Where to Stay in Paris
Where to Stay in Paris
The question I have been getting repeatedly from friends and readers is, where should I stay in Paris? I have written posts covering this topic over the years, but I have never put together a master list of all the different types of hotels for different budgets and types of trips. This blog post covers the best neighborhoods in Paris, where to stay as a solo traveler, budget-friendly options, off-the-beaten-path, and first-time visitors. Once you have booked your plane or train reservation, the next question should be where to stay in Paris.
How Paris is Arranged
Paris is broken down into twenty neighborhoods called arrondissements, arranged on the map as a snail. The arrondissements with the lowest number are more toward the center, and the higher numbers are further out from the Seine. Each neighborhood has a unique vibe and makes the arrondissement unique. The Seine River divides the city, making the Right and Left Bank. Parisians and visitors usually have a very strong opinion on which bank they prefer. If it is your first time in Paris, form your opinion on the bank you love the most. There is no wrong answer.
It is common for Parisians to stay in their neighborhood when it comes to meeting friends, grocery shopping, going for coffee, and dining out. Each arrondissement has cafés, restaurants, butchers, bakeries, and everything you need within a short walk.
Metro stations throughout the city give visitors and locals easy access to Paris’ monuments, main attractions, and parks. The metro and bus systems are easy to navigate. This post breaks down more of how to get around Paris. I have also broken down the best bus lines to take in The Paris Guide for more in-depth information on navigating the city.
The Best Paris Neighborhoods for First-Time Visitors
When visiting Paris for the first time, you will most likely want to be in the city’s center. Take this opportunity to be close to the museums, Arc de Triomphe, and Eiffel Tower. The best neighborhoods for a first-time visitor can be found on both the Left Bank and Right Bank.
Paris Hotels in the 1st Arrondissement
The heart of Paris beats from the 1st Arrondissement. If you can stay in this area on your first visit, you will be well situated in the city center and a quick walk away from the most popular tourist attractions. The Louvre Museum can be found here, along with the Jardin des Tuileries. Expect higher prices because the hotel location is prime in the 1st arrondissement.
Splurge Options: I personally love the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal. It is one of my favorite hotels in Paris and offers incredible views from the suites, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
The location is just a few minutes walk to Palais Royal, one of my favorite places in Paris.
Chateau Voltaire Hotel in the 1st Arrondissement in Paris
One of my new favorite hotels is Hotel Château Voltaire. I stayed here in January 2024 and want to tell everyone about it. The attention to detail and service were at the next level. Located on Avenue de L’Opera, you are well situated within walking distance to Palais Royal, The Louvre, and Tuileries. Don’t miss out on lunch at Brasserie L’Emil or a cocktail at the bar.
Budget-Friendly Hotels Hotel Therese in the 1st Arrondissement of Paris
Budget-Friendly Options: Hotel Therese is the sister hotel of Adele and Jules ( a reader favorite). The hotel locations are within walking distance of the Louvre and offer reasonable rates for the first arrondissement.
There are multiple metro lines from here to other parts of the city, including the Trocadero, where you can see the Eiffel Tower and the Musée D’Orsay. I love to walk around the city as much as possible, and it is the best way to see Paris.
Paris Hotels in the 2nd Arrondissement
The 2nd arrondissement is a central location to stay in Paris. One of my favorite streets, Rue Montorgueil, is perfect for a cocktail, glass of wine, or afternoon stroll. The pedestrian street filled with food shops has evolved since I first fell in love with it over ten years ago, and it now houses more commercial chain shops. You can identify the street by the mosaic white tiles that glisten in the rain.
The best hotels in this area are still within walking distance of the Louvre Hotel and Place Vendome.
Splurge: Park Hyatt Paris. This hotel, with views of the Tuileries and Vendome, is perfectly located for a first-time visit to Paris. Hyatt members, you will want to upgrade here to a Paris balcony.
Kimpton St Honore, I had the pleasure of staying here for a few nights when it first opened. The rooms are high-tech, with window shades that open with a button. Inside rooms have quiet balcony views of the courtyard, and the exterior rooms face onto the Boulevards des Capucines. Don’t miss the rooftop bar with panoramic views of the city and the Eiffel Tower. You are also within a quick walk of the Opera.
Hoxton Paris The Hoxton Paris is a great place to stay in the 2nd arrondissement. It is a bit tucked away from the main attractions, but it is still walkable. You will be mixed between restaurants and shops, feeling like a local. Don’t miss the Sézane apartment around the corner to do some shopping. You can enjoy a cocktail at the bar even if you don’t stay here.
Paris Hotels in the 3rd Arrondissement
The 3rd Arrondissement is home to the Marais, one of my favorite parts of Paris. It is centrally located and contains some of the oldest buildings in Paris. The Marais is also known for incredible restaurants, coffee shops, and shops. You can easily spend a good amount of time exploring this area without leaving the arrondissement.
