If you want to stay in and cook or you want to entertain guests, then the apartment is the way to go. Otherwise, the hotel with A/C, hot shower, bed turndown service, etc. is better.

Try looking for a hotel around Montparnasse in the 15th Arrondisment. The rates are a little bit cheaper and it is far enough away from the touristy and pricey Champs-Elysee area but still just a short Metro ride away. You're also pretty close to the nightlife in the Latin Quarter.

Let me know if you need restaurant and club recommendations too.

We've done it both ways. The hotels, unless first class and very expensive (before the exchange issue), still tend to be small and expensive for what you get. We usually stay in the Left Bank and found the apartment route very nice. There are farmers' markets several times a week, great food shopping in little stores (or food courts in major stores, e.g. Bon Marche) and the ability to avoid paying for hotel breakfasts, etc. It really depends on what you expect to spend and do. We stayed in a wonderful place in the 7th overlooking a main street, 2 blocks from the river, several more from Notre Dame, walking distance from most sites, with markets two blocks away. No A/C but you seldom need it in Paris. This place had a king murphy bed, coaches and chairs, two fireplace facades, an extremely up-to-date bath and small cooking area. Overlooked a main drag in Paris, neighborhood restaraunts, bakeries, etc. We vote for apartments if you are staying a week or more. If you want more specifics, e-mail me directly.

FWIW, we will be in Paris for about 10 days, the amount of time between the 24 and the GP. I think MOnday through the following Wed or Thurs.

For 10 days I'd prefer an apartment, to live, shop and eat like a local. You can't beat the markets for good fresh stuff and there are always restaurants.

Part would depend on where the apartment is, though - some arrondissements are pretty quiet & dead, others lively and loud. Where are you looking?

x2. I once stayed on the Rue due Cherche-Medi right next to Boulevard du Montparnasse. Nice neighborhood. A quick taxi or metro ride or even a short walk from the main areas. Also, on the boulevard du Montparnasse there is a Brassarie which had the most amazing fruit de mer... still some of the best seafood I have ever had. I just forget the name, so I'm not being helpful. I just remember they gave you the name of a composer and called that when your table was ready. They also a great sancerre. :)

Another area to look at is the Marais. Nice old neighborhood on the right bank.

If you can swing it for your honneymoon, you can always stay on the Place de la Concorde or Place Vendôme or stay near the Opera house.

A couple of years ago we stayed in a Apartment/Hotel called Citadines Les Halles which was very central to everything. It had a bedroom and kitchenette which worked out great and was very reasonable by Paris standards.

The Citadines are nice. I stayed at a Citadines "aparthotel" for 2 weeks when I moved to Paris while I hunted for an apartment. The aparthotel was nice and comfortable, and the kitchenette was a big plus.

It's funny though, when I first walked in to the room I thought: bathroom with tub and shower... nice. Kitchenette and small dining table... very nice. Living room with couch... nice. Bedroom... where the hell is the bedroom? Then I realized the couch in the living room was a fold out -- the living room was the bedroom! LOL The room was great for 2 weeks but I am glad I found an apartment near Montparnasse!

Oh yeah, my room was 5 floors over a McDonald's restaurant -- nothing like waking up to the smell of grilled McSausage and McBacon in the morning!

Good recommendation. We stayed at the Citadines Louvre in the same situation. A block from the Louvre, Tuilleries and the Seine, close to the Opera and pretty quiet even though we were on the street side. No McDonalds but over a super high end hunting and gun shop.

We stayed at the Sainte Marie Hotel. It was a recommendation from a relative. It was a nice place. Located on a quite street (which is important if you want any sleep) and relatively close to all the action.