apartments versus hotels for solo traveler

I have rented apartments when traveling with other(s) but stay in a hotel when traveling solo. As a woman, when I travel solo, I feel safer in the hotel environment.

Hotel don't change the towels and sheet everyday either. There is a subset of folks who hype apartments. We are not a big fan of apartments because the few times we have used them our experience has been very mixed. If I was traveling solo I would not use an apartment. There is always a possibility that something can go wrong physically and it is nice to be able to call the front desk. Ever hotels without 24 hr front desks have an emergency number. I would not want to be alone in an apartment needing assistance. And breakfasts provides an opportunity to meet other travelers.

I always travel solo as I can never find a travel partner. As a single woman traveler I prefer the amenities of a hotel or monastery when available. I agree with the other comments here...it is nice to call the front desk if and when needed as was my experience in Florence.

I do both. This next trip we are doing 16 nights in hotels and renting an apartment for 6 nights in Paris and a Georgian house in Dublin for 5 nights.

For me a lot depends...I usually do take a hotel solo,,,but I am familiar enough now with the man we rent apartments in from Paris that I would rent an apartment there solo as I know he would be available for help. Other places, I would still likely keep to hotels..

Also it takes more research to rent an apartment, one often has to pay up front, or pay deposits, so one has to do some homework, so as to not lose out

I've rented apartments a number of times as a solo traveler. I prefer apartments to hotels for longer stays. I like having extra space, a fridge, and a washing machine when I am staying somewhere for a week. For less than 5 days, I usually go with a hotel. For me it comes down to the length of the stay and the price. I do agree that there is generally more due diligence required when renting an apartment since rent is often non-refundable.

I'm a solo traveler and I use a mix of hotels and apartments. A lot depends on how many nights I'm staying and where I'm staying. If I'm staying 3 nights or more I will look at both to see what is more economical. Some times it's cheaper to rent an apartment and sometimes as a solo it's cheaper to get a hotel. I've rented apartments in Paris, Prague, Krakow and Budapest because it cost less than comparably located hotels. For some reason, in smaller towns or more rural areas I tend to get hotels or b&b's even for 3-5 night stays - probably because I wasn't able to find apartments that were economical for just 1 person.

A lot depends on what you're comfortable with. I personally don't need maid service, 24 hr front desk attendants, included breakfasts, etc. so apartments work fine for me. I do like having a little more room and I especially like having a kitchen and clothes washer. I have found that, for me, being open to any type of lodging makes it easier to find something good.

I've never had a bad experience when renting an apartment (knock on wood) so will continue to do so when a good opportunity presents itself.

I have mixed feeling with apartment rentals. When you rent from a hotel chain you have an expectation of quality based on the company's reputation. When dealing with apartments you are dealing with one of a thousand individuals whose standards and even whose definitions of quality can vary. On vacation my moments are precious and I don't want surprises. When I have done it I looked for apartment that were listed by management companies as I assume they represent many apartments for may apartment owners and as such have two clients, me and the apartment owner. That heightened responsibility and that business position vs hobby I hope provides something more standardized.

As important is going to be location. You have to do a lot of homework to be sure the place you are renting is in a location that improves upon your trip or provides some added value of location or culture or.......

I travel solo much of the time, and always prefer to use smaller, local hotels (often those listed in the guidebooks). I rarely use larger chain hotels. There are a few reasons for my preference.....

• I like to have a full breakfast when travelling, as it give me a good start for the day.
• While I could cook a good breakfast in an apartment, there's NO WAY I'm doing dishes when on holiday. I get enough of cooking and dishes at home, so it wouldn't be a holiday for me.
• I like having hotel staff available, as they're often a good source of information on local restaurants, sights, etc.
• I spend enough time alone when travelling solo, so prefer an environment where I have people to chat with (including the hotel staff). That's less likely to happen when staying in an apartment. The people I meet on trips usually provide some of the best memories.
• The budget hotels I use are most often less expensive than an apartment would be. It doesn't seem efficient to pay for several rooms in an apartment, since I'm typically only there to sleep and shower. A small room with a single bed and bathroom are all that I need.

