Paris and the art of choosing a vacation rental:

Renting an apartment in Paris is not as easy as it looks. When searching the Internet to find the perfect vacation rental, you will be amazed by the sheer number of offers on the market and the diversity of agencies. Each of them have different philosophies when it comes to terms and conditions, payment options and cancellation terms. Their standards for selecting apartments and presenting them to potential guests also vary greatly...

Some agencies do not even hesitate to ask you for a full payment up to 30 days before your trip is due and without you ever having the possibility to see the property or know for sure that the agency really is a legal entity.

Other agencies have a selection of apartments which are occupied by their owner most of the year, renting their property while they are on holidays. We do not believe that your stay in a Parisian apartment should be about dropping your lugagge in someone else's personal belongings. Your Paris Hideaways' apartment is a real home away from home.

Visitors' expectations of what it is like to live "à la Parisienne" in a French apartment may occasionally be unrealistic. When people think of Paris, they imagine style and fashionable elegance in all things related to design and amenities. Some of it is true, yet when it comes to apartments offered for rental there is sometimes a bit of a disappointment.

Paris Hideaways has inspected many apartments in Paris before presenting the selection that you see on our website. A lot of the ones we visited and which did not make it onto our website were boring, charmless and not up to acceptable standards of cleanliness. Even if they are located in fine neighborhoods or are offered at very attractive rates, we decline to offer such properties for rental. We are quite proud of our vacation rentals, the locations are safe, the apartments each offer a special charm and we feel confident that we can work in harmony with their owners.

France is one of the most beautiful lands on earth and Paris is, with reason, is the ambassador of this beauty. We have a selection of charming, comfortable vacation rentals in sought-after areas of the City of Lights. We will be happy to discuss with you any requirements and areas of choices. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need additionnal information.

Paris Hideaways is an entity of Charming Hideaways Ltd. Our company is registered and based in London. We have several years of experience in the vacation rental and tourism business being vacation rental owners ourselves and also residents of this beautiful city. We know our business and we do it well. Every owners we work with is reliable, dedicated and serious about making your stay as enjoyable as possible in their charming apartment.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Paris!

OUR ANSWERS

What is included in our price:
Electricity, heat and water, taxes, linens, towels and check in cleaning service is included in short term stays.
For longer stays, heat and electricity may be at Tenants' expenses and will be specified in the owner's contract.

What is your minimum length of stay?
Our minimum stay is for four nights. For some apartments, it may be seven nights. For extra nights beyond the first week, we simply charge the pro rata nightly rental rate.

Are your Paris rentals from Saturday to Saturday?
No, you may arrive any day of the week as long as we have Disponibilità.

What are you cancellation terms?
Your reservation deposit is very minimal as you will see in our rent proposal. Therefore, this deposit is not refundable.

What are your terms and conditions for rentals?
You can see our Terms and conditions before sending your payment by clicking here
If renting any of our properties, you agree to respect the terms of our agreement.

Must we be insured while occupying a vacation rental?
Renters of a vacation rental are not submitted to the obligation of a home insurance during their stay. However, they are liable like anyone else. It is important not to neglect to garantee this liability towards the owner of the property. The owner may request a copy of your liability insurance upon arrival. If you own a home insurance for your own house, there is most likely a liability clause attached to it. You can verify with your insurance company that this liability insurance will cover you while occupying a rental property abroad. It is often the case.

The owner of your rental has subscribed to an insurance which covers your liability during your stay. It does not cover your personal belongings.

For clients from the EU, it is possible for you to buy a liability insurance via this website:
ASSURANCES ELVIA

Are the apartments air-conditioned?
Appliances like these will be mentioned in the property description. If they are not mentioned the property does not have them. We are pleased to announce that several apartments now provide this feature.

What makes your apartments so great?
We have selected our apartments for their central location, the charm of the decoration, the safe neighborhood and easy transportation. Our apartments are unique. We have a very close relation with the owners. Althought often, European standards differ from the usual North American ones, most of the apartments have been remodeled to very good standards. We think coming to Paris may be the trip of a lifetime for our guests so your stay should be fabulous in every way. We have apartments for all budgets and occasions.

When you can check in:
The apartment  is available from day 1 at 2h00pm and must be vacant last day of contract by 10h30am. Although the owner is not obligated to offer accommodation before the time stated, he will be happy to offer it whenever possible and upon previous arrangements. If there is a check out the day you arrive, the owner may suggest to come in to drop your luggage and go out for your first espresso and croissant until the cleaning is done.

However, please remember that you are not entitled to remain in occupation after the aforementioned time. These restrictions are predominantly designed to allow time for cleaning the apartment prior to the next check in.

You are a smoker:
We are sorry but all apartments are smoke free and animals are not allowed in the premises without the owner's permission. We request our guests refrain from smoking in the flats as well as in the staircases and lobbies for security reasons. You will find smoking areas in restaurants and cafés, but please don't forget smoking in many public places is forbidden by law in France.

