which apartment would you choose?
Jan 14th, 2009, 05:59 AM
#1
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which apartment would you choose?
We got our tickets to Paris last night! We will arrive on March 14 and depart on March 22. There are SO many available apartments that I have gone cross eyed looking at them all. So I grabbed a few that looked good and would like your opinion. We are 54 years old and our first trip to Paris to celebrate our 25th anniversary. http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_50.htm; http://www.apartment-in-france.com/p...sieu&id=6; http://www.vrbo.com/199152; http://www.vrbo.com/161541
Jan 14th, 2009, 06:53 AM
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Why are they all in the Marais? Is that the only area that you will consider? Just curious. Personally, out of those three selections, I'd take either #1 or #3.
Dealing with vacationinparis.com couldn't be easier if you go for an apartment through them.
Personally, I had apartment #122 with vacationinparis.com. Great location and my regular neighborhood since the early 80s. Happy Travels!
Dealing with vacationinparis.com couldn't be easier if you go for an apartment through them.
Personally, I had apartment #122 with vacationinparis.com. Great location and my regular neighborhood since the early 80s. Happy Travels!
Jan 14th, 2009, 07:05 AM
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Dealing with Vacation in Paris is a delight. I had the same apt as Guenmai 2 months ago.
From the ones you've posted I'd prefer the Ile St Louis location. I am not fond of the Beaubourg/Pompidieu area.
From the ones you've posted I'd prefer the Ile St Louis location. I am not fond of the Beaubourg/Pompidieu area.
Jan 14th, 2009, 08:14 AM
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I am not opposed to staying someplace else. I just thought the Marais area was supposed to be a great area. I really know nothing except what I have read on this board. I would WELCOME other suggestions and other apartments. Our budget is between $1,000 and $1,5000. It seemed to be that having a washer would be a benefit. Is that true? That way I could pack lighter. Are there laundromats available otherwise? When I was in Taipei is was tough to get laundry done. Any other apartment recommendations??
Jan 14th, 2009, 08:24 AM
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Yellowrose, I'll pull up my trip report for you. I've been vacationing in Paris, almost annually, since the mid 70s, and have stayed all over Paris. Personally, I wouldn't want to be around Pompidou.
OK, now I see the I'le St. Louis one. I didn't even notice that link at first. I'd take the I'le over the other two. Happy Travels!
OK, now I see the I'le St. Louis one. I didn't even notice that link at first. I'd take the I'le over the other two. Happy Travels!
Jan 14th, 2009, 08:39 AM
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There is a washer in #122 but French washers take forever!
There are 2 laundramats within 2 blocks of the apt. I prefer the one on rue de Seine because I can go across to Paul for breakfast while the washer runs. The commercial washers and dryers are fast!
There are 2 laundramats within 2 blocks of the apt. I prefer the one on rue de Seine because I can go across to Paul for breakfast while the washer runs. The commercial washers and dryers are fast!
Jan 14th, 2009, 08:43 AM
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Seriously, if I were you, I'd get on the phone to vacationinparis.com and try to get #122.
Another thing is that, in my opinion, newbies spend far too much time on the apartment instead of thinking about LOCATION. The location of #122 is excellent. It's in an interesting walking area and close to not only metro stations but excellent bus routes. Get on the bus and just ride. You'll see a lot that way. Happy Travels!
Another thing is that, in my opinion, newbies spend far too much time on the apartment instead of thinking about LOCATION. The location of #122 is excellent. It's in an interesting walking area and close to not only metro stations but excellent bus routes. Get on the bus and just ride. You'll see a lot that way. Happy Travels!
Jan 14th, 2009, 09:06 AM
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I can believe that I am spending way too much time on an apartment. But the problem with a newbie is that we have not yet been there and don't know the best location! That's why this board is so helpful. I'm going on my lunch hour and will make some calls to vacation in paris. Thanks - Patti
Jan 14th, 2009, 09:09 AM
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two of them aren't in the Marais, the one on Ile St Louis and the one on Pl Jussieu (the private paris one).
I would never take the 2nd one which is directly across from the Pompidou center. I really dislike that furniture, also (frou-frou old Louis something).
I thinke the VIP 50 is ugly myself, and they put up this cheap table with folding metal chairs in the hallway. However, at least that area is better than the two that are near the Pompidou (it is near Arts et Metier metro). But it is very cheap, so if you like it, I think it's a possibility.