I don't plan on ever using apartments unless I'm going to be somewhere for an extended period of time (ie: two weeks or longer).

Ken, I concur with everything you said except

•The budget hotels I use are most often less expensive than an
apartment would be.

To which I say, sometimes yes, sometimes no. Just too many variables for the statement.

My opinion of apartments also changes if I plan to stay put for 5 nights or more and I like the idea of setting up base camps from which I can make day trips or overnight trips leaving all behind but what I really need for the short trip. That's and when you want do dive a little deeper into a culture is when apartments shine.

But unlike you, I don't choose budget hotels as a rule. The hotel an be an essential to put a roof over your head for the night or it can be part of the experience. Both views are valid and I go to both extremes depending on the circumstance.

It's not a vacation if I have to make the bed and do dishes..

Seriously, though, this is a good question. I always stay in hotels or b&bs, usually €50-100 per night, depending on the city. I like meeting other guests,, as Ken said, and having staff available. There are laundry services everywhere, so I don't really need a washing machine.

I have never felt unsafe in a hotel, so that's not even a consideration.

If I were staying for a month, I would still use hotels, perhaps change neighborhoods at some point.

In the last 10 years, I have only twice stayed in one place for 5 or more nights. Once I stayed in an apartment; the other time I got a really good deal on a package deal for a single room at a mountain lodge that included Halb-pension, so I took it.

I usually travel single, and most apartments are for at least two people; often they have a bedroom and a sofa bed for 4 people, so they are a bit expensive for only one. Also, apartments often want a longer stay than I want.

The one time I did stay in an apartment it was nice. I could set up the coffee maker before I went to bed and turn it on first thing in the morning. By the time I finished my shower, the coffee was ready. The apartment had "Brötchen Dienst"; they delivered fresh rolls to my door in the morning. I only needed some sausage and cheese for breakfast.

The down side: I stayed seven nights. Things I needed like coffee and butter - the smallest amount lasted five days. Then I had to buy more and leave it behind when I left.

Any time you think about an apartment, you have to figure the cost of groceries.

James E.,

That's why I used the term "most often". I didn't intend for it to be an "absolute" statement. One also has to factor in the cost of breakfasts I'd have to buy if staying in an apartment. One of the most important things for me is that I am NOT preparing food or doing dishes when I'm on holidays!!!

I've considered an apartment a few times, but I've never found one that was cheaper than a suitable hotel, even for stays over a week. From reading the forum over the years, it seems that apartments are economically feasible for groups of people, even couples.

As others have said, a hotel doesn't just provide clean sheets (usually every 3 days) and towels (daily, unless you make a point of not changing them). It means having someone clean the bathroom and dispose of the trash every day. It's knowing that when you arrive with all your luggage, there's someone to open the door, someone on hand to answer questions, make recommendations, and take care of any maintenance problem on the spot.

If the price (and location) were right, I'd consider an apartment for a return stay to a place I knew well.

There are some extended stay hotels popping up in Europe. IHG has a couple of Staybridge Suites in London now, and Accor has three levels of their adagio apartmenthotel brand (premium, standard and basic). Did a browse on their web site, and found it would be about $125 a night for a studio apartment at Aparthotel Adagio Paris Montmartre (pretty much in between Sacre Coeur and the Anvers metro station) for a random week in April, 2016 using current exchange rates and their (sign up for free) Le Club Accor member rate.

Studio apartment at Aparthotel Adagio Rome Vatican for first week in April will run about $650 ($685 breakfast included) at current exchange rates and they get 4/5 owls from Tripadvisor.