Explore Square du Temple and book an afternoon at the Picasso Museum.
Grand Mazarin is a newly opened hotel in the Marais. It was under construction and delayed, but the wait was well worth it. The decor is bright and wild, but somehow, they make it work well. Some of the hotel rooms have balconies, and I highly recommend upgrading.
Pavillon de La Reine Paris Marais Hotel
Pavillon de la Reine is a boutique hotel gem located inside Place des Vosges. It is easy to walk by the hotel if you don’t know it is there. The hotel courtyard is stunning in different seasons, with green vines in the spring, jasmine-filled balconies in the summer, and red ivy in the fall. Pavillon de la Reine will make your stay memorable with personalized service.
Boutique Hotels in Paris
Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time: The 4th Arrondissement in Paris
The Marais is split between the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. The vibe for the two areas is similar, and the area is especially buzzing on Sundays. In the past, Paris closed most of its shops on Sundays. The Marais is also the Jewish quarter, with restaurants and shops closed on Saturdays for Shabbat. Sundays are full of music, overflowing cafés, and so much energy from locals and tourists.
For a 3-star budget-friendly hotel in the heart of the 4th arrondissement in Paris, check out Caron de Beaumarchais. It has unique decor, but what makes this property special is the location and balcony views on the front side. There aren’t a lot of front room balconies, so book early and be flexible with dates if you want this hotel. The secret is out on this one. I have heard positive reviews from readers, and breakfast is one of my favorites. Have it delivered to your room for a balcony breakfast you will remember for years.
Hotels in Paris: The 5th Arrondissement
Located on the Left Bank of Paris, the 5th arrondissement provides a different experience. The Latin Quarter, which includes the Pantheon, Jardin des Plantes, and Shakespeare and Co., is a popular destination for visitors because of its location.
Hotel Monge is a lovely hotel located just steps from Jardin des Plantes. I stayed in this hotel a few years ago when it first opened and loved the decor and the nod to the gardens. You will find markets, coffee shops, and boulangeries surrounding the hotel to make you feel like a local. It is centrally located but tucked away just enough.
Hôtel Dame des Arts is a newly opened hotel in the 5th arrondissement. The rooms are small, but the views make up for it. You can’t beat the rooftop view and the Eiffel Tower from your balcony. If you are staying in the area, book a cocktail at the rooftop for sunset.
Paris Hotels in The 6th Arrondissement
Villa des Prés is a newly opened hotel in the 6th arrondissement in Paris just off Rue de Bucci. For Left Bank lovers, the location couldn’t be beat. You are perfectly tucked away with a discrete entrance. It is easy to pass by the hotel if you don’t know it is there. The lobby is small and welcoming for guests, with a breakfast area and bar for coffee and cocktails. Villa des Prés decor is more masculine, with browns and leathers mixed in with art in every room. Restaurants, bars, and art galleries surround the hotel, making so much of what Paris offers within walking distance.
Don’t miss Luxembourg Gardens, situated between the sixth and seventh arrondissements.
Hotel des Grands Voyageurs is tucked away in the 6th arrondissement. The hotel pays attention to the details of the traveler. I enjoyed my stay here and upgraded to a Junior Suite, the highest room category. Hotel des Grands Voyageurs is great value. I loved my room’s record players and jazz offerings, which was an added feature. The hotel offers connecting family rooms with privacy doors. If you need two rooms, this is an excellent option for the price, location, and updated amenities.
Where to Stay in Paris: The 7th Arrondissement
Pavillon Faubourg Saint Germain is located in the 7th Arrondissement. The hotel is a combination of three buildings put together. One has been under renovation, while the other two are modern but don’t look exactly like the photo below. You can request your room type when booking. I highly recommend a balcony view. If you mention EDP when booking, you will have a special amenity.
From this Left Bank location, you can walk to the Louvre in 10 minutes or explore everything the area has to offer. Boulevard St Germain des Près, coffee shops, and boutiques are also just a quick walk away.
Le Narcisse Blanc is a five-star hotel on the Left Bank between Pont Alexandre III and the Eiffel Tower. It is a quiet boutique hotel perfect for couples or solo travelers. Enjoy a coffee or breakfast in the stunning glass-filled atrium just off the lobby. Cleo, the hotel restaurant, is perfect for lunch or dinner.
Paris Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
If this is your first time in Paris or you are celebrating a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday, or girl’s trip, you might want an Eiffel Tower view. This is a popular request, and I hope more hotels make booking easier as it doesn’t always show the view or identify an Eiffel Tower view is guaranteed.
La Comtesse Paris.
