Renting apartments: why it makes business sense

Think Apartment How many times have you made a business trip to a city only to leave and realize that all you’ve seen is the inside of offices? I’ve done that more than once. I planned to return and extend the trip by a few days to do some sightseeing. Then the project is over. With the dollar so weak, it makes financial sense to rent an apartment rather than booking a hotel room. This is especially true in big EU cities such as Paris. Even if your French isn’t up to par, visitors have no trouble getting around. There’s even a special telephone number for Anglophones who want to reserve cabs. There are many short-term rental apartments of all sizes and varieties. You can stay in Paris for a week, for far less than what it costs for four nights in a deluxe hotel. Plus, you aren’t forced to eat every meal in a restaurant. Not everyone feels like spending 20+ Euros for a continental breakfast since there are only so many croissants you can eat. At the end of a day, I like being able to have a drink as I’m getting ready to go out or stay in. Call me cheap but I resent paying more for a single drink from a hotel bar than the cost of a bottle. Another plus is having more space than most hotel rooms. I find I’m able to relax more after a pressured day spent representing my company. There’s nothing like kicking off shoes, putting feet up on the cocktail table and simply vegging out. So, what are the negatives? How do you choose an apartment? Do you really need a concierge? How do you go about getting your laundry done, not to mention, having your bed made each day and your towels washed? Believe it or not, these are not insurmountable challenges. There are numerous rental sites. My favorites are www.vrbo.com and www.parisperfect.com. There are also agencies that specialize in upscale rental apartments and can locate one that fits your needs. Ville et Village, based in Berkeley, Ca. (www. http://www.villeetvillage.com/) and In Villas Veritas (http://www.invillas.com/) are ones with which I’ve had excellent experiences. Many apartment owners or agencies will arrange for daily maid service if you require. In addition, more and more apartments are equipped with DSL and/or high-speed modem lines. Some even have computers so you don’t need to lug yours if all you want to do is check email. A few hints: Access www.mappy.com and identify where the majority of your meetings will be taking place. Even if you’re made of money, the Paris métro is the most efficient form of travel. Taxis may be forced to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic albeit dedicated bus and taxi lanes. Rent an apartment in a neighborhood where the métro is a straight shot to your office. Plan to arrive in Paris on Saturday or Sunday. If you can’t stay the entire week, the cost of the apartment will still be less than a hotel. There are some apartments that can be rented by the day. However, they’re in the minority. Since Paris is composed of neighborhoods, there’s never a problem stocking the refrigerator with essentials. Request that the apartment owner or agent have what you need upon arrival. Essential: Be sure prior approval is signed and dated for your accounting department and the IRS. Bonjour Paris has assembled a list of apartment sites./publications/resourcearticles.php?articleId=1584 One last thought: You might want to take advantage of the airfare specials and bring your significant other. Inexpensive airfares (especially during off season) are affordable and it’s hard to be bored in Paris, even if your partner or friend is off at business meetings. Make your Paris apartment search less stressful and turn to Haike Falkenberg’s Paris Apartments as a guide…