I like that athomeparis unit. I did wonder about the floor and the situation, though. I don't like that area as there are so many tourists there. But if somehow it weren't noisy, it might work. I know someone who rented an apt near there there and said it wasn't noisy as I guess it was totally on the inside.

IN fact, I rented an apt last year that was on rue Mouffetard by address and you'd think that would be noisy (although it's nothing like those streets near the Seine), but it was totally quiet -- because the apt was on the interior looking onto a courtyard and didn't even have a window over rue Mouffetard itself. Now that apt really did have an interior courtyard (nothing fancy, people didn't sit out there, but you walked through an outer buzzer door and then through the courtyard to another door in the rear where you went up stairs to the apt. The courtyard view thing means it doesn't look over the street, I presume, which is a good thing. Mine probably said that also, it was fine. I think the curtains are closed partly because of the light to take the photo -- and even courtyard views are not usually attractive IMO. Mine wasn't attractive, but it wasn't an airshaft.

SO,

wooops, hit reply too fast,
thank you cw and Christina. I thought the same things about the window and the view, courtyard v. airshaft....and I am waiting to hear from the owner as to the floor level, street noise and window view.

I have been emailing some of the people who stayed in the
Savoie apt. who loved it, even tho it is small. They absolutely loved the area, very quiet street, they had NO problems with the loft bed, or with the size.
The only small complaint was with creaks and groans of an old bldg , but are all planning on going back to that apt. In fact, one couple are going back in the 2nd week of Oct.

I know I am probably looking for that "perfect" apt. and that might not be realistic considering my budget, so it's narrowed down to the 3....rue de La Harpe, 22 Rambuteau, and rue de Savoie.

So, not to throw a wrench in your plans but have you considered Paris Best Lodge?

http://www.parisbestlodge.com

He has a few that look to be in your budget range.

Best of luck!

bookmarking - always interested in fodorites apartment recommendations.
(personally, I would go for the Mouffetard one - centrally located to everything) and the Rue Harpe looks quite wonderful.

I too almost didnt rent www.vrbo.com/250968 because of the stairs. They became a non-issue and I would rent there again anytime. The stairs acually were a good thing to keep my stomach from being so big :)

where ver you pick Barb, I wish you a wonderful stay in Paris.

Wow, everyone has been so helpful in my quest for the perfect Paris apt. The ones I narrowed down all had their pros and cons and I think in the end, it came down to location. I chose http://www.residences-paris.com/duc-de-savoie.php mainly for the location and after talking to two former tenants who were very honest in their assessments. It is small, and there was an issue about some plumbing noises, but other than that, they both loved it and, in fact, one couple will be arriving there as we are leaving. It is only 1 short block to the St. Michel RER, so we might even attempt the train from CDG. The other selling point was how great the owner was to work with. You send a $300 US check for the deposit, which he tears up, or gives back to you when you leave. He works with you to pay over a few days if you can't have the total amount at check in. And, it was very clean and quiet.

Now to plan the rest of our trip!! I know I will probalby be back asking for advice for our last two nights in Amsterdam.

In Amsterdam we stayed at these places

http://www.valens.nl/nlhtmldocs/canalsite.html or http://www.ibbp.com/europe/netherlands/treesmilder.html

and

http://www.vrbo.com/82969

I like the location of the first best, but both where very nice and the owners easy to work with.

At least it's good to have made up your mind, that's always a sense of relief. I guess you know where that is, but assuming it is on rue de Savoie, that's more than a block from the RER stop. It's about 2, depending on where it is located on that street. They aren't long blocks, though, but there is one block to rue Git le Coeur (really a bit more as Savoie doesn't go through) and another to the RER stop.

jetsetj -- LOVE that first apt!! Unfortunately, we will only be in AMS for two nights, so I think a hotel, or B&B is more appropriate. What is the best area to stay which will help maximize our time? Or is the central area small enough that it doesn't really matter?

Christina, yes, two short blocks perhaps. Because of the stairs in the RER stop, unless we can manage to pack really light, I am thinking maybe not the RER.

in Amsterdam it is best to stay as central as possible I think.
My favorite area is called the Jordaan. Most places of interest will be walkable from there.

You will have to take the tram to Rijks or Van Gogh Museum.
The Albert Cuyp Market is in that general direction in the Pijp.

http://www.gvb.nl/english/Pages/default.aspx

If you are into it, The Katsu coffeeshop in the Albert Cuyp Market is a favorite.

Well, I guess that would be part of the Amsterdam experience and one I am sure my granddaughter would never forget. Toking with Nana, lol.

too funny...