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The words "apartment hotel" can be a nonstarter for many. No, you're not staying in someone's bedroom having to deal with their laundry and family photos. Western Europe has several extensive networks of business-oriented hotels that offer apartment-style accommodation, usually with a choice of services. Try Paris: In the Citéa chain's Tilsitt étoile Champs-élysées, a typical Beaux-Arts facade hides 30 no-nonsense apartments, some with balconies that allow a peek of the Arc de Triomphe, for $182 per night for a two-person studio. The Citadines, Adina Apartment Hotels, and Pierre & Vacances chains also provide stripped-down, low-cost options throughout France, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and Denmark. Furnishings are usually sparse (think IKEA) but highly functional. Apartment sizes vary but can include multiroom affairs, which accommodate up to four people for the same price (as in the Citadines Paris Bastille location, where a four-person apartment goes for as little as $285 a night). Be aware that there's sometimes an added charge for cleaning, and make sure you check a map before you book—often the cheapest choice is on the edge of town.

Citéa
Tel: 33 1 55 37 80 00

Citadines
Tel: 33 1 41 05 79 05

Adina Apartment Hotels
Tel: 45 39 69 1000

Pierre & Vacances
Tel: 33 1 58 21 55 84