Accor is a France-based chain that most Americans haven't heard of because they've got a very small North American footprint. (And consequently your fellow guests are likely to be German businesspeople, French families, and Brits on a package tour rather than Bob and Edie from Topeka) I've stayed in a few of their mid-range properties and felt like they've been a good value and have been well-kept in a IKEA showroom sort of way. And they'll normally have someone at the front desk who is fluent enough in tourist English to handle what's necessary there.

Hi,

Depending on where in Europe, I am mostly a solo traveler. As such, I choose the budget hotels (two stars) and Pensionen if not a hostel, (or both just depends, very whimsical here) over an apt. That's my definite choice in Germany and Austria, would not consider an apt, regardless of the length of the stay, be it 2-3 nights to two full weeks. I like staying more than two nights at a Pension if compared to an apt or a small hotel. That way it increases your chances of getting into a conversation with the proprietor or staff who is always present in the breakfast room to greet all the guests coming in for breakfast.

I did the apt option once, in Warsaw, it was all right, satisfactory, nothing great but not bad either. Would I consider an apt in Italy or the Netherlands, possibly. In England it's the B&B (no elevator) where I would/have stay(ed).

Tom, I agree with your comment about being able to shop like the locals and get food from the markets or pick up take-away and bring back to apartment for dinner and to pack a lunch for your day's sightseeing - those are two of the reasons I like apartments. But I had to laugh at your comment about eating alone in a restaurant. I realize that for some people it may be uncomfortable but I never thought of it as being traumatic.

I travel solo a lot and I like small hotels. I was in an apartment in Cambridge recently and while I had more space, it was a bit of a pain to have fix breakfast--and my breakfast was no where near as good as a hotel's! One of the side benefits of small hotels is that you often can meet other people either at breakfast or the resident's lounge. At the very least the manager says hello and asks about your day.

Pam

Thanks everyone for the replies.
I do not stay in chain hotels unless they are airport hotels. Usually stay in 2-3 star hotels with an occasional splurge to a 4 star.
My one concern about the apartments was the food waste but do like the thought of not having to be tied to a breakfast schedule as some days I am lazy and want to just chill in the AM.
I also have no problem with dining out alone but agree abut meeting people at breakfast.
I guess I need to do more investigation and comparison shop though for this trip I may try an apartment for one stay. We'll see.
Again, thanks.

And thank you for asking this question.

I'm deep into this same decision several times over for all the places I'll be staying on my trip to England and Scotland in a few months.

We try to stay in apartments for all the reasons most people do and because I'm an early riser and my husband sleeps hours later. When my husband opted out of this trip, I decided that B&B's or hotels would be a better option for me for my stays of 3 nights or less for all the socialization reasons already stated.

I was strongly considering apartments for the stays of 4 nights, but I haven't seen a big enough price advantage in most of my locations to go that direction. I've been pleasantly surprised to learn that often hotels and B&B's have discounted prices for singles in a double room. The apartments usually don't.

I'll end my trip with 7 nights in London, so I'm more inclined to rent an apartment there. Due to some health issues, a "serviced" apartment with a 24 hour staffed reception desk would probably be my best London apartment option.

I've also been looking at other kinds of lodgings in London and reading all the comments from people who regularly travel solo in Europe makes me think I should put more effort into that.

Thanks cbrochu30 for starting this thread and everyone else for your responses.

The comment about the "trauma of eating alone" was interesting to me. When I first had to eat alone in restaurants, I did feel uncomfortable. I soon learned to deal with it through practice and now it doesn't bother me like it used to. I find the waitstaff will often take an extra moment to engage in conversation with a person eating alone and I have had several interesting interactions.

I would encourage anyone who does feel discomfort to "practice" a bit before your trip to boost your self-confidence. There really is no reason not to enjoy going out for a meal just because you are solo.

I decide based on price and location. I am not against apartments, but as a solo traveler when you have no one else to split the cost of a security deposit and other fees slapped on by the owners or Airbnb/VRBO, it can make the upfront cost more prohibitive. Add to that the strict cancellation policies that put a solo traveler more at risk for losing money if plans have to change closer to the travel dates, and it makes apartments less appealing.

