the journey of planning continues . . .PARIS APARTMENT
Apr 3rd, 2013, 08:45 AM
#42
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i have recently booked hotel marignan (www.hotel-marignan.com)for 5 nights from 1-May. Lux gardens is 5-minutes walk from the hotel.
we are a family of 5 (myself, wife and three children of 12,11 and 1 years). we got a quad room for 130 euros per night (1 double bed + 2 single beds + FREE CRIB) with private toilet while shower is shared in the same floor with another room. shared kitchen, shared washing machine/ironing, etc. with breakfast.
we are a family of 5 (myself, wife and three children of 12,11 and 1 years). we got a quad room for 130 euros per night (1 double bed + 2 single beds + FREE CRIB) with private toilet while shower is shared in the same floor with another room. shared kitchen, shared washing machine/ironing, etc. with breakfast.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 09:44 AM
#43
bijusamuel1970: I don't know but I'm pretty sure that since the OP was considering a VERY posh 2 bdrm flat for nearly €600 a night - just <i>maybe</i> a quad room and shared shower down the hall isn't <i>quite</i> what they are looking for. Just sayin' 
Apr 3rd, 2013, 11:41 AM
#44
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yeah, I don't think the OP would want to stay at the Marignan, which is a great budget hotel, even for the nights they can't have the apartment.
I think that Jean Beauvois apt looks fine (it isn't in St Germain, though, but I guess you know that -- it is near Maubert metro stop). The only drawback is no elevator on the 3rd floor (which is probably 4th US). It isn't available from the 8th of July, though, so hope that's because it is on hold for you.
I think that Jean Beauvois apt looks fine (it isn't in St Germain, though, but I guess you know that -- it is near Maubert metro stop). The only drawback is no elevator on the 3rd floor (which is probably 4th US). It isn't available from the 8th of July, though, so hope that's because it is on hold for you.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 04:46 PM
#45
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There are times we spend more on accommodations - I think it depends on a few different factors. (for a point of reference, we are a family of 5 people).
- washing machine - love love love having access. Totally don't mind throwing in a load each night. The last two apartments had separate dryers which made the process even faster and easier to deal with.
- seating area/living room/kitchen. We tend to eat a few meals in, so we like a real table - with at least seating for 4 if not for more. Don't like the tiny little tables with folding chairs. Also, having more than just a small couch is desirable because typically, the kids want to spread out. If we only have a 2 bedroom apartment, then a large couch is even more important since someone is sleeping there.
- wifi. HATE paying for it at hotels.
- two bathrooms - much nicer and easier to deal with the morning if we have multiple bathrooms
- downtime. We are busy, but yet, we all need a little downtime in each day. Having an apartment allows us each to find a quiet corner to read or ipad if needed. This just wouldn't be possible in a hotel.
We've rented apartments in Paris, London, Stockholm, Lucca, Venice, and Florence and for the most part, they've been awesome. You don't have a "concierge" to help you, but I'm a pretty independent traveler, so don't use that service anyway.
Unfortunately, all these features tend to drive us into larger and more expensive apartments, but I figure if we paid for hotels (and need at least 2 rooms and sometimes even then we can't be accommodated), it would be more. So we tend to spend a little more than others might.
- washing machine - love love love having access. Totally don't mind throwing in a load each night. The last two apartments had separate dryers which made the process even faster and easier to deal with.
- seating area/living room/kitchen. We tend to eat a few meals in, so we like a real table - with at least seating for 4 if not for more. Don't like the tiny little tables with folding chairs. Also, having more than just a small couch is desirable because typically, the kids want to spread out. If we only have a 2 bedroom apartment, then a large couch is even more important since someone is sleeping there.
- wifi. HATE paying for it at hotels.
- two bathrooms - much nicer and easier to deal with the morning if we have multiple bathrooms
- downtime. We are busy, but yet, we all need a little downtime in each day. Having an apartment allows us each to find a quiet corner to read or ipad if needed. This just wouldn't be possible in a hotel.
We've rented apartments in Paris, London, Stockholm, Lucca, Venice, and Florence and for the most part, they've been awesome. You don't have a "concierge" to help you, but I'm a pretty independent traveler, so don't use that service anyway.
Unfortunately, all these features tend to drive us into larger and more expensive apartments, but I figure if we paid for hotels (and need at least 2 rooms and sometimes even then we can't be accommodated), it would be more. So we tend to spend a little more than others might.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 05:35 PM
#47
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ChgoGal, could not agree more. I so want to reach into the computer and press that imaginary Book It button. I sincerely hope that choosing restaurants is not as major a decision or they are going to starve.
Apr 3rd, 2013, 05:38 PM
#48
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Socaltraveler, I so agree, I would have booked the apartment she's considering rather than out it on hold. However, she is doing her best and seems to be listening to us. That's all I can say for now, but if she doesn't book that Paris apartment, then I'm out! Claire, are you listening? 