I wouldn't consider the other one near the Pompidou (VRBO 199152) because it is a 5th floor (4th French floor) walkup, no thanks. Also, they show a photo of rue des Ecouffes in the 4th which isn't even anywhere near that apt. if it is in the 3rd on Rambuteau.
The one on Ile St Louis is a lot more expensive than the VIP 50 one, so a different category. But so is the one on pl Jussieu at 170 euro. I guess those two are the ones I'd consider most (place Jussieu and Ile St Louis). Personally, I don't like the one on Ile St louis because it has two twins pushed together to form a king which I don't like and it looks a little shabby with those throws over the furniture. I bet the furniture is nothing great, but otherwise it looks okay.
I don't personally care about washers in an apt., I think that's up to you as to whether that is something desirable. I just don't care for a short vacation and have never used them when I had them. First, they don't work that well and take forever and may be very hard to figure out. I just don't have anything I get that dirty within a week that I need a washer for, and I can easily wash out underwear by hand.
I would never take the 2nd one which is directly across from the Pompidou center. I really dislike that furniture, also (frou-frou old Louis something).
I thinke the VIP 50 is ugly myself, and they put up this cheap table with folding metal chairs in the hallway. However, at least that area is better than the two that are near the Pompidou (it is near Arts et Metier metro). But it is very cheap, so if you like it, I think it's a possibility.
I wouldn't consider the other one near the Pompidou (VRBO 199152) because it is a 5th floor (4th French floor) walkup, no thanks. Also, they show a photo of rue des Ecouffes in the 4th which isn't even anywhere near that apt. if it is in the 3rd on Rambuteau.
The one on Ile St Louis is a lot more expensive than the VIP 50 one, so a different category. But so is the one on pl Jussieu at 170 euro. I guess those two are the ones I'd consider most (place Jussieu and Ile St Louis). Personally, I don't like the one on Ile St louis because it has two twins pushed together to form a king which I don't like and it looks a little shabby with those throws over the furniture. I bet the furniture is nothing great, but otherwise it looks okay.
I don't personally care about washers in an apt., I think that's up to you as to whether that is something desirable. I just don't care for a short vacation and have never used them when I had them. First, they don't work that well and take forever and may be very hard to figure out. I just don't have anything I get that dirty within a week that I need a washer for, and I can easily wash out underwear by hand.
Jan 14th, 2009, 09:45 AM
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OK. Now I see the Jussieu one. When I first read this thread, I was reading fast and tend to read straight down, in list form, not noticing links to the right.
I had a friend who lived in the Jussieu area and I'd pick that area over the Marais area ones listed.
From the ones listed, I hope my eyes have finally seen them all now, I'd personally first go with the I'le St. Louis location and then the Jussieu location. But, I'd first try to find one with vacationinparis.com that I liked in order to deal with that agency. Happy Travels!
I had a friend who lived in the Jussieu area and I'd pick that area over the Marais area ones listed.
From the ones listed, I hope my eyes have finally seen them all now, I'd personally first go with the I'le St. Louis location and then the Jussieu location. But, I'd first try to find one with vacationinparis.com that I liked in order to deal with that agency. Happy Travels!
Jan 14th, 2009, 10:23 AM
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yellowrose,
We rented from www.parisianflat.com but I think they're a bit above your budget.
You may want to take a look at www.parisbestlodge.com. We did try to rent from Thierry but the apartment we wanted was booked. He responded very quickly to our request and paris best lodge gets good reviews here and on other boards.
Of your choices above, I like the Jussieu apartment best, and the Ile St. Louis one, second best (though I have doubts about that couch they have).
Vacation in Paris gets good reviews here as well, and people seem to like being sent the key in advance, but I like meeting the owner/agency person at the apartment. That way you can ask questions, and get first-hand instruction on the appliances (turn on the TV, plug in your computer etc.). Might be especially useful for a first-time visitor.
We rented from www.parisianflat.com but I think they're a bit above your budget.
You may want to take a look at www.parisbestlodge.com. We did try to rent from Thierry but the apartment we wanted was booked. He responded very quickly to our request and paris best lodge gets good reviews here and on other boards.
Of your choices above, I like the Jussieu apartment best, and the Ile St. Louis one, second best (though I have doubts about that couch they have).
