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Post by justbronwyn on Sept 20, 2009 13:51:56 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and would like to ask your help in choosing a rental apartment for our week long stay next April. This will be my first trip there since a 2 day visit in the 70's as a high school student and the very first trip for my DH. I think I have it narrowed down to 3 apartments in our price range: 2 are in the 3rd & 4th, one in the 5th. I wonder if some of you experienced Paris travelers have any input on the locations or experience in staying in any of these apts? I prefer a cozy, village-type atmosphere. The place in the 5th looks really cozy, but I am a little worried about the double bed. While DH and I aren't huge (just pleasantly plump we sleep more comfortably in a queen or king-sized bed. The other two apartments look very comfortable, wondering about Rue des Rosiers vs Rue St Paul in terms of convenience to metro, restaurants, bakeries, etc. Here are the links: VRBO/159394 (Rue de Rosiers) VRBO/117217 (37 Rue St Paul) vacationinparis.com/apts/id_112.htm Bronwyn
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Post by Jody on Sept 20, 2009 14:32:16 GMT -5
We stayed in the VIP #122 last November. I loved the location, just a few steps from Place St Michel, with excellent transportation options. It's in walking distance to the Isles and Marais and all of the 5th . There are 2 laundromats nearby which I used since I hate French washers...they take forever! The building is quiet and the street mainly pedestrianized There is an Internet connection or if no laptop a Internet cafe just around the corner. The boulangerie is about 5 doors away. And a supermarket and Paul just down the street.
The bed was plenty big enough for my 6'4" husband and my not inconsiderable self. The beams are rather low upstairs so watch your head if you are tall. It was nice having the half bath downstairs so 2 could get ready for the day at the same time.
Vacation in Paris was a delight to deal with . You can pay by credit card, they have a small insurance fee so no security deposit. You do pay a key deposit which is returned at once when they get the key back. It was really a godsend having the keys in our possession as we had a 5 hour delay on the train from Antwerp due to some "manifestations"!!
The apt. is nicely decorated and the kitchen well supplied, though all I made was coffee.There are numerous good restaurants quite close by.
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Post by AnselmAdorne on Sept 20, 2009 14:54:41 GMT -5
Hello Bronwyn, and welcome aboard. Let me start off by saying that I do not know the 5th as well as the 4th, so I can't add much on the local amenities near the Vacation in Paris apartment. I have, however, spent a lot of time in the 4th and would not hesitate to take an apartment on either Rue des Rosiers or Rue St Paul. As the listings point out, both are very close to the St Paul Metro stop, and there are many, many local specialty shops near each apartment, plus a Franprix and a Monoprix on Rue St Antoine. A couple of things we always look at when assessing apartments: - What floor is the apartment on and is there an elevator? (The place on Rue St Paul is on the fifth floor and has no elevator. That wouldn't bother some people, but most people will feel it when bringing in luggage or groceries, and for some it may be impossible. In the case of VRBO # 117217, I think that "feature" is reflected in the weekly price. ) - The size of the bed. Like you, we prefer something that is close to what we refer to as a queen size bed. - How usable is the kitchen? Not a big issue for some travellers, but we do cook some of our meal in, and we like to cook together, so we look at it carefully. - Amenities, such as washer, dryer, free internet, and free phone calls. These may or may not be important for you, but it looks like the V-I-P place does not have internet. - Comfortable seating for two: we do spend some time in our apartments, so we look for a couch and at least an arm chair so we can sit and read or chat. If you think you will be on the go all the time, this may be less important for you. - Lots of light, preferably with big windows. Looks like all three of your possibilities have good light. Your list of what's important might be a bit different, but this gives you some idea of how we go about choosing. Personally, I like the look and feel of the place on Rue St Paul, but we'd reject it for not having an elevator. Of the three, my choice would be the place on Rue des Rosiers, although I like the decor less. My last choice would be the VIP place, partly because it is a studio (we prefer a separate bedroom in case one of wants to stay up late reading) and partly because I can't quite get the feel of it from the listing and photos. Anselm
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Post by Jody on Sept 20, 2009 15:41:19 GMT -5
The VIP place does have internet, either dsl or wifi. I used the wifi since I din't have a cable with me.The bedroom and full bath are upstairs so the living-dining room is completely seperate. There is a TV on bth floors but we never used them so I can't say what channels they get. I think DH turned them on one day and got CNN
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Post by PariS on Sept 20, 2009 15:47:54 GMT -5
Here are a few of my observations on these 3 apartments:
Rue des Rosiers--From my experience as a "Googler", I'd say it's located at #17, just across the street and down a few doors from L'As du Falafel). It's 250-300 meters from the St. Paul metro, which is on line 1 (a very convenient line!). It's larger than the other two, which is a plus. And since it's on the 2nd floor (2nd US or French?) there are less stairs to climb than the place on Rue St. Paul. The description doesn't mention an elevator, so there probably isn't one. There are tons of local conveniences and shops. This apartment offers free wireless internet and free long distance phone calls, which is a plus. King beds are hard to find, so that's nice, too!
