Where to Stay in Paris in 2024: A Complete Guide for First Timers

Overview of Paris

Before we jump into the best hotels in Paris, here is a quick geography lesson. This is very important if it is your first visit to Paris.

The city center of Paris is bisected by the Seine River. The main sites in Paris are clustered on either side of this river.

The Right Bank (Rive Droite) refers to the area of Paris that is north of the Seine River. This is where you will find the Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre, the Marais, and Palais Garnier, just to name a few.

The Left Bank (Rive Gauche) refers to the area of Paris that is south of the Seine River. This is where you will find the Eiffel Tower, Musee d’Orsay, the Rodin Museum, and the Latin Quarter.

Just to keep things interesting, there are also two islands that sit within the Seine River, Ile de la Cite and Ile Saint-Louis. This is where you will find Notre Dame and Sainte Chapelle.

Spiraling out from the Seine River are the 20 arrondissements of Paris. An arrondissement is a district. They are numbered 1 to 20, starting with 1 at the tip of Ile de la Cite and spiraling out clockwise from here. The lower numbered arrondissements are located near the Seine River and the higher numbered arrondissements are located farther from the city center.

Finally, there are many different neighborhoods in Paris. Some of these neighborhoods are located in more than one arrondissement. For example, the Marais is located in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. Other famous neighborhoods are St.-Germain-de-Pres (6th arrondissement), Montmartre (18th arrondisement), and the Latin Quarter (5th arrondissement).

Here is a map of where to stay in Paris. Each color corresponds to a different neighborhood in Paris. The black markers indicate the top attractions in Paris. 

Where to Stay in Paris

How I chose these hotels: The hotels we list in this article are very highly rated. All but a few get 8.5 stars or higher on Booking.com, and most of them get at least 9 stars. They are also conveniently located near metro stations, an important factor in picking out where to stay in Paris. Even though this is a narrowed down list of all the hotel options in Paris, it is still a very long list. At the end of the article, I narrow it down even more, giving you our top recommendations. 

Heart of Paris – 1st & 2nd Arrondissements

This area includes the tip of Ile de la Cite as well as a portion of the Right Bank. Popular destinations include Notre Dame, the Louvre, and Tuileries Garden. Rue de Rivoli is one of the main streets that runs through this area of Paris. It runs alongside the Louvre and Tuileries Garden to Place de la Concorde.

Pros: Central location; easy to walk to some of Paris’ most popular sites; you can get a view of the Eiffel Tower from some hotels
Cons: One of the most expensive areas to stay in Paris; lacks some of the charm you find in other neighborhoods

We have stayed here on two of our visits to Paris. We chose this area for its central location. Plus, we got a good deal on Hotel Brighton on our first visit to Paris, back in 2008. The view from our tiny balcony was absolutely amazing.

View of the Louvre from Hotel Brighton

LUXURY: Le Meurice – Dorcester Collection. This hotel has an excellent location on Rue de Rivioli. From the rooftop terrace and some hotel rooms, you can gaze out across Tuileries Garden and see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe. In addition to having a wonderful view of Paris, you can also dine at the onsite 2-star Michelin Restaurant and go to the spa.

UPSCALE: Hotel Brighton. This is where we stayed on our first visit to Paris. This hotel is located on Rue de Rivoli right across from Tuileries Garden, so you will be able to see the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe from your room. Request a high floor, preferably one with a balcony, for the best experience.

MIDRANGE: Le Relais Saint Honore. On our most recent visit to Paris we stayed at Hotel Le Relais Saint Honore. Our favorite thing about this small, boutique hotel is its excellent location. The Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Place de la Concorde, and Palais-Garnier are all within a 10-minute walk. The Tuileries and Pyramides metro stations are less than 5 minutes away. The rooms are small but tastefully decorated and the staff is friendly and speaks English. You don’t get an awesome view from this hotel but we loved the friendly staff and the location.

Our room at Le Relais Saint Honore | Where to Stay in Paris

BUDGET: Hotel Opera Maintenon. This small hotel is located near Palais Garnier and rooms can accommodate one to four people. This is listed as a budget option, but since the 1st arrondissement is an expensive place to stay, prices can still be relatively high.

The Marais – 3rd & 4th Arrondissements

The Marais is one of the oldest quarters in Paris. For many visitors, this area tops the list as one of the best places to stay.

This neighborhood sits right next to the 1st and 2nd arrondissements, so if you are looking for a relatively central location without a huge expense, the Marais is an area to consider.

When Paris was “rebuilt” by Haussman, this area remained untouched. It’s a maze of narrow, cobblestoned streets, lined with shops and small cafes. Le Marais is the perfect neighborhood to go for a stroll. It also is home to a vibrant Jewish community and LGBTQ community.

The top sites here include the Pompidou Center, Place de Vosges, and the Picasso Museum. But the real reason to stay here is for the charm, the shopping, and small cafes.

