Apartment in Paris - Lodgis?

[Katie]

I'm driving myself bonkers looking for an apartment for us in Paris in April this year (4 adults, 1 child). A friend in Paris has recommended Lodgis.com, and I have found a very nice apartment with them, but have read really mixed reviews on the internet about their (lack of) services.
Has anyone here on AFF used lodgis??

I'm trying to find something decent, as we are travelling with my ILs on their first trip to Europe. Paris is our first stop; the ILs will be having 2 nights in SIN en route; due to a family wedding on my side, we'll meet up in SIN for the flights to LHR and then CDG together. We have 6 nights in Paris before going to the Somme for Anzac day. I'm hoping to get a 2-3 bedroom, 2 bathroom (or at least two loos) apartment so that we can self cater and enjoy the markets.
Probably OK to spend between Eur2000-3000 for the week, as we'll ne in B&Bs e next week, and not spending more than Eur200 per night for all of us.

Any comments on Lodgis or suggtions for finding an apartment???

 

[KitKat]

Used a similar service for a two week stay in 2006. Went OK. Need to be cautious as the agencies are only to connect you to the owner, they charge either you or the landlord a fee, an insurance fee sometimes, but the end agreement is between you and the owner. Sometimes the pictures etc do not match reality.
We did not have any problem with our rental in the first Arr.

IIRC there has been some rumblings about fines etc for landlords who rent their apartments out for short term. Not sure what the status of this is at the moment.

Paris Best Lodge is an option, but their apartments are smallish - perhaps get two - no need to stay with the ILs

Paris Apartments in Paris vacation rentals Parisbestlodge

They have internet etc included for most of the apartments

Enjoy the hunting - part of the journey.

 

[Postcode]

I agree totally with KitKat. Beware of some agencies which charge insane amounts for letting, linen, cleaning and so on. I have used Vacation rentals, private rooms, sublets by the night - Accommodations on Airbnb for apartments in Paris and elsewhere and have found it very good.

It is a site which puts apartment owners/tenants in touch with prospective visitors. The good thing is that the fees, if any are upfront and there are reports from people who have stayed there. You can email the owner and ask what is included and any information you want before you actually book. The site also has a good search function for what inclusions you want in an apartment and where you want to stay. Laundry/dryer and internet are so necessary on a trip.

Be careful of some of the big internet advertisers who charge a fortune for key collection and for cleaning.

I hope to be staying in the same apartment where I recently spent a week in a few months. Hope this helps and let us know what you find and decide.

 

[jb747]

I stayed in Citadines in Monmartre in 2009, and was quite happy with the apartment and the location.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I stayed in Citadines in Monmartre in 2009, and was quite happy with the apartment and the location.

How did you book it JB?

 

[jb747]

How did you book it JB?

Like any other tourist. I used a travel agent. He took care of the Citadines bookings for London and Paris, as well as booking us a flight across the Atlantic (NWA...the less said about them the better).

 

[Katie]

We stayed in the Citadines in Bastille/Marais in 2008, when Little Miss was only 18mths old and still in a cot. I guess we could get two of their one bedroom apartments, and put Little Miss on the fold out couch.

Sprucegoose, fwiw, I booked through Expedia for that 2008 stay.

 

[Katie]

Paris Best Lodge is an option, but their apartments are smallish - perhaps get two - no need to stay with the ILs

I do actually want to try to get an apartment where we'll all be together - perhaps a little crazy, but this will be their first trip to Europe, and they're only going because I initiated the conversations and basically pushed them into it (they do really want to go, just would never do it by themselves, and would also not do organised tours). They are really concerned about language differences, etc, so I just want to make sure they're OK.
I have been looking at apartment websites for months, and am getting to the "it's only 4 months away, just make a booking!" phase.

 

[Cocitus23]

Hi Katie,

I empathise with you in your frustration at booking an apartment in Paris. In fact, I started a thread on this very topic about 2 years ago. It contains some good advice and warnings. See here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-discussion/accommodation-in-paris-17129.html

In retrospect, I would say that it was an EXCELLENT idea to take an apartment rather than hotel. When we got there, the on-site manager was extremely helpful and friendly, and expressed embarrassment at all the hoop-la we had been put through - the insurance policy and the security deposit, and especially the requirement to complete a full condition report of the contents etc.

