Granny & girls trip to Paris

What about aparthotels? You get the benefits of an apartment with a kitchenette but also the help/services of a front desk.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/apartment-hotels-in-in-paris

Whether you decide hotels, apartments or aparthotels, keep in mind the configuration of bathroom facilities . For 6, you would want access to at least 2 shower/tubs and 2 toilets.

Also, for June, look for lodging with AC.

I am starting to not like recommending AirBNB… short term rentals being the scourge that they are for some European cities… but you are a large group and I suspect a hotel would be really spendy.

My cousin and his girlfriend - and his mom - have stayed in AirBNBs the last few times they were in Paris and they saved a good deal of money that way. Having a kitchen is an excellent perk. You can save by eating one meal a day “at home” and get the fun of shopping for groceries in Paris.

As for neighborhood, look outside the center city tourist hotspots. For example, we love the Passy neighborhood. It’s convenient, local feeling and cool, but not eye-wateringly expensive.

We’ve got a somewhat large group, not as large as, but a large group, going next year and we have rented a two bedroom with Guest Apartment services that has two full bathrooms. I think that’s something you definitely want

One of the reasons we went, but this particular company was they do have a concierge service and an office so for example, they’re making some dinner reservations for us because we wanted to do a couple of very nice dinners

The other thing to check with apartments is access. We had a choice of several but one of them was on thr fourth floor, which is the fifth American floor with no elevator That seems like a lot every day so we went from one on the first floor.

I also agree apartment hotels are a good option. Citadines has a lot in the city that range from very nice to basic but are all decent and clean.

Airbnb is slightly problematic in my opinion in Paris. Especially now that they have lowered the rentable days to 90. And that means that the owners keep canceling to rent to people who are willing to pay more. And before people tell me how Airbnb will penalize the owners. Nope all they have to do is call something like a plumbing leak. it’s amazing how many apartments in Paris have plumbing issuright before people come to visit

Try Booking.com or VRBO for apartments. It will be a challenge to find 1 accommodation for six guests ( particularly in hotels) but on Booking you can set filters to look for just that.

Guest Services Apartments has been recommended on this forum. It looks like they have amazing apartments. I'm hoping to use them next time I visit.

Keep in mind with air bnb or VRBO there are usually rigid check in and check out times and no place to store luggage. We have gone back to using hotels so we will have a front desk. I don’t know anything about aparthotels.

I'm weary of AirBnb/VRBO rentals. If you want a place with a kitchen, and possibly a washer, then an apartment rental is ideal. I would just go through an agency like https://www.cobblestoneparis.com/, so you don't get scammed on an AirBnB.
Also, Paris now has a strict limit on how long an apartment can be rented on AirBnB. People are started to get their reservations cancelled a week before their stay because the host hit their 90 day max. You don't want to be stuck in that kind of position. A reputable agency like Cobblestone owns the entire building and is not subject to he 90 day rule since the coming and goings on tourists won't disturb long term residents in a building.
If you don't care about a kitchen, then you'll probably get more bathrooms by renting a couple of hotel rooms. Most 2 bedroom apartments only have one bathroom.

Janice, for at least 6 people an apartment is always a better idea: it's generally cheaper than 2 or 3 hotel rooms, plus you have the added advantage of the living area in which you can all sit around and chat. There is usually a washing machine if you plan to pack lighter. My husband and I have reserved for the first time with Guest Apartment Services (Tulip) thanks to recommendations on this forum--so we haven't actually stayed. You have to reserve early because they book quickly although I kept checking back when they were full and managed to snag Tulip for 9 nights. The drawbacks are that there might be only one bathroom, although many have a separate WC, such as Tulip, and the city tax pp is high because of its location. The management is very helpful and would aid you in getting an apartment for more than the 4 people that Tulip can sleep. Also, it's just cheaper than many of the hotels, especially in the 4th. Wherever you stay, I'm excited for you and your family. You're creating great memories.

When you pack for an apartment, remember how small and how slow are european laundry machines. Air conditioning still has low penetration in much of Europe, so check many climate sites for info on your dates. This is a big group, too many for one taxi. I'd also give some thought to differing interests between an 18 year old and 10 & 7. It may be wise to plan multiple sight options for most days. Have these kids been in large cities with public transportation before? It's a paradigm-shift from SUV's.

I have also rented from Guest Apartments and found them to be very good. Rented Cherry, and happened to find out that they have another apartment (Ginger) located in the same building, so it might work for you to rent both places and have 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms. They have a 7 night minimum stay and start booking 6 months ahead.

