Where to Stay in Paris? It's a question that I get asked each week by readers and social followers asking 'where to stay in Paris' and more specifically, 'where do you stay in Paris' and 'what hotels do you recommend'. After answering numerous emails and helping loads of travellers with my personal Paris hotel recommendations, I thought it made sense to put my suggestions all in one place and share it with everyone. Honestly, I don't know why I haven't already done this!
The timing is perfect to share this blog post because I've just come back from a couple of pleasant Autumn days in Paris and stayed at my usual hotel, and I have a number of emails from readers waiting for my reply on 'where to stay in Paris'.
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Where to Stay in Paris
When planning a trip to Paris, hotel accommodation is probably at the top of the list to organise and research and that's understandable. A good, or as the opposite case may be, a bad hotel, can make or break your holiday experience.
When travelling for business, often the accommodation details are taken care of for you and the choice is not yours, but when the adventure is yours to plan, you want to get the hotel right. Accommodation is also a major cost of any holiday and so getting it right is important.
Paris' arrondissements each have their own vibe and hotels in each area of the city are similar. Classic Paris in the 1st and 2nd; foodie lovers' Marais 3rd and 4th; shopper's paradise in Haussmann's 9th and trendy Canal Saint-Martin in the 11th are just a few arrondissements in the City of Lights. Whenever travelling, staying as close as possible to what I want to see and do, is of top priority to me and the extra cost versus time travelled to get to museums, shops, monuments, natural wonders is totally warranted in my opinion. In saying that, I also don't want to blow my entire budget on accommodation - that would mean no gourmet dinners or shopping - and that would be no fun at all! So here's where to stay in Paris according to my recommendations.
Hôtel de Suède (Hôtel Sweden)
Hôtel de Suède Paris is my most stayed at hotel and it's a charming 3 star Parisian hotel in the 7th arrondissement. The 7th is elegant, full of grandeur and very safe for solo travel, even at night. Because there are numerous French government offices, including the official residence and garden of the French Prime Minister there is always a police presence.
Hôtel de Suède is actually next door to Hôtel Matignon (the French Prime Minister's residence) and many of the rooms have a view of the Matignon garden. Within easy walking distance there are three metro stations (Vaneau, Sèvres Babylone and Solférino) that will easily get you to major city landmarks.
Shopping at le Bon Marche, La Grande Epicerie and along rue Bac are a dream come true. Abundant cafe choices are just a step away and people watching and food is fabulous at Sip Babylone, Le Babylone and Brasserie des Ministères. I love this largely residential and peaceful neighbourhood. Walking home each evening after a busy day in the City, you will really feel like a local whether heading to your room for a sleep or ducking into Brasserie des Ministères (50 metres from the hotel) for a late night drink.
Address: 31 rue Vaneau, 75007, Paris
Website: https://www.hoteldesuede.com/
Hôtel de Suède salon
Hôtel de Suède breakfast room
Hôtel de Suède breakfast bar
Hôtel de Suède classic room
Hôtel de Suède remodelled room
Hôtel de Suède courtyard
Hôtel Saint Germain
Hôtel Saint Germain (4 star hotel) is the nicest and most loved of my three choices and is superbly located at 88 rue du Bac amongst ritzy boutiques, gourmand cafes, and some of the most specialised chocolate and patisserie brands in the world. You'll find Maison Boissier, one of Paris’s iconic chocolate shops Angelina with the most delicious sweet morsels, and Le Bac à Glace with ice-cream that tastes like heaven - all on rue du Bac.
Square des Missions Etrangères is also a hop and skip from Hôtel Saint Germain where you can put your feet up, find young children playing or observe elegant elderly shoppers resting. This lovely small park boasts the bust of François-René de Chateaubriand, a French author and diplomat who lived across the street at 120 rue du Bac. (The Chateaubriand family made the medieval castle of Combourg in Brittany their stronghold and François' family story is an interesting one.) Just down the street is also the quirky and original Deyrolle - well worth exploring!
Metro stations nearby are Rue du Bac and Sèvres Babylone.
For shorter stays in Paris, Hôtel Saint Germain is my first choice, but due to cost I tend not to book here for stays longer than four or five nights. Rooms are themed differently and have an intimate feel to them. As soon as you step across the hotel threshold, you'll be surrounded in warmth, friendly personnel and stylish decor.
Address: 88 rue du Bac, 75007, Paris
Website: https://www.hotel-saint-germain.fr/
Hôtel Saint Germain salon
Hôtel Saint Germain reception
Hôtel Saint Germain room
Hôtel Saint Germain courtyard
Hôtel de Saint-Germain des Pres
Hôtel de Saint-Germain des Pres is the closest of my three options to the celebrated Parisian brasseries Les Deux Magots and Le Café de Flore, Jardin Luxembourg and the recently restored Eglise Saint Germain des Pres. (Calendar of events at the Eglise Saint Germain des Pres here)
One time while staying in London on a business trip with my husband I decided to pop across to Paris for a few days while he continued working in London before meeting me in Paris. This late decision meant that many hotels were fully booked and as I wanted to stay in either the 6th or 7th arrondissements, we stumbled upon this 2 star hotel. In an excellent location, we took a gamble and I did enjoy my stay here. The metro stations that are in easy walking are Saint-Germain-des-Prés and Mabillon.
Rooms are simple, small but clean, and staff are very friendly. My husband did struggle with the small bed the night he joined me, but overall it was a pleasant stay. I chose not to have breakfast downstairs but rather find a patisserie along my morning walk route. If your budget is tight or you wish to spend more on dining out, life-experiences or shopping till you drop, this may be an option for you. I include it as an option to all my readers who've asked about hotels and I think it deserves a mention as a good budget option. Some rooms have little Juliette balconies which overlook the classic Haussmann architecture of rue du Four which is a sweet bonus. The breakfast room is in the basement which does the job but lacks a bit in ambience and I did not chose to eat there.
Address: 50 rue du Four, 75006, Paris
Hôtel de Saint-Germain des Pres reception
Hôtel de Saint-Germain des Pres breakfast room
Hôtel de Saint-Germain des Pres room with Juliette balcony
Wishing you a wonderful stay in Paris.
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