I like to stay in apartments/villas. Even convents with curfews over a hotel!
It has something to do with me pretending not being a tourist...mind you I don't pretend I'm a nun when staying in a convent!
I love going shopping for food in the local markets...and putting it away to become a UFO later in the week...
It's just a lovely feeling to potter about in an area larger than a hotel room.
The last villa we stayed in, we had the pool all to ourselves and it was lovely to walk around the gardens etc and not have to share it.

I like a small hotel for places I am visiting for the first time, but definitely apartments for return visits.
But, it is harder to find (real) 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom apartments in rome.