Where to stay in Paris
Just like London, Paris is a large, sprawling city with different pockets of iconic sights, places to eat, landmarks and shopping, it can be overwhelming to choose one particular location or hotel. Below I have put together a compilation of hotels and apartment rentals in each location to help you choose! Paris is split up between 20 arrondissements which are similar to the different boroughs of London.
1st arrondissement of Paris
Things to see
The Louvre (famed for the Mona Lisa), Musée de l’Orangerie (famous for Monet’s artworks), Sainte-Chapelle, the Angelina Tea Room (Coco Chanel’s favourite place to enjoy hot chocolate), 19th century shopping arcades, and jazz clubs and wine bars.
Hotels
Le Meurice ££££
I can’t not include Le Meurice, one of the most beautiful, iconic and historical hotels in all of Paris. The arcade that houses Le Meurice was designed by esteemed architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, it was named after its original owner Charles-Augustin Meurice.
Opening in 1935, Le Meurice was created purposefully to be particularly appealing to British people staying in Paris. There have been many royal guests over the years and nn 1855, Queen Victoria stayed here on her official state visit to Paris, the entire first floor was renovated just for her.
Le Meurice has been sympathetically restored and public areas continue to ooze 18th century opulence. The property is located a stone’s throw from the Tuileries Garden and offers views over to the Louvre if you’re lucky, and the Eiffel Tower in the other direction. the guest rooms have been designed and furnished in a French classical style, alongside antique accents and fresh flowers.
Prices start at £925 per night.
Romantic suite close to the Louvre ££
Often fully booked, this romantic holiday rental is the perfect place to stay to explore central Paris and at £146 a night it shouldn’t break the bank too much. The suite is fully equipped with luxurious furnishings in a traditional French style.
The apartment is located within walking distance to many of Paris’ best sights, but it is also opposite the Tuileries metro station if you wish to go further afield.
Prices start at £140 per night
Hotel Therese ££
Hotel Therese is a well-priced, luxury hotel right in the thick of it yet tucked away from the hustle and bustle, located on the doorstep of Palais Royal. The hotel is chic, with soft furnishings, smiling service and beautiful pieces of art dotted around the hotel.
Rooms are stylish with a palette of soothing shades and tastefully chosen furniture. Traditional rooms open onto the landscaped courtyard of the hotel whilst the larger club rooms overlook the Parisian roofs and beyond.
Prices start from £147 per night
8th arrondissement of Paris
Things to see
Avenue des Champs-Elysées, the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde.
Grand Powers £££
Part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Grand Powers Hotel offers 1920s European Glamour with 50 well-appointed guest rooms that are timeless, warm and bright. Rooms are adorned in beautiful pastel colours such as powder pink and celadon green, containing beautiful pieces of furniture that take inspiration from the 40s and 50s.
There is a whole range of guestrooms, the crème de la crème is those with Eiffel Tower views and balconies, the perfect way to enjoy breakfast and start the day.
Prices start from £370 per night
Romantic Loft with Jacuzzi ££
A newly renovated loft apartment right by the Champs-Elysées, guests can enjoy ample space around the room as well as a Jacuzzi bath for two. The loft is luxuriously furnished and visitors can admire the touches of Art Nouveau adorned around them.
The Air Bnb host, Christophe, is attentive and pays great attention to detail, regularly adding luxuries such as an arrival bottle of champagne.
Prices start at £149 per night
Alfred Sommier ££
Built in 1860, Hotel Alfred Sommier was built for sugar refiner entrepreneur Alfred Sommier as a beautiful mansion for his family. Located 100 m from la Madeleine, guests immerse themselves in a peaceful, luxurious environment, especially thanks to the beautiful courtyard garden reserved for guests only.
There are 80 striking rooms and suites with high ceilings, wooden floors, marble fireplaces and stucco cornices. Guests on the top floor are treated to sweeping views over the Parisian rooftops.
Prices start at £212 per night
16th arrondissement of Paris
Things to see
Musée Marmottan Monet, incredible views of the Eiffel Tower, Palais de Tokyo, Rue de Passy for boutique shopping, Palais Galliera, and the Flame of Liberty.
Shangri-La Paris ££££
The Shangri-La is one of the most highly regarded hotel chains in the world and their hotel in Paris could not be any more luxurious! The hotel is located in the former home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, offering ultimate Parisian elegance with incredible views over the Eiffel Tower and River Seine.
There are two luxury treatment rooms in the new spa as well as a fitness centre and a neo-classical pool. The hotel’s French dining restaurant has been awarded not one, but two, Michelin stars and this sits alongside a Cantonese restaurant, Shang, and an all day dining restaurant, La Bauhinia, which sits beneath the original, glass cupola behind the main lobby.
Prices start at £1,050 per night
Hotel Villa Nicolo ££
Hotel Villa Nicolo is a beautiful boutique hotel with individually decorated, colourful rooms overlooking the hotel’s patio.
This is a family-run hotel with warm, personalised service. It’s flower filled patio is the perfect spot to have a cup of coffee or catch up on some reading in the summer and the cosy lounge is the ultimate retreat on those rainy, winter days.
Prices start at £127 per night
Modern & Design Loft-Style Apartment ££
Modern in design but located in a beautiful, histroic building, this loft-style apartment is in a secure building with a caretake on Rue de Longchamp. Perfect for couples, the apartment is spacious enough for two adults and there are facilities suitable for a baby also.
The apartment has a 3-night minimum stay, it offers closet space, a large walk-in shower, beautiful living room, and a fully equipped American-style kitchen.
