We will be in Paris for a week in early April (spring break), and I’m trying to decide between renting an apartment and staying in a hotel. Budget is a big consideration for our family of 5, but so are comfort and a little space.

What are your experiences with apartment rental? I’ve never done it. We have a beach house that we rent out in Delaware, and some of those renters really trash the place! What should I look out for in a rental? Some of the places on VRBO look really nice.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions!

For a family of five, rental is the place to go. As I have no children, when I travel I want a B%B or farm and a hotel mixed in. I cook,clean everyday
so when I vacation, It means none of that.

Renting an apartment gives you a vacation with a totally different feel, a little more like you live here. Part of it is the shopping and the cooking, part of it the extra space and part of it sharing a building with the locals.

One of the things to consider is whether the Web site you're searching is a rental agency that provides services upon and after your arrival, or one that simply puts you in contact with the owner. If the latter, is the owner in Paris or elsewhere? If elsewhere, can someone in your family manage to communicate in French if needed (with the locksmith, for example) if something goes wrong? Slowtrav.com is a travel site dedicated to apartment rental vacations. Also a good place to visit for advice.

Momliz,

I agree that, for 5 people, an apartment is the way to go. Especially nice is the option of eating in occasionally to save money and to satisfy any picky eaters.

People renting apartments in Paris tend to be interested in museums, walking, archtitecture, churches, history, the occasional glass of fine wine and eating well - NOTHING like some groups the rent US beach houses.

I promise you there will have not been any wild keg parties in any apartment you are considering. Slowtrav sound like a good resource. Good luck.

A postage-stampt hotel room in Paris? No, never again. We just returned a week ago from staying an apartment that had everything one's heart could desire. Saved mega-bucks, too. Jet lag had us craving coffee at 3 a.m. Easily solved with our own kitchen. Wide awake at 1 a.m. Hot showers, coming up. Picnics at any hour, on any day. Saved mega-bucks. Dirty laundry? Our own washer/dryer. Saved mega-bucks. You get the idea. Now multiply that saving by 2.5 (you have a family of 5). OK?

An apartment is great and I do recommend them -- BUT -- remember you will NOT have the services you associate with a hotel. In most cases there is no daily change of linens(usually once a week on a weekly rental), you are expected to keep the place clean/tidy, etc. It is rather rare to find a Paris apartment with two bathrooms (with 5 people one bathroom could be a major roadblock!)

There are some very nice apts. out there, but they cost quite a bit (i.e. Parisperfect for example - which is a good company, but expensive). In general, you get what you pay for in apts. If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. Photos do lie

I'm assuming some of your family are kids, and if they are used to a certain degree of luxury at home they might find a Paris apt. lacking unless you go for "high end".

Personally, I'd say get two hotel rooms. You are assured of 2 bathrooms for one thing. Yes, some apts do have 2 but you do have to search them out (and in some the second bathroom is really just a w.c. & small sink).

If you go with an apt. check ALL the details in the contract and be sure you understand the "fine print". All require a hefty payment upfront. They advantage with a hotel is that you do not pay till you check out. If for any reason you need to cancel the apt. you need to be aware if you can get your money back (or a portion of it).

It's fun to have an apt. and shop for some grocery items, etc. but that is not for everyone.

Momliz, hubby & I are also planning a week in Paris in early April, and were faced with the same dilemma and hesitations. One thing I did, after I selected some apartments that seemed really nice was to see if there were guest reviewers on the apartment's website, and then email them for first-hand accounts. Also, I asked this forum for any feedback from previous renters of my apartment of interest. If I'm doing this correctly, it should be on this thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34630342

Good luck with your choices, and part of the fun is in the research, don't you think?

