Hi,
Looking at VRBO for a place in Paris in August. It's a toss up between a place with solid reviews which does not have A/C, and a place with mixed reviews that does have A/C!...
I've really valued folks' input on other questions and would love to know your thoughts on this.
Thanks
We've stayed in Paris in August with and without AC. If it's hot, you probably won't like it, but an inexpensive circulating fan does wonders. You can either gift it to the apartment where you're staying when you leave or trash it. I guess I'd ask in advance if the owner would welcome it or see it as left-behind trash.
We've also been in Paris when the weather in August was mild enough that no fan was needed. My wife begins finding the heat intolerable before I do, so obviously it's a personal judgement call. Where you're from might enter into the equation but I'm unsure about that. We're from Florida but as soon as it gets hot, we turn on the AC so we're not accustomed to sitting around or trying to sleep when it's hot inside.
I'd vote for the place with the solid reviews (and a circulating fan). My wife would probably vote for the other one (depending on what those mixed reviews say).
I stayed in Paris in August in a studio without A/C. There were some quite hot days but the apt was on an upper floor with cross ventilation so a small fan was all that was needed on those nights. Since I was always out and about until after dark I didn't have a big problem with sleeping in the heat. I also spent most of my life without A/C so I know I can deal with not having it so it's not a priority for me.
Air conditioning can vary a lot. Most hotels we stay in require the key to be placed in a sensor on the wall to activate the AC. This means the AC is off when you are out of the room. I live in the Deep South and have refrigerator cold AC. Most European AC systems do not get as cold as those in the states. Look at the reviews and see where the ppl who leave them are from to get an idea of how cold the AC will get. However a fan works. We take a moisture wicking shirt and get damp with cold water and lay it over our torso and it provides a cooling effect. Good Luck.
If you need to sleep with the windows open, try to find a room that does not face a busy street since the traffic noise will flow into your bedroom along with the air. I like hotels/flats that are situated on a side street.
Thanks, everyone...we're leaning towards the place with the solid reviews and no A/C!
If you do book a place with no AC, you can take these little USB fans with you as "insurance". Can't go wrong for $1 each! You just have to wait 2-3 weeks for the free shipping. Here's the link:
They sell these fans at all the 7-11 markets here in CA. You can also buy small battery operated fans at Wal-Marts.
AC is more than just cooling. It also lets you close the windows to block out 1) insects 2) cigarette smoke 3) noises. I've suffered through a few rooms without AC and I just wouldn't do it again. I remember our room in Florence (luckily it DID have AC) and when you entered via the front door a swarm of mosquitoes was just would enter with you! Can you imagine not having AC and having to leave the window open to try to stay cool??? You'd be eaten alive :-)
I wonder if you can just buy a cheap fan in Paris? The white noise is good for sleeping.
Yes, you can. That's what we did. You wouldn't want to bring one from home.
