Where to Stay in Paris: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Every Type of Traveler

Whether for a long-planned holiday or a for a spontaneous weekend trip, for your first time or your 15th, traveling to Paris raises a simple but important question: Where should I stay?

The village-like quartiers of Paris are filled with some of the best hotels — from boutique hotels to grande-dame destinations — that appeal to all kinds of travelers. The great thing is that almost every neighborhood in Paris is the best neighborhood to stay in Paris. But here's a little guidance to help you get started planning a Parisian vacation to remember, no matter your travel style.

Where to Stay in Paris as a Family: 8th Arrondissement

Many of Paris' local families reside in this airy and regal neighborhood. It's convenient to transportation options, including Metro Line 1 cutting through the center of the city, as well as child-friendly destinations like Parc Monceau. Better yet, the streets and boulevards here are designed to accommodate ample foot traffic unlike more cramped and village-like arrondissements, which makes pushing a stroller (or walking three or four abreast) relatively easy.

Best Hotels in the 8th Arrondissement

Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris

The Royal Monceau is a five-star hotel with plenty of Parisian charm and unexpected artsy flair. In addition to Michelin-star dining and a Clarins spa (if you can steal away on your own while enjoying your family getaway), the Royal Monceau features an art gallery, bookstore, and private cinema.

Hotel Plaza Elysées

Traveling with older kids (teens and young adults) calls for something a little more sophisticated. The Hotel Plaza Elysées delivers just that across its 41 rooms, each decorated to mimic graceful Parisian apartments. Grab a room for you and one for the kids so everyone can have their own chic moment.

Where to Stay in Paris for Nightlife: 10th Arrondissement

Canal Saint-Martin, which runs through the heart of the 10eme, has become one of the city's youngest, liveliest areas. Locals love to picnic along the canal, crowd the sidewalks of popular cafes like Chez Prune, and venture to trendy boîtes like Gravity Bar. And if the immediate neighborhood options aren't enough, the Bastille and Marais, two other vibrant neighborhoods filled with bars, cafes, and clubs, are just a few stops away on the Metro.

Best Hotels in the 10th Arrondissement

Hotel Providence Paris

Want a cocktail before you hit the town? Some of Hotel Providence's 18 eclectic rooms feature custom-made, in-room bars and other sophisticated amenities — from record players to claw-foot tubs — to make you feel at home.

Hotel Grand Amour

The sister hotel of the popular Hotel Amour in the 9eme, the Grand Amour goes big on style. A colorful central terrace buzzes with fashionistas, while all the floors are decorated differently, united by their bold colors and impressive art on display.

Le Citizen

All 12 rooms of this eco-friendly hotel overlook the canal, giving you a unique perspective on the electric energy of the neighborhood. The rooms are simple and cozy, and the small restaurant that serves breakfast feels like you're virtually sitting on the canal.

Where to Stay in Paris As a First-time Visitor: 6th Arrondissement

The first-time visitor will no doubt want to see some of the famous landmarks — you know: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe — and most are just one arrondissement over from Saint-Germain, the heart of the 6ème. This quartier is where iconic cafes like Les Deux Magots and Flore stand and where cobblestone alleys spill into boutique-lined boulevards. In neighboring Odéon, the Jardin du Luxembourg crowds with locals and tourists strolling the gardens and sailing boats in the fountain.

Best Hotels in the 6th Arrondissement

Relais Christine

This cozy and posh hotel's 48 rooms feature classic French touches like canopy beds, fine antiques, and Toile de Jouy wallpaper. There are also several indoor and outdoor salons for gathering throughout the hotel.

L’Hotel

As the last place that Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde resided, this five-star hotel holds a special place in Parisians' hearts. The 20 rooms smack of glamour, as do the restaurant, the bar, and the underground hammam pool and steam room.

Hotel Recamier

This six-story hotel is a quiet retreat in the shadow of the imposing Saint-Sulpice Church. The 24 rooms range in size, all united by their very French neutral palette and decorative touches like live orchids and glossy photographs.

Where to Stay in Paris for Romance: 3rd Arrondissement

Nowhere is the city's legendary romantic aura more on display than in the charming streets, hidden gardens, and historic places of the 3rd arrondissement. At night, the street lamps cast a seductive glow, and by day the cul-de-sacs and hidden corners are wonderful for exploring arm-in-arm.

