Hotel or apartment in Paris

Well, Pam, in an apartment you can drink all the coffee you want for breakfast (you may know, no free refills in France). However, you do have to make your own bed. Seriously, in December, I'd go for an apartment. Breakfast in a hotel will run you easily around 8 Euro per person or you have to go out. You can pick up a few groceries and eat in if the weather is bad or places are closed for the holiday. Pick a nice place with all the amenities your budget will bear, near a metro or bus stop. The 25th and 26th are both holidays, so there may be curtailed schedules and opening hours. Restaurants should be open, though. In my case, I'd make sure that the apartment is not on a really high floor (even if it says elevator, if it's out of commission it will take a while to fix, in my experience.) Have fun, and, to get you in the spirit, here's a website: www.parisdailyphoto.com

I would absolutely rent an apartment. We were in Paris for 10 nights over New Years a few years ago and had an apartment. Hotel rooms are small. You will have more room in an apartment. Daylight hours are very short that time of year and you will probably find yourself 'home' more than you would other times of year. Especially if it is freezing like it was for us. You can prepare some of your meals if you want, which will save you money. Many come with a washer, and some with a dryer. You can pack less clothes that way. The apartment we stayed in was perfect for us. We got just a taste of what it might be like to live there. If you would like information about the apartment we stayed in, send me a private message. I use vrbo.com and homeaway.com to find apartments.

I vote for an apartment also! We used cobblestoneparis.com and had a wonderful experience. We would stop in the evening at a bakery and pick up quiche to have for breakfast in the morning. We would heat it up in the morning and have quiche/coffee while getting ready for the day. If we decided to take a break mid-day, we could pick up sandwiches and have our lunch at the apartment. It is just so nice to be able to spread out a bit. I agree with the others - find one close to the metro and shops...and it will be an incredibly wonderful experience!

Another vote for the apartment, especially for 8 nights. You can spread out, use the kitchen, maybe do laundry, save money on meals, live more like a local in a real neighborhood. We've used homeaway.com and historicrentals.com but there are other good websites too. The downside is how to handle a problem like an oven that won't turn off or a bathtub that won't drain -- owners typically provide a number to call for help, and that's worked for us in the past, but it's not as easy as with a hotel. That said, European appliances are part of the adventure! Christmas is a popular time for apartment rentals as well as hotels, so you don't want to wait too long. Have fun!

Thanks so much all! I have a whole new world open to me. Looking at apartments! Does anyone have any experience with vacationsinparis.com? I see quite a few on their site I would be interested in. Oh and thanks for the verification that it's not too early to start planning. I think my husband thinks I'm crazy...

For Christmas it is definitely not too early. That time of year books up early. If you wait any longer you will have less selection, especially for the less expensive places.

Another vote for an apartment. Especially at Christmas many restaurants will be closed, go to a grocery store or one of the wonderful deli type places and get your chow there. We rented an apartment last September, and again this September and it is really a fun way to travel. Look for one with a washer and dryer, pack lighter and have a blast.

Hi Pam,
In 2010 I had a wonderful experience with vacations in paris - my mom and I rented the 1 bedroom on the Rue du Bac, which was a perfect location. We enjoyed our stay in an apartment so much that we are doing it again this September. We've again rented a one bedroom but this time we are staying in the Latin Quarter.

I also used Vacation in Paris. The apartment was as clean, near a metro and pretty much as advertised. The manager was great, answered our questions, gave us some pointers, went over the apartment with us.... good experience all around with the company.

For me, it's not as much of a vacation if I'm in an apartment as opposed to a hotel room where someone else vacuums, makes the bed, and I never have to cook. However, given that you'll be in Paris for 8 nights over Christmas, I'd suggest an apartment. You'll have far fewer restaurant choices on Christmas Eve/Day, and you'll probably also be spending more time in your room than a summer visitor. (It's colder, far fewer daylight hours...)

I vote for an apartment-we stayed in the 4th last month, two couples in two apartments,and loved the area. Send p.m. if you'd like more info.

I stay in hotels in places I have never been to before. As a single woman, I find it extremely helpful to have someone close who can tell me where the closest laundromat is, who has the best dinner menu, and which areas to avoid. Once I have been someplace, I stay in apartments, because I know these things myself!
If you'd like assistance with restaurant reservations, cleaning, and directions, stay in a hotel. If you feel comfortable doing all those things on your own, stay in an apartment.

Emily, good point. I have never been to Paris before. It would be nice to have the hotel available for what I am sure will be my "touristy questions." Will it really be that difficult to find food in Paris on Christmas day? I must confess, though, I am loving apartment hunting. I think I am leaning towards the apt. Now only to convince my husband...

The apartments I have rented have included a lot of tourist information and guide books. They also had contact information in case I had questions. I wouldn't plan on much being open on Christmas, except maybe in the Marais. The thought of being stuck in a small hotel room, where food is generally not allowed, for 8 days doesn't sound fun to me. An apartment can save you money, allow you space, and many come with wifi, free phone calls to the U.S., TV, movies, etc. You are going to have long nights, short days, and possibly inclement weather. I would rather have more space to relax in. And you are not required to vacuum, make your bed or cook for yourself. You can do whatever you want.

Pam, My wife, son and I rented a very fine apartment in the heart of the Marais a couple of weeks ago from Paris Nice Home: https://parisnicehome.com/en/ The owner/manager, Pascal, is a genuine and pleasant person to deal with and was extremely helpful with advice on restaurants, etc. Ours was kind of a studio+plus space, but it was very comfortable and quiet, even though it was close to Rue de Rivoli. I believe that he owns two apartments and manages the one we rented. We paid 1,000 Euros for the week, which I thought was very good considering there are no other fees or expenses. I could not endorse Pascal more strongly. And having our own place in Paris was much more comfortable than a hotel.

Pam - I would also recommend Vacation in Paris for apartment rental.

In a hotel I feel like I am visiting Paris. In an apartment I feel like I am living in Paris. It's a wonderful fantasy. I find one of the great advantages of an apartment is the lack of paid staff on hand to answer questions and make recommendations. I have to seek information from the local people I meet in shops, restaurants, on buses, etc. and those interactions are some of my favorite travel memories.
I have used Vacation in Paris twice and been very pleased.

Thanks so much! I have narrowed it down to 2 apartments. A tiny studio right by the Pompidou or a 1 bedroom in the upper 3rd by Temple metro. I know the Pompidou area is very central, can anyone enlighten me about the area around Temple?

There's more variety of non-tourist stuff around Temple. It's also more interesting to wander around at night with a large variety of less expensive places for grub. You can walk down to Notre Dame in about twenty minutes, from the Pompidou it's about ten. I'd take Temple without a second thought.

http://www.theparisapt.com Stayed here last summer, and it was perfect, steps to the metro. Everything you could want or need. Great neighborhood. Highly recommend it.

Always an apartment. This small company is fantastic and personal.
http://www.rentals-paris.com/chanoin4.shtml

We've used vacationinparis and also Iloveparisapartments and would recommend both.