Those staying in London for a week or more may prefer the comfort of a new purpose-built block like the Courtyard, Wimbledon. Located on a tree-lined street, it's a five-minute walk from the main train station, with easy connections to South Kensington and Waterloo stations (the trip into central London takes approximately 15 minutes). The flats have one or two bedrooms (extra beds are available) as well as balconies, satellite TV, washing machines, and dishwashers. Strengths: Spacious, comfortable, modern, and light-filled. Weaknesses: Located outside central London (44-20-8944-1444; apartmentservice.com; one bedrooms, $210 per night, with a seven-night minimum).

Dining
Gordon Ramsay's latest venture, The Narrow occupies an exquisite spot on the river in Limehouse, where it serves up traditional British dishes at reasonable prices. A white onion and wild garlic soup with croutons, for example, is $7; soft herring roe on toast, $9 (44 Narrow St.; 44-20-7592-7950; entrées, $16–$25). One of the best Vietnamese restaurants in London, the canteen-style Viet Hoa is cheap and cheerful, attracting the trendy Shoreditch crowd (70-72 Kingsland Rd.; 44-20-7729-8293; entrées, $8–$18). Afghan Kitchen is a small eatery with a limited menu but superb, wholesome food: The Afghan chicken, chickpea curry, and fried baby eggplant are all delicious, as are the yogurt-based drinks (35 Islington Green; 44-20-7359-8019; entrées, $10–$13). The authentic South Indian food at rock-bottom prices makes the trip to Saravana Bhavan, in Zone 3, worth it. A simple masala dosa—a huge rice pancake filled with spiced potatoes and accompanied by four different chutneys—is just $5 (300 High St. N.; 44-20-8552-4677; entrées, $3–$12).
–Rosemary Behan

PARIS

Hotels
In the thirteenth arrondissement, the Hôtel La Manufacture combines a nineteenth-century facade with a hip interior. Rooms are small and spotless, and cost from $147 a night for a standard double to $263 for room 74, which has a view of the Eiffel Tower. Book online for reduced rates. Strengths: Family-friendly; warm, English-speaking staff; stylish rooms. Weaknesses: Away from the city center; small rooms; breakfast is unimpressive and not included in the rate (33-1-45-35-45-25; hotel-la-manufacture.com).

The Hôtel Chopin, tucked down a passageway off the Grands Boulevards metro stop, has become a synonym for the well-priced hôtel de charme. Rooms are cheerful and very French. Strengths: Quiet; central location; good for families, couples, or singles. Weaknesses: Least expensive rooms are dark; views are uninspiring—except for the top floor, which looks over the rooftops (33-1-47-70-58-10; hotelbretonnerie.com; doubles, $109–$124).