like to stay there if those dates are available.

I'm not terribly worried about the cab situation. I've read that there are designated stops in Paris for cabs, so it sounds actually easier than hailing one in NY.

Would you recommend spending some heavy duty time brushing up on my language skills? Did you find it necessary in that area?

I only needed *very basic* French (ordering food and drink, buying things in the neighborhood...).

Like you, I took 4 years in highschool (so long ago), but I brushed up with one of those 15 Minute French programs (DK Eyewitness, 9.99 at Costco) for several weeks and I was completely fine. Polite phrases, numbers, "that one, and the small one in the back," stuff like that was useful.

IMO, the most important thing about staying at an apartment is having an excellent map. I recommend "Paris par Arrondissement" by Editions Coutarel - 6E at newsstands - it looks like a U.S. passport, just slightly bigger. It's very well organized and includes a bus map that I used frequently since the apt was so close to the 96 line. Much better than the Paris Streetwise I used last year which was useless when I needed to figure out where I was standing. Good luck, sure you're going to have a great time. If you have questions related to this specific apt, maybe post them on that apt thread.