I generally find if I book the same hotel without the "free" breakfast option, I save about 10 to 15 euro a night. That breakfast is typically just a few types of bread or pastries served with coffee or juice. I can get the same breakfast to go at a local cafe or bakery for a lot less than 10-15 euro and can eat breakfast whenever I want to as I may feel like sleeping a little later one morning and might not be dressed and ready to go downstairs until 9 or 10AM (when the typical hotel breakfast room is closing up, or has already run out of a lot of food because the early birds have picked it over).

More economical apartment rentals are often further out from where I need to be. The location "costs" me in terms of having to take more public transit and wasting my time that could be spend sightseeing. I can usually get a small single or double budget hotel room for a similar price of a studio apartment right in the heart of where I want to be. Money saved on less public transit is money that I can spend instead on eating out or sightseeing admissions.

Economical apartment rentals usually have some sadly stocked kitchens. If you like to do some serious cooking, they often don't have good pots and pans, knives aren't that great, they don't have much in terms of seasonings or oils which means I now have to spend money buying those things and end up having to trash most of it or leave it behind when I go. I already have to cook at home the majority of the year. It sucks to have to do it after working a 10-12 hour day at the office where I am just sitting at a desk. Do I really want to have to do it after I just spent 10 hours walking around cobblestoned streets? No. I am tired after sightseeing and standing on my feet all day. And even though I have access to local ingredients, I'm perfectly happy to drop the cash to have true locals cooking up those ingredients the way they should be, putting that plate in front of me and then having someone else clean up those pots, pans and dishes afterwards. I don't think of dining out alone as "traumatic". I like researching potential restaurants I might want to try. Unless you have your nose stuck in a book or can't put your iPhone down for 2 minutes, there are inevitably people who want to chat with you. Whether it is the waiter, bartender, host, or a couple or family dining at the tables near you, as a solo traveler you actually end up interacting a whole lot more with other people than you would if you are traveling with a partner or spending your nights inside your vacation apartment alone eating some variation of the same stuff you might make for yourself at home. If someone feels dining alone will cause people to stare at them like a circus freak for daring to occupy a table as a solo, then they may want to try to get their feet wet by first dining early. Europeans eat much later in general. So if one dines on North American time (e.g, 6PM), they will often find the only other people eating are tourists or the place is basically empty except for staff.

A happy medium sometimes for solo travelers between apartments and hotels can be lodging at hostels or local universities that rent out rooms when students are on summer holiday. Many of these places have options for private rooms if you don't want to be in a shared dorm situation. You have access to kitchens and laundry facilities and there are much easier cancellation policies.

I've found the eating alone diversion very interesting. My best friend for the past 40 years still has the same issues she had with that when I met her in 1975. She also wouldn't consider going to a movie or performance of any kind alone. The discomfort is just too great for her.

I've been doing those kinds of things alone since I was a kid, so I've often wondered what makes some women (especially) so uncomfortable doing things alone. It can be more fun to have people to share with, but it's not always possible for only children like I was or for people whose work schedules or locations aren't conducive to having lunch with others.

I learned early on that if I waited for someone to join me for meals, entertainment or trips, I'd still be waiting. I agree with those who suggest "practicing" if this is an issue. Practice makes perfect and can lead to lovely experiences which might not otherwise happen.

I'll never forget the restaurant I ate in on a solo trip to Verdun back in the early 80's. None of my female friends in Nuremberg had any interest in WWI or the battlefield, but I think they would have enjoyed the food.

Like a typical American, I arrived early. The place was open, but no one else was there. I also didn't have reservations. They sat me in a corner facing out, which might sound bad, but it was the best place to observe from for the next couple of hours. Within 15 minutes, the place was packed. Everyone, including me, was having great meals and a great time. It was some of the best food I'd eaten up to that point. The split of Gewurztraminer, which cost more than the meal itself, helped with that, and the custard dessert with some kind of tart rhubarb sauce remains as unforgettable as that weekend trip itself.

