laurel
Junior Member
Posts: 83
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Post by laurel on Oct 10, 2009 19:07:17 GMT -5
Stayed Sept. 20 - 26 at Champagne, a lovely apartment in the 7th. Paris Perfect lived up to its reputation for very good customer service. Greeters were prompt, attentive and knowledgable. Helped us set up the computer, etc. The apartment windows were all floor-to-ceiling and opened onto a wraparound (narrow) balcony. Views of the E.T. and at night - wow. The bedroom view was a leafy tree, the light was extremely good throughout. Free phone calls to U.S. (I guess all Paris has that?) Elevator. Kitchen was very modern and extremely well-equipped, although all we used it for was morning coffee and storing cold drinks. It had a washing machine that was also the dryer - we were too timid to attempt using it, but found a super blanchesserie (sp?). We dropped off and picked up the next day and it was perfect. 12 euros per load. There are lots of very good restaurants within a block radius, a couple of cafes that were nice for people-watching (but not so good for food). Cafe Constant was a highlight and it was a few doors down from us on rue St. Dominique. Recommend it highly!
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Post by Shoesy on Oct 10, 2009 22:42:31 GMT -5
Sounds like an amazing apt. , Laurel. I like the fact that it has those very large windows, the balcony and the nice views. I exalt you for not cooking and doing your own laundry while on vacation......in Paris. ;D
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Post by GitteK on Oct 11, 2009 2:34:20 GMT -5
chouchou, for 6 days it's not absolutely necessary to do laundry, unless you have something which you really really want to wear twice. This is the apt. At 2800 euros per week - I'd expect a uniformed chambermaid to come an pick up my laundry and do it for me !! Plus deliver it back, neatly ironed and wrapped in pastel rose paper......... www.parisperfect.com/apartments-for-rent-in-paris/champagne.php
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Post by Shoesy on Oct 11, 2009 2:43:12 GMT -5
Wow! That's what I call style. Beautiful apt.
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Post by denise on Oct 11, 2009 3:01:28 GMT -5
I think this is the apartment I visited Framboisee and Gracejoan last December.
I have always liked the area of rue St Dominique. I can't understand when people describe it as "dead". I always think it has an urban village atmosphere. Lots of small shops and cafes. and the ever present Eiffel tower reminds you constantly you are in Paris.
It IS a lovely apartment but I agree it is very pricey. I suppose you are paying for service.
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Post by GitteK on Oct 11, 2009 3:34:03 GMT -5
Denise, I think ParisPerfect choose to be reputed as a decidedly upscale agency (also reflected in the prices) for the more "demanding" clientèle, who prefer the 7th arrondissement. And I imagine the agency must be so much on their toes to guard this image 24/7. The high pricelevel signals "You can expect flawless quality" - and it also separates the sheep from the goats, so to speak. This is the first time I have seen them marketing a "sale", i.e. lowering the prices. The financial crisis must be taking its toll, also on the luxury rental business. Their apts. are very stylish, mansion/embassy style. For me, I'd be scared witless about happening to break something........ BTW, I agree that the 7th arr. is very nice and agreeable to walk around in, but I fail to see the village-aspect ? I know that gracejoan used to call it a village too, but we must have a wholly different mental images of "a village", I guess.
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Post by geordy on Oct 11, 2009 7:39:04 GMT -5
I think the village aspect has to do with the many shopping streets and small restaurants...but those can be found in all the arrds. if you look for them! As for laundry...my S/O refers to our hotel bathrooms as the" Hanging Gardens of Babylon" also refers to my bathroom that way when he is here! I regularly wash out the lingerie..and find places to hang to dry amongst the shower head, taps, towel bars. Also wear a washable outfit on the plane going and wash that as well the first nite. (all those hours of travel, trying to sleep, and eating on plane! )
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laurel
Junior Member
Posts: 83
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Post by laurel on Oct 11, 2009 13:00:44 GMT -5
Yes, I know it's expensive, but we saved up for two years for this trip .. every penny went into the bank..and our intention was to pull out all the stops..life is short, n'est-ce pas? The trip celebrated our 30 year anniversary and two other very significant milestones in our lives so we really wanted to make it special. If it weren't for OPF advice we'd not have thought of an apartment or had such valuable info to work with. Walking through Paris, I'd think "this is the area where so-and-so from OPF rents their apartments - it's so great!" but we think the area we stayed in was comfortable and pretty and well-located to Metro, etc. When we compared this apartment to the hotels of our dreams, it actually was much, much more reasonable, so we felt quite frugal! Saw "Education" yesterday and there is a terrific, wonderful sequence in Paris circa 1962. Now that we've been, it meant even more. We're still in heaven.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Oct 18, 2009 11:33:36 GMT -5
Laurel, there certainly no need to feel you should explain or apologize for your choice of apartment or how much it cost - it obviously was a very special trip, and we're just glad you really enjoyed it. Things are worth what a paraticular person is willing to pay for them (conversely, not worth it, if not). It does sound as if you got a good value, considering what a high quality experience it was (and, as you say, a high end hotel could have been substantially more).
Glad you had a good time, and thanks for letting us know how it was.
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