Pros: Has a lot of charm; it is within walking distance of the Louvre and Ile de la Cite; hotel prices are slightly lower than the 1st and 2nd arrondissements
Cons: None

Le Marais

UPSCALE: Roi de Sicile. This hotel has an excellent location in the heart of the Marais. Take your pick from a studio or from apartments with 1, 2, or 3 bedrooms. This is a great pick for families or for those who just want a little more space. From this hotel, it is a 10-minute walk to the Pompidou Center and the Seine River.

MIDRANGE: Les Tournelles. This boutique hotel also boasts an excellent location within the Marais. Rooms are elegantly decorated and offer air-conditioning.

The Latin Quarter – 5th Arrondissement

Sitting on the Left Bank, just a stone’s throw away from Ile de la Cite, is the Latin Quarter. Similar to the Marais, this is another neighborhood that is crisscrossed with narrow, maze like streets and small cafes.

This is where you will find the Sorbonne University, the Pantheon, and Shakespeare & Company.

Pros: Great central location and easy to walk to many sites along the Seine River
Cons: Feels more touristy than the Marais

The Latin Quarter is relatively large. These hotel recommendations are located in the western region of the Latin Quarter, near the Seine River and the Saint-Michel Notre Dame metro station.

UPSCALE: Hotel Parc Saint Severin – Esprit de France. This 4-star hotel has a handy location. It sits just a few blocks away from the Seine River and the Saint-Michel Notre-Dame metro station. Rooms are elegantly decorated and this hotel gets rave reviews.

MIDRANGE: Hotel Albe Saint Michel. If you are looking for an affordable hotel with a central location, this is one to consider. This hotel is located one block from the Seine River. In just a few minutes, you can walk to Notre Dame. If you are traveling as a family or a group, rooms can be grouped together to accommodate up to five people.

BUDGET: Hotel College de France. This budget hotel also has an excellent location in the Latin Quarter. Some rooms have balconies with views of the city streets. Just be aware that they do not offer air conditioning, so if you are traveling during the summer months, you might want to choose a different hotel.

Saint-Germain-des-Pres – 6th Arrondissement

Saint-Germain-des-Pres sits right next to the Latin Quarter. This neighborhood is prettier, has more charm, and is more centrally located than the Latin Quarter, so if you are trying to decide between the two, I recommend Saint Germain.

Saint-Germain-des-Pres is filled with cafes, boutique shops, museums, and art galleries. This was once the literary and artistic heart of Paris, where people like Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre met in cafes. Les Deux Magots is one of the most famous of these cafes.

The top sites here include Les Deux Magots, Café de Flore, Le Bon Marche, Brasserie Lipp, Jardin du Luxembourg, and Eglise Saint-Sulpice.

Pros: Excellent, central location in Paris; great café culture; one of the best places to go shopping; easy to walk to many sites
Cons: None

Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain-des-Pres

LUXURY: Hotel D’Aubusson. This 5-star hotel is a historic, 17th century townhouse that is now a hotel. It is home to Café Laurent, a famous literary bar. In the late 1940’s, this bar went by the name Café Tabou, and it was the meeting place of famous intellectuals such as Camus, Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir. This hotel offers 50 boutique style rooms and suites.

UPSCALE: Hotel Baume. This hotel is located in a quiet area in Saint-Germain-de-Pres. Rooms are elegantly decorated. It’s a short walk to the Odeon metro station.

MIDRANGE: Grand Hôtel de L’Univers Saint-Germain. This boutique hotel is located in the historic heart of Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Rooms can accommodate between one and three people and prior guests rave about the location. 

BUDGET: Hotel Clement. This 2-star hotel does offer air conditioning. It has a central location in Saint-Germain-des-Pres near the metro lines 4 and 10. From here, it is a short walk to Notre Dame and the Seine River.

Near the Eiffel Tower – 7th Arrondissement

If this is your first visit to Paris, then most likely a visit to the Eiffel Tower is on your list. So, it sounds like a great idea to stay in this neighborhood, right?

For visitors, the 7th arrondissement is good, but not great. Yes, you can walk right to the Eiffel Tower, but to get anywhere else in Paris (even other attractions in the 7th arrondissement), most likely you will be on the metro.

I think it is better to stay in a different neighborhood, where you can get views of the Eiffel Tower, rather than staying right next to the Eiffel Tower.

For hotels with views of the Eiffel Tower, we have several recommendations near the end of this article.

We have stayed here on one of our visits to Paris and our experience was just OK. We stayed just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower, which was perfect to visit the Eiffel Tower. However, for the remainder of our time in Paris, we had to ride the metro a lot to get around. Plus, there is no major metro hub in this area, so not only will you frequently ride the metro, you will also need to do one to two transfers to get to around.