Apr 3rd, 2013, 10:29 PM
#52
bijusamuel1970: >>i think missed the real point! it was a quick suggestion when I saw they are looking for something near Lux gardens...<<
You probably haven't been along for the whole saga (and I'd hate for you to get as frustrated as some of the rest of us) . . . But the OP isn't necessarily looking for a place near the Luxembourg Gardens. She's looking for anything - but something always seems to 'happen'. We've been on this ride for weeks - She's 'almost' booked probably 30-40+ flats in London and Paris and hasn't pulled the trigger on any of them. One after another suddenly becomes unavailable.
You probably haven't been along for the whole saga (and I'd hate for you to get as frustrated as some of the rest of us) . . . But the OP isn't necessarily looking for a place near the Luxembourg Gardens. She's looking for anything - but something always seems to 'happen'. We've been on this ride for weeks - She's 'almost' booked probably 30-40+ flats in London and Paris and hasn't pulled the trigger on any of them. One after another suddenly becomes unavailable.
Apr 4th, 2013, 04:46 AM
#55
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Hi everyone!
All booked all good . . .however . . .take a deep breath . . it's with . . .
http://haveninparis.com/rental/Luxembourg.php
They came back and have us there at an amazing price for the 5th July to the 9th
then we check out and go to a hotel for the 9th
eurodisney 10th
hotel for 11th - mum leaves
The reason for this . .. the hotel doesn't charge us for the night of the 10th but they look after all our luggage while we just take a small bag for eurodisney and then we we get back they will sort my mum out with her private airport transfer etc
I always wanted to stay at euro and I just love this apartment and the price worked out so hopefully everyone else will be as pleased as I am about this!
All booked all good . . .however . . .take a deep breath . . it's with . . .
http://haveninparis.com/rental/Luxembourg.php
They came back and have us there at an amazing price for the 5th July to the 9th
then we check out and go to a hotel for the 9th
eurodisney 10th
hotel for 11th - mum leaves
The reason for this . .. the hotel doesn't charge us for the night of the 10th but they look after all our luggage while we just take a small bag for eurodisney and then we we get back they will sort my mum out with her private airport transfer etc
I always wanted to stay at euro and I just love this apartment and the price worked out so hopefully everyone else will be as pleased as I am about this!
Apr 4th, 2013, 06:01 AM
#57
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thanks Judy! Will do! I am so excited to finally have this part of the trip sorted!
All that is left is LONDON . . but I think that "a place like home" had a cancellation for us or something
but that's it! Besides booking trains and cars etc the trip is finally sorted!
So to everyone that has been with me from the start I thank you ...my trip is going to be amazing and the energy and time you have given me has been amazing! THANK YOU!!!!
All that is left is LONDON . . but I think that "a place like home" had a cancellation for us or something
but that's it! Besides booking trains and cars etc the trip is finally sorted!
So to everyone that has been with me from the start I thank you ...my trip is going to be amazing and the energy and time you have given me has been amazing! THANK YOU!!!!
Apr 4th, 2013, 06:30 AM
#58
It had better be an amazing price.
- Where are the kids going to sleep? If it's the living room you'll be spending the evening in the bedrooms, if it's the second bedroom one of you will have to sleep on the sofa bed.
- Doesn't look like you can read sitting up in bed
- I don't see the "seats six" dining table. In fact, I don't see a proper dining table at all.
- Get some details on the kitchen utensils.
- No floor plan, but seems to be a lot of corridor
- It is essentially an attic - half an attic. Hot air rises, there's no AC, and no way to create a cross draft. You'd better be insistent about those fans, and hope there isn't a heat wave.
- It's on the sixth floor (really seventh - first floor = ground floor, second floor = first floor). You're going to love those stairs if the elevator quits. (Ask me how I know.)
Finally: you could have spent a week in one place, giving the kids some sense of place and routine. Instead you are moving THREE TIMES IN THREE DAYS - maybe four times in four days, you don't say if you're staying in the same hotel with your husband - just so **YOU** can enjoy staying at Euro Disney.
- Where are the kids going to sleep? If it's the living room you'll be spending the evening in the bedrooms, if it's the second bedroom one of you will have to sleep on the sofa bed.
- Doesn't look like you can read sitting up in bed
- I don't see the "seats six" dining table. In fact, I don't see a proper dining table at all.
- Get some details on the kitchen utensils.
- No floor plan, but seems to be a lot of corridor
- It is essentially an attic - half an attic. Hot air rises, there's no AC, and no way to create a cross draft. You'd better be insistent about those fans, and hope there isn't a heat wave.
- It's on the sixth floor (really seventh - first floor = ground floor, second floor = first floor). You're going to love those stairs if the elevator quits. (Ask me how I know.)
Finally: you could have spent a week in one place, giving the kids some sense of place and routine. Instead you are moving THREE TIMES IN THREE DAYS - maybe four times in four days, you don't say if you're staying in the same hotel with your husband - just so **YOU** can enjoy staying at Euro Disney.
