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Post by holger on Feb 28, 2008 8:14:29 GMT -5
Sadly, the dollar is at an all time low against the euro. When I was searching for our apartment for next year, I came across this web site. I can't sleep on latex mattresses which they have. But they seem nicely furnished and have airconditioning. Apparently they can be taken separately or combined to mkae an apartment that can sleep more people. The rates look very good even for the combined apartment. They are in the 11th and that is an area I really don't know. they also have a B and B in the Champagne region and that is an area I do want to visit. Here is the website for any interested people. www.marneweb.com/bnb/apt_desc.htm
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 28, 2008 8:50:48 GMT -5
Holger,
The apartment rental may be different, but I have to say that I really can't recommend their b&b. We stayed there in 2005 (we spent a week in Paris and 3 days in the Champagne region). They are an American and British couple. The room was fine, but quite honestly I didn't feel that they were really into running a b&b...They weren't overtly rude or anything, but I just didn't experience the service that you would expect in a b&b. Actually the worst experience was when we left...we had rented a car, and had to be up and out the door by 7 am at the latest in order to return the car and make our flight from CDG. There was no alarm clock in our room, and when we asked the owner for help, he begrudgingly lent us his cell phone, which he said he had set to go off at 6. Well, we woke UP at 7:30...the phone hadn't gone off. WHEW! It was a mad rush to get up and get out the door, and then drive to CDG. We never would have made it if my husband hadn't pulled out all of his Le Mans racing skills - we barely made our flight. Not how you want to end a vacation. Long story short - If it were me, I'd choose another place to stay in the Champagne region...
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Post by holger on Feb 28, 2008 9:53:56 GMT -5
;D
Thanks for the information. I know nothing beyond the information on the net. Will certainly look at other places to stay in the Champagne region. Although a poster on Slow Travel highly recommends this B & B. As for the apartments, the combined rate for an apartment that would sleep six comfortably with air conditioning is 140 euros which even with the sinking dollar is quite reasonable. The studio alone is 65 euros and the one bedroom is 75 euros.
But your experience certainly gives one pause. We have some small travel clocks and always pack one just in case. Even when there are clocks in hotels, I just feel more comfortable aith one I can program and trust. Glad you made your flight.
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Post by willow on Feb 28, 2008 9:59:25 GMT -5
That is quite a reasonable price. I've been doing a bit of preliminary research for an apartment for my friend an I in either the 3rd/4th or the 5th/6th for no more than 85-90 Euros a night, or 650 a week. I found a couple of nice ones, but only one I really really liked and the lady has a minimum renting age of 25!!! Boooo from this 22 year old!
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Post by gracejoan on Feb 28, 2008 10:06:33 GMT -5
Holger,
How large a place do you need in both Paris and the Champagne area? What part of Champane area are you considering? May as well ask what ime of the year and for how long.
My French friends have an absolutely charming place on their estate. That is how we became friends..I rented it from them!! It includes breakfast daily, as they also have 2 B&B rooms in their home.. They are such charmning people and you would really enjoy them.
It would be on the western edge of Champagne country.
Joan
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Post by sistereurope on Feb 28, 2008 10:37:00 GMT -5
You'd better believe that we bought a travel alarm clock after that experience. Still, I do believe that the owner could have been a bit more accomodating...to me, I expect more, hmmm, warmth? when I choose to stay in a b and b in someone's home. As I said, nothing was downright terrible (except for our stressful drive!)...but I'd look into gracejoan's suggestion for sure. I'd MUCH rather stay with a French family anyway! But I am also feeling your pain about the awful dollar!! Oh goodie...we leave for France in 3 weeks and the dollar hits an all time low!!!!
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Post by annettecinca on Feb 28, 2008 10:40:39 GMT -5
minimum renting age of 25!!! Boooo from this 22 year old! We'll all gladly vouch for you, Anna! Holger, that place does seem like a good deal and looks nicer than what I'd expect for a place that reasonable.
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Post by Anne on Feb 28, 2008 11:01:22 GMT -5
the lady has a minimum renting age of 25!!! Boooo from this 22 year old! I don't think that this is legal, Willow ("discrimination") . But OK, you're obviously not going to sue her ... Re. the apartments, I like the fact that there are plenty of photos and guests comments . And the place seems to be of very good value . What I did like much less is what I read on the "euro rates" link : that you are supposed to do the cleaning on leaving . And if you don't, you have to pay a $50 cleaning fee, which of course is perfectly fine . But what isn't fine at all is that the owners don't actually use this money to pay for a cleaner : if they don't have the time to come and do the cleaning themselves, they simply deduct the fee from the next tenant's bill, because he (she/them) will then get an uncleaned appartment . Imagine arriving in Paris after the long flight and with jetlag and finding out that you have to do some housecleaning first thing ! I guess that this doesn't happen often, but I just wouldn't want to run the risk ! Holger, are you sure that you don't mistake latex matresses with the cheap foam ones ?
