There is nothing more exhilarating than playing the tourist in your own city. Pretending, convincing yourself you’re heading off on holiday, sleeping in another bed, dreaming under different sheets… It’s a pleasure that might seem frivolous, yet it’s a genuine breath of fresh air when you live in a bustling metropolis, caught up in the whirlwind of Parisian life. For me, it’s also an opportunity to recommend Parisian hotels that my favorite photographer and I have actually tested, experiencing the place firsthand rather than just sneaking a quick glance inside… And I also regularly update this article with our recent discoveries.
Table of Contents
Hotels in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris
Hôtel Saint-Marc, Paris ☆☆☆☆
This 4-star hotel located right next to the Opéra Comique was a true favorite for both my favorite photographer (he naturally had a blast taking the photos you see here) and me. We completely fell under the spell of its universe, imagined by the Milanese design agency Dimorestudio.
My recommended accommodations for this stay
Hôtel Saint-Marc
via BookingSquare Louvois
via BookingHôtel de Malte ☆☆☆☆
via BookingHôtel La Lanterne
via BookingHôtel 34B
via Booking25hours Hotel Paris Terminus Nord
via BookingHôtel Le Général
via BookingCitizenM Gare de Lyon
via BookingAu Bœuf Couronné
via BookingTribe Clichy
via BookingTribe Pantin ☆☆☆☆
via BookingHoused in a building constructed in 1791 on the site of the Duc de Choiseul‘s private mansion, the property is deeply tied to the history of Paris. It previously served as the headquarters of the newspaper “Le National”, founded by Adolphe Thiers, as well as the famous Italian restaurant Le Poccardi. Since April 2016, the Hôtel Saint-Marc has taken over this historic location, infusing its spaces with a distinct Art Deco vibe.
Our room, number 304:
The hotel offers 25 rooms ranging from 20 to 40 m², and a 56 m² suite. They come in six different color palettes, playing with contrasts of hues and fabrics, featuring a mix of vintage thrifted furniture and custom-made creations.
What I loved: the Nespresso coffee machine, Hermès welcome products, and the quietest air conditioning I have ever heard (so quiet that I didn’t turn it off, whereas that’s usually the very first thing I do when entering a hotel room).
Breakfast:
It is served as a buffet in a large room featuring graphic lines and lit by large windows. When the weather is nice, you can even enjoy breakfast at one of the tables in the charming little interior patio.
A nice little touch: the honesty bar, featuring a selection of wines and champagnes kept in a refrigerated wine cellar.
The major perk: the magnificent spa (featuring a hammam and a pool with hydro-massage jets), which hotel guests can privatize for free upon reservation. Be sure to book your slot ahead of your stay to make sure you get the time you want.
The great deal: all-day open bar with tea, coffee, and snacks available in the breakfast room.
My favorite spot in the neighborhood:
- What to see and do on the Grands Boulevards in Paris?, my neighborhood guide located very close to the hotel.
Tested in 2016 - Invitation
Hôtel Saint-Marc ☆☆☆☆
36 rue Saint-Marc 75002 ParisConnectivity: free wifi throughout the hotel with a very good network
Room rates: starting from 198 €
Buffet breakfast: 19 €
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Le Square Louvois, Paris ☆☆☆☆
This brand-new 4-star hotel opened its doors this summer right in the heart of the capital, in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. Situated between mademoiselle de Montansier‘s opera house on rue de Richelieu and the salons of the Palais-Royal, Square Louvois was a prime hub of Parisian life in the early 19th century. The property has preserved a certain classicism from that era through its Haussmannian influences, blended with a sleek, elegant style.
Our superior room no. 208:
I found the room stunning and the bedding was sublime. The only minor downside was the pretty glass door between the bedroom and the bathroom, through which my favorite photographer and I actually took some fun photos; unfortunately, at night it lets way too much light through for my liking…
The buffet breakfast in the dining room:
A great spot in the neighborhood:
- My favorite bubble tea spots in Paris to discover great spots in the neighborhood.
The extra perk: the magnificent pool under the vaulted basement ceiling of the hotel, featuring a hydro-massage bench and a herbal tea station right next to it—a true relaxation space you never want to leave…
The great deal: between 4 PM and 6 PM, the hotel treats its guests to a delightful homemade-style afternoon tea, featuring small sweets, cakes, and pastries served with cold drinks, fine teas, or hot chocolates.
