We just booked an apt for June with www.vacationsinparis.com - very helpful and lots of online recommendations..

I just booked an apartment in Montmartre through New York Habitat because the idea of sending a bunch of money to reserve an apartment sight-unseen made me nervous, and I was able to find one in my price range even including the agency fee. But when I was exploring Homelidays, I had no problem with my queries being answered promptly. I'll report on how it works about after my trip. Good luck!

I have rented from Pascal Zytomirski. He is a rental agent for some apartments and owns a couple of units himself. He tends to be a good deal cheaper than the large agencies such as Paris Perfect, which is why I used him when I needed an apartment for 8 days. He met me at the apartment with the owner to show me how everything works and he speaks fluent English. Before jumping for one of the large companies, I would check and see what he has available. I had a good experience and have referred a lot of people to him through various travel boards.

robjame, I should have said that it made me nervous to send a bunch of money to someone with no one local to vouch for him or her, so I liked using a New York agency; in case I have problems, at least I'll be dealing with someone in this country.

We did end up booking an apartment in Paris and following indicate the positive experience we had:

Author: robjame
Date: 01/08/2007, 04:19 pm

I apologize in advance. I know that this has gone on and on and on. However I finally feel that I have gotten somewhere (thanks fishee, Kristina, et al). Frenchyrentals have taken over some of Lauren's Lets Paris rentals and comes with her blessing. I have worked with Paula at Frenchyrentals and have narrowed it to these two apartments. Any feedback on areas, amenities etc? Thanks for all your help.

http://www.frenchyrentals.com/damremont.html
at €800 for six days

http://www.frenchyrentals.com/clichy.html
at €700 for six days

Author: northernitalian
Date: 01/08/2007, 04:49 pm

We stayed in the rue Damremont apartment last May. I wrote a review of it on http://www.slowtrav.com/france/vr/review.asp?n=2063

Author: AnselmAdorne
Date: 01/08/2007, 05:15 pm

I'm glad to hear that things are looking up. I can't help you on the neighbourhoods, but I find the Damrément apartment more appealing of the two. It seems brighter and more spacious, and I could work in that kitchen.

Anselm

Author: Kristina
Date: 01/08/2007, 05:39 pm

Well, I stayed in the Clichy, but both look nice! The other one looks to be slightly larger and is in the 18th, which I love. I think you would do well with either one.
I must say though that I'm slighly irritated by the "frenchy" references on their website! ;-)

Author: fishee
Date: 01/08/2007, 05:50 pm

Personally, Damrement would be "too much" apartment for me and my BF -- we wouldn't need/use all the space for a one week trip and I'd actually prefer something that felt more cozy.

I also like Clichy's aesthetic much more -- Damrement would be too frou-frou for me, but that's a totally personal thing. Either way, you'll be happy. And don't apologize, I was just as obsessive -- the endless array of options and factors kinda triggers this.

Author: robjame
Date: 01/08/2007, 06:44 pm

We have agreed on the Damremont for several reasons. It is a quieter area. It has a queen as opposed to a double bed. It has a telephone. It is on the 1st(2nd) floor as opposed to the 4th(5th) floor. It has WiFi. It has separate toilet/bath areas. It has a shower. The kitchen appears to be more usable. The furnishings look a little more “us” (we’re older than you fishee).
Thanks again for your input. I really appreciate the link to your review, Northernitalian.
Anselm - << I could work in that kitchen.>> You are welcome, friend. Name the night and we will eat in.
Kristina - I am going to cut and paste your travel journal.

Author: wombat7
Date: 01/08/2007, 07:22 pm

Great thread - seems to list some excellent apartments - bookmarking for one day...soon I hope

Author: northernitalian
Date: 01/08/2007, 08:55 pm

robjame,
I'm glad that you found my review useful. The apartment is not a slick luxury flat, it is older, but the owners have made it very homey and welcoming. And the kitchen is very up to date. I can't say enough good things about the neighbourhood. Montmartre has a reputation as being very touristy, but, outside of the immediate vicinity of Sacre Coeur, it is not touristy at all - it's a village. The walk to the apartment from the Blanche metro stop, in particular, is wonderful, with many small shops you can pop into to pick up dinner on your way home - wine shop, cheese shop, charcuterie, fruit & veg, etc. along with locals doing the same. We loved feeling Parisian for a week - - I hope that you enjoy it too.

likeswords, NYHabitat isn't an agency in the sense of many others, as you are still renting from the owner, not them, and you pay the owner, and the owners sets the terms and decides whether and how to give you your deposit back, etc. I've dealt with them, so I know the contract was between me and the owner, not NYHabitat (although I didn't go through with the rental due to conditions that owner required which I refused to pay). They do take a very large cut of the fee for their advertising and liaison services, though. The fact that I would be on my own in case of problems getting the deposit back, etc. was one reason I didn't use them, but I also didn't like the terms of the one I chose.