Vacation in Paris gets good reviews here as well, and people seem to like being sent the key in advance, but I like meeting the owner/agency person at the apartment. That way you can ask questions, and get first-hand instruction on the appliances (turn on the TV, plug in your computer etc.). Might be especially useful for a first-time visitor.
Jan 14th, 2009, 10:50 AM
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As far as getting instructions to how things work in the apartment, there's a notebook, with instructions to everything, on the livingroom table of apartment #122.
As for meeting with the agents, I'm one who doesn't want to have to do that. I like to be able to arrive,with a key, whenever I get there as flights can be extremely delayed these days and the airlines seem to love to lose my luggage thus putting me in the lost-luggage line, in different countries. Smiles. Happy Travels!
As for meeting with the agents, I'm one who doesn't want to have to do that. I like to be able to arrive,with a key, whenever I get there as flights can be extremely delayed these days and the airlines seem to love to lose my luggage thus putting me in the lost-luggage line, in different countries. Smiles. Happy Travels!
Jan 14th, 2009, 10:56 AM
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I did post a message to Thierry. These are the apartments he had:
Hello dear Patti,Thank you for your request, I am Thierry, owner of the apartments.14-21 march, I can still propose you :
Crazyview for 800 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/quai.html
Rivoli for 800 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/rivoli.html
Eiffel for 800 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/eiffelapt.html
Studio St germain for 650 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/studiocallot.html
Hello dear Patti,Thank you for your request, I am Thierry, owner of the apartments.14-21 march, I can still propose you :
Crazyview for 800 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/quai.html
Rivoli for 800 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/rivoli.html
Eiffel for 800 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/eiffelapt.html
Studio St germain for 650 euros all included : www.parisbestlodge.com/studiocallot.html
Jan 14th, 2009, 11:12 AM
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The Studio is about a 10-minute walk from #122. They're both in the 6th (district). I know this area well as I stayed on rue de Seine, almost annually, for well over a decade. That would also be a very good location. I don't have time right now to read more about that apartment as in how many square meters it is. Happy Travels!
Jan 14th, 2009, 11:18 AM
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yellowrose,
The view from the "Quai" apartment is fantastic but you would have to decide if the climb up four flights something you would want to do.
I don't care for the decor in the Callot studio, though it's a good location.
I think the Eiffel is quite nice for the price but I think it's not the best location for a first-time visit.
So I would take the Rivoli unit. It's in a great convenient area, has a balcony if you get a warmish day, and enough places to sit and relax after a day out. I noticed that the top review of it is written by a Fodor's poster, richardab. I believe he just returned from Paris again and has a review somewhere of another apartment.
The view from the "Quai" apartment is fantastic but you would have to decide if the climb up four flights something you would want to do.
I don't care for the decor in the Callot studio, though it's a good location.
I think the Eiffel is quite nice for the price but I think it's not the best location for a first-time visit.
So I would take the Rivoli unit. It's in a great convenient area, has a balcony if you get a warmish day, and enough places to sit and relax after a day out. I noticed that the top review of it is written by a Fodor's poster, richardab. I believe he just returned from Paris again and has a review somewhere of another apartment.
Jan 14th, 2009, 11:24 AM
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From the studio apartment, you can easily walk to the Louvre. I've done it dozens of times and I was on rue de Seine at rue Buci...look at the map. You will be closer to the Louvre as the Louvre is across the river. Just walk all the way out rue de Seine until it dead ends, cross the street, go to your left and when you get to the bridge, cross the bridge and it's right there a short walk. You can also easily walk to Notre Dame and the interesting, tiny streets of the 5th. Happy Travels!
Jan 14th, 2009, 11:39 AM
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I've just noticed that the Studio is 25 square meters which is quite small. But, some people don't need a lot of space. Apartment #122 is 40 square meters big which for me was fine due to the layout.
I'm used to renting studios and one bedrooms in other parts of the world at a minimum of 75-80 square meters big. But, for Paris, 40 square meters would be considered as big.
My Parisian friend lived in a 30 square meter apartment ,that he owned, for years until last year he inherited his grandma's apartment which is 50 square meters which to him is huge. Happy Travels!
I'm used to renting studios and one bedrooms in other parts of the world at a minimum of 75-80 square meters big. But, for Paris, 40 square meters would be considered as big.
My Parisian friend lived in a 30 square meter apartment ,that he owned, for years until last year he inherited his grandma's apartment which is 50 square meters which to him is huge. Happy Travels!