Tested in 2016 - Invitation
Square Louvois ☆☆☆☆
12, rue Louvois 75002 ParisConnectivity: free wifi throughout the hotel with a good network
Room prices: between 238 € and 500 €
City tax per person per day: 2.48 €Buffet breakfast: 20 € in the dining room and 16 € for the continental breakfast in your room
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Hôtel de Malte ☆☆☆☆
Located in the heart of Paris, facing the National Library between the Opera and the Louvre, Hôtel Malte has been welcoming visitors to the capital since 1797! 220 years after its opening, this establishment belongs to the Astotel Group.
Read my full article on Hôtel de Malte
Hôtel de Malte ☆☆☆☆
63 rue de Richelieu 75002 Paris
Hotels in the 5th arrondissement of Paris
Hôtel La Lanterne ☆☆☆☆
Nestled in the heart of the Latin Quarter, this 4-star hotel was renovated in 2020 and offers 42 rooms featuring interior design entrusted to the studio Les Héritiers.
Read my full article on Hôtel La Lanterne
Hôtel La Lanterne ☆☆☆☆
12 Rue de la Montagne Sainte Geneviève, 75005 Paris
Hotels in the 9th arrondissement of Paris
Hôtel 34B, Paris ☆☆☆
This 3-star hotel, located on the border between the 9th and 2nd arrondissements, features 128 rooms themed around the blue, white, and red colors of the capital. The hotel is made up of 3 original buildings, at least part of which dates back to the late 18th century, as an inscription on a large stone in the main hall indicates the year 1789.
The cheerful renovation of the place, designed by Philippe Maidenberg, highlights the historic architecture of the buildings while blending them with contemporary furniture, a signature touch of Astotel. I loved the large central glass roof, which notably brightens up the breakfast room. During the day, this space also becomes a friendly communal area where guests can drop in for complimentary pastries along with hot and cold drinks—an idea I found wonderfully thoughtful. Another friendly touch is its library stocked with books about France, which you can borrow for free during your stay. Another feature I loved is the panoramic elevator leading up to the rooms, which offers a magnificent view of the grand lounge and the interior of the hotel as well.
The good deal: the Astotel open-bar (for guests only, and you can really gorge yourselves!) with soft drinks and sweet and savory snacks every day from 1:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Our blue and white room with a contemporary design:
We also really appreciated the little chocolates left in the room to welcome us (that’s our foodie side talking here).
Breakfast is served as a buffet:
The extra perk: free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel with a very strong connection.
My favorite spots in the neighborhood:
- Our article My selection of brasseries in Paris to discover great brasseries and bouillons in the area.
- If you love grand Parisian brasseries, don’t hesitate to push open the doors of Bouillon Chartier nearby.
Tested in 2016 - Invited stay
Hôtel 34B ☆☆☆
34, rue Bergère 75009 ParisPrice: starting from 106 € for a standard room
Buffet breakfast: 10 €
Hotels in the 10th arrondissement of Paris
Hôtel 25Hours Paris Terminus Nord ☆☆☆☆
We discovered this 4-star hotel in 2022 with my favorite photographer and returned in 2023 to sleep over and also dine at the Neni Paris restaurant with our friends from La Bougeotte Française. The 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord is the very first Paris hotel from the trendy 25hours brand, having opened its doors in early January 2019. It is located right opposite Gare du Nord. It’s truly a vibrant living space, housing a fantastic cocktail bar as well as a restaurant with Israeli influences. I really love the colorful and cool atmosphere of this place—a true urban cocoon at a crossroads of cultures, nestled in a cosmopolitan neighborhood.
The hotel is quite vast, offering a total of 237 rooms. You can also drop by the hotel just to work, as there are coworking spaces provided for this purpose.
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Our Large Plus Room No. 525:
We stayed in a Large Plus category room. The decor of the rooms—and the hotel as a whole—is a mix of cultures with a touch of street art and urban culture. It is designed by Dremeita and Visto, paying tribute to African influences and colorful Wax fabrics. Our room featured a large balcony with a magnificent view of Gare du Nord. The only slight downside: I recommend bringing earplugs because, despite very good double glazing, you can still hear quite a bit of street noise, even at night. Special mention finally for the bedding, which was absolutely top-notch!
The good point: the minibar contains a few drinks and snacks and is included in the room rate.