Best Hotels in the 3rd Arrondissement

Pavillon de la Reine

Overlooking the picturesque Place des Vosges, this family-owned hotel is as decadent as it is discreet. Some of the 56 rooms boast exposed beams and antique furniture, while others have contemporary chandeliers and velvet couches; all are quietly sophisticated.

Hotel National des Arts et Métiers

This 64-room hotel brings a modern twist to the historic neighborhood. Clean lines and contemporary touches (think: terrazzo bathrooms, Nespresso machines, black-and-white photos) dominate the lobby and rooms, and a rooftop lounge offers a fabulous peek across the Parisian rooftops.

Where to Stay in Paris to Indulge in Fashion: 1st Arrondissement

It's a well-known fact that the French like their fashion, and a stroll along rue Saint-Honoré in the 1st arrondissement is almost guaranteed to make you style-obsessed, too. Whether you're indulging in window shopping at Hermés, giving your wallet a workout at Goyard, or simply watching the parade from a sidewalk table at Le Castiglione, this neighborhood is très à la mode.

Best Hotels in the 1st Arrondissement

Hotel Costes

The Costes gets its style cred from opulent baroque décor, legendary soundtracks, and international celebrities who dine at the courtyard restaurant. Rooms range from petites chambres to spectacular suites.

Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal

In an 18th-century building just steps from the gardens of the Palais Royal, this elegant accommodation is meant to feel like your home away from home. Rooms are contemporary and exude a sense of calm — fantasy, as well, if you happen to be staying in one of the top-floor suites with a balcony and views of Sacré Coeur.

Ritz Paris

Pourquoi pas? If you're looking for the swankiest spot in Paris, there aren't many destinations that will top the Ritz. The refined 19th-century décor — gilded sconces, marble bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows — of the 142 rooms and themed suites (like the Coco Chanel) remind us all that the French do timeless elegance best.

The Best LGBTQ+ Neighborhood to Stay in Paris: 4th Arrondissement

It isn't known as the gay Marais for nothing. The 4th arrondissement is especially accommodating to Paris' LGBTQ+ community, thanks to a series of rainbow flag-marked bars and clubs along the Rue des Archives (COX and Raidd, to name a couple). Such pride flows throughout the arrondissement, down streets like rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie and rue Rambuteau.

Best Hotels in the 4th Arrondissement

Hôtel du Jeu de Paume

Named after the 17th-century "jeu de paume" court (essentially, where an old variation of tennis was played) it now occupies, this hotel meshes antique design features like stone walls and columns with contemporary features like pops of bold color, eclectic patterns, and plants galore.

Villa Beaumarchais

Villa Beaumarchais oozes tranquility. Not only is it set on a quiet street away from the hubbub of the Marais, it also contains a calming interior garden where you can sit amid towering palms and be lulled by fountain sounds. In the rooms, expect elegant, classical decor and, in some cases, a view of the garden.

Hôtel de JoBo

The vibe of Hôtel de JoBo is not exactly understated; rather, the interior is about as maximalist and flamboyant as it gets. Bold patterns and textures adorn every surface — from the leopard-print furnishings of the tea room to the tiled walls of in-room bathrooms and the floral-painted molding. Starting with an espresso and ending with a signature cocktail in the intimate bar is the best way to frame a day in the Marais.

Where to Stay in Paris in Your 20s: 5th Arrondissement 

Known as the Latin Quarter, the 5the arrondissement is dominated by university students and expats who create a young, artistic, and bohemian atmosphere. The neighborhood is lively at all times of day and well into the night, and 20-something travelers looking for budget accommodation will find it in abundance here.

Hôtel College de France

Get a view of the Eiffel Tower from your hotel without spending a fortune at the Hôtel College de France, whose rooms are basic in decoration but come with massive windows that open out over the buzzing streets of Paris. Some even come with balconies.

Villa Panthéon

Villa Panthéon is one of the most affordable four-star properties in the Latin Quarter. Some of its draws include regular concerts, the sleek cocktail bar, and cozy Scottish decor in the rooms and common areas. A sophisticated space, the hotel remains a meeting place for students from the nearby universities.

Hotel Monte Cristo

For those in the mood to splurge — Paris can do that to you — the ultra-cool Monte Cristo is worthy of indulgence. Impeccable modern decor colors the interior, home to an indoor pool, a light-filled rum bar, and 50 uniquely decorated rooms. Accommodations range from the basic to the grand, multi-room Alexandre Suite.