No hidden extras
Our rental prices includes everything; there are no additional markups or fees. Prices include heating, gas, water, sheets and towels, basic household supplies and normal electricity usage. Household supplies include a small supply of coffee, toilet paper, paper towels and soap, coffee and household cleansers to get you through the first days. Most of our apartments now offer free calling to the U.S, Canada, Australia and Europe; see individual apartment descriptions for full details. Free internet is included in all of our apartments. A few apartments do not offer free phone calls and we recommend you use an ATT phone card or buy a discount phone card locally.
Booking Form & Initial payment
Once you have decided on your apartment and decided to move ahead with our booking, we’ll confirm rental amount and deposit instructions on line.
To secure your reservation, we require a payment of 50% of the rental cost, unless we are within 90 days of your arrival. If you have booked the apartment for arrival within 90 days, then we require full payment plus refundable security deposit now. Your rental will be confirmed when you have faxed or posted us a signed copy of the rental agreement and paid 50% of the rental.
Arrival and Apartment Information
On receipt of the deposit, your reservation will be confirmed and we will send you a complete information packet which explains arrival details, keys and so on. Most importantly, it includes loads of information on our quartier and on Paris, highlighting the important local shops, markets and restaurants. Our guests love the information pack, anecdotes and stories about the quartier and Paris. With it, you can hit the ground running when you arrive. You will learn where the nearest grocery stores are, our favorite boulangers, patisseries, best cheese shops, butchers, fish stores, wine shops, fresh produce, hours and locations of our nearby open markets, our favorite cafés and restaurants. We include ideas of activities and things for adults and children alike, a long list of useful websites and advice on travel, telephones, shopping and more. Part of the fun of coming to Paris and staying in an apartment is to live like a Parisian and our thorough information packet allows you to enjoy your stay in Paris to the fullest.
Final Payment and Security Deposit
The remaining 50% of the rent plus a 500 Euro refundable security deposit are due 90 days before your arrival. If a reservation is made within 90 days of arrival, then the entire amount plus refundable security deposit is due on booking. The security deposit is fully refundable and we will give it back after you departure, minus any reserves for damage or phone usage.*
The €500 security deposit is fully refundable. The purpose of the deposit is to cover us for potential damage to property, extra cleaning if the apartment isn’t left as expected, and for phone usage. Frankly, we have almost never had to retain anyone’s deposit and we have never had a dispute. We are prompt in refunding it within 3 weeks of your departure.
Phone Usage
Most of our apartments now offer free phone calls to the United States and Canada (except Alaska)! Also free calls to any landline in: New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Europe or France (please note: not free to cell phones in Europe, New Zealand or Australia).
Cancellation
We strongly recommend you buy travel insurance at the time of booking to compensate you in the event you must cancel. When you book we will email you optional travel insurance forms for your own ease of use. Canceling:
- 1. Beyond 120 days before arrival: the initial payment is fully refundable minus a €235 administration fee and 2% bank processing fee.
- 2. 120 to 91 days before arrival: 35% of total rent is retained.
- 3. Within 90 days: rent is non refundable.
- 4. In any case, the security deposit is fully refundable.
Travel Insurance
It is hard to believe it will happen to you, but the best laid plans can sometimes go awry. To protect yourself, we strongly encourage you to take out an inexpensive travel insurance policy in case an emergency arises and you need to cancel. We advise you to buy travel insurance when you book because we cannot be held responsible for cancellations for any reason. When you book we will email you optional travel insurance forms (one with and the other without medical coverage) from Travelex for your own ease of use. Travelex is one of several vendors, we’re happy with them, kids are covered free, but make your own decision as to insurance vendor.
Cleaning
The apartment will be thoroughly clean when you arrive and should be left tidy when you depart. Specifics are provided in the Handbook which you will receive at the time of booking.
Arrival and Departure Times
We know what it’s like to arrive in Paris after an all-night flight so we try to be as accommodating as possible. Officially, our check-in time is 3:30 p.m., and check-out time is 10:00 a.m. However, the departing guests generally don’t mind if you drop your luggage at the apartment early, as we have generally accommodated them when they arrived early. We do need time for our cleaners to thoroughly clean the apartment; therefore, we ask you to take a walk, have a café or lunch, buy your groceries, explore the neighborhood, and to return later.