Paris Apartment vs Hotel
 

We are planning on spending a week in Paris next Oct for our honeymoon and was wondering if it would be better to rent an apartment or get a hotel. We like the apartment idea due to the kitchen so we could save money on food...but the hotel staff could help us find where to go (I have never been overseas and FH has never been to France!) What are your opinions? If we went with the hotel it would prob. be Hotel St. Jacques. The apartment we are looking at is:
http://www.parisattitude.com/apartme...umProduit=1529

That particular apartment is a splendid example of many of the contingencies of renting an apartment.

In addition to the rental rate:

A large deposit is required.

There is a hefty "agency" fee.

A deposit equal to the amount of the rent is required for up to 30 day stays.

No matter how you pay all of the above, you will incur additional fees.

Even more significant: "Terms and Conditions" do not include the cancellation policy, and there is no indication of how, when, or in what form, you would be reimbursed your security deposit or for what reasons some or all of it could be withheld.

Could you look at all that red/orange for an entire week? And, the tile in the bathroom looks brand new. But, I can tell you from experience that, even with the most meticulous housekeeping staff, mildew is nearly impossible to keep up with in a small area that traps moisture from a shower for a very long time.

I think that for a first trip and honeymoon, I would stay in a hotel. It takes a while to "settle in" in a city, especially one as large and dense as Paris, and I would not want to waste precious time figuring all that out.

Have a wonderful trip, whatever you decide!

We enjoyed that hotel and it's in a great location. I would stick with the hotel.

(Posted too soon...)

For a first time visit, especially if neither of you speaks French, a hotel may be the better bet. The front desk/concierge can be invaluable for dining/shopping recommendations, booking tours, making restaurant reservations, directions, and all sorts of other assistance. Not to mention maps and brochures! They can also arrange your transport back to the airport.

We've been to Paris many times and will be staying in (the same) an apartment for the third time next year. For sure, it's nice to have a bit more room to spread out (and have a sitting area in addition to just a bed/chairs).

A kitchen is nice. We need coffee the minute we open our eyes and before the shower - not after we've showered and dressed. But, we never do the eating in we think we'll do, or use the kitchen much except for the coffee maker and the fridge (mostly just cream for the coffee and beverages).

The kitchen is not nearly as "fully equipped" as mine at home. I have better cookware and a gas stove (so would have to really work to accomplish the same results).

There is so much incredible preprepared food within steps of the apartment at very reasonable prices to gather up for a meal, I just can't be bothered. And, there's a place right across the street with amazing quiche, croque monsieur, sandwiches (and they'll warm, grill everything for you).

This last trip, I was determined to visit the markets, gather up fresh ingredients, and do a bit of cooking. The "gathering" is a time-consuming endeavor. Each vendor aims to please. They will fuss over selecting the exact quantity you desire (matching sizes, too), and go on and on about preparation tips and techniques (a good thing, except they do this for everyone in line). If you ask for an avocado, they will ask when you plan to use it. If you say "tomorrow", they'll ask "what time", then demonstrate how to open it, remove the seed, then remove the pulp. (Very nice, but I've learned that already on FoodNetwork.) And, I'd always have needed additional things (eggs, milk, butter, white peppercorns, herbs, etc.). Not only would I have to go elsewhere for those items, I wouldn't have been able to use everything up during a week and a half stay. Once you've gone to the market (and it's best to get there early), you've got to take everything directly "home" (to refrigerate it, and to relieve yourself of your parcels). Very time consuming! By now, it's lunchtime or beyond and you're too ravenous to think of taking the time to prepare anything. So, you head out for lunch, a bit of seeing and doing. And, who feels like cooking after all that! Especially if you have to go elsewhere for additional items.

Funny thing, Picard (frozen food heaven - and NOTHING like home) is recommended all over the place. I couldn't imagine why, with all the fresh food markets all over anyone would even THINK of buying frozen food. Now, I know!

Then, there's the cleaning up...

A very realistic portrayal of an apartment stay... not my cup of tea, er, glass of wine. I'd rather not 'work' during my vacation.

I have a different take on staying in an apartment. If I'm in a hotel and I pass all the wonderful things in the market, I have to just "window shop".

If I am staying in an apartment I can bring the goodies home and have them for meals or snacks when I'm ready for them. I've never cooked in an apartment in Paris, but I've been really happy to be able to bring home things like fruit, cheese, bread, pastries, sausage, prepared foods...

This isn't work at all.

...of course, you might consider one of the "residence hotels" ... a Citidines which gives you all the benefits of a hotel with an apartment...I'm with the poster above who has to have their coffee before they dress and shower.

It is your honeymoon after all. And ooooh my... Paris!

Someone asked "could you face the red and orange for a whole week?" Well, I could. I find it far more exciting than staring at white or beige walls and furnishings for a week -- or even a day.
But that apartment, as much as I like the color and pizazz, seems absolutely claustrophobic to me. I thought it must be a basement or at least a ground floor, but I see there is a tiny window that apparently opens to a view of a tiny air shaft.

By the way, I too have to have my coffee first. But rather than make mine even though I rent an apartment, I arise, throw on some old clothes and head to the nearest little bar or cafe where I join the locals for my first coffee. Then return to the apartment with the caffeine jolt and prepare for the day.
And the few times I've attempted to "cook in", I've spent far more at the market or the gourmet shops buying stuff than a nice meal out would have cost.
I like an apartment for the space and sense of "home" I get. The refrigerator is nice for juice and cheese, but my kitchen rarely gets used when I travel.

LOL... but I'm ..er...older. I love to cook...and to have the experience of doing the marketing ... with my canvas bag (which I had to buy there..sheesh I forgot to pack it) and cooking was one of the highlights of my recent honeymoon trip. My DH and I both enjoyed teh exerience. But our apartment had salt, pepper, olive oil...basics like that. We tended to have big beautiful lunches...and then "retired" to the apartment (St. Tropez).
But in Paris..its also nice to purchase food at ... I'm not going to spell this correctly, a "traituer" (?) and have it available. Some of those make excellent food...nice to reheat and enjoy with your feet up, a glass or wine and relax ... at least for me it is.

For a first timer and a honeymoon at that I would say go with a hotel. The idea of an apt. is great (and we frequently rent apts when we travel) but for a honeymoon I'd vote for hotel.