Prices start at £138 per night
18th arrondissement of Paris
Things to see
Sacré Cœur, Montmartre, Quartier Africain, the Moulin Rouge, Clos-Montmartre (the last remaining vineyard in Paris), and Place du Tertre street artists.
Grand Pigalle
The Grand Pigalle is a well-placed 4* boutique hotel is on the border of the 18th and 8th arrondissement, making it an excellent choice to those wanting to explore both. There are just 37 rooms in this classically hausmanian building, making you a name not a number.
Suites with sweeping rooftop views fill the top floor whilst more cosy rooms spread out below. It’s famous Frenchie Restaurant plays host to one-starred chef Gregory Marchand, offering dishes inspired by his international travels.
Prices start at £149 per night
Hotel Particulier £££
The most private hotel in the city, this Parisian mansion used to belong to the Hermes family and offers the largest hotel garden in the capital.
The hotel is well-known for its restaurant and cocktail bar but also for its ultra exclusivity with only 5 suites, all overlooking the 900m2 wild garden landscaped by Louis Benech. The town house is an almost magnet to those prominent on the art scene with popular events running throughout the year for the art community.
Prices start at £580 per night
Sweet Amour £££
A beautiful apartment surrounded by the cobbled streets of Montmartre, Sweet Amour offers a big, beautiful space in one of Paris’ most romantic corners. It’s rare to find such a large space in the French Capital but Sweet Amour does not disappoint, it’s spread over two floors with many of its original features on show.
Large windows open out onto a beautiful vineyard, especially from the work area which is flanked by a large bookcase.
Prices start at £350 per night
4th arrondissement of Paris
Things to see
Notre Dame Cathedral, Place des Vosges, Centre Georges Pompidou, National Museum of Modern Art, St-Paul St-Louis Church, Hotel de Sens, the Old Jewish District, Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall), Place de la Bastille, Ile Saint-Louis Neighborhood, the Seine River Booksellers.
Hôtel du Bourg Tibourg ££
Hôtel du Bourg Tibourg is a small but fascinating space with 30 cosy yet lavish guest rooms thanks to designer designer Jacques Garcia. The hotel is situated in the beautiful, hidden neighbourhood of Marais, where you can feel a million miles from busy city whilst being a 15 minute stroll to Notre Dame.
The property in places offers a similar vibe to a gentleman’s club with fabrics and prints draping the walls. This is not a hotel for everyone, as I mentioned, the spaces are small, but it’s perfect for those looking for somewhere quirky, bold, and more than just a place to sleep at night.
Prices start at £223 per night
Hotel le Presbytere ££
Le Presbytère Hotel is attached to the Saint-Merry church and has been beautifully renovated since the original construction in the 17th century. Thanks to exposed beams, flamboyant Gothic architecture and 11 guest rooms with unique character, Le Presbytère Hotel is the perfect retreat for travellers looking for a small, boutique property with plenty of history and charm.
The building is classified as an historical monument so not suitable for those with mobility issues as there is no lift.
Prices start at £143 per night
Air BnB Apartment ££
A cosy loft in the heart of Paris, guests have full access to the flat, accommodating up to 4 adults. Newly furnished in 2020, the apartment offers a queen size bedroom and the option of a double sofa bed in the living room.
A separate kitchen includes a refrigerator, induction hobs, microwave, and kettle etc. There is plenty of storage space for your clothes, the only downside is the apartment is on the fourth floor and the elevator operates from the first floor so it would not be suited for those who cannot climb the first set of stairs.
Prices start at £150 per night
5th arrondissement of Paris
Things to see
La Sorbonne university, Roman ruins, charming bookshops, botanical gardens, student cafes, Place Saint-Michel, the Panthéon, Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church, Arènes de Lutèce, Musée de Cluny, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle
Monte Cristo Hotel
Each room at the Monte Cristo has been designed to make you feel as though you are aboard a luxury liner, classic rooms have been designed with solo travellers in mind which is all to often a rarity, whilst the Chambre Eminente will transport you to a Cuban villa, complete with a king size bed with canopies.
Not only is this the ultimate city bolthole, but also is a haven for the wellness community. Guests are invited to rest, relax and pamper. The hotel offers an excellent 15-metre-long swimming pool, sauna and massage room.
Prices start at £170 per night
Cosy loft Apartment in the heart of Latin Quarter £
It might be a studio flat but it’s spacious and can accommodate up to four people thanks to the sofa bed. The brand new loft is located in front of the Jussieu University and Ile-Saint-Louis so is within walking distance from some of the best Parisian sights, including the Louvre and Notre Dame.
The flat is quiet and comfortable, the queen size bed will ensure a great night sleep. There is a fully equipped kitchen including a coffee maker and kettle, that’s if you aren’t eating breakfast at one of the many surrounding cafes and bakeries.
Prices start at £105 per night
Hotel de L’Esperance £
Close to the Pantheon and Luxembourg Gardens, Hotel de L’Esperance is a fabulous budget friendly hotel located close to a metro station, putting the whole of the city at your fingertips.
Don’t let the price fool you, the hotel has been fully renovated, inspired by the 70s, offering you cleanliness, simplicity and a full range of services. Breakfast can be enjoyed on the Patio de l’Espérance, the patio and its veranda are accessible every day for whenever you wish to enjoy a quiet moment.
Prices start at £97 per night
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Useful links
Train bookings in Europe: Trainline
Car hire: RentalCars
Hotel bookings: Booking.com
Airport transfers: Kiwi taxis
Book trips and attractions: Getyourguide
Holiday home rentals: Vrbo
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