With that being said, there are some major attractions in this arrondissement: Musee d’Orsay, Hotel des Invalides, Musee Rodin, Rue Cler, Champs de Mars, and of course, the Eiffel Tower. This is a big arrondissement, and for many people, it’s too big to walk from one side to the other, which is why you will be on the metro a lot.

Pros: Near the Eiffel Tower
Cons: Lacks the charm of other neighborhoods on this list; even though it’s relatively centrally located you will be on the metro frequently; no major metro station

UPSCALE: Hotel de la Bourdonnais. This is where we stayed, however, this hotel has undergone a major renovation and looks a lot nicer since our visit in 2012. This hotel is located on a residential street just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower.

UPSCALE: Hotel La Comtesse. If you are looking for an upscale hotel that has nice views of the Eiffel Tower, this is one to consider. This hotel gets better reviews than Hotel de la Bourdonnais. It is located within easy walking distance of Champ de Mars, the Eiffel Tower, and Rue Cler.

MIDRANGE: Hotel Muguet. This highly-rated hotel is located a short walk from the Eiffel Tower. If you are traveling as a family, you can request two connecting rooms to accommodate up to five people.

Champs-Elysees – 8th Arrondissement

This is not an area that I would typically recommend, however, if you are looking for a luxurious stay in Paris, there are two very notable hotels in this arrondissement.

The Champs-Elysees is one of the most famous streets in the world. It starts at Place de la Concorde and ends at the Arc de Triomphe. A stroll up the Champs-Elysees is a must-do on your first visit to Paris.

View of the Champs-Elysees from the Arc de Triomphe

But this area is crowded, very touristy, and a bit chaotic. This is a great place to visit but there are better neighborhoods to stay in Paris.

I only have two hotel recommendations, two very highly rated 5-star hotels.

Shangri-La Hotel. If you have an unlimited budget and you want to stay in a hotel with one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower, look no farther. Not only does this hotel have one of the best views of Paris, it also has two Michelin starred restaurants.

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris. This hotel exudes luxury. This is the only luxury hotel in Europe to house three Michelin-starred restaurants, for a total of five stars. Many rooms are suites and some suites offer views of the Eiffel Tower. If you are looking for the ultimate in luxury, it is hard to top this hotel.

Canal St. Martin – 10th & 11th Arrondissements

Canal St. Martin is an up and coming area in Paris. This charming neighborhood, with its tree-lined canal, boutique shops, and ethnic restaurants, is a great place to consider if you are looking for a quieter, less touristy experience than some of the other neighborhoods on this list.

Pros: Quieter, less touristy neighborhood; hotel prices are cheaper than the more centrally located arrondissements; some hotels are located near Gare de l’Est and Gare du Nord.
Cons: No big attractions within walking distance; longer rides on the metro

UPSCALE: Hotel Fabric. This is a beautiful boutique hotel in the 11th arrondissement. Hotel Fabric was a former textile factory that was transformed into this hotel. Rooms are modern and trendy with an industrial flair. Rooms can accommodate up to five people, so this is a great pick if you are traveling as a family and want to stay in a trendy hotel.

MIDRANGE: Hotel La Nouvelle République. This hotel is located in the 11th arrondissement. Rooms feature modern decor, air conditioning, and soundproofing. Some rooms can accommodate up to three people.

BUDGET: Hotel District Republique. This highly rated budget hotel is located between Canal St. Martin and the Marais. The Republique metro station is just a short walk from this hotel, and from here, you can easily travel by metro throughout Paris.

Montmartre – 18th Arrondissement

Romantic, historic, photogenic…this is one of our favorite areas in Paris. Twisting, cobblestoned streets zig zag their way up to the Sacre Coeur. From here, you have an amazing view across Paris.

This is one of the prettiest areas in Paris. It’s full of charm, it’s packed with lovely outdoor cafes, and it’s a great place to visit for nightlife.

Top attractions include the Sacre-Coeur, Place du Tertre, the Moulin Rouge, Espace Dali, and the Wall of Love.

Pros: Full of charm; great café culture; great for nightlife
Cons: Not centrally located so you will spend more time on the metro

Montmartre | Where to Stay in Paris

LUXURY: Maison Souquet. This is not another boring hotel recommendation. Maison Souquet is a hotel full of character. This lavish, eclectic hotel is a mix of Arabian and French décor. It was once a pleasure house during the Belle Epoque period and has been transformed into this hotel. Twenty rooms are decorated with rich colors, luxurious fabrics, and sumptuous furniture.

UPSCALE: Terrass Hotel Montmartre. This hotel offers rooms with views across the rooftops of Montmartre and of the Eiffel Tower. Rooms are modernly decorated. There is a rooftop bar and guests rave about the view.

