Pavers offer the best of all characteristics - they are quite durable if properly made, easy to buy a half dozen extras up front so repair replacements look identical (assuming you lay them out in the same area like as stepping stones so they weather the same), are easy to replace yourself if any break, are one of the cheapest hard surfaces for smaller areas, require less ground prep than most other surface coverings, can be stained to custom colors individually or all at once, can be readjusted individually if a few get displaced or buckle up due to root intrusion, can be laid in varying patterns and are easily cut or broken to custom shapes, are very low maintenance, can be installed yourself by a novice (with a bit of research on technique) and installation can be interrupted midway through, etc. I find I use them more and more for different purposes because they are easy to install, are long lived, and are readily removed or moved around if desired.
I think if you read blogs on the subject, you will find inadequate (or no) surface prep, not providing for subgrade drainage, not providing lateral support on the outer row, and lack of working the joint sand in tightly with a plate compactor is the cause of most problems with them. A few inches excavation to provide correct drainage slope and remove poor subgrade materials and replacement with compacted gravel in poor soils, a half inch or so of angular sand bedding layer with careful levelling, then proper brooming and washing in and compaction of sand in the joints can give a very functional and aesthetic product.