Unless you are on a very tight budget, stay at a hotel.
I don’t know about your travel philosophy, but ours is that we are on vacation, that means, no food shopping, no cooking, no cleaning dishes, no laundry, no making beds, etc.
You’ll only be in Paris for one week, you should have enough clothes to last, even with just a carryon.
Also, we like to be in the middle of the action, being able to walk everywhere. Most affordable apt rentals are on the outskirts of the city,

There are different schools of thought on vacation rentals. The poster above excellently explained one of them. I prefer a rental to have more space than a squishy hotel room (which are smaller in Europe than we're used to in the US, unless you splurge for a suite); to be able to get up at whatever hour I choose and have a separate room to retreat to so I don't disturb my companion; have no grocery shopping, cooking or dishes to do (we eat out); and no beds to make (I'm on vacation and can easily overlook an unmade bed for a few days since we're out of the apartment most of the time). Budget isn't my main concern, but I have found reasonable options quite central at comparable prices to the surrounding hotels. An apartment or 2 would give granny and the girls a private space to gather in the mornings as they're getting ready, and to decompress in the evenings (in their pajamas if they wish!). Rentals aren't for everyone, but are an attractive option for many.

I agree that it is important to check out accessability, since without an elevator you may have many stairs to climb up a narrow, windy staircase (and occasionally the light which is supposed to come on will not). Be sure to check out reviews, since an ad which states the apartment has a view of the Eiffel tower may mean that you have to lean way out the window (with someone holding onto you to make sure you do not fall) to get even a partial view of the tower. And be aware that often in France a toilet room is just that: a small room with a toilet, and maybe a small sink, and nothing more. If that makes you claustrophobic, then pass. You also may want to make sure that the entry to the building is by digicode, as it provides for some security. Crime is not rampant in Paris, but it does happen. I happen to be of the school that likes to live kind of like an ordinary French person, shopping in a small cheese store, a bodega for fruits and vegetables, and a neighborhood bakery for croissants. So check reviews and perhaps Google maps if that is important to you. There is nothing worse than coming to Paris and the first morning expecting to walk a short distance to get a fresh croissant and finding that you have to walk two miles. I agree that you might consider getting an apartment in a district that is not too touristy (unless you want to be right in the heart of tourist attractions). We often get an apartment in the 15th arrondissement. The metro is so good that you can get to anywhere you want to go quite quickly (and the bus system is good too).

Of course, another point of view is how harmful short-term rentals are to local housing economies, and how less considerate guests (or people who have never lived in a multiple dwelling in their lives) can disturb long-term residents of an apartment building. My tony NYC suburb has long since outlawed all rentals under 30 days. No party houses here ...

A friend and her adult son booked an apartment through https://www.cobblestoneparis.com/ and were very pleased with the hosting (the apartment would be way too small for your group). We are planning a “girls” trip (me, a long-time friend and her two adult daughters) in May 2026 and have booked a 3-bedroom apartment through Paris Perfect. We want to have communal space and a kitchen for the occasional meal (rotisserie chicken from the market). I also looked at https://www.mymaisoninparis.com If you go with the hotel option, consider getting a suite for yourself so you have a space for everyone to gather. And you will want an elevator, AC and good WiFi. PS it is not too early to book!

I agree with those who suggested an apartment, and for all the reasons previously stated. The thing to keep in mind is that VRBO-type apartments are not like cookie cutter hotels where everything is fairly predictable. Read details carefully and ask questions if details are not clearly explained. Many of the apartment-rental companies allow you to contact the apartment owner/manager with specific questions. I'd give the same advice if you were considering small, privately-owned hotels, as well. Details I've sought in my renting experience include what floor and is there an elevator, heat and air-conditioning availability, location of amenities such as washer/dryer, and flexibility of check-in times. I'd also suggest exploring the exact locations and then use street-view function to see the neighborhood.

My husband and I often choose VRBO-type apartments and small family-owned hotels because they have more personality in comparison to the cookie-cutter, but easy and convenient, chain hotels. We've been very pleased with our rentals and have enjoyed some of the unique quirks of the apartments. In general, we've found owners to be eager to please and flexible about check-in times. Keep in mind that after a stay, just as renters are asked to review the property, owners are also asked to review the renters. It helps to have a good record.

A few years ago, my friends and I stayed in this apartment near the eastern base of Montmartre. It's 3BR/3BA, each room with a queen or double bed. We absolutely loved it. It's on a quiet street but an easy walk to the Metro. The photos make it look a little brighter than it did at Xmas time.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/3192775?adults=6&search_mode=regular_search&check_in=2025-08-08&check_out=2025-08-13&children=0&infants=0&pets=0&source_impression_id=p3_1753828011_P3P4bZ11ilrt5ul4&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=0002fa07-e650-4ea0-9a2d-3ed73413f910