Unlike some other major cities, Paris is relatively compact, with most of its top sights concentrated in its center and a well-connected and relatively reliable public transit system. All this makes it one of the most approachable world capitals to tackle in a short visit. That said, its arrondissements and neighborhoods can differ greatly in character, so choosing where to stay is an important decision and a tricky one if you’re not so familiar with the city.
Never fear; here’s a handy guide for choosing the perfect home base during your trip. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned return visitor, a couple looking for romance, or on a big family vacation, there’s a neighborhood and hotel for you.
For a basic understanding of the city’s layout, Paris is centered on the Seine River, with the Rive Droite (Right Bank) to the north of the river and the River Gauche (Left Bank) to the south. It’s further divided into 20 arrondissements, or districts, starting from the 1st, in the heart of the city near the Louvre, and spiraling outwards clockwise from there. (Tip: You can determine the arrondissement of any Paris address by the last two digits of the postal code. For example, 75018 is in the 18th.)
While Paris is not cheap, and accommodation prices have soared post-pandemic, there are still options available for every budget. At the low end, basic hotels start at about €80–€150 per night, mid-range from €150–€250, and the high end starts at around €250–€350 and goes right on up through the stratosphere.
Where to stay for the first time in Paris: Latin Quarter
One of the city’s oldest districts, the Latin Quarter spans the 5th and 6th arrondissements on the Left Bank. It takes its name from the Latin language, taught at the quarter’s Sorbonne University in the Middle Ages, and the neighborhood still has a large student population today. It’s great for first-timers thanks to its central location, lively atmosphere, and abundance of bistros, bars, and jazz clubs. Its seamless blending of ancient and modern means it has something to offer for every style and taste.
Highlights:
- Panthéon
- Rue Mouffetard market street
- Natural History Museum and Jardin des Plantes
- Musée de Cluny (Musée national du Moyen Âge)
Hôtel Marignan
This simple, affordable hotel, family-owned and run since 1955, is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, just steps from the Sorbonne. The rooms are compact and no-frills but have an old-fashioned charm. There are singles and doubles, as well as rooms that can hold up to four or five guests, so it’s well-suited for solo travelers, couples, and families.
- Price: from €83 for a double with a shared shower/€109 with a private shower
- Vibe: Old-school family pension
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: free continental breakfast, access to a communal kitchen, library, and free laundry facilities
Hôtel Diana
This small, family-run budget hotel offers clean, contemporary, and relatively spacious accommodation, ranging from singles with a small desk and private bath or shower to triples. The bright rooms feature modern furnishings and graphic accents, and all have en-suite bathrooms. Some overlook the inner courtyard, while others have street views. Continental breakfast can be added on for €10 per person.
- Price: from €107 for a double
- Vibe: Simple and contemporary
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, minibar, individual A/C, hairdryer
Where to stay with kids in Paris: 12th arrondissement
On the southeastern outskirts of Paris, the 12th arrondissement is less touristy and offers more affordable accommodation than the center. This family-friendly area is sedate and safe, with lots of green space, such as the immense Bois de Vincennes, Paris’s second-largest public park, with gardens, playgrounds, lakes with boat rides, and a zoo. Though it’s a bit more out-of-the-way than some other districts, the 12th is well-connected to the center, and it’s only about 30 minutes from Disneyland Paris by direct RER train from the Gare de Lyon or Vincennes stations.
Highlights:
- Bois de Vincennes and Parc Floral
- Coulée verte René-Dumont greenway
- Musée des Arts Forains (Funfair Museum)
- Marché d'Aligre street market
Hôtel Motel One Paris-Porte Dorée
This stylish, contemporary hotel is located next to the Palais de la Porte Dorée, a striking Art Deco exhibition hall that now houses an aquarium and an immigration history museum. Children under three stay free of charge, and cots are available upon request, but an adjoining room might need to be booked for older kids due to capacity restrictions.
- Price: from €89 for a double
- Vibe: Stylish and modern
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, leather recliner chair, rainfall shower, secure underground parking; buffet breakfast can be added for €15.90 per person
Hotel Paris Bastille
Rooms at this mid-range hotel, located near the Place de la Bastille and a branch of the Canal Saint-Martin, are compact but clean and modern. Quad rooms are available, with one double bed and one single or two doubles. A complimentary continental breakfast buffet is offered for all bookings, and the hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Gare de Lyon, with direct connections to Disneyland Paris.