They told me they had nothing to do with the deposit, terms, etc. because I was renting from the owner.

NOw maybe they do have more quality control than some of these places like VRBO, or will do something in the case of problems, but their website doesn't guarantee that. They just say they will be there to listen to you complain, but don't promise to do anything, such as refund your deposit if the owner does not.

We're renting an apartment from vacationinparis.com for the first week of October. They did tell me Sept is busy and they were booking up(this was a month ago when I checked). Of 8 aprts. we picked out to rent for October all were full except this one (Champs/Elysee one).

They have been nice to work with so far, answering emails, etc. and they bill in US $.

Apartment services will always tell you they are busy. After all, they want to push you into renting one of their places.

I personally booked with an agency, because I felt that it was more reassuring. I stayed with www.specialapartments.com
they also have some great places in the marais, you might want to check out, my experience was a good one.

When I recognized the apartment rue Mouffetard in Paris, I knew I had to contact : www.apartrental.com

bookmarking

In that case the solution is to make a drama, use the street like you where a cinema star, or move it like a member of the Order of...
http://www.apartrental.com/blog/inde...en-of-paradise

bookmarking

Steer clear of Paris Luxe (www.parisluxeapt.com). They do a tremendous marketing job but the reality fell FAR short (both on the quality of the apartment and the quality of their service). We paid more through them than we saw on other sites because they promised a "luxe" apartment and had a money back guarantee. We rented their "Renoir" unit -and they never mentioned the fact that the flat was surrounded by restaurants and that the bar below us had their stereo speakers literally below our bed. We complained within 2 hours of arriving in the flat - and the Paris Luxe "guarantee" was worthless. We suffered through 3 weeks of being woken up at all hours (midnight, 3 am...) with music so loud the floor literally shook. Plus there was mold/leaking water in the bathroom and kitchen, peeling paint, mildew in the shower....all for more than $2,000/week. I wish I could tell you where to go versus where to avoid... In hindsight we could have stayed in a 4 star hotel at this price...I still like the idea of renting an apartment but feel very burned by our experience. I just wish I'd seen this message board before we forked our money over to Paris Luxe.

I recommend this pretty le marais apartment: http://www.way2stay.com/Paris-apartm...n-109-1355.htm
which overlooks a little courtyard. The area is really beautiful. each apartment on this website has its own page and an availability calendar at the bottom. if it says it free, its free. you can book online directly, although im not sure about your €800 a week budget, most of the apartments are around €1000 mark, minus discount for a 7 night stay.

I have experienced the same unresponsiveness from some VRBO owners, especially those who are not short of renters. Now that I have my own apartment listed on the same website, I make a point of replying to all the inquiries at my earliest convenience. So you see, not all VRBO owners are the same. For some folks, it's business and for soem like me, it's a pleasure.

My wife and I usually stay in Paris once a year, usually for 1 or 2 weeks and we always rent an apartment.

We have tried a few different companies and the best one to date was probably http://www.holiday-velvet.com/paris

Just had great luck with www.vacationinparis.com. Compnay out of New Jersey, lots of apartments in most price ranges, so far very nice to deal with.

Hi Amylyn,

Which apartment did you book? I'm leaving for Paris on September 6 (booked #146 on the Rue St Honore). The company was great to deal with and I've read a lot of good reviews - unfortunately I haven't found anyone who has stayed at this apartment so I'm hoping it will be as it appears in the photos! I rented an aparment for 2 weeks in London last year and it was great - will always rent an apartment over a hotel room.

Anne

I am thinking of booking with vacationinparis also, mostly because of the payment in dollars - I would love to know about your experience, Amylyn! We are looking at #125 and #28. Anyone have thoughts? TIA.