Considering a first time, week long trip to Paris in October. I just started thinking about it. We would be flying on miles so budget for hotel, food, activities would probably be about $2-3k. Do you think mid-October would be a good time? I know weather is unpredictable to a large extent, but what do you think?

Any hotel recommendations? Looking at areas in the 5th-7th. These hotels have come up: Henri V Residence Foch and Le Jardin. Also considering a studio rental with a balcony to sit outside and drink wine. However, I do not cook at home and am certainly not going to start in Paris.

Thoughts?

(We are booked to go to St. John, USVI in August but we have found ourselves with some more vacation time unexpectedly).

Thanks.

My first thought is...I'm totally jealous!

If you are set on Paris, any time of the year is a good time to go.

I am one of the "rent an apartment" supporters....and you will probably be able to find one for a decent price since it will be low season.

Your budget definitely sounds doable for a nice apartment and touring around.

Go for it!

camelbak- do you have any apartment recommendations in the 5th-7th? I'm looking at the most widely discussed brokers on this site, e.g., parisperfect, vacationinparis, etc.

Is the sky blue?

Seriously, mah, anytime is Paris time...but October is perfecte.

Re: lodging...I prefer hotels, but that's completely individual/personal.

Your proposed budget is, imo, more than adequate.

Enjoy!

Does anyone have lodging recommendations?

Key is nice bathroom without handheld shower. I know, that's specific, but I hate it when showerheads aren't mounted to the walls!

There is one Vrbo apartment that consistently gets good reviews on this site, and will be my first choice for an apartment in Paris.

http://www.vrbo.com/79965

This also gets rave reviews and comes a close 2nd to the one above, IMO.

http://www.vrbo.com/28993

They are both located in the Marais...and within walking distance to metros, and to the sites.

Did I mention I am jealous?

Cheers

mah, I haven't been to Paris in 5 years, so I don't have a rec. You might want to do a search on Paris here. There should be lots of threads with ideas for your specs.

Although others would disagree, given that this is a first visit and that you dont cook, I would use a hotel...there are more resources to fall back on if you have concerns or need help. If your French is good, again another story. Now on your next trip, I think an apartment may be added to the equation.

Hotel des Grandes Ecoles is where we stayed 5 years ago. When we return, we'll try to stay there again. Tres charmant! Be aware that it gets booked months ahead.

http://www.hotel-grandes-ecoles.com/

I do not speak French fluently, despite taking French in school AND being in New Orleans, but I digress. Nonetheless, my husband and I, if we decide to book this trip, will learn enough French to be polite. By way of being in NO, we already pronounce words in a french way so I figure we have a leg up! lol

I'm thinking for our first trip we should get a hotel. What is the Henri Rive Gauche like? It seems like it comes up a lot here?

Camelbak- you wouldn't by chance be apart of the company, the Shaw Group, would you?

We have stayed with friends in Paris, so I can't help there. I can tell you that we have been in both November and December and didn't mind the cold that much (even though I'm from the southern United States). The fun you'll have will help you to forget the cold and/or rain.

The most wonderful thing of all is that queues are either short or non-existent. We walked right into almost anywhere we wanted to go with no wait.

(I'm equally jealous of your St. John trip. I loved that place! If you haven't heard of it, you may want to look into the Maho Bay Eco-resort.)

Tralen- where are you from in the South? We are in New Orleans so, if it is too cold in Paris, it will be quite a shock to our systems!

We are staying at Caneel Bay in St. John. The Maho Bay Eco Resort looks really cool, but I must say that camping and myself don't agree with each other!

You're not required to cook if you rent an apartment. You can if you choose.

If you make use of a concierge, like room service, and some one carrying your bags, stick to hotels. If you like more privacy, more space, less structure, and don't need a lot of help, consider renting an apartment.

My husband and I just spent a week at Hotel St. Christophe in the Latin Quarter and loved it. Room was small but very clean. Bathroom was actually quite large with a great shower!
Breakfast is included and was fine....
tea, coffee,juice, danish, cereal, yogurt.
The hotel is close to several metro stations and is in a great location.
It does not have ac but they do provide large stand-up fans if necessary.
There is a small refrigertor in the rooom which comes in handy to keep water, fruit etc.
The desk clerks were friendly and helpful

Just a heads up that the Rugby World Championships are in Paris in October.

Mah-
I'm going for the first time in october, the tale end of a 6 week trip-so I'm hoping it won't be as crowded. I've read enough to get a feel that the weather is usually just fine during October.

nwtravel- Rugby? Ugh! What dates, maybe I'll miss it.

a few years ago we went to paris the 1st week in October (4th-12th or so).
The weather was lovely - mild (not too hot not too cold) with no rain. Suitable for a light jacket.

NWtraveler,

I think the soccer championships in Paris are mostly in September. There is one Bronze match listed for October 19th. We leave the 18th, so should miss all that.

Hi mah!

I can totally recommend Paris Perfect apartments. My group and I stayed in two last summer and loved the experience! Our dining room windows looked out onto the Eiffel like it was across the street! Watching it sparkle at night was magical.

You certainly don't have to cook while on vacation! There are many great restaurants in addition to various street markets (and Rue Cler is close to most of the 7th arr. PP apartments) and great take away places in the neighborhood. If you are out and have a great lunch somewhere, you can come back to the apartment, put your feet up, drink wine, eat cheese, olives, rotisserie chicken, and many other wonderful foodstuffs, etc., etc., and not have to move until you want to.
The Paris Perfect staff is wonderful to work with and the apartments, though spectacular on the website, are even better in person. I can't say enough good things!

Enjoy!

joy/luvparee

Oh, mah, so envious...October sounds perfect.

We got back from Paris about three weeks ago. We loved the Hotel St Jacques (got it from a poster here).

http://www.hotel-saintjacques.com/

It's in the Latin Quarter, has been renovated VERY recently ( my sister's adorable TINY single still smelled a bit like paint), has modern showers, and a lovely concierge.OUr room on the first floor was HUGE. Really can't say enough good things about it..No AC, but you should be fine in October.

I like hotels over apartments. I feel very isolated in an apartment.

Enjoy BOTH of your trips. Lucky you...