Split 10 days in 2 neighborhoods, opinions?

[bumblebee]

I haven't been to Paris in 25 years and I'm so excited to be finally going back this June. I love research and since I found out we were going last xmas, I've been pouring over books, web sites, and blogs galore. It is SO MUCH FUN! Dig that google maps almost spoils it by showing you street by street views. It's a fantastic tool when looking for apartments! We are a family of 3 and I love to cook, so an apartment is ideal for us.

So, here is my conundrum. 10 days - one neighborhood, one apartment, or 2? After perusing hundreds of apartments online, I finally decided that it would be best not to schlep the special olive oil I bought, etc. to the new kitchen, not to mention getting used to all new appliances and what most influenced the decision was not to waste precious Paris time! Only to find out that by the time I made this decision, my favorite apartments got booked out from under me! Snooze, you loose, as the saying goes.

So, now I'm pretty much relegated to either 1 full week in an apt. and 3 days in a hotel, or trying to split between two apartments, or still looking for one apartment. One of my questions is this: We arrive at 1pm and some places will let us check in then (meaning they will hold the apt. open the day before) and some expect us to pay for the day before (!) What is your experience with this?

Fell absolutely in love with an apt. at 10 Rue St. Paul which is done in very sophisticated colorful way using antiques with style. My kind of place. Too bad it is rented for a full year!

If I split our time, then I'm thinking the 4th and the 5th. Or perhaps Marais and Montmartre. Then, there are those great places in the 9th.

Any advice appreciated.

[Shoesy]

Hi there, Bumblebee! Nice to see a new member happily "buzzing" around making plans for a trip to Paris. I'm really sorry that I can't offer you any help regarding apartments, but I can say "Welcome to OPF" . ;D

[denise]

:)Hi bumblebee, welcome to the forum.

My experience with checking into apartments early is that if it has been cleaned they let us check in early, no having to pay for the day before. (I would be wary of an agency/owner that asked for that, money maker comes to mind!) Otherwise if it had not yet been cleaned they let us leave our luggage and return later at 4pm when the cleaning was finished. Most hotels will hold your luggage if your room is not ready.

In January I stayed in 2 different neighbourhoods, 19th and 9th, because I extended my trip and the first hotel couldn't accommodate me. It was a really interesting experience and gave me two different perspectives on the city. Moving only took me a couple of hours.
I would do this again as I love different accommodations and it all adds to the trip.

Personally I would go for the 3days hotel/1 week apt option, but I would have the shorter stay first if possible to minimise packing.

Denise
love from England

[Truffaut]

Generally, apartments will charge for the "day before" unless it happens to be a very short vacancy (ie. one or two days) that wouldn't make sense to rent anyway. And as Denise says, if the previous guests are leaving early and the apartment can be cleaned before your arrival, there's no additional charge. In most cases, apartments can be ready right around noon.

[Jody]

Saw Bumblebee had a new post. Did you decide on an apt? We did a hotel for a few days and then went to our apt. I really like Vacation in Paris because they send you the keys and instruction about 2 weeks before you leave home, so there is no waiting to get into an apt.

[Darcy]

I always arrive at my Paris apt (like I really have my apt in Paris, but you know what I mean) around 10am and I've never had to pay for the day before. One time the apt was in the process of being cleaned when I arrived so I just left my luggage and came back later. I've never heard of paying for the day before until now.