|
|
Post by georgeleitch on Sept 29, 2013 11:36:28 GMT -5
Hi guys,
well, here we are again, happy as can be. Once more we have the dilemma of not being able to choose
a vacation apartment for April 2014 and so I thought that I would ask the opinions of the forum.We have so far, narrowed the choice down to 3
as follows.
1 Abritel 577484 in the 20th. Looks a nice place but it is in the wilds and not the best area.However it has the great
advantage to a Scot of being the cheapest.
2 Home away 848402 in the canal region. Again looks nice and is in a nice area. It is a little more expensive though.
3 vrbo366986 in the 1st. In between the others cost wise but we have stayed in the first and sort of wanted a change.
I hope that I have given you all enough info but. as you will remember, my computer skills are very limited being able to switch
the thing on and off and surf the net.Any advice you can give will be most appreciated.
Ta George xx
|
|
|
|
Post by janetnj on Sept 29, 2013 13:36:55 GMT -5
Hi George. The first 2 have been reviewed on this forum. Have you seen the reviews in the Apartments We've Stayed IN thread?
I stayed in the first one. I liked the apartment - large, sunny, fully equipped. Minimal noise. Supermarket right around the corner. The bed was a bit hard. I didn't love the area, but I was glad to experience it for the week. The landlord gave me a good price - she was very nice.
The lovely Denise stayed in the 2nd one and highly recommended it. I considered it for my upcoming trip. The noise factor made me a bit nervous. My first apartment had noise and it's been a major deciding factor for me ever since.
The 3rd one I think is small - 275 sq. feet or about 26 sq. meters. You can't get much closer to the Seine though. I like to explore different neighborhoods, so I'd go to a new area.
I think you'd be fine in either of the first two. I think I'd spring for it and go for the one by the canal.
Hope this helps!
|
|
|
|
Post by PariS on Sept 30, 2013 8:05:25 GMT -5
Here are the links: www.abritel.fr/location-vacances/p577484www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p848402www.vrbo.com/366986My first impressions--I rented a condo once that had a lot of the owner's personal things around (as in your first apartment), and didn't have a good experience with that (no room to put away our own things, too much clutter, etc.), so that one's a no-go for me. Might not bother you. Elevators--These darn things tend to break down in Paris, and I'd sure hate to hear you're having to climb 4 or 5 flights of stairs with your hip!! One said the elevator was new, so I'd probably trust that one more than the others. Location--I think the Canal St. Martin would be a fun place to stay. Second choice would be the 1st. 20th arrondisement is way at the bottom of my list. I was going to recommend Luc's apartment in the 11th, but the link I have doesn't work. Anyone know where to find it these days? It's a lovely large studio on the ground floor with a beautiful private garden. |
|
|
|
Post by Jody on Sept 30, 2013 17:32:54 GMT -5
Annnette I can't find my link to luc's apt
anymore And I
I was interested in renting next trip. I hate this new format I can't see most of the links!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by mez on Sept 30, 2013 18:51:27 GMT -5
www.vrbo.com/103254 is the link I had to Luc's apartment but it seems to no longer be on VRBO. A shame.
|
|
|
|
Post by georgeleitch on Sept 30, 2013 20:29:03 GMT -5
Annette,Mez,Janet and Jody,
Thank you all for your input and I think that we have decided on the Canal. It will be somewhere new but I google earthed it and can't see
a Boulangerie in the immediate vicinity so, looks like a trek first thing for my pain au chocolat and Stella's pain au raisin. On the other hand, there is a Picard across the road and for gendarme lovers ( no pompiers I'm afraid)there is a gendarmerie a couple of blocks down the road.
The painful part, for a Scot is now paying out money!!
best wishes to all, George and Stella
|
|
|
|
Post by mez on Sept 30, 2013 21:18:28 GMT -5
I like that area, and stayed not far from there. My apartment was on the Quai de Valmy, close to the intersection of Rue Eugène Varlin. It was lovely being able to look out the window at the canal. I don't recommend the apartment though as it's a 4th floor walk up and the water pressure in the shower is abysmal. Anyway, the reason I am telling you this is that there is a bakery at this intersection. There is also a second one further along Rue Eugène Varlin. I alternated between the two as they were both good. I can also recommend a restaurant on Rue Eugène Varlin - www.lechansonnier.com Good food, reasonable prices and a local clientele. There may be a few more visitors now as a hotel has opened on the street in the last couple of years but I am sure it hasn't changed too much. The waitress only spoke a few words of English but between that, my very few words of French and my recognition of items on the menu written in French, I made great choices and waddled away after enjoying a 3 course meal. :-) |
|
|
|
Post by janetnj on Sept 30, 2013 21:37:56 GMT -5
George, I think you've made a good choice. I really like exploring different areas. Even if it ends up being an area you don't fall in love with, you've experienced a different part of Paris.
Mex - I noted that restaurant. Thanks for the post.
|
|
|
|
Post by PariS on Oct 1, 2013 10:57:07 GMT -5
Yes, looks like you've made a good choice George! That will be a fun area to explore. I heard from Luc yesterday, and he has sold his apartment! I was sad to hear it at first, but am really happy for him because he has grand plans in his future (which include another Paris apartment  ). |
|
|
|
Post by georgeleitch on Oct 6, 2013 10:28:27 GMT -5
Once again thank you all for your input and I am happy to say that we sent off our deposit for the Canal apartment yesterday. This was not without it's problems as PayPal and I are not very pally. Of course if I had read the instructions first............... But, what can I say, I am a man so instructions are not to be read until desperation takes over.Eventually after digs from the memsahib I read them and the transaction went through, much to my surprise.
I have another problem in that it is Stella's birthday on April 11th and she wants to go on a dinner cruise.Unfortunately, La Boheme is on the same night and she would rather have a romantic cruise than watch opera even if Angela Georgiu is singing Mimi and this is the last performance in our window.Of course it is her birthday and her choice must come first but she can just wait until it's my birthday then she can come and watch female mud wrestling with me
|
|
|
|
Post by PariS on Oct 6, 2013 10:40:51 GMT -5
LOL I'm so glad you're back George, I need some laughs! What dinner cruise are you thinking about? Does Stella want the whole dinner/dancing thing? Or just a nice meal? If dancing isn't a priority, you might take a look at Le Calife--it's a smaller and less expensive option to the big Bateaux Mouche cruises. Thought your "Scottish sensibilities" might want to know!  (hey, I wonder if Darryl has any Scot in him?) |
|
|
|
Post by georgeleitch on Oct 6, 2013 12:41:54 GMT -5
Annette,
I am sure that Daryl has lots of Scots in him as he must have the innate class to be married to you. We looked at the Le Calife as it has rave reviews on TripAdvisor and we both like the menus. As you say, it is smaller than the others so should be more intimate for a birthday celebration.
Thanks again.
|
|
|
|
Post by PariS on Oct 7, 2013 10:36:10 GMT -5
HAHAHA Thanks for today's laugh, George! |
|
). 
(hey, I wonder if Darryl has any Scot in him?)
hahahha