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Our expert writers are usually hosted on a complimentary basis to get the personal experience necessary for their review.
In the past, it was necessary to visit the French capital at the Eiffel Tower and a soup à l’onignon in a tourist cafe off the Champs-Elysées, but as travel habits change, more visitors are looking for a more original experience – and the hotel scene in Paris has evolved to reflect that. Those looking for a more characteristic stay have plenty of options – from the bold-yet-chic stylings of the one-time boltholes in Pigalle, hidden country-style lodges in Montmartre to the former guest house (now a luxury hotel) where Oscar Wilde spent his. last night. Here are the best hotels in Paris.
How we review
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, and is usually hosted on a free basis. They stay for at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have.
At a glance, the best boutique hotels in Paris
Bejeweled in elegant fabrics, unique objets d’art and exquisitely crafted bespoke details, it is a luxurious lifestyle hotel that lives up to its promise. Every last piece of art, light switch and fabric in the 1854 townhouse, which is next to the Italian Théâtre de la Renaissance on boulevard Saint-Martin, has been individually selected with great taste by Pierre Moussié, his wife Elodie and their friend Sophie Richard. The result is not great. All 18 rooms are absolutely gorgeous – think velvet armchairs, antiques and House of Hackney velvet wallpaper with Art Deco banana palms and other exotic foliage.
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The idea of creating a home away from home is probably seen all too often, but at this stylish property, located between the Louvre and the Opéra, the concept seems to work, with relaxed living spaces (designed by Sarah Lavoine) sports art and design books, wonderful squashy sofas and patterned rugs. Of the 37 rooms and suites, even the smallest cozy bedrooms are good enough for Paris, and each of the four Indulgence rooms has a beautifully tiled private hammam steam bath. Some rooms come in crisp white; others with dark blue or black walls, with large round mirrors or rice-grain ceramic reliefs over the bed. Rare for Paris, there is a small swimming pool.
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The simple facade of this trendy Marais district hotel is the exquisite jewel box that awaits inside. Bold colors and oriental design motifs juxtapose neo-Gothic décor, along with kitsch details from Légion d’honneur decorator Jacques Garcia. The attention to detail extends to the rooms, which are decorated in rich colors and furnished with finely patterned fabrics and light retro fixtures. The double bed is indulgently large and extremely comfortable. The bathrooms are the pièce de résistance of each room, with luxurious deep tubs and black granite floors.
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Le Pigalle, named after the upscale neighborhood in which it sits, blends retro and modern to epic effect, courtesy of design duo Charlotte De Tonnac and Hugo Sauzay. Each of the 40 rooms is slightly different – staying in them is like staying in the room of a hip Parisian friend with very good taste: a seventies liquor cabinet here, a sixties velvet chair there, but with the comforts and amenities of the -modern, of course. such as TV and USB sockets. Delightfully seen paintings, photographs and prints (from local artists, naturally) adorn the walls and surfaces, as well as a small selection of Parisian-themed books.
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Le Grand Pigalle was one of the first creations of Parisian cocktail mavens Experimental Group and set the tone for a collection of hip boutique hotels to follow. The decor of the property, located on a corner of a Haussmann style building, uses retro chic pieces (panels, plush banquette, patterned tiles) to create a stylish space, without being too intimidating. The long bar/restaurant offers a buzzing evening atmosphere with a mix of creative local types and visitors. Some rooms on the second and fifth floors have elegant wrought iron balconies with a view over the surrounding narrow streets.
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Instagram satisfaction is guaranteed at The Hoxton, with the period details of the original 18th-century hôtel blending with on-point décor from the creative minds of Soho House. The 18th-century building – once home to Etienne Rivié, advisor to Louis XV – has a wonderful French flair, with a spiral staircase and mosaic marble floors. Room categories are based on size only: Shoebox (pretty dinky); Cosy; Chambery; Biggy (big and with high Parisian ceilings). Guests are greeted with music, courtesy of a vintage Roberts radio and each room has a small selection of books curated by a “Hoxton Friend” (creative types who live or work in the local area).
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This hotel has welcomed many famous guests over the years, and of course, the most famous is Oscar Wilde. The writer rented a furnished apartment here, then the Hôtel D’Alsace, before he died in 1900. Throughout the 20th century, the address continued to attract celebrities including Ava Gardener, Frank Sinatra and the Aga Kahn . Rooms are set around an ornate spiral staircase, and Le Restaurant is set under a large glass roof. The property has been completely renovated by Jacques Garcia and is decorated in the sumptuous and eclectic style for which the designer is known: think elaborate wall patterns and large chandeliers contrasted with leopard print carpets.
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Hidden away from the outside world, down an enchanting old-world alleyway in the fabled artist’s quarter of Montmartre, this hidden 19th-century house is the last word in Parisian chic. Previously home to members of the Hermès and Rothschild families, the house has lost none of its bourgeois charm. The five rooms are spacious and eclectic, and the trendy bar and cocktail restaurant, with dreamy summer seating, is in the little black book of every Parisian A-lister. Le Très Particulier is the true love of Parisian fashionistas, the backstage cocktail bar with delicious tapas, the tropical decoration of the Garden of Eden and a bewitching summer garden.
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This hotel is a grand celebration of French design, craftsmanship and culture. Its blue and white palette refers to the national colors of France, rooms pay homage to French cultural icons, and in the large open restaurant, crowned by a huge glass verrerie and lit with strings of bare bulbs, it’s all about the love of French wines to share. and gastronomy across community dining tables. Regular live music events play everything from 1920s French hits to Daft Punk and the Sunday comedy nights, also in French, are clearly aimed at a local crowd. Sitting on the edge of the hip 9th Arrondissement it has easy access to many of the main points in Paris.
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The hotel comprises two identical properties, ‘Adele’ and ‘Jules’, two doors apart, adding a touch of unusual character and a dose of Parisian architectural atypicality. The hotel has a low-key contemporary look, with an emphasis on comfort and homeliness in the form of warm colours, comfortable furnishings and soft lighting. The lobby/restaurant area (same in both buildings) has a well-stocked bookshelf and comfortable sofa and contemporary Parisian-themed artwork. It feels homely and livable, and even in the dinkier standard double, space is used thoughtfully. Some rooms have terraces that back onto the courtyard, and there are nice balconies on the second and fifth floors.
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This low-key but stylish hotel enjoys a central location, with easy access to the Louvre and Palais Garnier. The decor mixes the building’s French Haussmanian elements with contemporary furnishings. Standout features include the dark Hungarian parquet in the lobby and a vintage chrome stove in the breakfast area. There is a subtle literary theme, with French novels adorning the attractive bookshelf in the lobby, and a small selection in the rooms. Decor is crisp and contemporary, with a touch of retro aesthetics – think copper lamps and Deco-style patterns on the fabrics. There are also some attractive period features, such as wall moldings and exposed wooden beams in some rooms.
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There’s no forgetting you’re in Paris at this brand new hotel floating on a stylish boat on the River Seine. The innovative hotel group Elegancia behind the first boat hotel in Paris has created a floating cocoon where guests can disconnect from urban life. With the beach lounge bar – quickly becoming a hot spot for sunbathers among trendy Parisians – and a laidback vibe, this is the address where guests kick off their shoes, dip their toes in the water and relax on a sparkling golden Fatboy with ethereal Seine scenes. The beauty of waking up to a view of water and Parisian péniches sailing by is also undeniable and it’s also at a great value price per night.
Contributions from Natasha Edwards, Hannah Meltzer & Nicola Williams
