My friend R casually mentioned one day months ago about staying in apartments when they travel instead of hotels (hi, R!). I did a little searching around and there is no going back.
We are staying in an apartment for the whole month. We got a big one that sleeps 8 people, because we have family and friends coming in (though not as many as we had hoped, Auntie!). It is still cheaper (and roomier) than a hotel. If we had gotten the one sized for our family, we would be paying around 80 Euros per night. And we are within a stone’s throw of the Louvre. Hotels here run 400 Euros per night, easily. Especially in this location.
The size is a funny thing. When my in-laws arrive and see the bathroom, they may turn straight around and head for the Hyatt, I don’t know.
We are in a building built in 1675. It was the king’s nursery. The landlord pointed this out with pride – most buildings have very short ceilings. These ceilings are high because they were for the king! It’s on a narrow street only open to pedestrians. A princess of some kind lives on the top floor, and our neighbors are the Louis Vuitton offices. The landlord also says that Claudia Schiffer comes and goes from next door sometimes, with her work for LV.
What this means to us is that as we come and go, we see a parade of very skinny people wearing very funny things like shiny silver suit jackets.
I was worried about security but it was pointless. This is far safer than a hotel. The front door is barred by an electric keypad that changes code regularly, and our apartment is another two doors (and three floors) beyond that, which all require electronic key fobs to pass.
So, in short, I love it. Last night we dined in for about 4 Euros, including lamb chops that were even tasty after a pan-fry. It costs ten times that for our family to eat at even a cheap cafe. I was hesitant about cooking in this microkitchen until I saw the bill! The kids can pour cereal whenever they wake up. When Cowboy was too tired to go to the grocery store, I felt okay to leave him for 15 minutes while we went. I would never do that in a hotel.
Near the end of the month I’ll give the link to where we stayed, but I don’t want to invite Parisian axe murderers to my door now. Even if they can’t possibly get in.
The picture above is from our first morning. We walked the block and secured apple tarts for the kids, coffee and an apple for mom, and enjoyed breakfast at our kitchen table with the window open. Lovely.
Now we’ll play a game. It’s called Spot the Pre-Teen. There were other real teens around so this one had to suddenly cop an attitude about picture-taking. I completely understand. When you’re traveling with your family it’s hard to maintain your “cool”ness.
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Very interesting! I may have to look into staying in apartments when we travel. Are you going to post pics of the place or have you already and I just missed it?
Oh yes, we are at “oldest girls are the coolest” phase as well. It is so sweet and annoying at the same time.
The FUN Auntie is trying hard to start a business, write a book, and land at least a part-time if not full time Professorship. While she could have admittedly talked to the two clients via cell phone and signed the book contract while overseas, it would be very hard to go to my interview on Monday.
I’ll send you a message via facebook later on this afternoon – there’s something I wanted to ask, but this isn’t the place.
Tell Dolly not to bother. Everybody and her dog can tell she’s a tween. Sorry, Dolly you may be tall, smart, and sophisticated for your age, but you got the family baby face. Hate it now, Love it later!