Room rates: starting from 144 € per night
Tested in 2023 - Invited stay
25hours Hotel Paris Terminus Nord ☆☆☆☆
12 Boulevard de Denain 75010 ParisWi-Fi: free and you can also borrow a mobile hotspot from reception
Mobility: option to rent a bicycle at reception to get around Paris
Neni Breakfast buffet: 26€ per person
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Having a drink at the hotel: Le Sape Bar
Le Sape Bar takes its name from the “sapeurs” originally from Congo. These individuals wear fashionable, eccentric, and brightly colored clothing, which they view as an expression of their inner freedom. These modern dandies shape the urban landscape of the 10th arrondissement, and the bar’s decor pays tribute to their class and shimmering colors. I loved the decor and atmosphere of this intimate bar, the Afro-American soundtrack, and what’s more, the cocktails (priced between 8 € and 13 €) are exceptionally well-made.
To try: the Pineapple Express (13 €); the Gin Basil Smash (13 €); for a non-alcoholic cocktail, I recommend the Bisson’a Bissap (8 €).
Sape Bar
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Eating at the hotel: Restaurant Neni Paris
The hotel’s restaurant is located next to Sape Bar on the first floor. It offers modern cuisine drawing inspiration from Persian, French, Russian, and Tel Aviv-style Israeli flavors. Israeli chef Haya Molcho highlights cosmopolitan cuisine.
For starters, you’ll find an assortment of mezze: hummus (I especially recommend the mango curry version, which is super original – 9.50 €); Haya’s famous popcorn falafels (9 €); babaganoush (9 €); baked sweet potato (9 €); or you can opt for the trio of mezze to share (24 €). For mains, we tried the Shawarma chicken (23 €), which is very nice; the Jerusalem plate (24 €); and Sabich, a vegetarian street food specialty from Tel Aviv (19 €). Finally, for desserts, I strongly recommend trying the Sesam (10 €), a Neni classic featuring toasted white sesame, homemade muscovado sugar ice cream, Har Bracha Halva, raw tahini, date syrup, and caramelized pecans, or the Knafeh (10 €), a specialty from the Old City of Jerusalem.
Restaurant Neni Paris
Balagan menu at 55 € per person, served for the whole table
Hotels in the 11th arrondissement of Paris
Hôtel Le Général, Paris ☆☆☆☆
Located a stone’s throw from Place de la République, Le Général is a hotel created by Jean-Philippe Nuel in 2000, which he has just completely renovated. The hotel is an open space centered around the themes of travel, encounters, and sharing. The decor is a blend of design references and vintage-found furniture, while the books on the library shelves help bring the space to life. When passing through, guests are even encouraged to leave their personal mark on the hotel: whether by scribbling on a pillar or leaving a book or an object in the library.
Our room No. 56:
I really liked the white and soothing atmosphere of our small room, its open wardrobe, its small private balcony (perfect for enjoying the welcome aperitif I mentioned just below), and the little message on the ceiling: “The world is too small not to meet.”
Breakfast:
It is served as a buffet in the ground floor lobby.
The good deal: the complimentary welcome drink offered on the first evening to all guests.
My favorite spots in the neighborhood:
- Restaurant Astier, a top-notch bistro featuring a to-die-for Grand Marnier soufflé!
- Les Chouettes, a foodie spot in an elegant setting.
- L’Atelier artisan crêpier to enjoy delicious crêpes and cider in the area.
The extra perk: a sauna, a massage bed, and a fitness area accessible free of charge for hotel guests.
The hotel also offers pastry masterclasses (priced at 130 € for a 3-hour session) twice a month on Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM with Carl Marletti (whose cakes I looooveee!), as well as wine and tequila tastings (49 € and 35 €) on Thursdays at the bar.
Tested in 2016 - Invited stay
Hôtel Le Général ☆☆☆☆
5/7 rue Rampon 75011 ParisConnection: free wifi throughout the hotel with a good signal
Room rates: from €106 to €500
Buffet breakfast : €18 (a little tip, breakfast is complimentary when booking
on the hotel’s official website…)
Hotels in the 12th arrondissement of Paris
CitizenM Gare de Lyon ☆☆☆☆
CitizenM is a new generation of hotel group, hailing from Holland and looking to redefine the standards of the hotel industry. The hotel is ideally located a stone’s throw from the Gare de Lyon in a former office tower with modern architecture, which offers a sublime view of the city.