Whether you end up in an apartment or hotel or B&B, getting out for at least one meal a day will be a learning experience and fun, even if you are a party of one.

I too was flaggergasted by the "trauma of eating alone" comment.

Its never bothered me.. and like Lo, I have been doing it since I was a teen.. so a grown man saying he finds it difficult does surprise me..

I enjoy it.. I can read at the table when alone!! I can eat what I want and when I want.. whats not to like?

I never stay at hotels that have breakfast included unless its some super special deal.. I walk out the door of my hotels and find a small local place to have breakfast..

I do make a point of trying to get a hotel room with a mini fridge so I can stock juices etc but I don't miss a kitchen. Even when we rent apartments we do not cook.. just cut up fruit /cheese and pour wine.. so mini fridge will do for that .. I do not want to waste time shopping or cooking.. I do that every day at home here.. its no big fun deal for me to do it in Europe.. ( well I do like to cruise food stores for bouillion cubes and sauce mixes to bring home to use here)

Again, thanks for the replies. It never occurred to me to book the hotel and not the breakfast! Duh!!! Thank you for that tip.
Thanks also to the poster who mentioned location and costs, in both time and money, of traveling from an area outside the central city/town. I always stay in centrally located areas since I only have used public transportation so the location of a potential apartment if I go that route will be critical.
Again, thank you for all the responses.

I've only ever travelled solo to Europe and have only considered hotels--boutique or small ones, no chains--for the simple reason that I like having my needs attended to. Though, really, my needs are few--I do like having knowledgeable front desk staff, clean linens and breakfast. My 2 week vacation is a respite from housework, cooking and pretty much any other responsibility. I'm willing to pay for a lovely lodging experience--my mood can be very much affected if I'm not happy and comfortable in my room.

cbrochu30; I have three requirements

1. I want absolute convenience for the planned activities. A 20minute underground metro ride to the center of things each and every time I leave the hotel is not acceptable.

2. I want the option to enjoy time immediate to my accommodations.

3. I want something that is in itself part of the enjoyment of the trip. Something that adds more value to the pleasure or education or experience.

4. I want the equivalent of a very good 3 star at an absolute minimum.

That has resulted in apartments in interesting neighborhoods where the neighbors greeted and welcomed, or a 4 star hotel on a major avenue of outdoor cafes to waste the evening away; at other times a 5 star hotel in amazing natural scenery, or a 5 star hotel on Red Square, or a barely 3 star hotel in a small village where the owners joined you for dinner and told you stories of the old days. But never are my accommodations just a roof over my head.

There is no exclusion on type, apartment or hotel. That's way too limiting. Sort of like saying I will only visit countries that share Latin as the root of their language.

"I save about 10 to 15 euro a night. That breakfast is typically just a few types of bread or pastries served with coffee or juice."

After reading most of these posts, it's obvious to me that the answer to this question depends on the country and/or type of travel. I travel mostly to Germany or German speaking countries, and I have found that the majority of venues I want to see are not in large cities. In small towns, there are lots of acceptable places near the Bahnhof.

I tend to stay in smaller, more economical, places (Pensions, Gasthauses, private homes). On my last trip, traveling with another person, our average overnight stay for three weeks, including 4 nights in Munich, cost 70€, or 35€/person. At every place we stayed except one, breakfast was included and was certainly more than just bread, pastries, coffee, and juice. At only 35€ per person, I wasn't about to try to save money by going out for breakfast. Anyway, although I'm a late sleeper at home, when I'm traveling I like to get up early, throw on a few clothes, and get coffee and breakfast. Then I come back to my room, take my shower, get dressed for the day's travel, and be on my way by 9 AM. If I had to go out of the building for breakfast, I wouldn't come back until the end of the day. In Munich, breakfast was not included, but it was only something like 7,50€/person and a lot more than just pastries.

