Sunday, October 16, 2005

Short-term apartment rentals are almost always better deals than hotels in comparable neighborhoods. Here are cost comparisons for recent seven-night stays in London and Paris, including fees and taxes:

London

· Cost for a two-bedroom/two-bath flat in London's Kensington neighborhood: $2,120.

· Cost for two standard double rooms at the Queensgate Hotel in Kensington: $4,606* .

Paris

· Cost for a two-bedroom/two-bath apartment in Paris's 7th arrondissement: $2,725 .

· Cost for two standard double rooms at Hotel de Fleurie in Paris's 6th arrondissement: $ 3,164.

*Includes continental breakfast.