Apt or Hotel in Paris in Sept?

We just went through the same exercise; from my research, apartments are the best value, especially if you are travelling with 3 or more people. We ended up using vacationinparis.com - recommended from other Rick Steves users.

IMO, if this is your first visit, a hotel would be a better option. One less thing to worry about. I recommend staying as central as possible: in the 4th, 5th, or 6th arrondissements. From there, you'll be able to walk to 80% of the sights. Many fine hotel recommendations in the RS guidebook. Paris is worth a solid week. You could also use the other days in Burgundy or the Loire.

We've stayed in many hotels in Paris and have rented an apt there twice. They're both good, but very different experiences. Yes, you save money by staying in an apt, and we enjoyed it, and especially loved having a washer/dryer & kitchen. But my first choice would still be to stay in a hotel. I like having someone in the lobby to ask questions of, and get help from if I need it, and it makes me feel much more like I'm on vacation.

We've gone to Paris every year for about 7 years and always book a hotel. We don't want the cooking and cleaning chores while on vacation and there's just the two of us. Apartments work for many especially with more than two or if traveling with kids. The downside is the frequent problems with apartment renters not getting what they expect and paying half well in advance.

When I was in Paris with my husband, we stayed in an apartment, which we just loved. The hotel rooms in Paris tend to be small, and with an apartment, you get more space. However, if I was traveling by myself, I think I would prefer a hotel. It might get lonely being in an apartment. At a hotel, you would have more people around and a front desk to go to with questions.

Thanks everyone! I think the hotel option has won out! I've been checking availability at the hotels listed in Rick Steve's Paris book, but if you have additional suggestions I'm all ears.

Kelley, I don't know what your budget is... I agree with Dale about staying in the 4th (Marais & Ile Saint Louis), 5th (Latin Quarter) or the 6th (St. Germain) arrondissements, and my favorite neighborhood of all is Ile Saint Louis. It's the small island to the east of the island where Notre Dame is. I recommend Hotel de Lutece, Hotel des Deux Iles and Hotel Saint Louis. Not on Ile Saint Louis, I recommend: Hotel St. Jacques, Hotel du Pantheon, Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, and Hotel Madisson. Have a great trip!

Hi, Kelly-from one Duke grad to a resident of Durham NC-I have stayed in both apts and hotels. It it is just you, and it is your first time to Paris, I agree with your hotel idea. I really like staying in the Latin Quarter, but just 2 blocks from Notre Dame at Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain. The metro is across the street 1 block, there is a bakery, pub, and a few shops 1 block away. This is a true French hotel...the rooms are not large, the elevator is tiny, the lobby is tiny, but it is quaint and lovely, safe and conveniently situated. The other thing I like is there is a small breakfast room (for additional cost) that was a great way for me to start the day. The downside to this location is there are not a lot of clubs in the vicinity, so if you are looking to do a lot of partying this is not the place for you. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d222897-Reviews-Hotel_Abbatial_Saint_Germain-Paris_Ile_de_France.html Feel free to contact me if you have questions about anything, I love Paris. Have fun! SuzieeQQ
San Diego CA

My husband and his parents rented an apartment through Paris Perfect for a week and it was a fabulous experience. I chose Paris Perfect because they have someone you meet right there in Paris who takes you to the apartment and walks you through everything and they are there for any questions or suggestions. They have many properties in Paris and an office with a representative available. I had been to Paris twice before and we stayed in a small hotel, Hotel Muguet, and we loved that as well! I would definitely opt for the apartment as long as you are planning to stay a full week anyway, since the minimum stay requirement is seven nights. They had all kinds of tips for "living as the Parisians live" and I truly felt like a local! My dad had a great time taking our little wheeled "food cart" to the outdoor markets to gather goodies for our apartment. We attempted to make dinner once. It was fun but certainly didn't measure up to all options available there in Paris! We took a side trip to Brugge. It was great! And I absolutely LOVE Nice! You could do that as a side trip as well. Or Disneyland Paris, though I have never been. Have fun!