I am a great believer in renting an apartment. Because there are just two of us, I can't recommend a specific apartment, but can tell you we have rented through 3 agencies in paris and have been happy with all: franceforrent.com, bienvenueaparis.com and chezvous.com (the most expensive). All of these are US based, but have people in Paris who meet you to give you the keys, and who you can contact in case of problems. That is prefereble in my view to renting through a website which is simply a place to find an apartment being rented by an individual. The agency will have seen the apartment and that gives you a greater sense of comfort that the apartment will be as described. Do remember that in general the apartment is a little shabbier than it looks on the website. With an apartment, pay attention to which floor it is on (add one floor to the number since in Europe the first floor is called the ground floor) and whether or not there is an elevator. Also pay attention to the square meters because pictures can be taken at amazing angles to make the apartment look bigger. If there are pictures, look to see if there are end tables on each side of the bed. There are some apartments where one side of the bed is against the wall. This is fine for a single person but can be tough with two people in the bed. Having a washer/dryer is great because that enables you to pack less. When you se the location, try to look at a map to see how far the nearest metro is and how busy the street might be.
When you compare prices, remember how much you will save on food costs if you eat any meals in your apartment. A simple breakfast such as coffee and croissant at a cafe will cost you at least $5 a person. Having a kitchen doesn't mean you have to cook. You can get wonderful prepared foods at markets, and breakfast and lunch pastries, cheeses etc are incredible and not too expensive when purchased at a boulangerie or market.
I agree that you have to give up certain hotel amenities - the most important of which is having someone at the desk who can watch your luggage if you come in early and you can't get into your room/apartment. Since I don't change my sheets and towels every day at home, I don't mind having the same linens for a week. With 3 kids, you may find you miss having someone come in and vacuum. With some agencies, you can arrange to have cleaners come in for an extra charge.
This is probably more advice than you want, but I love renting apartments and hope you have a great experience doing so.

We rented an apartmnet for 4 in Paris in June. It was an OK place, not FABULOUS or anything. Here is the trip report. (Forgive me if I've already sent this to you...)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34644730

Pros and cons as I saw it:

Pro: Cheap. Spacious. Refrigerator.

Con: No way to really connect with even one Parisien. When we stayed at a hotel in Paris we felt like we had made friends with the desk staff. In fact, 10 yrs later we stopped in at the hotel and they were all still working there and friendly as ever! Also, no one to help you make reservations or deal in French with any problems over the phone or whatever might come up. You need to be a good, independent traveler to rent an apartment. No hand-holding.

I know someone who rented an apartment for her family's firsttime Paris visit. When she was researching on the internet, she came across some sly owners. One tried to talk her into renting his apt. and dismissed the five flights of stairs (no elevator) as being nothing to worry about. She did tell him she had a toddler. Another owner she found had posted the same photos for the several apartments he rented. As what teaberry said you should try to ask former guests about the apartments you're interested in.

However, all the research paid off and she rented from an honest person and the apartment was exactly the way it was presented on the internet.

I love renting apartments in Paris and have done it three times. The space and comfort far outweigh any inconvenience for me, but some people prefer the services of a hotel. Some apartments are surprisingly more upscale than I have expected, and some are somewhat less convenient. I have had to squeeze into some pretty tight showers (don't drop the soap!) but that can happen in budget hotels as well.

I don't mind making my own bed. The apartment doesn't really need cleaning in a week. And having a kitchen does not mean you have to cook, but it does mean you can pick up the fabulous foods and pastries you pass in the markets as you walk around and save them for snacks or informal meals.

Things I watch out for (most of which have been mentioned by others) include size, what floor the apartment is on and whether there is a working elevator, location, room on both sides of the bed, type of bed (some apartments have only sleep sofas), and apartment layout. Some Paris apartments have been remodeled by putting a bedroom in a loft, and some of those are accessed by small spiral staircases and the bathroom is on the other level from the bedroom.

You will be giving up a level of service. No concierge to make restaurant reservations or give you directions. If you are comfortable with that, and you do not require a high level of luxury, then apartment rentals can be very satisfying.

I agree with all the above posters re: savings vs. less service, etc., so I won't belabor the same points. I just have one caveat for you--find out what floor the apartment is on, and if there is an elevator at all. I once stayed on the 6th floor of a walk-up, and it was hell! OK, I'm in shape so walking up & down all the time on an uneven staircase did not take me out as much as it would a lessor walker. But just imagine the day I got outside and realized I forgot my umbrella! yow. And then as a shopper, my suitcase was super heavy so that was really tough checking in and checking out.

Mom,
Rental is the way to go. You would be paying a fortune getting 2 hotels rooms or some sort of suite.
The great thing about it is that you can have some of your meals there and save beaucoup $$$. Save that extra $ for the souvenirs and museums!
Good luck!
nlr

We rented w/ our two kids - we enjoyed that vs. being in a hotel - the agent met us there, it was clean, allowed us to have breakfast in the room (after a quick trip some days to local stalls with fresh fruits, etc) - I could do laundry, neighbors were helpful - ours was LaPetite Fadette on 19 quai Malaquais and we had 1 brd/ kids were small and fine with sleep sofa, but there were 2 br units there also,, we found it on goto-france.com but I would say the experience for the week we found delightful.