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Studio Apartments in Paris (PLZ help me)

Hi everybody, I am planning for my travel to Paris in 22/4/2012 for 8 days and i just need a studio to stay in, I searched on Google but all sites provides reservation agencies but i want a site that provide me the contacts of the owner so i can talk to him/her directly. I have a friend in France that could make the reservation and payment for me (i think it's simpler than a reservation agency. so if there are anyone have an experience in that matter please help me (sorry for my bad English)
Thanks

Posted by
5 posts

and please note that my Max. budget for staying in a studio is 400 Euro

Posted by
16774 posts

Try VRBO for owner-direct rentals. Google "VRBO Paris studio apartments". You'll have to sort through the lsitings but they do state the price

Posted by
35 posts

In addition to VRBO you might look at airbnb.com. Sometimes they offer more than a foldout couch or a bedroom. Good luck!

Posted by
2876 posts

Mohamed, Try this website: http://www.vacationinparis.com/index.html You probably won't be able to talk directly to an owner but they have some good deals in studios. You might try picking up the current issue of France magazine at your news stand. There are "for rent" ads in the back of the magazine that often give the email addresses - if not the phone numbers - of the (usually British) owners.

Posted by
11507 posts

What exactly is the problem with VRBO,, it is what you requested, hundreds of listing where you contact the owner directly.

Posted by
5 posts

thanks for your attention i think www.airbnb.com is good but is it secure to put my credit card onfo on it ?
is it withdraw all the required payment after reservation or just a deposit ?

Posted by
35 posts

I used airbnb for a studio in London. As I recall they hold the payment until after you check in and you have a little time to make sure everything is ok before they release the payment to the owner. I had no problems using their payment system and the studio was exactly as advertised.

Posted by
931 posts

Mohamed, again, what is the problem with VRBO? We have had great success using them in the EU, and here in the States. We also have had good luck using Homelidays.com. Our Homelidays one bedrom apt in Paris at the top of the 15th (with an Eiffel tower view...if you leaned out the window...LOL) was only $100EU/nite

Posted by
873 posts

Yes, I would consider the sites reputable, but I cannot provide you with a guarantee. Sorry. When I tried to rent for a WV trip, our email exchanges were intercepted by crooks through one of the reputable sites. I was tipped off when the "owner" asked for my credit card info over the email exchanges rather than through the site. Just be cautious if things don't seem right.

Posted by
873 posts

Using an agency is more expensive since they will add a fee, but it may be simpler and maybe more secure to use a credit card with an agency since you can get your money back just in case of fraud. You can use craigslist to try and find an owner, but you take your chances with fakes and frauds. I would consider that more risky. I know that with airbnb.com you can talk to the owner directly (I did when I rented the place), but he most likely will not rent to you outside of the agency. However, they can negotiate with you when you contact them, so see if you can get a lower price. Again, we did and it offset the fee considerably. Otherwise, you need word of mouth to find someone. Good luck!

Posted by
5 posts

maryam i think that all these sites above is secured
what do you think ?

Posted by
2092 posts

Mohamed, I would feel that the sites are secure because many of these are reputable companies--vrbo, homelidays, vacationinparis. I liked using vacationinparis because we had the key in hand before we even left the US and everything was clearly spelled out. Also when I phoned the staff are so helpful and friendly!

Posted by
931 posts

Mohamed, you have the correct idea; it's best to use a reputable rental agency, and it's very important for you to talk to the owner, or person that is listing the apt. In January, I was notified, by one of the reputable rental agencies, that people have been intercepting their Emails and directing payments to scammers/crooks. They said that the best way to avoid this is to call up the listed owner/agent and verify the payment method/dates, etc. Remember, you best insurance is a rental that accepts your credit card. The most that you can loose is $50...the bank covers the remainder.

Posted by
38 posts

Check out www.vacationinparis.com. I got a studio apartment in Paris there for 5 nights. It was about $100/night, but they have discounts sometimes and there might be some less expensive than the one I chose. They were easy to work with and I would recommend them.