Paris apartment rental - Has anyone used You-Vacation-rental-By-Owner ?

Emily, you are absolutely correct that an apartment owner is not likely to be available to answer tourist questions.. in fact, the fact that you think you may need someone like that makes me wonder why you would consider an apartment for your first visit? Many people who like and use apartments have visited a city first and stayed in a hotel OR are very confident and able and willing to do the research themselves. Please do not count on anyone being your "host" when you rent an apartment. Some are helpful and nice, don't get me wrong, but under no circumstance are they going to be either willing or able to act as a conceirge service. What makes you think an apartment is the right choice for you? And finally, I should state that even staying at a hotel( unless you can afford a very expensive one) is no guarantee the desk staff will be super helpful,, many are, please don't misunderstand,, but they are desk clerks,, not conceirges. They will of course be able to tell you where the nearest metro is, or where the nearest taxi stand is,, but questions about where the best restaurant may be harder to get great info. Really alot of this will depend on you, you have a guide book and that is a great start,, the basics are all there so don't stress too much about it.
Please don't be nervous, Paris is lovely ,, read lots, cruise forums and read read read,, and maybe consider ordering or watching a few RS tapes,, many public libraries even have them for rent for free( least here they do ) . Ask lots of questions online, it will help,, I still learn stuff here and I have been to Paris many many times,, and spend entire summers there as a child, ,but people have great ideas and tips all the time!

Thank you so much Pat. The reason I am looking into apartments is simply because I cannot find a decent hotel room in good locations within my budget. When I came across apartment rental links and searched more, I realized I can live in a decent place, with convenience using kitchen/laundry/free internet etc., and in a good location, with same or even less budget!

I am looking for May 12-18 (6 nights) and can go between 150-220 euro each night.

There are many sites for Paris vacation apartment rentals. I am not familiar with this one, but I have used vrbo.com (vacation rental by owner) twice in Paris. My second rental was from someone named Pascal. Is it the same guy? If you know his last name you could send it to me in a private message and I could let you know. I have rented many apartments in Europe and the U.S. from vrbo and the only bad experience I had was with him. I do like apartments, but I have no need for someone to answer questions for me. In your case, a hotel seems to be the better option. There is a hotel in Paris called Hotel Porte Doree. It is run by a woman from the Sacramento area. I have not stayed there, but two friends have stayed there independently of each other and had all good things to say about it. The rates seem very reasonable. Are you from Gilroy, CA? Funny story - I took a cooking class at Lake Como and the chef chose me to help him make gnocchi. He handed me an apron and I had to laugh. It was from the Gilroy Garlic Festival! I love that festival! Can you say garlic ice cream... Edit - I looked at the website for the company you mentioned again and I don't think it is the same Pascal. The apartment I rented was not one of the choices.

Having good access to a computer in your aparment (or hotel) cannot replace a wise concierge for advice. But it is still helpful, and growing more so as information sources on the web proliferate and electronic access via smart phones etc. put resarch abilities at a hand's reach. Free WiFi or Ethernet is an essential factor now when I choose a place to stay.

Thank you Andrea. I tried Hotel Porte Doree, but we have four people (2 adults + 2 kids) and their biggest rooms (triple) can acoomodidate three only. Thanks anyway. The hotel rooms look really good from the picrtures. I am sure someone in this forum can use it. Yes I am from Gilroy, and I've been to Garlic festival a few times and have also tried the famous garlic ice cream. I love garlic fries too...

With 4 people, an apartment may be the better way to go. What are your dates and what is your budget?

That is very short notice. I just checked availability for the apartment I loved in Paris, but it is not free on those dates. I would check vrbo.com and homeaway.com to see what you can come up with.

Hi, Emily. I've rented apartments in Paris, but not with this person. However, I googled his website and added Pascal and came up with additional information - all good. You might want to look at the conversation surrounding your exact question on tripadvisor (which is another place I always check). Also, his website lets you email the people who have given recommendations which might be worth doing. Based on what I have seen, I'd definitely consider renting from him. By the way, the reviews for this guy imply that he would be helpful in answering your "tourist" questions. One thing you might consider is taking a Fat Tire Bicycle Tour. We have not done the Paris one (we know our way too well there, and would consider it anyway) but have done Berlin. It is a fun way to see an overview of the sights. The guides are very knowledgeable and friendly. Not sure about the makeup of your family of four. The bicycling is at a slow pace and on "fat" tires.