9 Paris Boutique Hotels Where You’ll Feel Like a Local
Chase Travel experts explore the world to help you find the perfect hotel for every situation. Get inspired for your next trip with more curated hotel guides.
Is there ever a bad time to go to Paris? Mais non, but now feels especially right. Not only did the city refresh itself in 2024 for a major sporting event, but it also recently completed a historic five-year restoration of the Notre-Dame cathedral. Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a Parisian jaunt, if you ask us.
Where to stay? One of the City of Light’s charming boutique hotels, bien sûr. The city is filled with intimate properties with under 100 rooms, where you’ll feel like you’re staying at your chicest friend’s apartment. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with choice, here are nine of our favorites.
Hôtel Balzac Paris
8th arrondissement
Member of The Edit by Chase Travel
Once the site of novelist Honoré de Balzac’s home, this property blends 19th-century glamour with a dash of midcentury modern style (this is the kind of place that hands you a leather-tasseled key upon check-in). There are fabric-lined walls, sleek furniture, marble bathrooms with double sinks and plenty of nooks and crannies for quiet moments of literary inspiration. You never know what’s hiding around the corner here, whether it’s the Japanese-inspired Spa Ikoï, or a secret door connecting the lobby to the award-winning restaurant Pierre Gagnaire next door.
Château des Fleurs
8th arrondissement
Greenery and flowers drape the windows of this boutique hotel just off the Champs-Élysées, and the floral theme continues indoors. The fabrics, wallpapers, light fixtures and decor all seem to reference flowers—not so much literally, but more with that discreet Parisian je ne sais quoi. Just don’t assume this hotel is a kitschy confection; the overall atmosphere is sophisticated and decidedly contemporary. There’s a great spa with a plunge pool and sauna, and the bar serves botanical-infused cocktails that are too good to pass up.
Monsieur George Hôtel & Spa – Champs-Élysées
8th arrondissement
Housed in a classic Haussmann building, Monsieur George is anything but traditional on the inside. The seductive interiors are replete with rich velvets and lots (and we mean lots) of mirrors—the better to cast some flattering light your way after dark. In the rooms, you’ll find thick slippers and plush bathrobes, crisp linens and windows with added soundproofing so you can count on a great night’s sleep. It’s details like these that set Monsieur George apart. Make sure to book a table for dinner at the hotel’s Galanga restaurant, a unique Mediterranean fusion concept.
Brach Paris
16th arrondissement
From rock-star designer Philippe Starck comes this vibrant stay, delivering a jolt of energy to the posh but buttoned-up 16th arrondissement, where you’ll find the Palais de Tokyo and Fondation Louis Vuitton. The rooms feature a mélange of styles that somehow all work together, with everything from surrealist artworks and African masks to bathrooms with rosewood ceilings and marble soaking tubs. Book a suite and you’ll be treated to a private terrace with a hot tub and picturesque views; some even look out over the Eiffel Tower.
Hôtel Madame Rêve
1st arrondissement
Housed in a grand 19th-century post office building, this hotel has no shortage of cinematic flair. Just head upstairs to the nearly 11,000-square-foot glass-enclosed rooftop bar and you’ll find views spanning Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Coeur. Two stellar restaurants (Kitchen by Madame Rêve and La Plume, a Japanese fusion concept) make a compelling case for dining at the hotel, and the sultry, wood-paneled guest rooms are the ideal place to sleep in after a late night out.
Photo courtesy of Jérôme Galland.
Villa-des-Prés
6th arrondissement
Villa-des-Prés punches well above its weight: It offers just 34 rooms, suites and apartments, but all are filled with the kind of furnishings and artwork you’re more likely to find in a collector’s private home. That creative conceit is an homage to the hotel’s surroundings, being in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, an area famous for its artists and intellectuals. Make sure to spend some time recharging in the guests-only wellness area, which includes a 24/7 gym, an indoor lap pool and a sauna.
Le Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain
7th arrondissement
Le Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain is what the Left Bank is all about: elegant yet eclectic. You’ll find a soothing retreat from the busy streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the rooms, which have that quintessentially Parisian mix of high ceilings and parquet floors, combined with retro and modern furniture. The gym, plunge pool and hammam are just as rejuvenating. Fun fact: James Joyce moved to this building in the 1920s to finish his most well-known novel, and today his legacy is enshrined in the hotel’s jewel-box bar, which bears his name.
Hôtel Les Deux Gares
10th arrondissement
Punchy colors, energetic stripes and brilliant wallpapers set the scene at this quirky boutique hotel, with a convenient location between the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est train stations. Most of the 38 rooms here are on the spacious side, and rates are by and large a bargain by Paris standards. Across the street, the hotel’s Café Les Deux Gares offers a similarly colorful take on classic French bistro fare, with a fantastic list of natural wines to boot.
Le Grand Mazarin
4th arrondissement
Just steps from the Seine and city hall, this stunner of a stay is a stylish reprieve from some of the city’s busiest streets. The building itself dates back to the 14th century, and underwent a gut renovation by legendary designer Martin Brudnizki, who enlisted some of France’s most iconic artisans for the hotel’s fabrics, bronze detailings and furniture. The colorful indoor pool? Divine, and exceedingly rare for this part of Paris. And the flavorful Levantine cuisine at the hotel’s restaurant, Boubalé? Absolutely delicious.
Booking With Chase Travel
Chase Travel is the first stop for your next adventure. At chasetravel.com and via the Chase Mobile® app, eligible cardmembers can earn and redeem points for hotels, flights, activities, rental cars and more.
Select cardmembers receive accelerated points earning or cash back when booking through Chase Travel, and Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will earn 8 points per dollar on Chase Travel purchases, including hotel stays booked through The Edit by Chase Travel℠. Sapphire Reserve cardmembers who book through The Edit will also receive special benefits including daily breakfast for two and a $100 property credit, along with early check-in, late checkout and a room upgrade, when available.
Looking for inspiration? Eligible Chase cardmembers can explore hotel reviews and editor-curated guides at chasetravel.com.
For Informational/Educational Purposes: The views expressed in this article may differ from other employees and departments of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone, and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Chase is not responsible for, and does not provide or endorse third party products, services or other content. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions, and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. Participants may be compensated.