12 Best Hotels in Paris, France

Subdued lighting and rich jewel tones announce the blend of romance and chic cultivated by the Hôtel Bourg Tibourg, designed by Paris superstar Jacques Garcia. Royal-blue walls and red velvet line the claustrophobic halls, and Byzantine alcoves hold mosaic-tile tubs. Rooms are barely bigger than the beds, and every inch has been upholstered, tasseled, and draped in a cacophony of stripes, florals, and medieval motifs. A pocket garden has room for three tables, leafy plants, and a swath of stars above. Free Wi-Fi, loaner iPads, and flat-screen TVs are among the creature comforts. 

On a relatively quiet side street, this contemporary boutique bed-and-breakfast may be petite, but many thoughtful extras—free Wi-Fi and nonalcoholic minibar beverages, L'Occitane toiletries—make it as accommodating as bigger hotels. A €14 breakfast buffet is served in the historic vaulted wine cellar (or in your room, if you want). Soundproof windows help keep out the noise from the nearby bars and cafés. Expect a cozy experience with easy access to Place des Vosges, Musée Picasso, Bastille, and public transportation.

For that traditional French feeling, book into this intimate, affordable, romantic hotel—the theme is the work of former next-door-neighbor Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, a supplier of military aid to American revolutionaries and the playwright who penned The Marriage of Figaro and The Barber of Seville. The pretty lobby reflects the taste of 18th-century French nobility—down to the floral wallpaper and 1792 pianoforte. Richly decorated with provincial fabrics and antique period furnishings, the rooms have original beams and hand-painted bathroom tiles, updated with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi access.

This small hotel with exposed wooden beams and traditional styling sits on a side street in a 17th-century hôtel particulier (a grand town house) that's just a few minutes from the Centre Pompidou and the numerous bars and cafés of Rue Vieille du Temple. Choose either chambres classiques or chambres de charme; the latter are larger (and pricier), with more elaborate furnishings like Louis XIII–style four-poster canopy beds and marble bathtubs. Overall, the establishment is impeccably kept by a welcoming staff. A classic French breakfast is served in the vaulted cellar.

Architect Jean-Philippe Nuel used bold colors and dramatic lighting in his update of this hotel, and although some rooms still have the original 16th-century beams, the overall feel is functional urban-chic. Amenities include a small fitness area, relaxing sauna, and stylish bar-lounge and breakfast room that fits in perfectly with the hip Marais vibe.

If it weren't your chic destination for the night, you could easily walk right by this boutique hotel set on a tiny street. Each of its rooms was created by a different designer, giving each a singular character (room Joseph L’Estrange has a small balcony) and different size, although all have spacious bathrooms. It's a favorite among trendsetters, so book early around fashion weeks.

This hotel is prized for its unbeatable location off tranquil Place du Marché Ste-Catherine, one of the city's lesser-known pedestrian squares, and for its gentler prices in an ever more costly neighborhood. The 17th-century building has been a simple hotel for more than a century, but a recent renovation imparted a clean, contemporary style to the small but functional rooms. Expect basic, comfortable accommodations and simple breakfasts. For more quiet request an upper floor. The welcoming staff is informal and happy to recount the history of this former market quartier.

In the less-traveled corner of the trendy Marais district, this contemporary boutique hotel with an easy-to-miss industrial facade and three buildings set around a historic courtyard feels almost like an art gallery. The compact rooms are generally minimalist, with sleek dark-wood furnishings, polished concrete bathrooms with Molton Brown toiletries and spacious walk-in showers with oversize "rainwater" shower heads. Open for breakfast, the stylish bar in the building at the back of the courtyard attracts fashionable locals in the evening.

Set at one of the Haut Marais's trendiest crossroads, this vintage-themed and jazz-inspired newcomer (its name comes from a tune by guitarist Grant Green) fits perfectly into the beating heart of the neighborhood. You'll feel right at home in the warm and welcoming interiors—highlighting noble materials, plush designer furnishings, and original artworks—from the stylish common areas to the cozy guest quarters. Beautiful jewel colors and lively touches punctuate the spaces, but the overall feeling is a poised tranquility that feels both relaxing and fun. The coffee shop downstairs has become a neighborhood favorite for its delicious, healthy all-day brunch menu and fine coffees.

Scrupulously devoted to the legacy of Marcel Proust, what this gorgeous hotel lacks in space it makes up for in sheer opulence. Each of the 22 rooms recalls a writer or artist friend of the author or a character from his writings, and all are splendidly arrayed in silk, hand-embroidered, or brocade wallpapers and matching upholstery designed by historic fabric houses. Meticulously sourced original period artwork, writing nooks, and chic bathrooms (in obsidian marble with pressed leather wallpapers) complete the vibe. A sumptuous winter garden, a reading room (lined with original leather-clad volumes), and a bar draw a Proust-worthy crowd, but the exquisite pool and hammam—created by craftsmen to the King of Morocco—are reserved for guests only.

Hidden off regal Place des Vosges behind a stunning garden courtyard, this enchanting château has gigantic beams, chunky stone pillars, and a weathered fireplace that speaks to its 1612 origins. The large rooms and suites are decorated in either contemporary or 18th-century style. Many look out on the entry court or an interior, Japanese-inspired garden.

A behemoth 1960s administrative building has become one of Paris's hottest hotels, sought after for its glam interiors, fashion credentials, and show-stealing views that are second only to the Eiffel Tower. Set across from the Île Saint-Louis, the hotel's stunning vistas encompass all of Paris, depending on the exact location of your room. Luxe, streamlined guest rooms sport a mid-century modern elegance, highlighting natural materials (leather, lustrous wood, wool carpets), plush furnishings, and marble baths. Take in breathtaking 360-degree panoramas from the 16th-floor bar while breakfast at the in-hotel restaurant Bonnie offers stunning vistas by day (with outdoor seating in summer). It's so glamorous even Emily in Paris had a romantic fling here.