- Price: from €187 for a double
- Vibe: Simple and modern
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, electric kettle, minibar, free continental breakfast buffet
Where to stay near attractions in Paris: Western Paris
While the western arrondissements of Paris, including the 16th, 17th, 7th, and 8th, tend to be more quiet and residential than other areas, they are ideally situated for quickly and easily visiting some of the city’s major attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées and Musée d'Orsay. These are also some of Paris’s most upscale, pricey neighborhoods, however, so if budget is your primary concern, it might be best to base yourself elsewhere and travel in to visit the sights. There’s not much in the way of nightlife in some of these areas, either, and dining options can be more limited.
Highlights:
- Eiffel Tower
- Arc de Triomphe
- Champs-Élysées
- Musée d'Orsay
Hôtel Molitor
The legendary Molitor began life in 1929 as a bathing complex with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Following a decline in the 1970s and ‘80s, the abandoned building was taken over by street artists and underground events. But in the early 2000s, the pools were rebuilt and restored to their original Art Deco glory, with the addition of a hotel designed to resemble a glamorous cruise ship. Today’s Molitor retains ties to both of its existences; the sleek, minimalist rooms blend Art Deco motifs with contemporary design, and graffiti and contemporary art have been seamlessly incorporated into the faithfully reconstructed public spaces. The hotel puts on regular events like concerts, DJ sets, and dance parties at the seasonal rooftop terrace restaurant.
- Price: from €322 for a Queen
- Vibe: Art Deco trendy
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: Bose speakers, Nespresso machines, Clarins spa and indoor/outdoor pools, seasonal rooftop terrace
Prince de Galles
The grand Art Deco Prince de Galles, also dating from 1929, is a sleek luxury hotel near the bustling Champs-Élysées boulevard. The renovated rooms and suites feature 1930s-inspired decor, including ebony furnishings, marble bathrooms, and Art Deco mosaics. The hotel features a seasonal outdoor patio eatery, an atmospheric cocktail bar, and a Japanese restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Akira Back. Esteemed former guests include Sir Winston Churchill and Marlene Dietrich.
- Price: from €979 for a Queen
- Vibe: Art Deco opulence
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Amenities: Lalique toiletries, spa, and 24/7 fitness center; some rooms and suites have balconies
Where to stay with family in Paris: 19th arrondissement
The northeastern 19th arrondissement is little frequented by visitors but has plenty to offer: lovely parks, a vibrant canal, and eclectic entertainment. For large families and groups, in particular, it’s a good option for affordable, multi-bedroom, apartment-style accommodations equipped for self-catering – which are generally not very easy to find in Paris. Though the 19th is short on tourist attractions, it’s not far from the center and offers a glimpse of a more-authentic Paris.
Highlights:
- La Villette and the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie science museum
- Rental boats on the Canal de l’Ourcq
- Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
Aparthotel Adagio Paris Buttes-Chaumont
For a more comfortable family stay than multiple beds crammed into a tiny hotel room, the Adagio aparthotels offer apartments ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments that can accommodate up to six people, all equipped with kitchens. The apartments are simply but tastefully decorated, and the reception is staffed 24/7, so there’s always someone on hand for assistance. Some apartments have a sofa bed or furnished balcony. Children under three stay free. This Adagio aparthotel is located just a few steps from the picturesque Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, a perfect picnic spot.
- Price: from €135 for a studio apartment
- Vibe: Low-key and stylish
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: equipped kitchens, covered parking garage
Aparthotel Adagio Paris 19eme Cité de la Musique
This Adagio aparthotel offers studio and one-bedroom apartments for up to four people, all with fully-equipped kitchens and access to a fitness center. The apartments are simple, modern, and light-filled, with floor-to-ceiling windows. A small park with a playground is located a five-minute walk away, and the vast Parc de la Villette, with gardens, children’s play areas, a music museum, and a science museum, is less than 10 minutes away on foot.
- Price: from €109 for a studio apartment
- Vibe: Streamlined and modern
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: equipped kitchens, secured parking, fitness center, breakfast available
Where to stay for one night in Paris: Saint-Germain or Gare du Nord
If you’re only going to be in Paris for one night, it’s worth splashing out on the stylish, sophisticated Saint-Germain-des-Près neighborhood, known as “Saint-Germain” for short. Centrally located in the 6th arrondissement, it offers chic boutiques, sophisticated art galleries, gourmet dining, historic architecture, and lovely parks.