Rue St. Paul--I prefer this location slightly over the previous street, as the street won't be as crowded and it's close to the Seine (about 300 meters). I'm pretty sure this apartment is at #39, as the window view looks straight down rue Neuve Saint-Pierre. It's a bit closer to the St. Paul metro stop--about 150-200 meters. Lots of nearby shops and conveniences. Oh yeah, you're right at the back door to the Monoprix around the corner--looks like the windows overlook their service entrance. I wonder if there would be noise early in the mornings during deliveries? The biggest drawback for me would be having no elevator. I love the higher floor, but 4 or 5 flights of stairs would be a killer on my feet at the end of a long day. But I do love the open view of this apartment--I really prefer to be out on the street so I can see life, rather than overlooking a courtyard, like the apartment below.
VIP #112--Looks to be on Square Saint-Médiard, just across the street from the church and right by the market at the end of rue Muffetard. The location seems fun to me. And of course I love the elevator. Being on the top floor, if you were there in the heat of the summer, it would probably be pretty warm, but in April you don't need to be concerned about that. You'd be about 200 meters from Censier Daubenton metro, line 7. Further away from lots of the sights, but easy to get to with a metro connection or two. I noticed the hand-held shower--there doesn't seem to be anyplace to hang it up high for a normal shower. But if you're more a bath person, it wouldn't matter. If you're concerned about the size of the bed, I would email the owner and ask how many meters it is. Many listings, particularly if the apartment is owned by a European, will say "double" simply meaning it's large enough for two, not necessarily meaning it's the size of a US double/full. When you get your answer, you can google conversions and see how big it is compared to your bed at home. And as noted by someone else, there's no internet connection at this place, which would be a big drawback for me since I like to keep in touch with my kids, and much as he hates it, hubby always ends up with some business to do while we're away.
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Post by PariS on Sept 20, 2009 15:49:42 GMT -5
Jody, I think you're looking at a different apartment than I am! What upstairs? What second bathroom? It sounds great!!!
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Post by justbronwyn on Sept 20, 2009 19:05:30 GMT -5
Wow, thank you for all the detailed responses! After reading an older post by Gitte I'm intrigued by this one in the 12th: www.homelidays.co.uk/paris-12/apartment-flat-164583en.htm#planningI realize it's not as central, but looks like it is fairly close to a metro stop. The bed looks a little iffy, but otherwise a very pretty apartment and street. Bronwyn
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Post by Darcy on Sept 20, 2009 22:45:30 GMT -5
Gitte is in this apt as we speak. ;D And I will be in it from Oct 7th to 21st. Can't wait!
I had a PM from her saying that the apt was fantastic and she wanted to stay longer. She didn't comment on the beds - you know that they can be arranged as two singles or one double, right? (but as someone said earlier, Annette?, double probably doesn't mean it's 54" wide).
I'm sure that Gitte will give us a very thorough review of the apt very soon.
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Post by Jody on Sept 21, 2009 5:04:46 GMT -5
Stupid me, Bronwyn is looking at #112 . I thought she was looking at #122!! Sorry
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Post by AnselmAdorne on Sept 21, 2009 7:39:28 GMT -5
That is a nice looking apartment, Bronwyn, and it certainly appeals to me more than the other three. I could be happy in the 12th.