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 28, 2008 11:23:47 GMT -5
The euro/dollar issue is one reason I'm thankful for agencies that quote prices in dollars, like Vacation in Paris (and even Chez Vous, although I haven't rented from them for years because I got tired of their practice of holding deposits as long as possible, i.e., until I called two or three times - although the last time I rented from them was 2001, so perhaps they are a bit more professional now). They may raise their rates from time to time, but at least it won't be a "stealth raise" due to the exchange rate.
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Post by willow on Feb 28, 2008 11:32:29 GMT -5
the lady has a minimum renting age of 25!!! Boooo from this 22 year old! I don't think that this is legal, Willow ("discrimination") . But OK, you're obviously not going to sue her ... It wouldn't be legal here in the US, but I wasn't sure if it was the same in France. I'm sure I will find something else I liked, and if it doesn't, hopefully a nice email will sway her mind!
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Post by Anne on Feb 28, 2008 11:43:02 GMT -5
What I actually had in mind is that any discrimination based on age, sex, race, religion, etc ... is indeed illegal for "normal" rentals, but I don't know whether the same law applies to holiday rentals .
Maybe Luc or Truffaut know the answer ?...
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Post by sandy on Feb 28, 2008 12:22:10 GMT -5
Here in Argentina they stopped renting holiday apartments at beach towns to youngster under 25, because it was usual that they rented a 1 room apartment and then 10 people would sleep in it. You can imagine the state in which the apartments were returned.
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Post by sandy on Feb 28, 2008 12:25:33 GMT -5
I also found the apartment Holger mentioned when researching for my last trip, it looked very nice, but I found that the area in which it is located is not so nice.
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Post by framboiseetrose on Feb 28, 2008 12:34:44 GMT -5
Slightly off but to rent a car if you're under 25 in the US, you have to pay a hefty charge........... Willow, guess one of us elders will need to accompany you Lucky us!
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Post by willow on Feb 28, 2008 13:27:39 GMT -5
Your all more than welcome to join us! But I highly doubt this picky landlady would enjoy a huge crowd in her tiny studio!
For now it is my friend and myself, but I am trying to convince little sis to come along. I doubt she will since wouldn't do anything non-sanctioned by the parents, but I can try.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Feb 28, 2008 14:31:49 GMT -5
Hey, you never know about that - if there was ever a place to be a rebel from parental control, Paris would be that place!
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Post by holger on Feb 28, 2008 15:53:50 GMT -5
OK. One at a time. We might try to go to the Champagne area for a couple of days during the March 2009 trip. BUT we could wait and go in June 2010. Haven't really planned that trip as yet and will need to see how much time in Paris--at least a week to ten days--possible Brittany as well. But am also interested in going to Bruges. But will look into many possibilities. The apartment(s) in Paris are according to the blurb, the owners own apartments so they should be decent. If they have a cleaner they use it might be possible to find out and pay that person directly although no guarantees what others do. I don't know age of people they rent to and really have no idea of the 11th as a place to live. I am violently allergic to latex and it would not matter how expensive. When I see doctors or have an medical procedure there can be no latex gloves or anything. Thus I am always the first one in an any operating room. Some of the new fancy mattresses are out for me as I have just reminded my son and daughter-in-law who are buying new ones. Thanks for all the information everyone. Sticker shock has set in when I look at the exchange rate and I do worry about those who are on even stricter budgets and so this apartment(s) seemed like a potentially useful prospect.
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Post by Truffaut on Feb 28, 2008 16:29:09 GMT -5
Anne, I'm not sure about what's legally allowable for short-term rentals. We do avoid renting to individuals with French citizenship (you're a charming people, but the government makes it nearly impossible to evict somebody, even if they have a clear, short fixed-term lease) and to groups of more than 2 unrelated people. This latter decision was taken after a bad experience with 4 single women in their late 20s.
Holger, Honestly the price quoted is simply too low. What I've learned is that quality apartments in quality neighborhoods demand strong rental prices. If you were the owner of an apartment and thought your apartment was worth 100 euros a night, would you consider, for even a minute, only asking 60?
The euro issue is one of the reasons I've always advertised our apartment in dollars. The exchange rate has been erratic ever since we bought the apartment, and I just think most American & Canadian guests are more comfortable dealing in a "known" quantity rather than trying to guess how much the second half of their rental fee is going to be six months from now.
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Post by holger on Feb 28, 2008 17:52:48 GMT -5
;D
Thanks Truffaut,
Could be the neighborhood or the apartment, I suppose. As I indicated, I know next to nothing about both. But the write ups from those that do have been good. Of course, they could be plants.
As to the dollar between that and the tanking stock market, I am glad we already paid half for our 2009 apartment. Hopefully with the right election results in November both market and dollar will start improving.
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Post by Anne on Feb 29, 2008 11:02:55 GMT -5
We do avoid renting to ... groups of more than 2 unrelated people. This latter decision was taken after a bad experience with 4 single women in their late 20s. Truffy, do you realize that 4 respectable women like Annette and her buddies would actually be turned down by your discriminating selection criteria ;D !!! Well, I would be turned down too, being French ...
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