I also don't want to cook on vacation, mainly because I'm uncomfortable outside my own kitchen. Other than making coffee at breakfast, I didn't cook in the apartment last trip. Most of the time, we were on the go at lunch time and just grabbed a sandwich, then went out at dinner. Sometimes we had a big meal at midday, then just rolls, meat, cheese, and wine in the apartment in the evening.

In Germany, I've noted that there are a lot of places without star rating, but they are, nevertheless, nice, with a lot of things that starred hotels have. My guess is it's because to have any more than one star, a hotel has to accept credit cards, and Germans don't like credit cards. Why bother with a star rating if you can't get more than one star? But the Germans have such a high standard. Even without stars, every place where I've stayed has been absolutely clean and well furnished. It might not have room service (or a restaurant) or a shoeshine machine in the hall, but it's otherwise all I need. The owner is almost always around and willing to give advice.

I love B&B's, Air bnb, Geusthouses, etc. I like being with people in residential areas and feeling like I am at home. There are people around should you need them, but you definitely have your privacy, too. They will give you clean towels, if and when you need them. As far as breakfast, some offer light breakfasts, but it all depends. Some will give you access to their kitchen---just ask before you book!

I've only rented apartments when I was traveling as a family - when I would have otherwise needed two hotel rooms. Even then it was a toss up on which was the better option so I stayed in hotels sometimes and apartments sometimes.

I find that wherever I'm lodging I'm only there to sleep at night, shower in the morning and use wifi to check email. Eating is done on the run, often buying picnic supplies at a grocery store or grabbing a bite at a corner stand and eating outside, so a kitchen isn't a big money saver.

Hi,

Traveling solo which exclusively applies to Germany and Austria, I would not even consider the apt option, regardless of the length of stay. In Germany and Austria that means the Pension , usually located in the train station area, is the main choice and sometimes the independent hostel. On departure day I don't need to rely on public transportation or worse still a taxi to get to the station. No problems eating alone at meal times be it at breakfast or dinner at a restaurant; solo dining doesn't bother me, except when you have to wait. If I travel with the family, then the apt option could win over the hotel if we're in Italy, Poland, France, etc....just depends on a variety of factors. Bottom line is know what your luxury expectations are and what you can do without in terms of accommodations.

I'm not nervy enough to get an apartment when I'm traveling solo because the thing that bothers me about solo travel is that I might be sick in a foreign country. Consequently, I like a hotel as it provides some one to call who knows the system, etc. if necessary. Also, I don't particularly like to cook at home so I really don't want to cook on vacation, and I certainly don't want to clean. I enjoy dining solo at restaurants on vacation (and with people as well).

I travel solo and prefer apartments unless it's only for 1 or 2 nights. Many of the single rooms I've stayed in in Europe are extremely tiny and I just can't stand being in a very small room. The worst one was in London - it was barely bigger than the twin bed and the bathroom was excruciatingly small (and I'm not a very big person).

I've been able to generally find studio apartments in the centre of town for about the same price as hotels - in fact in Bruges I found a whole 2 bedroom house for less than the cost of a budget hotel nearby where my friends had stayed previously. I had initially reserved there, but just didn't want to pay those prices. And I stayed in the house there solo. (BTW - it was beautiful and fully supplied and the owner picked me up at the train station so I didn't have to fuss about how to get to the house.)

I prefer being able to snack at night without having to go out, to be able to have a fridge and the ability to just chill without having to go somewhere and having a bit more space. I like not having the maid wake me up if I want to stay up late and sleep late.

I am very comfortable going out to dinner by myself and don't hesitate to eat out whenever or wherever alone.

I've also found that the owners are generally very nice and are very helpful especially when they know I'm solo. They have helped me out as much as a front desk person whenever an issue has arisen.

As for needing help in an emergency, I guess I'm in the same situation at home as when travelling. I live alone and don't always have daily contact with anyone so I could be at home incapacitated without anyone really noticing for quite a few days so I don't consider this an extra risk when I'm travelling.