Paris Hotel Overview

Boutique and luxury hotels can be found in every part of town, including the ritzier St-Germain-des-Prés and Louvre districts. It’s reasonably easy to find a comfortable, well-appointed hotel room in a central neighborhood for €100.

Style and space (the kind that North Americans may still find lacking) will take you to the higher end of budget finds, up to €150 for a double in high season. Bare-bones sleeps without television, elevators or anything resembling décor can be found in the €40-€75 range. Of course, the best hotels fill up quickly, so book as early as possible, confirm and then reconfirm. Always have one or two back-ups in mind in case things aren't quite as expected when you arrive.

Although cross-Atlantic flights certainly aren't inexpensive in summer, August is one of the best times to come to Paris. Hotels often cut their rates since there are no business travelers, and the city is uncrowded because Parisians have all left for the beach, despite the fact that Paris Plage, Paris' own version of the beach on the banks of the Seine, has become one of the most popular festivals of the year.

Hotels aside, restaurants, public transportation and sightseeing can all be done on a budget in Paris any time of year. Refer to our Paris Budget Tips overview for some ideas.

Budget Hotels in Paris: What to Expect

Many of our favorite hotels in Paris are the small, family-run spots that have sweet personality and, often, historic buildings. These properties tend to have the lowest rates, but they also tend to be low on amenities. Many won’t have elevators, or if they do, they will be comically small.

Summers have been getting hotter, which means that many budget hotels now have air conditioning, or at least fans—this was unheard of five years ago. And because the walls are too old to allow for wiring, most hotels in every price range have gone from having no direct Internet connection to Wi-Fi access. Of course, the walls are still thin, and the elevators tiny, so pack light and don’t forget the ear plugs!

An included breakfast is not common among Paris hotels, although many offer breakfast for an additional (often exorbitant) charge. We advise skipping these options and picking up a cheaper (and delicious!) croissant at a corner café.

Related posts from our blog

• Paris Hotel Matchmaker: Which kind of Cheapo are you?
• Hotel Star Ratings in Europe: What’s in the stars?
• Paris Cafeterias: To “flunch” or not to “flunch”?
• Strategy: How to not get stuck with the worst room in the hotel
• The Cheapo 100: Our favorite budget hotels in Europe

Updated and edited: June 2011