Highlights:
- Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens)
- Le Bon Marché department store
- Saint-Sulpice church
Hôtel du Dragon
A cozy, long-running family hotel in the heart of Saint-Germain. The homey rooms, available with one double or two single beds, feature different decor and are equipped with a private shower or bath. A continental breakfast can be added on for €10 per person.
- Price: from €150 for a double
- Vibe: Cozy, homey
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes; baby accessories (cots, bottle warmers, changing mats) available
- Amenities: hairdryer, breakfast available for a fee
L’Hôtel
Despite the generic name, the luxurious and fabled L’Hotel first opened in 1828, is one-of-a-kind. Esteemed guests include Salvador Dalí, Princess Grace, Elizabeth Taylor, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jim Morrison. The 20 rooms, decorated by renowned French interior designer Jacques Garcia in rich fabrics, patterned wallpapers, and exotic antiques, are all unique. The Oscar Wilde suite, where the famous Irish poet and playwright took his last breath in 1900, has a private terrace, while L’Appartement, the largest suite, has a spacious balcony with rooftop views.
- Price: from €323 for a double
- Vibe: Opulent luxury
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Amenities: minibar, full-size Green & Spring bath products, continental breakfast included, private use of a hammam pool
Where to stay for 3 days in Paris: Marais
The super-central Marais is a great home base for a multi-day stay and to feel Parisian for a while. A historic district spanning parts of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements on the Right Bank, it’s home to many grand and storied buildings and is one of the main centers of Paris’s Jewish community. There’s no shortage of churches and museums to visit, and it’s also a hub of Paris LGBT culture.
Highlights:
- Picasso Museum
- Victor Hugo’s house
- Place des Vosges
- Musée Carnavalet
Hôtel Emile Le Marais
A trendy, modern boutique hotel located in the heart of Marais. The rooms are bright and minimalist, decorated in monochrome Op Art graphic patterns, with open-plan, white subway-tile bathrooms featuring glass-enclosed walk-in showers. Many of the rooms have small balconies overlooking the rue de Rivoli.
- Price: from €152 for a double
- Vibe: Minimalist and trendy
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, loaner iPad, laundry service, breakfast included
Les Bains
A former 19th-century bathhouse, transformed in the 1970s into the legendary nightclub Les Bains Douches, where the likes of Mick Jagger, Andy Warhol, and Yves Saint-Laurent would party, now has the addition of a luxury boutique hotel. The contemporary rooms and suites blend industrial chic with touches of vintage glamor. Some have south-facing balconies. The downstairs club and bar are still a nightlife hotspot, and the hotel has an upscale spa with a steam room and pool
- Price: from €355 for a double
- Vibe: Artsy chic
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, Marshall music station, marble bathrooms with Malin & Goetz toiletries, complimentary Les Bains Eau de Cologne, access to the steam room and pool
Where to stay for a romantic trip to Paris: Montmartre
Montmartre, the quirky and atmospheric hilltop neighborhood in Paris's northern 18th arrondissement, is perhaps the most quintessentially Parisian of all, with its winding cobblestone streets, ivy-clad facades, and village atmosphere. Many accommodations here offer scenic views over the city.
Highlights:
- Musée de Montmartre
- Place du Tertre
- Sacré-Cœur basilica
- Montmartre Funicular
Terrass Hôtel
Though you’d never guess it from the chic, contemporary interior decor, this stylish hotel dates from 1911. The rooms and suites feature modern, monochrome interiors with bright turquoise and yellow accents but still retain a few period features, such as original Belle Époque chandelier moldings. Romantic add-ons to rooms include Champagne, flower bouquets, picnic baskets, having your room decorated with rose petals or a sensual “love box.” The jewel in the crown is the hotel’s bijou rooftop terrace cocktail bar, offering sweeping views over the city and the Eiffel Tower.
- Price: from €324 for a double
- Vibe: Chic and contemporary
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes; cribs available for children under 3, children’s menus offered in the restaurant
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, minibar
Hôtel Particulier
Hidden in a tranquil garden behind high iron gates, this secretive former mansion, once home to the Hermès family, is now a tiny boutique hotel with five sumptuous suites, each richly decorated with ornate carpets, mosaics, and patterned wallpapers. The hotel’s intimate and chic cocktail bar, Le Très Particulier, with Lynchian vibes and creative libations, expands from the building’s lower level into its leafy gardens.
