Torn between 3 apartments in Paris
 

Thought I had the perfect place booked. Then I had to change my dates from early September to mid August. The website's calendar showed availability so I was hopeful to be able to make the change. Unfortunately the owner has decided to spend the month of August at her place so I lost out on this place on the Rue De Universite. My husband and I are looking to spend 2 weeks in Paris-from August 11-25, 2015. After doing hours of searching I've found 3 possible places. I'd appreciate feedback from others as to which place would be better suited for us first timers to Paris. All 3 places have an elevator and washing machine.

7th arrond. On the 11th floor. 1 BR. 56 sq. meters. Appears to be located on the Ave. de Suffren near Rue Dupleix. Has tub-shower combo. View of ET and balcony. Price for 2 weeks is 1600 euros with 800 euros refundable damage deposit.

7th arrond. On the 6th floor. Ave. de Suffren. 2 BR. Bathroom with shower only. View ET and balcony. Price 2470 euros.

15th arrond. Near Gare Montparnasse. On the 9th floor. 1 BR. 36 sq. meters. 1 BR. Full on view of ET and balcony. Price 1786 euros and full refund if cancelled 60 days before arrival date.

They all have good reviews and the photos show nicely furnished flats. I think we could be happy with any of these. We only plan to have breakfasts in the apt. and snacks at night out on the balcony. They are all listings through Home Away/VRBO.

What do you think?? Thanks.

It would be helpful if you could give links to the apartments so we could see photos and exact locations.

if you gonna post the links for this apartments, must be nice

I know this will seem odd, but I would try to have the dates be 10 August until 24 August. I like to have Navigo Decouverte transit pass, and they run Monday until Sunday midnight. That way you would have unlimited access to metro, bus etc for the entire 2 weeks. It's a small thing, probably silly to most ,but it was worth mentioning.

Either the links (preferable) or at least the vrbo #'s

oops -- hit post in error.

Too bad about the original flat -- it looked perfect for what you wanted :(

janise-yes, that flat was a gem. I did the original booking through Rental France but it's also listed on VRBO but for a more expensive rate. I don't understand that at all.

Anyway here are the links to the 3 apartments.

first http://www.vrbo.com/1201494a

second http://www.vrbo.com/536571ha

third http://www.vrbo.com/659177a

DebitNM I never thought about that. I could change the dates to start August 10th. Will think about it. Spending 2 weeks in the UK first but haven't booked anything else as wanted to get Paris apt. sorted first.

My only comment is that I don;t see AC for any of them and there is no way I would stay anyplace in Paris in August without AC - esp for more than a few days. I know sometimes it can be cool and gray - but I have been there several times in the summer when it was in the 90s an dhumid - and without AC would have been totally unbearable for me.

Only you know how well you can cope with heat under these conditions.

Also note that a washer means just that - not a dryer as well (and even if there is a dryer - they don't, just whirl things around forever.)

I agree about the air conditioning, especially as all these apartments are on upper floors.

My second concern - are you able to walk up 11 flights if the elevator breaks down?

The shower in the 3rd apartment looks very small - don't drop the soap!

Didn't think about needing A/C as had been following weather info from this past August in Paris but then you can't predict weather. The very first apartment on the Rue De University had A/C. I am so disappointed that the owner decided to spend August there. :-( However I'm still confused about why she listed it on Rental France for 220 euros per night and on VRBO for 280 euros per night??

I sent an inquiry about the size of the shower in the 3rd place last night and received a response this morning. He states it's bigger than it looks but he will be there on the 21st and will take measurements and send me the info.

If anyone has any recommendations for other places I would appreciate that very much. Budget is 225 euros max per night. I know that may not be much for Paris but we are traveling for over 2 months so I have to have a budget.

I also think that shower is larger than the photo makes it look. The scale of the shower head and the hand held shower - it appears the camera lens/angle is fore- shortened in some way.

All three look very nice - #1 and #3 have big windows and sliders so there will at least be more air than in a typical flat. No a/c would be an issue but those two look light and airy.

#3 is the only one that actually shows a balcony you can sit on. The others look to be perhaps wide enough to stand on.

