Staying in the 7th or the 5th? (And Paris Perfect)

Are you aware of the crackdown on illegal apartment rentals by the Paris Mayor? There are a number of companies who advertise the properties of private individuals (to be legal they must be registered and the owner must live in them for at least 8 months a year) regardless of their legality.

I have never heard of Paris Perfect - and I have been quite active on this Helpline (as it used to be called) and Forum (its current name). Just because I have never heard of them doesn't mean that they aren't nice people.

How do they handle payment and deposits, and cleaning? Do you deal with them or the owner?

Personally I'd opt for the 5th, it's just more central and more lively.

Nigel - I'm not aware of the crackdown, but this is a very reputable company recommended by Rick Steve's, so I'm not worried.

You might want to look for reviews of Paris Perfect on Trip Advisor -- I seem to recall a lot of dissatisfaction. I would choose the 5th over the 7th although it always depends on precisely where and the particular apartment. The 7th is inconveniently located and much of it is quite dead. We have rented in the 3rd, 4th, 5th several times, 7th, 11th, 14th, 17th several times, 18th several times and 20th and the 7th was by far our least favorite although the apartment itself was lovely.

Good to know - I'll look into that - thank you! Do you have any apartment companies that you do recommend in that case?

adonaho, I hate getting into the whole apartment debate but you may want to look into this even though Paris Perfect is recommended by RS. I have read at least one report that PP has asked clients to pretend to be apartment owners if questioned about the place where they are staying. That being said, when I used to rent vacation apartments for my trips to Paris, I worked with Paris Perfect and they were fine but very expensive. You will see the Eiffel Tower all the time while in Paris and the views from the apartments are in my view not worth it depending on where in the 7th the apartment is located. Some spots in the 7th are a bit too residential for my purposes for a vacation -- too long a walk to stores, restaurants and the Metro. While I am not a big fan of parts of the 5th (too noisy and overwhelmed by kitschy places), I would pick the Luberon apartment, which is in a charming part of the 5th. My experience with PP is with the Chablis apartment and it was fine but too small for three people and the "kitchen" was basically useless if you wanted to actually prepare meals, which was not a problem for me because I do not cook while on vacation.

Adonaho- We have used Paris Perfect in finding apartments for long visits and their services are excellent. We love it that the apartments are gorgeous, up-to-date, have elevators, have air conditioning and heating, and they offer loads of info. They will send a cab for you at the airport and when you arrive at the apartment, there will be a greeter to take you right in and show you everything. There will be a welcome basket and you'll have a washer and dryer, full sized fridge, and more. I'd grab the Cote de Beaune in the 7th. You'll be on an upper floor with amazing views and you can use the Metro to get to anyplace in Paris you want. I hope you have a great trip.

We have never been asked by Paris Perfect to pretend to be owners. We have stayed long term in their apartments sometimes and just for a week or two on others. People in the buildings are aware that you are renting and as long as you make no disturbance, they don't care. Incidentally, the home office of the company is in Massachusetts and they are members of the Better Business Bureau there and in good standing. They offer great service. They aren't cheap but then you won't be staying in a cheapskate flea ridden hostel with weirdos wandering about inside with a toilet down the hall, no air con, and a bunch of stairs with no elevator. You will be living in luxury. Our favorite is called Hermitage and is in the 7th. It is amazing.

I have used Vacation in Paris on 2 separate Paris trips. They're based in the US east coast so very easy to call and speak with someone and they will send you the keys before your trip so no worries about having to pick up somewhere or meet someone to get said keys. There's a Paris contact in case you need anything while in the apt. I also recommend staying in the arrondisement 4,5, or 6 as they are much more centrally located and you can walk to a lot of sights. A view of the Eiffel Tower is so romantic but really, how much time will you spend in your apt gazing at it? You can PM me if you have any questions.

