Both options work well in North Macedonia, and the right choice comes down to trip length and travel style more than price — the cost gap between a nice apartment and a boutique hotel room is often small.
When a hotel makes more sense
Shorter stays (1–3 nights), first-time visits where breakfast and staff recommendations add real value, and Old Town locations in Ohrid or Skopje where boutique hotels tend to occupy the most character-filled buildings.
When an apartment makes more sense
Stays of 4+ nights, digital nomad or remote-work trips, and anyone wanting to cook occasionally or spread out beyond a single hotel room — particularly common in Ohrid's promenade area.
Price comparison
Mid-range apartments and boutique hotel rooms land in a similar €50–85/night range in Ohrid and Skopje — apartments pull ahead in value mainly on stays long enough to offset one grocery run against several restaurant meals.
A middle path: guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses, common in both Old Town areas, often split the difference — personal service like a hotel, but at apartment-like prices, particularly outside peak summer weeks.