MIDRANGE: Timhotel Montmartre. I’m not recommending this hotel because of the name (although Tim and I keep joking that we should stay here). I am recommending this hotel because of its stunning views from several of the rooms. This hotel is located very close to the Sacre Coeur and the view from select hotel rooms is hard to beat.

BUDGET: Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels. This hostel is located just down the hill from the Sacre Coeur. Stay in a bed in a dormitory style room, or, if you are part of a larger group, rooms can accommodate up to four people.

Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views – 15th Arrondissement

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel. This 4-star hotel sits next to Champ de Mars, so it’s a quick and easy walk to the Eiffel Tower. From some of the rooms on the upper floors, it looks like you could just reach out and touch the Eiffel Tower. Some rooms even have their own private balcony.

Hotel Le Relais Saint Charles. This 3-star hotel gets good reviews and is the most affordable on this short list of hotels with Eiffel Tower views. Rooms on the upper floors offer views of the Eiffel Tower. From here, it is a 15-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower and the Dupleix metro station is right in front of the hotel.

Citadines Tour Eiffel Paris. This hotel is located near Hotel Le Relais Saint Charles. However, I think that its location is slightly better, since it is located next to the La Motte-Picquet Grenelle metro line, where you can hop on lines 6, 8, and 10, to easily get around Paris. They offer studios with Eiffel Tower views and apartments that can accommodate up to five people.

Hostels for Budget Travelers

The People Hostel. This is the highest rated hostel on Booking.com. The People Hostel is located in the 12th arrondissement, so you will spend more time on the metro, but if you are looking for a highly-rated hostel, this is still a great one to consider. Rooms range from dormitory style rooms to quadruple rooms.

Generator Paris. This is a popular hostel chain in Europe. Of the three hostels we have listed in this budget hotels section, this has the best location. It’s in the 10th arrondissement, within walking distance of Canal Martin and Gare de l’Est. It also has a rooftop bar. However, it gets mediocre reviews. The most common complaints are noise during the night, having to pay for towels, a policy that does not allow you to bring food into the hotel, and key cards that don’t work.

Where to Stay in Paris: Our Recommendations

Even with a narrowed down list of where to stay in Paris, this is still a lot to choose from. Here are our recommendations based on travel style and budget.

For hotels with the best views of the Eiffel Tower, here are several recommendations. If you want a great view not only of Paris but also the Eiffel Tower, and a central location, we recommend Hotel Brighton. The views from the Shangri-La Hotel look phenomenal. We also recommend Terrass Hotel Montmartre and Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel.

If you want to stay in a trendy, boutique style hotel, we recommend Hotel Fabric in Canal St. Martin or Les Tournelles in the Marais. We had a great experience at Le Relais Saint Honore. Maison Souquet, with its lavish, eclectic style, looks like a great pick if you are looking for a memorable hotel.

If you are a budget traveler, consider the People Hostel (the highest rated hostel in Paris), Hotel Clement (a budget hotel with an excellent location in St.-Germain-des-Pres), or Le Village Montmartre (if you like the idea of staying in Montmartre).

For families, Roi de Sicile gets glowing reviews and is located in the heart of the Marais.

For the ultimate in luxury, take your pick from the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris or Le Meurice.

Finally, if you are looking for a place with some history, The Ritz, Maison Souquet, and Hotel D’Abausson are all great choices.

If we did it again (and we will!), we would love to stay at Hotel Brighton again. Trendy Hotel Fabric looks wonderful, as does Hotel D’Abausson (I love the idea of staying in hotel with some history).

If you have any questions about where to stay in Paris, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Paris

PARIS: Start with our article How to Plan a Trip to Paris. In our article Best Things to Do in Paris we cover the top places to visit in Paris. Plan your time in the city with our 2 Day Paris Itinerary and 3 Day Paris Itinerary. We also have a Paris Hotel Guide, a guide to the best rooftop bars and restaurants in Paris, how to visit Paris with kids, and advice for visiting Paris at Easter.

MUST-SEE SIGHTS IN PARIS: Don’t miss our guides to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Versailles, which cover important things to know as you plan your visit.

EUROPEAN ITINERARIES WITH PARIS: If you want to visit Paris plus one to two other European cities, you have several great options. A 10 day trip to London and Paris makes a great trip if it is your first visit to Europe (or if you just want to visit two great cities). With 10 days, you can also visit Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam or London, Amsterdam, and Paris.

LONDON: Start with our article Best Things to Do in London for ideas of what to do in London. Plan your time in the city with our 5 Days in London Itinerary. We also have tips for first time visitors to London and a guide on Where to Stay in London.

ALSACE WINE REGION: Learn how to plan your visit in our 3 Day Alsace Wine Region itinerary. We also have guides to the towns on the Alsace Wine Route and how to spend one perfect day in Colmar.

FIRST TIME IN EUROPE: If this is your first time in Europe, don’t miss our article 7 Things to Know when Planning Your First Trip to Europe.

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