Read my full review of CitizenM Gare de Lyon
CitizenM Gare de Lyon ☆☆☆☆
8 Rue Van Gogh 75012 Paris
Hotels in the 19th arrondissement of Paris
Au Bœuf Couronné ☆☆☆
Head to the 19th arrondissement, opposite the Cité de la Musique to discover the Au Bœuf Couronné hotel/restaurant (which also houses a typically Parisian brasserie), a spot that has stood the test of time since the era of the La Villette slaughterhouses built under Napoleon III, during which it was a small inn.
Hotel not tested - restaurant tested only in 2026 and room visit
Au Bœuf Couronné ☆☆☆
188 avenue Jean-Jaurès 75019 Paris
Room rates: starting from €94 per night for a double room
Hotels in Clichy (92)
Le Tribe Clichy ☆☆☆☆
This hotel is located in Clichy just north of Paris, 3 minutes from metro line 13. The Tribe Clichy is a new 4-star hotel under the lifestyle brand Tribe by the Accor group, opened in 2024. The property features 140 design-forward and functional rooms. We stayed on the 5th floor in a very quiet room overlooking the back of the building with a lovely view. The bedding was top quality, as were the complimentary room amenities (bathroom products, coffee, and tea). Breakfast is also delightful, featuring a nice selection of well-sourced products.
If you want to eat on site, the address also offers a restaurant with Californian influences, featuring a signature cocktail menu—the ones we tried were truly great. To go with them, we ordered an assortment of tapas including guacamole, chicken fingers, a trio of chicken tacos, and I totally fell in love with the roasted sweet potato served with a leek pesto and feta cream. Finally, the hotel boasts a cool rooftop with a view of the Eiffel Tower, though we didn’t get much chance to enjoy it during our visit since we went in November.
Tested in 2024 - Invited stay
Tribe Clichy ☆☆☆☆
105 bd Jean Jaurès, Clichy
Room rates: starting from €110 per night
Restaurant prices: craft cocktails €16 / tapas to share between €10 and €15
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Where to eat right next to the hotel? La Raviole Française
This establishment is a counter-service restaurant for a quick bite, highlighting Southern specialties through original and flavor-packed creations. The restaurant works with quality ingredients sourced from artisanal producers in the Drôme region. It’s the perfect opportunity to discover ravioles in all their forms—gratinéed, in broth, or creamy and in every sauce imaginable! La Raviole Française even adapts its specialty into a large ramen-style broth blending French and Japanese flavors, and it really hits the spot.
La Raviole Française
66 Rue de Neuilly, 92110 Clichy
Prices: grand bouillon ravioles set menu + dessert + drink €14.90 / ravioles in sauce set menu + dessert + drink €16.90 / gratinéed ravioles set menu + dessert + drink €17.90
Hotels in Pantin (93)
Le Tribe Pantin ☆☆☆☆
This latest addition from the Accor group’s lifestyle brand, Tribe Hotels, is located in Pantin right at the gates of Paris in a super trendy neighborhood (and accessible by metro, which is a definite plus). On the agenda: 131 rooms with sleek design, spread across a modern building conceived as a living space, featuring several areas to work, grab a coffee, or even enjoy an Italian restaurant for dining. My favorite part: the outdoor garden at the back of the hotel which, unfortunately, we couldn’t enjoy much due to the weather, but which is really lovely.
In the evening, we dined at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Tribe Table. On the menu: burrata (€9), watermelon gazpacho (€7), pasta (we had the paccheri alla carbonara – €14), as well as vegetarian dishes like eggplant parmigiana (€15). For dessert, we tried the 70% chocolate mousse which I found very good (€9).
Tested in 2025 - Invited stay
Tribe Pantin ☆☆☆☆
70 avenue du Général Leclerc 93500 Pantin
“Tribe Table” restaurant prices: cocktails €12 / starters between €7 and €16 / mains between €13 and €19 / desserts between €8 and €14
Find all my hotel reviews below:
⇒ All my hotel reviews
⇒ My hotel reviews in Paris
⇒ My hotel reviews in France
⇒ My hotel reviews around the World
MY HOTELS IN PARIS
⇒ Le Normandy Hôtel
⇒ L’Hôtel Royal Madeleine
⇒ L’Hôtel Banke
⇒ Okko Hôtel Porte de Versailles
⇒ Hôtel de Malte
⇒ Le Sofitel Paris Arc de Triomphe
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer authorization required prior to any use