I wouldn't book any of them, either, as I would want AC in AUgust. I'd rather stay in a hotel (with AC). But of course, it is true that the weather can be moderate in August and you don't need it, so you might get lucky. I just don't wnt to depend on getting lucky as I don't get that many vacations and it is a lot of money. But that doesn't seem to bother you as you picked them.

My opinions are mainly taste and you can see that as well as I can. The third one IS the only one with a real balcony if that is a big thing to you. The first one that is basically a ledge. I don't even see one in the 2nd so must have missed such a photo. But the third one's sofa doesn't look so comfortable. The 1st and 2nd have better views of that tower, also.

I would not pay that much more for the second one myself. It is about the same location as the first one. Being near 3 metro stations is irrelevant when they are all the exact same line as in that location (that is mentioned as a plus). The one in Montparnasse has better metro options in that regard as four lines run through that station, and many buses (I stay near there a lot). Of course, several buses do go nearby the other 2 (bus no. 42, 87 and 82).

I find MOntparnasse more convenient and with more restaurants and cinema, which I love. I think the area around Village Suisse is a bit of a big snooze, frankly. But you are you, so may not care about those things. Having said that, the location of that Montparnasse apt is not near where I stay and I don't consider that area just to the west of the train station to be that charming. But it isn't far to stuff.

I would never change dates just because one day may be in the week on a Navigo pass rather than what you want to do. That's just one day transportation which is only worth a couple euro, anyway, not worth changing plans over. If that's the day you arrive, you may not even use public transport at all that day. Do what you really want to do, not based on some free day on a metro pass.

This one looks available for your dates and has AC

http://www.parisvacationapartments.c...g-one-bedroom/

>>I would never change dates just because one day may be in the week on a Navigo pass rather than what you want to do. That's just one day transportation which is only worth a couple euro, anyway, not worth changing plans over<<

Christina -- they have a LOT of flexibility. They are starting w/ an extended stay in the UK before traveling to Paris. Squishing a day one way or the other is not a big issue.

Christina-We are both retired and can be flexible with our dates if need be so Navigo pass is not a big deal if we get it or not. Everything will fall into place once I have booked the apartment for Paris. We could easily leave the US on July 26th instead of the 27th. I haven't booked my international air tickets yet. I'm hoping to decide on Paris lodging by this weekend. I have found plenty of places in the UK and our other destinations. Paris is proving to be the hardest in terms of what we want. We are older (seniors) so being in an area that isn't lively actually suits us fine. You mentioned that you stayed in the Montparnasse area. Was it an apt? If so do you mind sharing the info?? If not, that's fine. I do appreciate your feedback on the 3 places.

I have always dreamed of having a place with a view of the Eiffel Tower. The first place was perfect and only around 3100 euros for the 2 weeks. Everything was set for our stay there in September but then I had to change dates because of family matters. I needed to be back in the US before October. Like I said the owner will be there in August so I had to start my search over again.

I found a place with A/C but then was informed you can't run the A/C after 10 pm! My husband said it's because of the noise but A/C would be more important for us at night for ease of sleep if weather very hot.

I am determined and I will find something before this weekend is over. :-)

http://www.parisaddress.com/paris-ap...branly/#pricer

I believe this is in the same building as your original choice (on Rue de l'universite). Not as pretty, but layout and view seem to be similar.

RobertaL-Thanks for the link. It does look like it may be the same building as the view and terrace especially look so similar. However the other was a 2BR and this is a studio. From the pictures the bed appears to be a double/full size. My husband is a big guy and I think only he would fit on that bed! I certainly appreciate the help and will keep it in mind. If I can't find something else-who knows? We could very well end up here!

RobertaL-This site is amazing! There are so many listings. I did find a 1BR with balcony that you can sit out on in the 7th around. The ET view is seen when you stand by the railing but hey-it is a view of the ET! Even though this view isn't as good as the one you linked-the Branly-this one-Aria-may be a better fit for us with its 75 square meter space.

I'm going to keep looking as there are so many pages to go through.

Thanks again for the link!! :-D

wow - 75 sq meters is very large for a 1 bdrm in Paris.