Most Paris hotel rooms, even in luxury lodgings, are built to accommodate only two people.  When the rare hotel can be found that will bring in a cot for a 3rd person, the arrival of the cot reduces  the floor space to the extent that once the cot is unfolded, there may be no longer walking space in the room.  Americans are used to what would be considered by Europeans to be palatial room sizes, so it may be bewildering to realize there really are very few rooms that can accomodate 4 people---the rooms just aren't large enough. 

 Do not cancel your dream of going to Paris because you

  • cannot seem to find a hotel room in Paris that can accommodate more than 2 people
  • have just realized there are few rooms in Paris that adjoin or connect and don't want your family to stay in two separate hotel rooms
  • do not want to separate your family by renting two hotel rooms
  • cannot afford two rooms, whether they are connecting or not!

 By considering your own unique preferences for your vacation "ambiance", your interest in looking at websites to find the perfect lodging, and by using one of many legitimate websites, you can "shop" for an apartment rental as unique as your preferences.   Apartments have both benefits and limitations.   They allow more physical space, more  personal space &  play space, more affordable and convenient meal options, and a sense of belonging to Paris.   Yet apartments do not provide room service or maid service.  

BENEFITS:

  • Affordability:   Apartments can be less expensive per day than a hotel stay.  Even when costs are the same, there are real savings in an apartment that should be considered.  Most apartments include kitchen facilities of some kind.  With a refrigerator alone, you can stock your apartment with foods for breakfast and snacks that can save you significant money.  At a grocery store in Paris,  never more than a block or two away, you can buy kids' staple foods for much less than the 20 euros on average that it will cost you to buy your child dinner (there are no "kids' menus" in Paris).   Eating "in" for breakfast and snacks most days and for a few evening meals may be quite a cost saver for a family. 
  • Convenience & Timing:  You can choose some delicious, healthy snacks for your whole group, and when the snacking urge hits, your favorite foods will be waiting for you...allowing you to accomodate different snack times during the day for different people.
  •  You don't have to jump up and get everyone ready to go out for breakfast.  You can bring in bread or croissants or eat cereal & milk while still in your pjs.  No need to face the hustle & bustle of going out to breakfast--unless you want to do so..  
  • Personal space & family harmony:  Aside from vacation,  4 people usually do not spend days at a time living out of one room: even a large room can seem small when sharing with the same 4 people.   Those who are neat vs those who are messy, those who are "talkers" vs. those who are reflective....in an apartment people have time away from each other while still being "together".   
  • Sleeping options:   Separate rooms means kids (or a parent!) can take naps without being disturbed or distracted by others.  AT bedtime, children retreat to their bedroom while can stay up reading or talking.  No more going to bed at the children's bedtime or pretending that the children will fall asleep properly while the adults stay up and talk or watch TV.  Separate rooms provide variation in bedtimes. 
  • Play space:  an apartment will give children much more room to spread out.  Mini race cards, legos, and card games, while sprawled out on the living room floor, can occur without anyone being stepped on or tripped over, a likely event in a hotel room.
  • Clothing options:   An apartment will usually have a washer, and sometimes also a dryer, which lets you travel much more lightly than you otherwise would.  No one WANTS to do laundry on vacation; yet having clean clothing and a light suitcase equals vacation happiness.
  • Location: You can control your surroundings better in an apartment.  For example, you can pick a rental with the type of furnishings you like, you can choose which floor you are on, whether there is a playground nearby, and you can pick a rental with air conditioning (note that even if a hotel advertises that it is air conditioned, the air conditioning will usually be controlled by the hotel and not subject to your requests). 
  • Charm:  Many who have rented an apartment will admit sheepishly that staying in a neighborhood, in a real apartment, allows them to pretend that they live in Paris.   Not in a hotel, but in a little place of your "own", you have a sense of connection that you usually do not experience when staying at a hotel.  While shopping for apartments, using Google maps, you can actually see a street view of your apartment choices, and choose the surroundings of your dreams.
  • Technology: Many apartments offer free local or international calling, and many offer free WiFi.  Neither of these services is commonly found for free in most Parisian hotels.

POSSIBLE NEGATIVES:

The possible negatives of renting an apartment include

  • Meals:  There is no onsite restaurant with a waiter and a chef ready to cook a hot breakfast for you and then whisk away the dirty dishes.   You will need to find restaurants in your neighborhood, using travel websites, travel guides, suggestions from the apartment owner, and simply by looking around.  This is not the same as simply pushing the elevator button and walking into the restaurant.  The beauty of having a kitchen is that you can have meals and snacks on site.   The downside is you will need to wash your own dishes and take out your own trash.
  • Room Service:  Unless you count your apartment mates bringing a hot cup of tea or cold beverage to you from the kitchen, you will not have the indulgence of room service if you stay in an apartment.  There will be no one to bring you iced champagne or a late night ice cream sundae or breakfast in bed.  
  • Maid Service:  When your bed needs to be made each morning, guess who will make it?   Most apartments have no maid service (although a few do but will charge an extra fee).
  • Flexibility of Dates:  Some apartments rent only from Saturday to Saturday.  Others may have a minimum number of nights required for a rental.  If you are not staying in a city for 3-4 nights, it may be difficult to find a rental.  Other apartments are extremely flexible and may be available any night of the week or for as few as 1-2 nights.  Read the information about each individual apartment as each one will vary.
  • Refunds:  Refund policies also vary by apartment owner.   They may be more or less flexible that a hotel.   Read the information carefully and/or ask so that you are aware of the procedures if you need to cancel a rental.   Make sure you understand what penalty you will incur if you cancel your trip prior to your arrival or if you leave your location early.  If you leave early, you may not receive any refund.
  • Fees:  Apartment rentals may have an additional fee for housekeeping (cleaning the apartment when you leave).  This is clearly spelled out in your rental agreement and usually on the website describing the apartment, so this charge, not paid for explicitly in a hotel, should be clear if you read your rental agreement.
  • Minimal onsite front desk support:  most apartments come with some degree of support, providing renters with an orientation manual to the area's landmarks, restaurants, services, etc.   Information is usually available by phone, occasionally onsite or nearby.  If you need a bell boy to deliver your luggage to your room or if you want to be able to go to the front desk to ask how to get to a museum, these services probably will not be available in an apartment.  If you are awaiting the delivery of lost luggage, there will be no front desk to accept it while you are out sight seeing, If you need dry cleaning room service, an apartment will not meet your needs.  Yet each apartment is unique, so examine the listings and opt only for an apartment that provides you with what you need.
  • Falling prey to a rental scam.  Use legitimate websites or agencies and you will not have problems. Read the website's requirements for deposits, understand what percentage is to be paid up front and in what way (credit cards, cash, checks), read previous renters' reviews---and make sure there are more than just 2-3 reviews listed.

Paris is a beautiful city.  Whether you stay in a hotel or an apartment, you will appreciate why so many feel Paris is a favorite destination.