millie2112

Clarie - do not be put off by apartments, and you can still get an apartment instead of an expensive hotel

have you tried www.vacationinparis.com They have reasonable rentals and you could get a large two bedroom. payment done easily using paypal and no huge security deposit.

crazyfamilyof4

Thanks Millie,

I really am so confused with this . . . Mum is just so scared of apartments that are privately owned instead of hotels. She feels there runs a risk of being in a scam and that it won't be as clean as the hotels. However, I am not completely against it. There is this apartment that I like
http://www.alacarte-paris-apartments...s-Sublime.html

Gretchen

CLAIRE==or whatever your name is. Take control of your trip, no matter if she is paying whatever. This is madness and we are all reall worn out about it. I KNOW you love this woman,but get over it. Pickpockets are not lurking--if you are watching.
DO YOUR TRIP. Mum can come along. GET A LIFE.
OM

G

cathies

If you had booked any of the apartments that have been recommended here, you could have done that knowing that other travellers had booked them either being ripped off. Dd you explain that to your mother? Whatever you do, just get a wriggle on or you will be standing on the streets of London and Paris with 2 small children and nowhere to stay.

cathies

Oh and a la carte apartments is very reputable. I think I recall recommending this company about 150 posts ago but I could be mistaken. It's the company I used in 2006 and they were fantastic. To the extent that when I snapped a tooth in half they arranged an emergency dental appointment for me. The Marais is a great part of Paris and I would book that today if I were you.

thursdaysd

That looks really nice - much better layout than the last one, WITH AC, and on the first (second) floor. One and a half km from the Place des Vosges, but still - and very close to a metro station.

crazyfamilyof4

yeah . . that's what I thought . .but with this one we would not be able to sty the week so we would end up t disneyland for a few days/couple of nights etc . . . thanks thursday . .It looks modern and clean so I know it's not exactly where mum wants to be but I like it.

cathies

Claire, as far as we can tell your mum doesn't really have a good reason for being near the jardin du Luxembourg so maybe she needs to let it go. You can always go there for visits plus other lovely parks.

I can't urge you enough to book that apartment. You want to go to Disneyland anyway, so it should work out fine.

Leely2

I've not been following your trials and tribulations closely, but haven't you booked a hotel? Why are you still looking at apartments?

crazyfamilyof4

The joys of hotels is that you can book without paying and cancel without penalty. This apartment was back last week when I went through the dramas of needing an apartment. I still have it as an option. But yes I do feel it would just be safer to stay booked with the hotel suite/apartment thing they have.

thursdaysd

"cancel without penalty"

Not always. Not always. Read the fine print.

crazyfamilyof4

so cathie you also agree that that apartment is better then a hotel suite with an extra room? and the location is a good one? My instinct keeps making me want to go with it. They can even sort out . .at my expense two rollaway beds for each bedroom so the kids have their own beds and we have ours.

cathies

Absolutely Claire, I don't think you'll regret it for a minute. Its a good size for a Paris apartment, Another plus is that the Maris is great for clothes shopping for you and your mum, there are lots of case etc. and it's easy to get from there to other parts of Paris.

crazyfamilyof4

thanks cathie . . .I just told them to send through a booking form. I feel you are right and especially with the testimonials from others. I also like how I can paypal them. I sent an email to mum and just explained that 550euros a night is crazy when we can spend less and stay somewhere safe and with more room etc. God I hope I have made the right choice!

cathies

Case = cafe!!

millie2112

you have made the most perfect choice.
the apartment is lovely, location fab, and it will give you the room you need with children.

the agency is reputable. I inquired on one of their apartments yesterday, and believe me I would not do so if I did not investigate fully.

and using paypal is secure

Has your mother been oseas before? If not then I can imagine that she has lots going through her mind, but please do not listen to her. Do what you think will be the best for your family - which is the space that this apartment will give you.

book it and do not look back otherwise you will go bonkers.

crazyfamilyof4

Thanks ...I have sent them an email to say yes we will book it and then we can decide on the 10th to the 12th to either stay at disney or check in to a hotel or something. But yes I too feel it is right!

Thanks everyone for sticking with me on the journey!

bardo1

Whew! Glad all is OK...

Hoping to see a detailed trip report - something tells me it's going to be a doozy...

crazyfamilyof4

oh don't say that!

It's going to be AMAZING!

Most places we are staying a week at a time so we should get a real feel for it.

The original plan was CRAZY! and thanks to this site we have been able to slow down and make it better.

travelmamana

Good luck on your trip! We loved Jules Verne. The table is yours for the night (when we were there in 2006) and the service and food was impeccable. Warning, it is pricey but we justified it as an "experience". You also have private access to go out on the tower and its pretty when the lights twinkle while you are inside. I was told you need to book 3-4 months in advance so if this is a serious consideration, then you need to call today! They print the menus for the day....after the price I paid, and the memorable meal I had (go for the chef selection plan), I asked if I could keep it and they graciously let me....and then another woman who overheard did too. . The only "unromantic" part of the dinner was telling my hubby that since we were in a romantic date, he shouldn't walk up to the celebrity couple who were 4 feet away to ask for an autograph. We let them have their "romantic" dinner but others were not so thoughtful. But the pics I took of my husband at the table had one of the celebs in the background.