Best Hotels in Paris France

This is my unfiltered experience of staying in specific Paris hotels. 

Sleeping in their beds, showering in the bathrooms, and connecting to their wifi. 

Where to stay in Paris? 

Stay in an arrondissement where you like the vibe, restaurant options, and are close to the Paris Metro.

This is how I navigate Paris. 

So I’m in a hotel near a metro entrance and I walk to everything I crave to experience. Or take the metro for quick access.

Paris hotel rooms further away from the center are do-able if you want to take the Metro for longer or taxis into the center.

But you can’t always get an Uber when you want one.

I had trouble this year getting one to Orly airport from Gare de l’Est because of poor wifi connectivity and a sudden rainstorm.

But I made it!

 

And you can take public transportation from Orly Airport and Charles de Gaulle. CDG connects you with Gare du Nord (train station) 

This is what I love to do in Paris:

walk to the Louvre, the Seine, the Shakespeare book store, Luxembourg Garden, Notre Dame, and my favorite restaurants. 

This hotel hits all of the above and it’s in the Latin Quarter. 

And its walking distance from the Jussie Metro stop.

You can manage with your luggage if you only have carry on.

I rolled it the 3 blocks to my hotel and on the way passed Bonvivant Restaurant. 

 

Do you see people laughing, talking, and eating at a restaurant you’re considering? Then you know it’s good.

Because eating is an art form in France. And this is something for us to learn.

The Latin Quarter is near Luxembourg Garden and bursting with restaurants and bars. You’ll walk to everything.

Bonus: it’s touristy so many people will speak English.

If you get lost ask a younger person to help you.

Firstly I liked the price of this hotel, it hovers between $115USD and $200 per night for one person.

Yes it will be higher in the Summer and during huge events.

But I visit in the Winter so it’s in the $120USD range.

 

Going to Paris

This is what I love. Eating. Walking. Taking photos. And talking to French people who are interested in speaking with me. This never fails!

 

 

So as I rolled towards my hotel from the Metro I thought I’m going

to have a glass of wine after peeling off these plane clothes.

This is my absolute must-do ritual when I arrive in Paris.

Immediately take a shower after the torture of a 10-hour flight and then walk to a glass of French wine in an elegant glass. 

Arriving in Paris. First things first. 15-second video.

 

When I walked into Bonvivant it was a Friday night so they were booked solid with dinner reservations.

But I noticed they spoke English; so I suggested having a glass of wine and then I’d leave to eat elsewhere.

OK it was decided, and the wine was delicious.

So here’s the thing,

What do you want to do when you get to Paris?

 

Things to do in Paris:strolling in gorgeous gardens, gazing at the Eiffel Tower at night, eating and drinking yes?

 

You decide.

 

See this blog post for Highlights of Paris

 

So the other hotel I’ve stayed in Paris:

 

this hotel was unexpectedly perfect for me.

 

The Champagne region, an hour from Paris was my destination after flying from Palermo, Sicily.

So I landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport and took the train to Gare du Nord and right across the street was this hotel. 

Hotels across from train stations aren’t usually perfect but this one was! 

But it was more than I wanted to pay, however it was exactly what I needed.

Super comfy bed, decent wifi, good customer service at the front desk, it has an elevator, (many hotels in Paris don’t so you’re stuck lugging your luggage up steep stairs) and the shower was hot and pristine. 

And most importantly was the location.

 

Around the corner from Casimir Paris, a new restaurant born from Bonvivant. 

The chef owner I’d met the previous year. He had a new place now and I was curious to eat there.

Two blocks from my hotel in the 10th arrondissement. 

So now I see it’s fun to experience different arrondissements. The 10th is up and coming where residents live too.

And it has two major train stations, Gard du Nord and Gare de l’Est. 

So I could walk to catch my train to Reims at 3PM the next day with my luggage.

And discovered a new cafe on the way with affordable prices, full of residents.

They were obviously Parisians because they were eating fresh oysters and drinking wine at lunch time on a Tuesday. 

So I did too. 

And I was thrilled I could walk to the train station and not brave the Metro with my luggage. 

 

Advice on Arrondissements:

Each one has a unique flavor.

So you want to pick one close to your desired destinations.

I’ve stayed in the 5th, 10th, and 18th. 

The 18th felt more residential and less touristy, the 10th is up and coming with transportation options (both major train stations are there) and working French residents.

Go with the one that speaks to you by doing research and getting a feel for it by reading the reviews on booking.com.

 

First time I went to Paris, I was escaping Italy. On the first day of the country-wide lockdown. 

So I was arriving in Paris without a hotel room and the 4 words of French I remembered from high school.

But high school was 45 years ago so this is what I was working with.

And it was an optimal time to be in Paris, moments before the world locked down. Why?

Hotel prices plunged!

The hotel I found was only $89 per night and its now upwards of $200 but check it out here 

I stayed there 6 nights and loved it. 

 

 

You might want help planning your trip to France so be sure to read this post or

 

if you want a one on one consultation get in touch.

[email protected]

 

Certainly if you have time, I advise you to get out of Paris and visit Reims, the heart of the champagne region or go to Normandy, Bordeaux or Nice.

 

Bonus for towns outside of Paris: prices are 40 to 50% less than Paris so it pays to explore France and take the train.

 

If you do take the train, try to book your tickets ahead of time on Trainline.com. Prices are lower. Don’t wait until last minute.

 

Have fun in France!