Hotel Comtesse is a boutique hotel just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower. The location is excellent if you want an Eiffel Tower view and to be situated in this part of Paris. I stayed here one night a few summers ago to check out the hotel and the view. I loved that you could book an Eiffel Tower view exclusively with the hotel. There was an upcharge, and I stayed in a Prestige Room, which was worth it. You can have a side view or a head-on view. On my first trip to Paris, I was convinced I would have a view of the Eiffel Tower, but it wasn’t within my budget. Now, I am on the hunt for budget-friendly options for other travelers.
Hotel Grand Powers Paris Luxury Hotel
Hotel Grand Powers is the sister hotel of Grand Hotel du Palais Royal in the 8th arrondissement. They remodeled in 2019 to move from a 4 to a 5-star hotel. The remodel is stunning and takes the historical Parisian details to a different level. Every room is stunning, and the views of the Eiffel Tower and Paris rooftops are magical. The hotel is located close to the Champs Éysées for those travelers looking for that specific location.
Budget Hotels To Stay in Paris
Maison Mère Paris Boutique Hotel 9the Arrondissement
Maison Mère is located in the 9th arrondissement. I have stayed here multiple times. The staff is extremely friendly, warm, and welcoming. The rooms are clean and well-equipped with everything you need for a modern stay in Paris, including charging outlets and a tech-focused room. Some of the rooms even have balconies and an Eiffel Tower view.
Adèle and Jules. Paris Hotel in the 9th Arrondissement
I had the opportunity to stay at Adèle and Jules multiple times and loved the experience. It is made up of two buildings: one is Adèle, and one is Jules. The staff is helpful with restaurant recommendations and activities in the neighborhood. There is breakfast in the lobby, tea time, and an honesty bar. The street the hotel is situated on is a quiet family street. You will sleep soundly and comfortably. Room 44 is the room I stayed in, and there was plenty of room for two people. Great for couples or friends. They could accommodate a large block of people in individual rooms.
The 9th Arrondissement isn’t for everyone; I love it because there are so many great restaurants, and it feels more like a local experience. The location is just enough away from the Paris monuments and the city center filled with tourists. You can check out this guide to the 9th arrondissement for more places to explore.
For more boutique hotels in Paris, check out this blog post of my top 10 favorites!
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Do you have a favorite hotel that didn’t make the list? Comment below and share for other readers to check out and enjoy.
SOooo fun to view your site !
Thanks for the list of places to stay in Paris. I will have to check some of them out next time I visit.
My first visit in 2019 I stayed at Caron de Beaumarchais and truthfully I did not like it at all. I found the place to be not very clean and no matter how many time I asked that nobody enter my room the staff still entered my room while I was away. Also if you stay on the street side it can be quite noisy. I did love the area of the Marias but I would not stay there again.
I left that hotel early and went to stay at a lovely boutique hotel in the 7th right across from the Pantheon called Hotel des Grands Hommes. It was even more reasonably priced than the Caron if you book with no refund. But the rooms were beautiful and very clean, hotel staff was nice too. The only down side was it was a bit of a walk to the metro and a 2 block walk to the busier shopping/ restaurant areas.
I recently had a wonderful stay at Hotel Villa d’Estree, a 4-star boutique hotel in the 4th. My sister, daughter and I shared adjoining rooms which were beautiful, roomy (especially for Paris!) and each had a sofa/daybed and comfy armchair along with king size beds. The public areas are lovely and the location perfect. Reasonably priced!!
Hello, I should really like more of the budget priced hotels please. We stayed at Caron de Beaumarchais .. marvellous.. and will always choose a well priced hotel in a good location rather than an expensive hotel anywhere.. because we spend most of our time outside the hotel in the streets gardens and cafes!!
To us the hotel offers a respite to sleep and bathe., thats it!
Hi! I wrote a whole post on budget hotels here that might be of interest to you. I did really love Caron de Beaumarchais. https://everydayparisian.com/10-budget-friendly-hotels-in-paris/
My family (2 adults, 2 18-yr-old boys) just returned from Paris last week. While I do NOT recommend European travel right now to Americans (negotiating Covid protocol/airline delays and cancellations/airport understaffing is really bad. Like, REALLY bad.) we loved our stay at Hotel 123 Elysees, just a couple blocks off the Champs Elysees and right next to Metro line 9. Great breakfast, rooms are classic Hausmann with high ceilings and classic, wrought-iron at the windows and are much bigger than most Paris hotel rooms. Gorgeous central stairway, too. Staff is lovely and adjoining family suites are available.
Hi Alysa,
I am so sorry to hear about your frustrations with traveling this past week. Despite your travel issues with COVID, I am happy to hear that you were able to find good accommodations for your family. I appreciate you sharing your feedback with me and other readers.
xo Rebecca