Gymnastika

Because I waited so long to buy our air tickets, I have put myself into a pickle trying to find an apartment that is available for June. I bought the tickets Monday and since then I have spent 50 + hours looking for something in Le Marais area, specifically around the Rue des Rosiers. The popular ones are of course, gone, so what seems to be left are the ones that are less known, not so nice, too expensive, or new to the market. We are a family of four with two boys, 8 and 10.
I've narrowed it down to these two contenders:
The first one is located in a charming area, small streets, etc. I like that it is new and spacious, but I also love that it's in the heart of Le Marais. The only negative from the reviews is when the windows are open and facing a courtyard and, the kid's voices can carry. It is further into the neighborhood and further from a metro.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p275121

The second one is right on the Rue de Rivoli, a little busy, but the pro's for this apartment is the metro is right there. Nice.
http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p276248

Thoughts?

DebitNM

Although this one is new, we decided on renting it because it is a great location and the price is excellent. We will be there end of April. It is booking up, so not sure if your exact dates are available.

http://www.vrbo.com/339804

alihutch

I love the Marais one...

Gymnastika

DebitNM,
I have looked at that one too. Unfortunately it is booked for part of our stay. What a price, though! Hope you have a good time!

TPAYT

If it were me, I'd choose the 2nd one. I like the location better.

Gymnastika

TPAYT,
Is it because it's closer to the Metro?

jpie

I would stay in the second one. Being closer to the river is really nice. I always wish we had chosen a place closer for bus and metro connections-especially at night.

Also, we lived in an courtyard apartment in the Marais for 2 years and hated it. Aside from the noise your own kids make, wait until Saturday night and the parties start. People leave their windows open for guests to lean out and smoke and then the music is on until 2-3AM. We had to call the "noise number" in Paris at least 3-4 times in the 2 years we lived there. Many of the Marais apartments are subdivided into small studios in addition to the larger apartments and students rent them. We came to dread the weekends....

TPAYT

I like the location better because it's closer to the Seine.

On all of our 7 trips to Paris we spent most of our time along the river. I think you'll be surprised at how much you will walk in Paris. The Metro is great to go farther away from your apt, but there is so much walking down in the Metro tunnels (depending where you are going) that sometimes it's just easier to walk the city streets. As you do, you will find so many interesting things.

The last few years we have been staying on Ile St. Louis for just that reason.

MaineGG

If the map on the site for the second apartment is accurate, it looks like it's actually on the Rue Charlemagne, a much quieter street than the Rue de Rivoli. Our last apartment in Paris was also in this neighborhood on Rue Charles V, and we found it to be an ideal location, very close to the river. This apartment is close to the St. Paul Metro, and an easy walk to the Rue des Rosiers. I would have to agree with jpie's comment about the potential for late night noise in the Marais neighborhoods north of the Rue de Rivoli/Rue St. Antoine.

tedgale

DebitNM: Have you read the user reviews of your apt? DO you not find it a disturbing coincidence that 2 separate reviewers, one from Mexico City and one from Fairfax VA, both used the very same sentence in their respective reviews:

"The owner and his wife were both very nice and a pleasure to work with and gave me a nice tour of the surrounding neighborhood."

Almost certainly fraudulent reviews. Dsn't mean the apt is bad ...but I loathe deceptive practices. Thought you shd be aware.

Gymnastika

I am torn. I like the second one as it would be easier to catch a bus, metro, etc. But the one further in the Marais has a neighborhood-y feel and it's closer to the Centre de Danse which I will be walking to for classes in the mornings.
Sigh....

justbronwyn

The whole area is very compact. If you stayed at the second one it would be at most a 15 minute walk to your classes. I love that area near Village St. Paul--more residential but with a lots of choice in boulangeries, cafes, etc and still close to all the night life on the north side of Rue St Antoine. I'm sure you would be happy with either location both are charming.

DebitNM

I have seen the reviews and did note that they were very similar. I actually had an aquaintence go to see the actual apartment and talk to the owner, and it got high marks. I am not sure the owner wrote the reviews, the English is way better than it has been in emails and in the actual ad. I am also in touch with someone who will stay in apt before my trip. I also have a back up hotel, just in case. Thanks for the heads up, though.

amamax2

Both look very nice, but I would have to go with the second one also. We went to Paris with our boys when they were a similar age (one turned 9 on the trip, other turned 11 a few weeks after we got home), and being close to a metro is a huge plus. Also, the second one has both a washer and a dryer - something I wish we had had.

The reviews for the first one talk about the shops, restaurants and galleries, whereas for the second talk about the grocery stores, food places, etc, which again, IMO, would be better with the kids - sometimes you'll want to eat in or be able to just grab something quickly on the way in/out.

Gymnastika

This is amazing! Y'all are very insightful and helpful.

Gymnastika

amamax2,
Thank you for noticing the washer/dryer. I didn't even notice it wasn't in the other apartment! I have gotten used to seeing them in every single apartment I've looked at, it seems, that I just figured it was there. That would def be a deal breaker for me. We travel very light and rely on a washing machine. Thank you!

cw

I like both apartments, but I, too, like the location of the second one.

The first does list a washing machine. You could always ask if it's a washer/dryer combo. It also has a mobile a/c unit--if you think that might be needed for you in June.

You'll probably be happy with either one.

Gymnastika

CW, you are right. It does list a washer. My eyes are playing tricks on me!

amamax2

You are welcome! The reason I notice (now) is the same thing...I looked at so many and got used to most having BOTH the washer and dryer. The one we ultimately chose ended up having NEITHER - yikes! Not sure how that happened, but I think I, too, stopped looking at details like that after a while as my head was swimming with so much information. We usually travel for three weeks at a time and very light, so need to do laundry.

I did notice the first had the washer, but doesn't have a dryer listed, which is why I pointed it out for the second, but like cw says, check and see if it is a combo if that is a deal breaker for you.

Leely2

I like them both. Both locations have their pluses and minuses, but they are extremely close to each other. I would choose the apartment with the amenities that are best for your group.

Enjoy Paris!