ljc4creb

So many questions but first, I assume sites like VRBO/Home Away only list legit apartments.
I've been looking in 2, 3, and 4th arrondissements. Started a bit late so lots are already booked for last week in September. Found one on Rue de Turenne in Marais area. Anyone rent near here or have any input. I guess I'm a little nervous about the process and outcome. Have only done hotels or B & B's. We are leaving Paris after this time for a few days and coming back to the 13th district for 3 more nights so we thought we'd stay in a different area. Any thoughts appreciated.

Suspaul

I have rented thru VRBO several times, also use vacationinparis.com. I have stayed in the area but on rue Tournelles (located on the opposite side of Place des Vosges) in different apartments, the last being December 2010, love the area as it's very convenient to the Metro and bus. Sorry I can't help you more but maybe I've just been lucky but all of the apartments I've rented in Paris and throughout Germany on VRBO have been exactly as pictured. Good luck and enjoy your trip.
Susan

tdk320n

I have stayed on Rue Turenne several times and also at apartmetns very close.
Ilove the street, I like the lower end closer to Rue Rivoli a bit better but that is a very personal view.
I used Bestlodge to book an apartment. The owner Thierry is very relaible and just great to deal with. If you are interested answer so and I will send you further info on him.
Most of his apartmetments in that area are studios or 1 bedroom.
In any event have a grear vacation.

DebitNM

We stayed at this apartment in then 4th in May. It was a great location and the owner was very easy to work with and the apt itself had everything we needed/wanted. They have availability end of Sept and early Oct. The price is 99€. I highly recommend this apt.

http://www.vrbo.com/339804

kawh

a friend just rented in paris from vacationinparis.com.

what they liked was that it is an american-run company-- so they mail you the key ahead of time. no fretting about getting the key, as we have done in the past. however, can't speak first hand.

i did check out the site, and saw a couple of really good possibilities for our next trip.

Southam

To: ljc4creb Your offhand remark about VRBO/Homeaway suggests you have not researched that company. VRBO means "vacation rental by owner." Unlike many internet rental companies which act on behalf of the property owner, VRBO does not represent the landlord. It only provides publicity as a go-between and offers no evaluation of quality. However, it has introduced a money-refund guarantee at extra charge.
This topic was discussed two months ago on this thread : http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ean-rental.cfm

denisea

definitely don't assume VRBO is always reputable...take a look at Paris Perfect

CaliNurse

We rented from Vacation in Paris in June, and all went off without a hitch, lovely clean apt,got refund back in less than a week. Advantages are as Kawh states above

In the past we rented from Paris Perfect, in the days when they rented only apts they actually owned .Beautiful places then, but VERY expensive. If high end interior decoration is important to you, it may be worth the $$$$$$.

Ljc, WHICH VRB) apt on Rue de Turenne?? We also rented on e on that street, from a VRBO listing, which I would most definitely NOT recommend: 2 bedrooms, at the Place des Vosges end of Rue de Turenne. The inside of the apt bore only a slight resemblance to the website photos!

ljc4creb

Thank you all. To: Southam, posting a question means you dont' understand and are asking input. I know you deal with the owner but wasn't quite sure about the screening process they use. Getting directed to threads I may have missed is helpful, like you did.
CaliNurse: On HomeAway it is #244558. I haven't finished the process. It looks fine. I haven't received the number address yet. I assume they give that when you send your deposit. I was hoping to see what the outside looked like. Some rentals have those photos. Will check out the other sites suggested.

ljc4creb

Also, should I receive a contract first before sending $$$? I wasn't offered one, just asked to paypal the $$.

DebitNM

For the apt we rented and listed above, the owner was willing to take a personal check in US dollars for deposit which he held until we got there. We paid cash for the apt when he met us with the key and then got back our actual check when we left. We did not have a contract other than what we wrote in our emails. I was leery about not having a contract, but really, when you are in a foreign country for a short time, and if things are really bad - are you going to go to court? We did buy travel insurance which made me feel a bit more secure. The apt we rented has several great reviews and I actually was able to connect with the person who stayed in apt just before us, so we knew we were getting a legit place.

CaliNurse

hi again, LJC.
good--OK, that is NOT the place we rented on Rue de Turenne.
My impression of the street itself was --it's busy, not "charming" However, the side streets that lead away from Rue de Turenne on both sides are lovely for sure!!Lots of cafes, boutique shops, etc, and you are in the historic old Marais.

Re: the apt--i hope you dont mind me asking--it looks from the pix like you eat your meals at a sort of side counter flat against the wall? Is there a table also, that would be more conducive to conversation?

ardithl

The "breakfast bar" is not against the wall. Allthough it looks that way in the first photo, the other kitchen photos show the space between the wall and the counter. At this point, I wouldn't let the eating arrangements stop me from renting an apartment that is available next month!

manouche

Hi - the apt on rue de Turenne is near the corner of rue de Bretagne, which is a noisy intersection. Usually, apts have double-glazed windows, and if closed, you should be OK. The buildings in this end of the street are pretty much the same - in decent shape, usually with clothing stores on ground floor. Safe neighborhood, convenient, lots to do.
RE: contract - I occasionally rent out my apt (vrbo 289394), and highly recommend that you sign one, but if it is not offered, I would get print all emails regarding deposit refunds, etc,etc. Ask lots of questions before you send money. Have a great trip!

Guenmai

ljc4creb: Different owners handle things differently. The Paris apartment I rent has a contract. The owner sends out the contract first, and then it's signed and mailed back with the deposit. She is American and lives here in the U.S. Then one has up until 2 months before the arrival date, to pay the apartment out. After the payment is received, then the keys to the apartment are mailed out along with a complete instruction packet on what one needs to know about the apartment and a contact person's number in case one is needed. I've never needed the contact person.

My apartment rental procedure is very easy as all I do is write a check, put it in an envelope, and mail it to her. Everything is handled in dollars. Credit cards are also taken. Then after checking out of the apartment, one promptly gets the deposit back, as I've been told. Friends of mine now rent the same apartment. I have never requested my deposit back as I just have the owner roll it over for the next year. Then a new contract is sent out and I sign it and that's that.

Also, as for the information on the apartment that I rent, everything is upfront. The address is listed on the webpage description and there's a photo of the owner and an introduction. Happy Travels!

susanna

I'm interested if you will be renting this apartment on Home Away..I think it looks great, love the area. We usually stay a few blocks from there and that apartment is booked for my time in the winter already...
This is a perfect alternative, I would love to hear feedback on the process of renting it and how you liked it afterwards.