- Price: from €750 for a suite
- Vibe: Exclusive elegance
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes; free cots available for children under 3, additional single beds can be added for a fee
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, minibar, coffee machine, Hermès toiletries
Where to stay on a budget in Paris: Eastern Paris
Comprising parts of the 10th, 11th, 19th, and 20th arrondissements, eastern Paris is a great choice for those seeking lower-cost accommodations while still remaining central. In particular, the underrated neighborhood of Belleville is, in spite of its quite central location, one of Paris’s cheaper areas, so take advantage of that winning combo if you’re on a tight budget. The trendy Canal Saint-Martin area offers plenty of hip brunch spots, coffee shops, bistros, and nightlife.
Highlights:
- Belleville’s Chinatown
- Canal Saint-Martin
- Street art
- Parc de Belleville
Mama Shelter Paris East
This eastern Paris outpost of the Mama chain is youthful, trendy, and design-forward. The smallest rooms are tiny at approximately 160-180 square feet, yet can still fit two people. Some larger rooms offer mini-fridges and a balcony, while one family room features two interconnected bedrooms.
- Price: from €89 for a double
- Vibe: Trendy and youthful
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Amenities: organic toiletries, free movies-on-demand
Generator Paris
Located in the 10th near the Canal Saint-Martin, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and Gare du Nord train station, the Parisian incarnation of the Generator hostel chain offers both dorms (including female-only) and private rooms, plus a cafe, an underground club, and a rooftop bar. Some of the larger private rooms feature a large, private balcony.
- Price: from €23 for a bed in a dorm, from €78 for a private double room
- Vibe: Young and fun
- Wi-Fi: Yes; cots available for children under 2, minors can only stay in private rooms
- Kid-Friendly: Yes
- Amenities: hairdryer, laundry facilities, bike rental
Where to stay in the city center of Paris: Île Saint-Louis
Geographically, you can’t get any more central than the islands in the Seine: the Île Saint-Louis and the Île de la Cité, rumored to be the location of the ancient Gallic settlement of Lutetia, the ancestor of modern-day Paris. While there are no hotels located on the Île de la Cité, which is packed with important sites and monuments, the smaller Île Saint-Louis offers several excellent options.
Highlights:
- Notre-Dame
- The Conciergerie royal palace
- Sainte-Chapelle church
- Marché aux Fleurs flower market
Hôtel des Deux Îles
This charming boutique hotel offers lovely rooms tastefully decorated in pastel shades and floral motifs, an honesty wine bar, and a cozy, stylish library. A breakfast or picnic basket, exclusively sourced from gourmet producers on the island itself, can be added on for a fee.
- Price: from €282 for a double
- Vibe: Charming French garden
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, coffee maker; breakfast can be added for a fee
Hotel du Jeu De Paume
An elegant, family-run hotel in a historical building with a picturesque, leafy courtyard. The rooms and suites, which retain historical features such as wood beams and stone walls, have been skilfully renovated and decorated in a contemporary style and decorated with modern art by Matisse, Picasso, Schiele, and others. There are two multi-bedroom apartments for families or groups, and some double rooms can be connected. Breakfast is served in the vaulted atrium.
- Price: from €329 for a double
- Vibe: Genteel and secluded
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: Yes; babysitting services can be arranged via the concierge
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, minibar, fitness room with sauna and steam room
Where to stay for nightlife in Paris: Pigalle
Once a seedy red-light district spanning the 9th and the 18th arrondissements, Pigalle has evolved into more of a trendy nightlife destination full of hip cocktail bars and all-night dance clubs, though it hasn’t completely shed its gritty edges. Staying right in Pigalle means you won’t have far to drag yourself to bed after a night out and won’t have to worry about battling for a taxi in the wee hours.
Highlights:
- Moulin Rouge
- Dirty Dick tiki bar
- Le Carmen bar and nightclub
- Lulu White cocktail bar
Hôtel Josephine
This hip, mid-range hotel offers compact rooms decorated in a successful blend of vintage and modern. They range in size from a snug single to a family room that can hold up to four people. Some rooms feature a bathtub or a furnished balcony. Breakfast can be added on for a fee.
- Price: from €143 for a double
- Vibe: Hipster vintage
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Amenities: flatscreen TV, free tea and coffee in the lobby
Maison Souquet
Once a Belle Époque brothel run by a Madame Souquet, this intimate five-star hotel, with sumptuously decorated rooms and suites named after famous courtesans, features a glass-roofed conservatory, a wood-paneled library, and an intimate cocktail bar. Guests are entitled to private access to the underground pool and steam room.
- Price: from €500 for a double
- Vibe: Old World decadence
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Kid-Friendly: No
- Amenities: HDTV, minibar, private access to a steam room and pool
