Apartment Hotels- As good as it sounds?

[Trojan97]

I'm looking at going to Toronto at the beginning of April to catch the Leafs/Habs, Raps/Knicks & Jays/Tigers Opening Day. I'm looking to get some decent tickets for all three games and am hoping to cut corners as much as possible when it comes to food and accomodation. My friend mentioned the possibility of staying at short term rental apartments. After doing some searching we found one that claims to be a 3 minute walk to the ACC/Rogers Center and appears to be a very nice place with full amenities (aka we can cook meals and such as opposed to having to eat out)

It sounds like a perfect match as the guy who manages the apartment is offering it for $120 a night during our stay, the other hotels in the area are much more expensive and we wouldn't have the kitchen access.

The pessimist in me is saying this is too good to be true and there's going to be a catch somewhere. This nagging feeling has led me to CP to hear what those with experience in renting these types of accomodation can tell me.

Much thanks in advance for any stories or comments people can throw at me.

**forgot to add, judging by the website it's a unit that is rented out similar to a hotel room, there is no one physically living in the apartment***

[Ice]

It sounds like the same scenario as extended stay hotels. I'm not a fan. It seems like those types of places attract a more seedy crowd. Not sure about Toronto though, but it would be worth your while to check it out. If its a decent neighborhood, it would probably be fine, if its in the red light district, I'd be weary.

[Jayems]

Bring a broom to brush away all the hobo scabies.

[enthused]

I've rented short-term apartments several times while traveling and had pretty good experiences both times. The first one was in Paris, the second in New York. Both times I found the ad online through websites like VRBO or Vacation Rentals. I know that sometimes the ads are placed by people renting out the apartment on their own, but sometimes its actually agencies doing it. Both of the ones I rented happened to be through agencies... but I don't know if that really made a difference or not.

I don't think that $120 seems to low for the price per night, I think the apartment in Paris I rented was 80€ a night, and the one in New York was around $200. So yeah, I'd say the price you were given seems fine.

Anyways, I've had good experiences renting short-term apartments, and would probably do it again. The only warning I have is that sometimes the photos on the websites can be a bit deceiving... but that shouldn't really matter, because how much time are you going to spend sitting around in the apartment anyways?

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by enthused

I've rented short-term apartments several times while traveling and had pretty good experiences both times. The first one was in Paris, the second in New York. Both times I found the ad online through websites like VRBO or Vacation Rentals. I know that sometimes the ads are placed by people renting out the apartment on their own, but sometimes its actually agencies doing it. Both of the ones I rented happened to be through agencies... but I don't know if that really made a difference or not.

I don't think that $120 seems to low for the price per night, I think the apartment in Paris I rented was 80€ a night, and the one in New York was around $200. So yeah, I'd say the price you were given seems fine.

Anyways, I've had good experiences renting short-term apartments, and would probably do it again. The only warning I have is that sometimes the photos on the websites can be a bit deceiving... but that shouldn't really matter, because how much time are you going to spend sitting around in the apartment anyways?

Whenever I go to Amsterdam I always get an apartment instead of a hotel and we've rented houses in Vegas as well. Its so much nicer having a 'real' place to stay, cook meals, etc.

Be sure to do your homework on any place you're thinking of staying.