Apr 4th, 2013, 06:45 AM
#59
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thursday!!!!! don't do this!!!! The apartment looks great . .. mum and the kids are in one room hubby and me are in the other room. The fans I will have to wait and see but if it is like you say then I will make sure! I assumed you could open the windows.
the location is exactly what my mother wanted. The price was half the normal rate and in US dollars . . .because they couldn't offer the week stay so we are in-between week stays. It must be popular because when you check the availability only my days are free for the entire 3 months!
My kids will be more then fine! I feel the night in disney is better because we can go back to the hotel for a rest half way through and then go back for the night time stuff etc.
My travel consultant advised us of this option and said it would work out best then going to disney for 4days/3nights.
She will also be sorting out our hotel to ensure it is at the level we need and can promise interconnecting doors etc.
In perth we having nothing like disney ...the best we have is a place which is called adventure world so both hubby and I are super excited to go . .and so is mum! The kids are going to LOVE IT!
I'm happy to finally have this trip almost all booked and sorted!!! I can next start sorting out the WHAT rather then the WHERE! It will be a nice change!
Oh and there is a floor plan .. but yes you are right it will be an attic . .should I check the ceiling heights??? We won't be crawling will we?
the location is exactly what my mother wanted. The price was half the normal rate and in US dollars . . .because they couldn't offer the week stay so we are in-between week stays. It must be popular because when you check the availability only my days are free for the entire 3 months!
My kids will be more then fine! I feel the night in disney is better because we can go back to the hotel for a rest half way through and then go back for the night time stuff etc.
My travel consultant advised us of this option and said it would work out best then going to disney for 4days/3nights.
She will also be sorting out our hotel to ensure it is at the level we need and can promise interconnecting doors etc.
In perth we having nothing like disney ...the best we have is a place which is called adventure world so both hubby and I are super excited to go . .and so is mum! The kids are going to LOVE IT!
I'm happy to finally have this trip almost all booked and sorted!!! I can next start sorting out the WHAT rather then the WHERE! It will be a nice change!
Oh and there is a floor plan .. but yes you are right it will be an attic . .should I check the ceiling heights??? We won't be crawling will we?
Apr 4th, 2013, 07:08 AM
#60
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The apt looks nice enough, that company is very clever at doing the best photos to make the place look big. But it's a decent size for Paris. Maybe because it is new, they discounted it to $200-300 a night (I see the list is $400 a night). Sometimes I wonder about Parisian vacation apt rentals as a lot them that claim they are luxury, etc., don't even have a fan, which is absurd. YOU can buy a nice floor fan for maybe $20 in the US, what's the deal with so many that won't even furnish that given it can get really hot in summer and they don't have AC. That just really isn't acceptable to me, but I've seen it a lot.
I haven't been along for the whole ride, I guess, but the OP did say they were crazy. This apt seems okay, and there is a floor plan quite obvious on the page, so not sure about the above comment that there isn't one, and it doesn't have a whole lot of corridor. I think we are beyond the point of being picky about reading in bed and exact kitchen utensils, if someone is going to complain the OP is too picky, I don't little things like that should kill a deal. Vacation apts cannot be totally perfect in every way.
The main thing I wouldn't like about it is the location which isn't very convenient to a metro stop, but otherwise is an okay area. It's not too far from the RER B, though (at Port Royal or Luxembourg). There is a bus that runs along that street or nearby (line 82 on rue Auguste Comte) that comes from Luxembourg Gardens (place Rostand) and goes over to the Eiffel Tower, and there is another bus line 91 on bd Montparnasse that goes over to the Bastille area. There are a lot of school buildings on that street or nearby, but there isn't any large supermarket nearby, actually.
At least mum can be near Luxembourg gardens and it's a place, so that's the good news.
I haven't been along for the whole ride, I guess, but the OP did say they were crazy. This apt seems okay, and there is a floor plan quite obvious on the page, so not sure about the above comment that there isn't one, and it doesn't have a whole lot of corridor. I think we are beyond the point of being picky about reading in bed and exact kitchen utensils, if someone is going to complain the OP is too picky, I don't little things like that should kill a deal. Vacation apts cannot be totally perfect in every way.
The main thing I wouldn't like about it is the location which isn't very convenient to a metro stop, but otherwise is an okay area. It's not too far from the RER B, though (at Port Royal or Luxembourg). There is a bus that runs along that street or nearby (line 82 on rue Auguste Comte) that comes from Luxembourg Gardens (place Rostand) and goes over to the Eiffel Tower, and there is another bus line 91 on bd Montparnasse that goes over to the Bastille area. There are a lot of school buildings on that street or nearby, but there isn't any large supermarket nearby, actually.
At least mum can be near Luxembourg gardens and it's a place, so that's the good news.
