Anyone rented an apartment in Paris for a family trip?

[Anonymous]

What company did you use and would you use them again or avoid them? What are your best BTDT tips? FWIW, it wouldn't be my first trip to Pairs and I do speak the language. It would be the first trip for my kids.

TIA

[Anonymous]

I do not have a direct answer to your question, but when I was younger, I used to travel a bunch and I used "Lets Go, [Country]" For each city, there would be a list of available accomodations--hotels, hostels, and apartments (sometimes called, pensions (pensioni in Italian??), if I remember correctly). I had success with quite a few of the recommended apartments.

[Anonymous]

Do you want my apartment, with a view of the Eiffel Tower? Just kidding, it's my parents apartment, and they probably wouldn't want to rent it ... Being French, I would rather stay at an hotel, because the hotel/restaurant industry is well regulated (and the number of stars give you a good idea of what to expect). I would be more wary of renting a furnished apartment, especially from companies that cater exclusively to an american clientele. But if you can navigate websites/brochures in french, then rent something not just priced for foreign tourists. Somewhere in a residential neighborhood, like the 15th arrondissement, with easy grocery shopping options (not around the major monuments). Plus it will give you a feel for the "real" Paris.

[Anonymous]

We have done about 8 times through different companies and sometimes directly with the owners. We always start with a googling "short term rentals Paris" and go from there. We have always had great experiences. We are very partial to the Saint Germain area and more than two baths and a complete kitchen are really important to us so that narrows the search a bit. If we are staying for a week or longer we request a once a week clean-up so we don´t have to do major bathroom cleaning or change linens. We love to cook and nothing beats a Parisian street market so we do use the kitchen a lot. Most websites have great and reliable pictures of the apartments and also include maps and nearby attractions and stores so you get a feeling of the area. Expect a hefty deposit and very detailed instructions of how to use everything and what is expected from you.
Have a wonderful trip!

[Anonymous]

Could you recommend a couple of the companies you've used? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

We used NYhabitat.com twice and had very positive experiences. I'm sure it is more than the French sites, but it is so easy to use and they have a ton of photos of most apartments. Most are well-located.
We also organized a 6-month stay through a friend of a friend, who had a flat in the southern part of the 16th arr. It was in a not-so-upscale section, but across the river from the Parc Andre Citroen, which is a glorious place and not overrun w/ tourists.

[Anonymous]

Thanks!