Nigel- Paris Perfect caters to luxury travelers like my family so that is why travelers who go cheap don't mention it. It is quite famous having been recommended and written about by magazines like Town & Country, House & Garden, National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler, Haute Living, Bride's (for honeymoons in Paris), House Beautiful, Travel & Leisure, Epicure & Culture, Vogue and Bonjour Paris as well as in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Rick Steves has recommended them in his Paris and France Travel Guides. They are a well-established Paris company and fully registered. They rent only luxury apartments in the best neighborhoods in elegant buildings which have elevators, central heating and individually controlled air conditioning and on top floors with balconies with the best views. Window glass is double glazed for peace and quiet. Each apartment is both comfortably and beautifully furnished, have up-to-date bathrooms that are huge and often have bath and showers and double sinks, and have the latest stoves, full size refrigerators and freezers and have a washing machine and dryer in the apartment for doing laundry. The kitchen is fully equipped. Housekeeping is provided. They have an apartment management office in the 7th and full time staff. You never meet any owners- just Paris Perfect staff. When you arrive at the airport, they send a taxi to carry your luggage to the cab and transport you to your apartment where a greeter awaits you to get your luggage to your apartment and show you around. A concierge at the management office makes recommendations, plans what you ask to have planned, and arranges tours, restaurant reservations, entertainment and sightseeing tickets, etc in advance for you.

We really love Paris Perfect and highly recommend them. You pay before arrival and they do have guarantees. Staff members are multi-lingual and do speak English. The company also does rentals in London and also villas in Italy with the same high standards.

Guess we need a new category - luxury.

@ adonaho, If your budget is ParisPerfect, take a look at Guest Apartment Services and Haven in Paris. All three are higher-priced (some would say luxury and others say overpriced but we will leave that debate alone) agencies and offer the same general type of apartments -- high end spaces with the bells and whistles that upscale Americans seem to be looking for in vacation rentals. In fact, some of their properties are the pied-à-terres of American owners and so are very comfortable for people looking for American style design and fixtures -- not saying that you are but mention it in case that is of interest. If you have not rented before, be sure to read each description of the apartment very carefully. As the real estate agent who showed me apartments in Paris said -- "it's what the description does not say that is crucial." Many apartments on upper floors in buildings in Paris will require you to exit the elevator on the 5th French floor and then walk up to the 6th or 7th floor spaces. Balconies that you can step out on are only on certain floors of Hausmannian buildings, etc. Certain styles of buildings are just not available in certain areas. Air conditioning often drives the price up for vacation rentals so consider if you need that for an apartment if you will be using it after the end of September. Note the sleeping arrangements in the apartments. Are the friends willing to share a queen sized bed or will everyone want her own space? BTW, not all PP apartments have AC as you know if you are looking at Colombard.

"Guess we need a new category - luxury."

Bruce - been there, done that, didn't last.

"...a cheapskate flea ridden hostel with weirdos wandering about inside..."

Holy mackerel.

I thought everyone knew that there are only two types of accommodations in Paris -- luxury where you can get service like a taxi to take your luggage to your cab or "cheapskate flea ridden hostels with weirdos hanging around inside with a toilet down the hall, no air con, and a bunch of stairs with no elevator." Unfortunate for people who have to "go cheap."

I'm doing our entire European vacation with Airbnb...so far anyway. I love Airbnb.

what about elite destination homes? just booked with them! they have good reviews, hoping for the best!

This sounds like a GREAT trip! My family has used Paris Perfect several times and recommended them to friends and family -- all have had fantastic experiences. Last trip we (family of 5) stayed in the Chardonnay apartment and loved it - I love staying in the 7th near Rue Cler, making it so easy to stroll and gather daily picnic supplies. But the 5th and 6th are fantastic, too -- you really can't go wrong. We had such a great experience with Paris Perfect that on our trip last summer to Italy, we used Italy Perfect for apartments -- not the same company but owned by the sister of the owner of Paris Perfect!

I have stayed at Paris Perfect apartments 4 different times over the past 8 years. They are a class act. Their places aren't cheap, but if you are staying with multiple people (would normally have to pay for 2 hotel rooms), and take advantage of the kitchen to cook some of your own meals - I feel like you can keep the budget under control. I love feeling like a temporary Parisian and having more room to stretch out while back at "home base." (instead of the cracker box hotel rooms). I love the 7th, but have also stayed in the 5th and liked it. Make sure you are relatively close to a Metro stop. I have stayed at Volnay, Cabernet, and Pomerol.

I can't comment on Paris Perfect, but I have rented from Cobblestone Paris twice. They are also recommended in Rick's Paris book, and I can tell you I have been very satisfied. Most of their propeties are in le Marais (arrondisiments 3 and 4). Two things I like about them is that they do not require a damage deposit and you can pay via credit card and/or PayPal. You do pay half the rental at time of booking. They are very responsive to inquiries.