How do we find our way to the property and how do we get in?
Upon payment of your reservation deposit, your are provided with a Rent receipt including the property address and Telephono number, and the keyholder/owner's name and Telephono number. The web page of the apartment does provide a map of the area. We understand that this may not be sufficient to get to your destination. However, all owners are ready and prepared to give you directions to make your way safely and effortlessly to your vacation rental. In most instances, you will be met at the property by the owner or keyholder who will show you around the apartment.

How will the property be furnished and equipped?
Your house or apartment will be completely furnished and equipped with blankets, pillows, dishes, glassware, utensils, pots, pans, small appliances, etc. Sheets and towels are provided. Please note that French towels in particular may not be as large or as thick as you're used to, and may seem flimsy to you. The French also don't use as many towels as Americans do and find it quite normal to have just a couple of what we would consider smaller towel and very often no washcloth. You may want to bring along a Vasca da bagno towel and wash cloth from home. Because this is an apartment rental, a daily linen or cleaning service is not available.

What types of household and food items will be supplied?
Although the renters before you may have left a few things, you are expected to supply your own provisions. You should stock up on all food, including condiments and spices, and household items such as soap, toilet paper, detergent, etc.

What about major appliances like washing machines?
Most of our properties have washing machines and/or Lavastoviglies. European appliances function quite differently from those in North America and operation may not be that obvious. Ask the owner/keyholder to give you a demonstration before you attempt to use it.

Is there a Telephono at the apartment and are calls included?
Each apartment comes equipped with either a land line or a mobile phone. Telephono charges vary according to the type of service available. Properties with a land line are on restricted Telephono service allowing incoming and local outgoing calls only. At apartments with restricted service, there is no additional charge.

You can often use your own Telephono calling card (ATT, MCI, etc.) to make long distance calls to the US on a land line. Make sure you find out the access number in France for your calling plan. Alternately, you can buy a French calling card or a carte telephonique France Telecom (this one you can only use in a public phone) at retail outlets (tabacs, train stations, etc.). The charge is about 15 euros, which provides a certain amount of calling time depending on the distance and length of the call (more time for local calls or calls within France, less time for long distance calls). On the card is an access number and your own personal calling code. You dial the access number, your calling code and then the desired Telephono number. Before each call, you hear the remaining Euro balance and amount of calling time.

A mobile phone may be at disposal during your stay. The rechargeable phone cards are at the client's expense. You can buy recharge for the phone at any retail outlets (tabacs, train stations, etc.). Be sure to ask the owner which type you need to buy (SFR, ORANGE, BOUYGUES). On the card is the recharge's code. You dial the access number (usually 3 digits indicated on the recharge card), follow directions and enter the recharge's code. You confirm and then hang up. Within a couple of minutes, the mobile phone will be recharged with calling units and you will be able to make your phone calls. Before each call, you hear the remaining Euro balance and amount of calling time. Most of these cards only give you indications in French. If you think this may be very difficult for you, ask the owner to buy and recharge the phone for you in advance and reimburse him the recharge fee upon check in.

REMEMBER the EMERGENCY phone numbers: Police: 17 - Fire brigade: 18 - Ambulance: 15

Can I use my computer or access email from the property?
If the apartment's description page specifies that there is Internet connection, you will be able to access your emails and surf the Internet. More and more owners are opting to install a high-speed internet connection in their apartment. However, the Parisian provider of high-speed access is notoriously unreliable, and we hear of many disappointments. If regular Accesso internet is important, you should be prepared with a dialup number for your service provider, and a phone-jack adaptor, even if your apartment has a high-speed connection. French plugs and Telephono jacks are different from those in the States. So you will need an adapter for both the jack and the electric outlet. You also need to make sure that your computer is set up to run on French current, which is 220 volts (North America is 110 volts). Apartments which provide access to Internet DO NOT provide a computer unless otherwise stated in the rent description.

How do we find out about weekly markets, good restaurants, shops and services and the most interesting tourist attractions?
Most of our properties have "house books," loose leaf notebooks with a variety of practical and tourist information. You'll usually find the open air market days of the arrondissement, emergency Telephono numbers for doctors and pharmacies, recommended bakeries, restaurants, and information about many tourist sights and points of interest. Once you arrive, you can also visit the local Syndicat d'initiative (Tourist office) for tourist maps and brochures located on the Champs Elysées and at the main City Hall.

There are good restaurants and easy access to the metro near all our properties. As we have no properties located in residential suburbs you can easily walk to any of them. The nice thing about Paris is that you can find good restaurants everywhere. Please don't hesitate to recommend your favorite Parisian restaurants after you leave your apartment as it may prove beneficial to the next visitors.

