Are there any decent hotels in France that offer apartment-like facilities (kitchen, fridge, on-site self-laundry, etc.)? These are very convenient for vacations longer than 3-4 days. We are planning a three-week visit in the South of France and eastern Spain. Yes, one can find laundromats outside, but many times they are not as convenient. Just a very basic kitchen is very useful for breakfasts, keeping some basics (fruit, milk,butter, etc.) and occasionally make some simple eggs for breakfast. AirBnBs are causing some headaches for locals, but wish hotels focused on basics vs. other fancy features are available as options. Last year, we stayed at a nice little hotel in Italy which had laundry in the basement and a small fridge, which was very useful to have all our clothes washed after one week and ready for another week in a different location. They did not have a kitchen, but had a very nice included breakfast spread with an enthusiastic staff. We left some nice chocolates for them in appreciation.
Posted by
Loire Valley
762 posts
Search for apart-hotels.
Posted by
Freedonia
15064 posts
I stay in these all the time. These are known as extended stay hotels. You usually won't find them in smaller towns. Here are the ones belonging to a chain:
Adina Hotels
Adagio Hotels
Citadines
Residence Inn
Hyatt House
Fraser Suites
Staybridge Suites
There are others that may not be part of a chain. Look for "Serviced Apartments." They are apartment houses run as hotels.
Some of the above chains, like Adina and Fraser Suites, have washer/dryer combos in some of the units. You have to check each location. In the others, use of the washers and dryers might be free. Hint--weekends and nights are busy times for the laundries.
Posted by
OP
San Diego
18 posts
Thank you both. The list of hotels is especially helpful.
I did stay in Citadines in Paris few years back and loved it. Looks like the one in Nice is no longer in business -- too bad as it would have been perfect. Does not look like Residence Inn (or similar Marriott/Hyatt properties have made it to South France - love to use them in US with family. Will look athe other names on the list.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2546 posts
The Gîte network of France has existed for many years and consists of small apartments/cottages typically used for vacations. Take a look here (though these locations are not typically in cities):
Posted by
Freedonia
15064 posts
There is no Citadines in Nice but there is one in Cannes. (Less than 20 miles between the two.)
There is an Adagio (Accor Brand) in Nice.
Which Citadines in Paris?
Posted by
OP
San Diego
18 posts
Regarding Citadines in Paris - I had stayed in two, different trips. One was in St. Germain and the other one near Trocadero. Both were very nice, centrally situated, reasonably priced, excellent service, access to good breakfast, laundry with good space (for Paris). Once I had traveled with our 80+ year-old parents and it really helped to have two bedrooms, which is sometimes harder to get in hotels in Paris. They need occasional help, especially in unfamiliar surroundings and having us right in the next room was very reassuring for them.
Posted by
OP
San Diego
18 posts
Yes, aware of the Gites and looked at them. Unfortunately, I could not quite find one near where we wanted to be for this trip. As you say, their origins is mostly rural folks renting out for extra income and there are hardly any near the cities. Found a couple near St-Remy but was not as impressed by the look. We will likely stay in a nice hotel there. I do think Gites would be wonderful for a different type of relaxed, longer trip in other parts of France -- too bad it needs to wait till retirement.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
663 posts
We just returned from France and stayed at Hotel Particulier in Bordeaux. It was near the train station (walking distance). It had a separate bedroom and a small living room with a kitchenette area (sink, small fridge, microwave, clothes washer/dryer, toaster, coffee maker and a Keurig machine, plus dishes, etc. The bathroom was modern and well-appointed (no bidet). There was good wifi, a tv in the bedroom as well as the living room. We were on the first floor (second for the U.S.), so no elevator in for us, but they helped us old folks schlep our bags upstairs and down. Parking was a half block away in an underground lot for 15 euros a night extra. We were very happy with the facilities. It seems they have facilities in Paris (Montmartre) as well as Quebec City, Canada. There are others. These are comparable to the apart/hotels we have stayed in beforein Chile and Spain. You may want to google Hotel Particulier for the cities you will visit. We paid about $150.00 per night. Breakfast was extra, but we had food left from a 10 day gite stay so didn't eat there.
Gites de France is my favorite place to look for lodging, but I understand that ones in cities are few and far between. If you ever plan a Dordogne stay, have I got a great recommendation for you!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA
1075 posts
We like Homewood Suites (by Hilton). They also have a more budget Home2Suites which we are not as fond of, but it has what you want. Similarly, Marriott in addition to the Residence Inn also has TownPlace Suites (which is also more budget). There is a Staybridge Suites in Cannes. You may also benefit by using www.booking.com and searching for apartments, which is one of their filters.
Posted by
OP
San Diego
18 posts
Hi Kelly - Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, most of these hotels are not common in France at least based on my searches. I could not find a single Homewood Suite, only one Residence Inn outside Paris and no Townplace Suites. Yes, love to use them while traveling within US. Regarding Booking.com for apartments, I think it is just another platform (like AirBnB) to rent short-term and assume have a similar financial impact for locals trying to rent. I do use Booking.com to book hotels in Europe.