Me too - I'm imagining pconte serving €100 bottles of wine (that would be €400 or more in restaurants) for dinner every night.

Plus I have always had a washer and dryer in my apt. rentals in Paris and elsewhere in Europe.

Paul, tell your wife I'm coming with Leely.

Me too, heck I'll even offer to pick up the wine tab for the food.

I stay in apartments and I don't cook at all when I'm in Paris. I like having a washing machine, and I find that the apartments usually have much thicker walls than the hotels, so I'm not bothered by the sounds of other people conversing, flushing toilets, going in and out.

Plus, you usually get more space and light for the money.

I posted a similar question last year after having some minor issues with an apartment rental in Paris, so on our most recent trip to Stockholm we went back to a hotel. I have to say that I think I'm back in the hotel category. The only thing I'd really like is a small refrigerator.

The stress of making sure somebody is going to be there to give you a key and help you in situations such as when you need to get at taxi at 4 am etc. is currently outweighing my desire for a little extra space.

Although I do admit I love having a washer and dryer...makes it much easier to pack lighter. Although the last two times I had a devil of a time figuring out how to use the darn things.

Good luck with your choice!

Here are my thoughts:

We always stayed in hotels, not realizing that apartments were so readily available. Also we were new to Europe and thought we needed the front desk to help us.

Now, it's apartments or Gites all the time. We realized that we did not really need the front desk, and most apt's have a service to contact if you need something.

What we like the most about apt's or gites is space. We tend to leave somewhat early, tour all day, return at 5-6pm. I want to relax, read, & have a glass of wine. Then at 8ish we go out for dinner. Do I ever cook? No, just make coffee in the morning while MDH goes out for bread and croissants. It's nice to have a frig for wine, etc. and also a washer if you tend to travel with just carry on luggage.

As far as stress goes, we have had less stress and more service from apt. and gite owners than we have ever had from a hotel. They really seem to want to help you and make you comfortable during your stay.

The only downside is number of nights. Sometimes they will only rent for a week, so if you are moving around, hotels are your only choice.

Our favorite apt. rental agency in Paris is www.guestapartment.com andour favorite apt. & gite agency worldwide for other areas is www.vrbo.com We have had successful experiences with both agencies many times.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for all your input, there's a lot of thought and effort gone into many of your replies and I appreciate it. Will also look up the websites given as well. As I've just returned will be a couple of years before getting back again but certainly an apartment for a stay longer than a week is something I would like to try. I do not intend to cook all the time but it's good to have that option available. Seeing all the lovely things at the markets just made us wish we could take them back to an apartment and enjoy our own meal for a change.
As for Christina, how sad to have so much hate in your heart,your comments were more like a personal attack on me for asking the question, suggest you read your answer again and then ask yourself how you can improve your whole demeanour. You certainly need to. You obviously missed the point completely of my question and no dear it is you who is the joke, or more like a black comedy.
To everyone else thanks again.

After travelling for about 10 years in Europe and staying at hotels; for the first time, we rented an apartment last month in Paris. And, we are glad we did only because that was our 3rd trip to Paris and felt confident not needing any assistance provided by hotels. And as long as you research the apt. and location, it's definitely a good idea. Just make sure you get an insurance to cover the rental as most are non-refundable. Plus, it does not hurt that the company we used was reliable and the contact person provided excellent support (Vacation in Paris). We love the availability of a ref, computer, free calls to US/Paris, washer, kitchen (though we did not use the washer & kitchen).
Ouch, I felt that sting too from Cristina. Thought the sarcastic comments were unnecessary.

for years we stayed only in hotels, but when we started travelling with our kids we needed more space, so went for gites and then apartments.

we don't necessarily do much cooking [on our last trip to Rome, we didn't cook one thing in a who week] but enjoy being able to lounge about in comfort, make our own spremuta, keep drinks cold, and being british, make a cup of tea. [why don't hotels "sur le continent" give you a kettle in your room? all British hotels do].

still, if it's just the two of us, we'll probably end up in a hotel, unless it's more than a short break.

On my first visit I stayed at a hotel. This year I traveled solo and stayed in an apartment. I do not enjoy eating out alone much and I like my coffee as soon as I wake up. It was great having a small kitchen where I could make my coffee and enjoy a croissant before heading out. I love to check out grocery stores when I travel not to mention the wonderful outdoor markets, patisseries and boulangeries. I believe I saved quite a bit of money by having some meals at home. Of course I made up for the savings by visiting at least 7 chocolate shops during the trip.

I think it depends on the particular hotel and on the exact apartment. I don't think you can generalize about experience just because of the category.
I've heard/read plenty of horror stories of what people got themselves into with disappointing apartment rentals. Especially in lower priced ones, they are not necessarily a much "larger space" than a hotel room. I also don't get the comment about pasta being served everywhere.

We still prefer hotels - but large rooms or junior suites so we have a comfy seating area. And since we eat lunch and dinner out every day - and always get a hotel room with a mini-fridge for beverages - and 24 hour room service - a hotel is just as convenient for us. And while we both know Paris quite well, and don;t need basic advice, a good concierge can still get you restaurant reservations and concert or ballet tickets that can be hard to come by yourself.

And I have no interest in doing laundry - I bring what I need for the trip - and i f something needs to be washed or cleaned the hotels always do a good job.

IMHO this will cost more than an apartment - but it really depends on how you like to travel.

As for meals - there are a host of places where you can have a pleasant (sit down) lunch for not much money - as long as you're willing to go for something simple and avoid the obvious tourist traps (places with menus in 14 languages or picture of the food). A really good omelet can be just fine for lunch and most places can turn out one - or similar - for not much.

Depends what do you want and care about
NYtraveler, yes hotels are more convinient talking about services.
But if you want to have your own time and private space,,, apartments might be better.