i added a new category in my blogroll, “recommended apartments.” it only has links to the apartments i LIKED in various cities. (i didn’t bother to link the ones that weren’t up to snuff.) i find it more comfortable to stay apartments rather than hotels because:
- they’re more spacious
- they’re often cheaper than hotels
- they’re fully furnished with equipped kitchens, private baths, often washing machines, coffee makers, iron and board, hairdryer (and sometimes dishwashers)
- the better rental companies leave you with basic supplies like olive oil, vinegar, S&P, detergents for dishes, dishwasher and laundry
- i can cook my own meals and have access to real food at all times
- i don’t need or want housekeeping to clean up after me every day (and some apartments provide a weekly cleaning service)
- i can rent apartments with FREE wi-fi or ADSL connection
- i get a discount for long-term stays
- i feel more like a local
my favorite apartment was the “paradise apartment C” in budapest. the rental company was fully-booked for studios so i got upgraded to a huge one-bedroom for the same price as a studio. it was in a new building and had a lovely terrace to dine on that faced the courtyard.
barcelona also had a beautiful apartment that was a great value for the quality of the apartment but the owner neglected to mention that there was construction going on next door. make sure to ask about the noise level in the places you stay!
the apartment in sofia was spartan but i thought that was par for the course in bulgaria.
and when you do your apartment searches, remember that you get what you pay for.
i’ll continue to add more links to “recommended apartments” as i go along. i HOPE i can add every apartment going forward – ha ha!
4 responses so far ↓
Jae Young // April 27, 2008 at 10:32 pm |
Yeah, I rented an apartment in Buenos Aires and it was totes great, tho I rarely cooked while I was there. To be honest, food was so cheap in Buenos Aires, there was no need, but it was nice to have the option.
suddenly susan // April 27, 2008 at 10:42 pm |
i love dining at restaurants but it’s nice to roll out of bed in your pj’s for toast and a cup of coffee instead of getting dressed to go to a cafe. i also like to have a stocked fridge for late night munchies — stuff that goes beyond the m&m’s and pringles you find in most mini-bars at jacked up prices.
Anonymous // April 28, 2008 at 10:43 am |
went to the site but are the rates posted per day/week/month???? i’m surprised there are apartments available WITHOUT long term leases!
suddenly susan // April 28, 2008 at 11:23 am |
most apartments rent by the night (with a minimum stay of 3 or 4 nights). during the high season, they may only rent by the week.
these apartments are meant for short-term stays. you’re not entering a lease. they’re sometimes called “furnished residences.” some apartments are meant for weekend vacationers. others are for business travelers who have to do business in a city for a month but they don’t want to live out of a hotel room.