Paris Hotel or Private Apartment - A simple guide to help you decide.

Apartment Versus Hotel

If you are staying in Paris for less than one week and want to spend a pampered vacation, ordering room service and not even considering making a bed or preparing a meal, we suggest staying in a hotel. If you have always fantasized of one day living in Paris, becoming one of the locals roaming the Parisian markets with a freshly baked baguette under your arm, sampling artesian cheeses, lounging in a spacious environment, coming and going as you please without having to greet hotel personnel, opt for an apartment.

It is a misconception to assume that apartments are cheaper than hotels. Apartments like hotels vary greatly in quality, neighborhood and perks. But without doubt money will be saved since every meal doesn’t have to be eaten out and some evenings nothing hits the spot better than nestling on your sofa trying to understand French television.

Europe is run on a different currency so bring a 220 volt converter, to make sure your blow dryers, curling iron and electrical toothbrushes work. If you are traveling with children, you will need at least a one bedroom. If you have a teenager or young adult, we suggest a two bedroom since the thin mattress of a pullout couch maybe fine for a 10 year old but not an 18 year old. A studio apartment is an excellent value for couples on a budget or singles who don’t plan on spending much time in the apartment. Although if the budget allows, we suggest you splurge for a one bedroom, it makes all the difference in the world.

The prices for apartments vary. In the luxury range a one bedroom is $225-$350 per night (usually between 450-800 sq ft) and a two bedroom is $375-$550 (usually between 800-1300 sq ft) with a seven day minimum. Although some property managers/owners do accept guests for fewer than seven days, most prefer not to accommodate.

In terms of types of lodgings available our research has shown a range of reputable 3 star apartments including one bedrooms between $175-$250 and two bedrooms under $400. The price differences are usually reflected in the decor, bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances and whether the apartment building has an elevator. In terms of premium accommodation parisluxeapt.com, for example, offers luxurious mansions and even an apartment with an indoor pool that can comfortably sleep 10. Most apartments are in prime arrondissements (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,16,18).

Fresh linens and maid service are provided on a weekly basis unless other arrangements are made. Pets are not allowed and smoking is permitted at the discretion of the property manager/owner. Not all apartments have bathtubs which is a given in American households and hotels but a conventional shower with a hand held sprayer gets the job done and is usually the norm.

Some apartments come equipped with the basic kitchen essentials such as sugar, salt, coffee, tea, cleaning supplies, cooking oil and dried herbs while others will charge a premium to provide these items. There are some property managers that issue gourmet supermarket gift certificates to all their guests while other simply point you to the local market.

The apartment rental policies vary from each apartment provider. All clients are fully briefed on the individual stipulations of each owner/manager or agency. Most apartments have an arrival time after 12pm and a checkout time around 11am but all will accommodate either by storing your luggage or scheduling a later checkout time.

The key collection varies from apartment to apartment. Some will wait for you in the apartment till the wee hours regardless of your flight arrival time. While others will simply mail you the key, some that have offices will ask that you pick up the key in their office.

Most property managers/owner/agencies do not consider an apartment booked until they receive a deposit. Generally it is not advisable to hold out for a better apartment, when you see an apartment that works for you book it as soon as you can with a deposit. If you have to cancel your booking, it is usually required that you do so in writing. If you have utilized parisluxeapt.com, we will assist you in this matter. But pleased be advised that you may lose all or some of deposit depending on the property’s ability to re-rent the apartment. This policy is rarely negotiable. So please be sure that you are in the need of the apartments for those dates.

The best apartments tend to book quickly with some of the most popular property managers booked a year in advance. We strongly suggest commencing your apartment search as soon as possible. Please give yourself ample time to mull over the selections ParisLuxeApt submits to you and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that a "once in a lifetime" Parisian experience awaits you.