What do we do if there are problems at the property?
Thank you for asking! If there are problems with the apartment upon your arrival or during your stay, be sure to speak up. Call the owner/keyholder or local representative and tell them what's wrong. Usually, problems can be remedied easily and will make your stay that much more enjoyable. We regret that complaints cannot be reviewed after your return if the keyholder/local representative has not been notified and allowed to resolve the problem while you are in residence.
If the problem is not resolved by the owner/keyholder or local representative, you can contact Charming Hideaways in the UK. Be aware that there is a 1-hour time difference between France and the UK. We will respond as quickly as possible and try our best to assist you.

Does the property have to be spotless when we leave?
The property is cleaned before you arrive and again when you leave. At departure, you are responsible for leaving it in an orderly fashion. Dishes should be washed and put away and all trash and bottles removed and deposited in the designated receptacles. If more than average cleaning is required to prepare for the next renter, charges for extra cleaning will be deducted from your security deposit.

Do your flats have lifts or handicapped access?
Unfortunately most of them don't! Paris center is an historical district in which by law nothing can be changed. Our flats are located in buildings built in the 18th century, some of them even earlier... We have properties located on the Piano terra which may be accessible by wheelchair but the apartment has not necessarily been adapted for handicapped access (ie Bagno for example).

Can we get a discount for our stay?
We are not a big rental company. Our prices are already very competitive. However, we are willing to give discounts for very last minute bookings but these offers must always be discussed with the owner in advance.

Why do we need to give a security deposit to the owner?
Would you give the key to your own property without a minimum guarantee to get it back in good condition? The owners consider that trusting their guests for their honesty is the best way to have them respect them and their properties. That is why they will always ask you for a small deposit. If nothing is damaged in the apartment upon your departure, your security deposit will be refunded to you.

Most owners will accept a personal check in your own currency. This cheque will not be cashed unless damage has been done to the property you have rented. The expense incurred for the owner to cash a currency check will be at Tenant's expense.

How do we get to Paris from the airport?
We recommend not to take the RER Train or airport bus if you have lots of luggage. Do not buy your train ticket from anyone other than at the official counter of the Métro with an RATP sign, which is the Métro company. If you take the bus, you can buy a ticket from the driver. If you have several pieces of luggage you're better off taking an official cab with a Taxi sign on its roof. Avoid the private limos that will overcharge you. A regular cab will cost you around 50 euros from Roissy Charles de Gaulle, 35 euros from Orly. There are also a lot of shuttle companies which offer a door to door service for about 18 euros per person and which you can book in advance. Please have a look at our Links page.

Are your apartments in safe districts?
In terms of safety, Paris is very unlike many other major cities in the world. Due to strong gun and personal weapons control laws, crime in the city is virtually non-violent. Our apartments are located in districts which are part of the most residential and prestigious districts, being safe at any time of the day. Of course, like everywhere, you should always be careful and sensible, especially in the métro. The neighborhoods we have selected are one of the best reasons you should stay with us! If you are investing in a vacation in Paris, we want you to enjoy walking to the major sites, museums, and shopping of this grogeous city. Our apartment rentals are in the heart of Paris historical districts. They are close to the Seine River, to historical monuments, and are surrounded by lovely restaurants, sidewalk cafés, and trendy shops. You will love being able to stroll at the open market of your neighborhood. Moreover, you will get to know our local butcher, greengrocer, baker, and pharmacist's all part of the experience of living in Paris. We don't believe you should arrive in Paris after an all-night plane trip, only to get a shock when you step out of your taxi and worry about walking around on your own. A lot of our apartments are in safe buildings, with digicode and locked inner doors.

Is tipping common practice in Paris?
You normally do not tip for services or in restaurants. By law service and taxes are included in all bills. If your waiter is very nice and helpful you are welcome to give a little extra but it is not compulsory. The same applies to taxis.

Where can we withdraw cash?
France is the number one country in the world for the number of cashpoints per capita! ATM's are everywhere and it's the most flexible and reliable way to obtain cash in Euros. There is no need to change money before you leave home. Almost every shop accepts payment by Visa or Amex. You can make a withdrawal from your ATM account and receive a better exchange rate than you normally would if you were to go to a currency exchange facility. Make sure you tell your bank in advance that you will be withdrawing abroad and also be sure to check that your ATM card has a CIRRUS sign and that you remember your PIN code.

How far away is the closest Metro station from our apartment?
The apartments are all within a few minutes walk of the métro and local RER lines. Paris is fairly small; not much more than 2 miles in diameter. You can get to all major monuments in Paris within less than 30 minutes.

What are the advantages of staying in a Charming Hideaways' apartment rather than a hotel?
The cost of course! As well, an apartment provides you with more space and privacy than hotel rooms. Each of our flat is fully equipped to cook at home thus providing you with an alternative to high priced room service meals or expensive restaurants. Compare the price of a 3 star hotel to one of apartment and you will see the advantage immediately including the benefit of the added Cucina completamente attrezzato!

Need More Information? If your questions haven't been answered above, please email parisrental@provaction.com and I will get back to you shortly, and then add the more general questions to this list. This way, you will help yourself and others.