BTilke

Wow, NP, you're pretty testy this morning! I think the reason is that *most* people who say they prefer apartments usually mention that they like shopping in the local (food) markets and being able to cook in their apartment. (At any rate, some of the hotels we stay in have kettles, fridges and microwaves, which is about all the cooking we would do anyway).

We generally prefer hotels because we like the services that come with 4 and 5 star hotels or the hotels have facilities (like a spa, for example the Dorint Sofitel in Baden-Baden) you just won't get with (and certainly not IN) an apartment.

Budman

I like apartments for the simple reason that I don't have to get up, shower, and get dressed and have to go somewhere just to have my morning cup of coffee or glass of juice or whatever.

caroline_edinburgh

You don't if you have a kettle in the room, as nearly all British & Irish hotels do. On the Continent I'm not bothered about a cup of tea in the summer, but on winter trips I pack my travel kettle.

robjame

Relax Neo. It's just a discussion.
BT - I think you have zeroed in on it. If the type of hotel accomodation that you are used to is basic, apartments are a great alternative. If you are accustomed to the higher end hotel. with all amenities that go along with that, then hotels are for you.

NeoPatrick

"Relax Neo. It's just a discussion."
"You're pretty testy this morning".

Of course it is just a discussion. Am I not allowed to participate or something? I was simply asking someone to explain what they mean when they say they don't want an apartment BECAUSE they would have to cook. I just didn't get that comment. There are many reasons people prefer hotels to apts. and some great ones are given here, but I just don't understand why anyone thinks having an apartment REQUIRES you to cook. If someone can explain that to me, I'd be happy to listen. That would still be called "discussion". OK?

caroline_edinburgh

Cooking was only one of the things I listed, anyway. Self catering does generally mean having to make your own bed, wash your own glasses, wash your own towels, clean, etc.

BTilke

NP, it's simple--if 75% of people say they prefer an apartment because they like to do X and they CAN'T do X in a hotel, then it's not beyond the realm of comprehension for people who prefer hotels to say they don't like to do X while on vacation anyway. It's NOT the same as people who prefer hotels saying that people who prefer apartments HAVE to do X. You do seem awfully hot and bothered about it.

BTilke

Also, NP, I just scrolled through the replies above and 23 of the Fodorites who preferred apartments specifically referred to the ability to cook or prepare light meals and shop at the local markets. Obviously the kitchen facilities are part of the attraction of apartments. If you have no desire to do any kind of meal prep while on holiday, then the kitchen aspect of an apartment is irrelevant.

OTOH, I could have ranted that of course you can eat in a hotel! Most of the hotels we stay at have large rooms that come with a small table, perfect for dining a deux, and also offer room service from early in the morning til late at night. And that you can also shop in local markets for fruit, snacks and drinks while staying in a hotel. But it didn't seem necessary to mention it.

suze

Well my vote has nothing to do with kitchens. I live in an apartment at home, on vacation I get the treat of staying at hotels, it's part of the little luxury of going on a trip. This only holds for Europe though.

For a beach vacation like Mexico or Hawaii, traveling with friends, it's fun to have a kitchen for making breakfast and cocktails (not necessarily in that order).

NeoPatrick

OK, it just seemed to me that indicating not wanting to cook was a logical reason for not wanting an apartment was almost as silly as saying "I don't want to stay in a hotel because I don't like using room service for meals".
It seemed to me that some people are overlooking the obvious that just because there is a kitchen you don't HAVE to use it, just as if the hotel has room service, you don't HAVE to use it either.

amwosu

I like to economize on my accomadations so I can spend money on food and shoes when I travel.

When traveling with my family I find that an apartment or condo is usually less expensive than a hotel with similar amenities as I need to get two hotel rooms- one for DH and I and another for my teens.

We like to keep vast quantities of bottled water in the fridge as well as wine, cheese, and crackers for an afternoon snack.

We're all picky about breakfast, we want to eat in in our pajamas without having to get dressed, and all of us eat breakfast at different times. Not impossible in a hotel but much easier in an apartment.

We like having two bedrooms and a common living area to play cards and board games and hang out together.

If DH and I travel alone we usually stay in hotels...

gracejoan3

I don't cook at home and to be sure I don't cook when on vacation!!

I definitely do not rent an apartment because I want to cook!Nor do I rent them because I think they are cheaper.

I rent apartments for the additional space. I like nice places, whether a hotel or an apartment.

Everyone has their own reasons for preferring one to another. That is as it should be......

amwosu

Clarification- When I said I like to spend money of food I actually meant getting dressed up and eating expensive dinners out- not spending money to cook dinners in.

BTilke

NP, perhaps it depends on your traveling companion. I know one woman who prefers hotels when she travels because when they rent apartments, her husband insists that they eat in as much as possible. She'd like the extra space of an apartment too, but not the chores her husband thinks should go with it.
Some people feel that you have to use everything that comes with your accommodations, whether it's a spa in a hotel or a stove in an apartment. Others don't care.

Jed

An apt lets us have our easy breakfasts (cereal, yogurt) and lunches (sandwiches)<i> when we want to</i>, but we go out for dinners, so Mrs. Jed doesn't have to &quot;cook&quot;.

PegS

I know I'm repeating what others have said but...

My two overwhelming reasons for prefering apts for long (a week or more) stays is 1) washer/dryer 2) no maid to dance around when I want the freedom to come and go in my room whenever I want.

In addition, apts are usually cheaper for the same amenities, more spacious, and, yes, I also like having a kitchen. Whether or not I end up cooking, I like being able to have a large frig to easily stash juice and charcuterie and other edibles.

fishee

I think it's really important to stress that you have to be very comfortable with the idea of independent travel in order to rent an apartment. This is a very major issue when you don't speak the language of the country you're visiting.

If you like the idea of having a back-up or support staff in place when you've spent thousands of dollars on a vacation, then stick with hotels (even cheap ones). As people mention, you can always check out early and go someplace else if weather or event cancellations occur, there's generally always someone there to help if you need a cab, dinner reservations, directions, need to see a doctor, etc.

For most people, a vacation is a substantial chunk of change and I think a hotel is almost ALWAYS a &quot;safer&quot; option given the flexibility and assitance they offer when you need help with something. If you're risk-averse or prone to being a bit of a worrier, then I really think hotels deliver some peace of mind over an apartment.

I think many of us who do enjoy apartments speak enthusiastically about our experiences, but I've been re-thinking how to advise my friends about this who want/expect/need very different things than I do. For most travelers, I think hotels are the way to go. I'm willing to take on a bit of a risk factor that most of my friends would rather minimize when on vacation -- which is very reasonable given the time and money they've hoarded in order to take their trips.

tripgirl

very well said, fishee, my sentiments exactly!

BTilke

Well, yes, a lot of it is solid advice, but don't assume that people who stay in hotels are risk-averse, can't cope on their own, are worry warts or don't speak the local language. (We already have an apartment in a French-speaking European capital, we don't need to experience one on vacation as well.)

LucieV

Apartments may be less expensive, and probably easier to book, but they're not a vacation for people like me. I have no desire either to cook or clean when I'm on vacation. Plus, I enjoy the daily interactions with the management of hotels, and I like that there is a human being easily accessible.

I am just one of those people who loves hotels -- all kinds! But to say that one form of lodging is better than another is totally subjective.