One resource we found to be invaluable to use in conjuction with the apartment was a box of cards (available here at good bookstores, I'm sure) called "50 Walks around Paris". Before I left Australia I researched our major places of interest and found out which of the 50 walks they were on. This process reduced the 50 down to 16, of which we comfortably managed 2 per day over the first 8 days we were there - one in the morning, then back to the apartment for lunch and a siesta, then the other in the afternoon/evening. All transport by Metro. We covered everything, and hardly ever back-tracked over old territory. And we never had to carry anything but a card. On our 9th day we travelled beyond the range of the "Walks" to Versailles - a must-see for any first timers, in my opinion.

So despite the frustrations of the booking process - and, believe me, I was about ready to pull the plug on the whole trip - it all ended up as a magnificent and memorable trip.

Bon voyage!

Cocitus23

 

[lmere12]

I used centreparis in June this year and stayed in the 2nd district & totally loved it.
I had to pay 50% on booking and then we had to go to a certain place near by the apartment to pick up the key, drop off the balance and return it to the same on exit. We negotiated a cleaning fee which was quite good.
Email communication was good. You can refer to Tripadvisor.com & read reviews on their forum. VRBO is also a good website for owner rental apartments with reviews.

 

[Heleigh]

In a previous thread stated we book with hotel.com but discoved now it was with wotif.com - there was a problem with initial booking but they did secure us another apartment.

Am adding link to the apartment we did stay in

BridgeStreet Le Marais - Wotif.com

All instructions to gaining acess were easy.

They have a number of other apartments.

 

[straitman]

My daughter has been looking at Paris accommodation this week so I have asked her to reply to this thread.

 

[equus]

We used www.parisforrent.com a couple of years ago with no problems, although arranging all the US dollar payments etc needed some doing, as the business is set up to cater for US tourists.

The apartment we had was 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, with a courtyard and very centrally located in the Marais - we walked / metro to everywhere (but mostly walked). It would come right at the top of your 3000Euro budget (maybe a little over), but was very convenient indeed. (The ground floor of the building contains a small supermarket/convenience store, so not far to get basic supplies).

 

[mzy]

We spent a week in Paris in January 2010 and booked an apartment through a US based company called "Vacation in Paris' Paris France vacation apartment (flat) rentals and tourist accommodations.. They have 100 or so apartments that they manage and the one we selected (ID #74) was perfect for us and 2 kids - just round the corner from the Eiffel Tower in the 7th arrondissement. Everything was handled online and via email. We received the keys before we left Australia with detailed instructions and contact details for the local property manager if required. On arrival, fresh flowers were on the table and a bottle of red was waiting. Being a US based company we also got to pay in USD when the exchange rate was good.

I would strongly recommend them.

 

[bossreggie]

I have a small apartment in Rue Perignon. (Saxe-Breteuil area, 10 mins walk from Eiffel Tower) It's close to markets etc.

It is currently being renovated but should be finished by April. If you are interested then please PM me.

The apartment has a large living/dining area, 2 double bedrooms, Chefs kitchen with dishwasher. 1 & 1/2 bathrooms, washer-dryer, All the entertainment goodies like surround sound, LED TV's, IPod docks etc. There is also free telephone and high-speed wireless broadband

Not sure if this will suit your requirements.

I have never charged for use as it has only been family and friends who have been there and they just cover the costs of the cleaning etc so I'm not sure of what a week or 2 would be worth. It's not a money making venture for me though.

 

[jakplus1]

Hi. I've used HomeAway Vacation Rentals: Beach Houses, Condos, Cabins, Villas & Vacation Rental Homes in the past and have found them to be very good.

 

[Katie]

Thank you all for your suggestions! AFF rocks!
Holiday planning is being derailed by flood precaution measures here at home. Hopefully we won't need our precautions, but better be safe ... You know how that saying goes!

 

[Fifa]

We booked a fabulous 2 bedroom apartment (ours only had one bathroom though) through Paris France Vacation Rentals by Owner, Paris France VRBO®, Paris France Apartments, Paris France Accommodations, Paris France Flats in October 2010.

The whole booking process was pain free and the owner met us at the apartment and explained everything.