WHERE TO STAY: APARTMENT VS HOTEL

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Le Pavillon des Lettres

Le Pavillon des Lettres

There are many options when it comes to holiday accommodation in Paris. With the rise of more and more unique offerings it can be hard to work out what's best for you. We take a look at the pros and cons of the two main types of accommodation - Apartments and Hotels .

APARTMENTS

PROS

FANTASTIC ACCOMMODATION – One of the great things about looking for an apartment is the wide range and variety of options. There is always the chance that you will stumble across something amazing. It could be an ultra-modern, newly renovated apartment on Ile de la Cite or a traditional French apartment with exposed wood beams in the Marais.

WONDERFUL HOSTS – If you get a great host they can be an asset to your stay. They can provide you with local knowledge and tell you about things you want to know from personal experience.

FACILITIES – In an apartment you will have access to all facilities, laundry, bathroom, kitchen. You can easily fix yourself a simple breakfast in the morning or have that midnight snack.

FEEL LIKE A LOCAL – What better way to feel like you live in a place than to experience it through someone's actual home?

CONS

MISLEADING DESCRIPTIONS – You found the apartment that is really going to make your stay special. It was described beautifully and the pictures were beautiful, but from 10 years ago before the water damage...

JUDGEMENTAL HOSTS: Will they balk when they see two guys and one bed? Probably not, but it has happened.

BOOKING CAN TAKE TIME – Sometimes the booking is done almost immediately, but as it relies on the host logging onto their account, there is no guaranteed response time. If you have any questions or requests, this too can increase the time before a booking is finalized.

EXTRA FEES / VARIED CANCELLATION POLICIES – As the rates and charges are at the discretion of the host, there can be a lot of little things that can really add up. Fees for extra guests, for cleaning, for late arrival, for arriving on the weekend, for linen...

TIPS

  • Check for resent reviews to get a good idea of what it like to stay there now.
  • Ask any and every question you may have. Don’t leave it up to chance or assumption.
  • For Paris – lifts are not a given in apartment buildings. Always check which floor the apartment is on and if there is a lift.

SUGGESTIONS

  • There are numerous holiday apartment agencies and websites. A few that we have used and recommend are Airbnb and Perfectly Paris.
  • If you want to avoid any uncomfortable situation arising due to your travel "partner", we recommend Misterbnb, a gay-friendly apartment rental website.

HOTELS

PROS

THE RESERVATION WILL BE FULFILLED – A hotel has more than one room on offer. If you make a booking you will get a room. If there is a problem they can easily change your room.

AMENITIES – Who doesn’t love the little shampoo and soap and the shoe buffer that you never use? You can also call for more towels and have someone change your sheets every day.

HOUSEKEEPING – If you want, you can sleep in clean sheets and have fresh towels every day. Also, someone else changes the linens for you.

CONS

CAN’T OPEN THE WINDOW – This might be just me, but I like fresh air. Many hotels have A/C but often windows will open a tiny bit.

FACILITIES – You might get lucky with a small kettle to make some tea or instant coffee and a mini fridge that you can store a treat or two. But’s it’s not the same as a proper kitchen and laundry.

SPACE - Paris hotels aren't known for being spacious. Sometimes it can be a game of Tetris for everyone to fit in with their luggage and be able to move around.

TIPS

  • Check TripAdvisor of course, but know that Americans and Europeans have different standards, so check out who is leaving the comment!
  • For Paris - make sure to check the location of the hotel as some names can be misleading. We have seen hotel names including the word "Marais" situated well beyond the Marais.

SUGGESTIONS

  • A gay friendly hotel we recommend in Paris is Jules & Jim Hotel.
  • For budget accommodation, we've worked on many of Eurocheapo.com's listings and can vouch that they are honest.