Here’s how to choose the right accommodations in Paris for your trip.
Vacation rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo allow you to integrate into a neighborhood and get a better idea of what it’s like to be a local.
Hotels allow you to see a new city with the ease of a front desk for questions and assistance with reservations or other arrangements.
Both options have their advantages, so when you’re first envisioning your trip to Paris, it’s important to identify the type of trip you want.
Accommodations in Paris
Vacation Rentals typically offer:
- an individual host (usually a local) or a hosting company to ask for suggestions
- maid service, but often with rules for straightening up/removing trash, etc before departing
- a unique home base, typically an apartment with more room to spread out than in a single hotel room
- an entirely unique experience to live like a local and integrate yourself into the vibe of a neighborhood
If I’m planning to spend more than a few days somewhere, I typically prefer to stay at a vacation rental. I like having a nice kitchen. I love open air markets in Paris and I always end up with some interesting food market finds. I like a bigger bathroom. I also love sipping tea on a balcony.
So, when I envision a trip I keep that in mind while planning the accommodations.
With all the changes in the last few years, like many others, my husband works remotely. It’s nice for him to have a separate bedrooms or private workspace because he likes having a place to concentrate and conduct meetings in a quiet environment. For this reason, we like the more spacious offerings of apartments in Paris. It offers more privacy and space from one another than we’d get in a hotel room.
With some people working remotely nowadays, this is something to consider.
Hotels typically offer:
- standard check-in and check-out times
- a staffed front desk for your questions and their suggestions
- daily maid service
- free or paid access to WiFi
- free cancellation, often if canceled 24 hours before check-in
When I need a real vacation, I only opt for a hotel. And Paris has some of the best.
Since my husband and I sometimes travel for long periods of time, a self-hosted stay gives us the sense of a home base. But it also means taking care of an apartment like it’s home, including straightening up, taking out the trash and doing dishes.
So, for me, a hotel means we’re on vacation rather than just spending time living somewhere else. A hotel allows me to feel pampered, relaxed, and taken care of – everything a vacation should be. I love being able to call the front desk to ask a question versus having to research something or figure it out myself when I’m on vacation.
Check out my favorite hotels in Paris, from budget prices to luxury living.
If you’re more interested in living a true Parisian lifestyle, check out my list of the best Airbnb and Vrbos in Paris for every budget.
For all things Paris, check out The Food Quest’s 2022 Paris Travel Guide and start planning your trip.