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Post by justbronwyn on Sept 21, 2009 16:21:40 GMT -5
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Post by Darcy on Sept 21, 2009 16:44:14 GMT -5
I think this is a lovely apt, 5th floor with an elevator!
It was difficult to tell from the bathroom photo, but it might be a little awkward to get in and out of the tub but that wouldn't stop me from renting it.
The map feature on that site is useless, isn't it?!
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Post by holger on Sept 22, 2009 7:46:50 GMT -5
That is clearly a half bath which would be very difficult to sit in even after getting in the tub. Dealing with that for a week would be a deal breaker for me.
Bronwyn, I don't know your price point but you might want to look at the studios from perfectlyparis.com. Some of them seem that they might suit and Gail could tell you more. She also has larger apartments but they tend to run a bit more.
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Post by justbronwyn on Sept 23, 2009 11:37:06 GMT -5
Well, after not hearing back from the homelidays apartment in the 12th and considering the input about steps and the superiority of the Rue St. Paul neighborhood I am now considering this place on Rue Charles V although it is a little more than what we wanted to spend: www.vrbo.com/110030Does this seem like a good location? Bronwyn
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Post by Jody on Sept 23, 2009 11:48:09 GMT -5
Looks nice and it's close to several metros. Did you see our member, Luckyluc's apt on VRBO. It's closer to your budget www.vrbo.com/103254
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Post by AnselmAdorne on Sept 23, 2009 17:48:39 GMT -5
That apartment on Rue Charles V is just a block away from the place you were looking at on Rue St Paul. I quite like that area. In addition to Jody's suggestion that you look at LuckyLuc's, I might also mention a place I stayed in on Rue Morland in the 4th. It is a very quiet street between Boul Henri IV and Canal St Martin (about three blocks east of the places you have been looking at Rue St Paul and Rue Charles V). Here's the link: www.vrbo.com/24464The owner was completely reliable, good to deal with. The kitchen is a bit limited, but the apartment was otherwise spacious and comfortable. Fifth (I think) floor with an elevator. Here's a photo I took while I was there, which pretty much shows the same thing as one of the photos on the vrbo listing:
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Post by holger on Sept 23, 2009 20:52:44 GMT -5
Luc's apartment has gotten excellent reviews on Slow Travel. People love the garden. You have had a number of suggestions but I also feel that if you want the cosy neighborhood set up, you may want to explore with some one likee Gail of Perfectly Paris. The advantage is that you can give her your requirements and she can give you available options for your dates. But I would certainly explore with Luc whether his apartment is available. Our Tuffaut also has an apartment but I believe it is more than your price range.
Good luck.
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Post by justbronwyn on Sept 24, 2009 13:17:02 GMT -5
I love the vrbo/24464, but sadly it is already completely booked for our selected dates. The Bastille one is nice except for the double bed--a deal breaker for my very tall spouse. I haven't completely ruled out Montmartre, especially since there are so many nice and good value apartments available in that area, but I wonder if it might be too much of a schlep to the sights near the Seine. I think we will go with VRBO/117217, the 5th floor walk up near Rue St. Paul--good exercise . It looks like the king bed is actually two twins, though.
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Post by suzanne on Sept 25, 2009 10:19:00 GMT -5
We stayed in the VIP apartment 112 a few years ago. I loved the location. It is across from the church as Annette stated. It is only about a block from the metro. Being on Rue Mouffatard was realloy great.
The apartment is at the back of the building so it was very quiet. The only view though is of other rooftops and apartment windows. Since we wer out and about during the day that was not a problem for us. The elvator is very small but it is new and works well. The kitchen is well equiped with a washing machine and a diswasher and a full size frig.
The neagatives (for Us): the TV does not get any English speaking channels. The shower is one of those telephone types and not wall mounted. There is no way to keep the water from gettin all over the floor anunless you sit in the tub which was not something my husband would do. I do not know iif there is internet access in the apartment . There is a Starbuck sdirectly behind the aparatment so you could go there.
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Post by suzanne on Sept 25, 2009 10:21:42 GMT -5
Sorry about my typos. I'm trying to hurry.
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