Christmas in Paris...

For a week in Paris I highly recommend an apartment. We arrived in Paris on Dec. 29th last year and spent 10 days there. Stores were closed on New Years Day, so we stocked up on food the day before. An apartment gives you more room than a hotel. It is also a good way to save money because you don't have to go out for each meal. We have stayed in a hotel and an apartment and I would do the apartment again any time!

Thanks, Andrea! Any suggestions on a good broker for apartments? There are a great many online but I have no idea how to know if it is a good deal...

Sharon

Actually, airbnb.com DOES charge a booking fee...so add about 10% to the costs they list. However, they do claim they don't release the payment to the owner unti after you arrive, presumeably giving you time to complain if things aren't up to snuff. They list prices/night, so if you want a discount for staying a week, you'll have to hash that out with the owner.

I've had good success with homelidays.com. You are in direct contact with the owners there, and it' been around long enough that there are lots of reviews posted. Its prices also seem to be a bit lower if you need more than just a day or two's accommodation. However, paying any required deposit can be a hassle since you deal directly with the owners....I always try to encourage them to accept something by Paypal.
Homelidays' selection is also far more extensive.

We've used VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner) for an apartment in Paris and it worked well for us. Paris is wonderful during the holiday season. I've been to Messiah performances and other concerts and it's all very festive. I'd look at Rick's book for info about purchasing a Museum Pass--then look at the museum websites to determine which ones are open during the holiday time that you're in the city.

I booked our apartment through VRBO. They have a many listings for Paris. The apartment I booked is owned by someone who lives in the U.S. and I paid in dollars...a huge savings. Many places charge a premium for that time of year, so you may want to be aware of that. The apartment I rented did not charge an additional amount.

Will it be just the two of you? If so, you can look at both studios and one bedrooms. I rented a one bedroom in the 5th (Latin Quarter) with a view of Notre Dame. If I was going to buy a one bedroom apartment in Paris (and I wish I could) it would be that one! We loved it!!! If you would like more information feel free to PM me.

I know you will have a fantastic time!!!!!

When posters write "I paid in dollars...a huge savings," I'm not sure what that means...savings of what, on what? Surely the U.S. dollar price is simpy the Euro cost converted to U.S. dollars? Surely you don't mean that the renter may charge, say, 400 Euro but rent it to you for $400?

Actually Norm, yes, it was a huge savings by my paying in dollars. The apartment I rented is listed on multiple websites. I rented from the VRBO website, which listed the price in dollars. The other websites listed the price in euros.

The amounts were the same. Since a dollar is worth much less than a euro it saved me a lot of money.

One benefit to paying in dollars if possible is that you know what your costs are going to be. If you are paying in euros the cost of a euro to you can change from the time you reserve to the time you pay.

Wow Andrea...I find it incredible that anyone would be willing to take a financial loss like that. You were lucky to find it! And I guess if the value of the Euro goes down, then you're paying less?

When I made the arrangements for the apartment I was only aware that it was on the VRBO website. After I made my reservation I found the apartment on a few other sites. The other sites were priced in euros, rather than dollars as it was on VRBO. The sites were for 1450 per week, which I was able to negotiate down, as I rented 10 nights for the normal price of 7. On one of the other sites the apartment actually was marked up to a greater amount for the holiday week that I was there. I did not question why I was able to get such a good deal, I just enjoyed the fact that I did.

I suppose that if I booked in dollars and the euro became weaker than the dollar I would end up paying more. I have not had the pleasure of traveling to Europe with a stong dollar, so it has not been a problem.

That raises an interesting point....one should check multiple websites if they find an apartment they like to see if its listed for different prices...perhaps appealing to what the owners think a local market could bear. But with the internet, we might take advantage of those "local market" conditions.

One potential problem for comparing websites is knowing what to look for. I learned the name of the street the apartment was located on, then googled the street name. That's how I found the other sites.

And speaking of Google - I checked out the street on Google Earth. Then I went on the street view and checked out the neighborhood. When we arrived by metro we knew exactly where to go!

Here is a thought. Do consider staying in a hotel if this is your first time in Paris (or even your second)! The hotel staff are a very valuable resource for all things Paris: metro, good value restaurants, directions, and all of the things that the Parisians know but you don't! The hotel staff give you peace of mind and can save you hours of time or several bad meals, or give info on the frequent strikes (like almost all of the museums in Paris now), etc. 7 nights is not that long in Paris and you don't want to waste time and money.

Also are you really going to cook in the apartment? If you think you will, check to see if there are any spices and basic foods provided. By the time you purchase these for a couple of meals, you might as well have eaten out!

Hotel cost like apartments are often based on the distance from the prime tourist locations. Also make sure that you are near a metro stop (no more than 5 minutes). I am a travel consultant and France Specialist who works with clients on moderate budgets. They are always happy with my suggestions in this area.

I also recommend Rick Steves France and Paris Travel Guides because he provides the best information on the metro, museums, way of life, fun things to do, etc. Check out his recommendations for hotels altho his preferred area is not close to any tourist area except the Eiffel Tower.

Good luck on your trip! Just dress warm since it can really be chilly walking around in Paris in the winter.

Also, what is your budget per night for a Paris hotel? Remember that it includes all taxes and often continental breakfast so add that on to your budget.

Bobbie

Bobbie does have a point about being a first time visitor and getting information from your hotel.

That said, the woman who met us at the apartment went through everything with us, and even walked to the metro (one station at each end of our street!) to help me with getting our Navigo pass. We also were provided the phone number of two local people we could call at any time with questions. The apartment was full of maps and guidebooks, plus a laptop and a phone. We were even able to call the U.S. with no charge. The apartment contained a washer and dryer, which was very helpful in my quest to pack lightly.

Traveling in the winter means short days and long nights. It was nice to come back to the apartment (much roomier than a hotel room), spread out and plot out the next day.

We paid $145 a night for our apartment. Most hotels are more than that. And yes, we had breakfast in the apartment. I also was able to make sandwiches for our lunch some days and I did cook some dinners. It was much less expensive than eating out for each meal. Not everyone wants to cook on vacation, and that's okay. For us, we save where we can so we can vacation more frequently.

Whatever you decide, Paris is magical and I am sure you will have a great time.

This website might be helpful to you: http://goparis.about.com/od/events/tp/Christmas_Paris.htm

I might recommend against Normandy in the winter. The days are too short and you can expect howling wind and rain all day on more days than not.

WOW!! Thank you everyone for all of the fantastic information! We went out yesterday and bought Rick's Paris 2010 book and have been pouring over it ever since! We are so excited that we may burst! (ha!)

Having read some of the comments about the hotel/apartment discussion we have become more open to a small hotel OR an apartment and will be looking into both as the time draws a little closer.

Thanks again all!!

Sharon and Kip