When it comes to budget hotels in Europe, Paris is in a class of its own. Although it has a reputation as a city possessed by glamor and glitz (with prices to match), Paris still offers a range of budget hotel options that make it surprisingly reasonable to visit.
In our guide to Paris hotels, we've reviewed about 100 inexpensive hotels in the center of the city. Not all of these are charming or interesting, of course. Some are simply cheap sleeps. However, it's the hotels with a dash of personality that are the most fun to write about.
I recently flipped through our hotel listings in Paris looking for places that have a little something special going on. Not surprisingly, many of these are also among the most popular hotels on the site.
Without further ado, I present 10 hotels that are both affordable and interesting in Paris' city center.
Hotel Eldorado
Doubles: €58-85
There's a bohemian air about the Eldorado, a fun-and-funky one-star hotel with an interesting location in the artsy and diverse Batignolles neighborhood near Montmartre. Rooms mix antiques, flea-market finds, and original artwork in a way that's colorful and anything but standard.
Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc
Doubles: €81-119
Nestled into a slightly-less touristed part of the eastern Marais, the two-star Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc gives off a "French country house" vibe with enough interesting touches to keep it both quaint and quirky. The location, just around the corner from the Place du Marché St. Catharine, is fittingly adorable.
Hotel Esmeralda
Doubles: €95-110
First off, there's the Esmeralda's location, directly across the Seine from Notre Dame, with windows opening to the cathedral. But then there's everything else: The Esmeralda's funky rooms, the 17th-century building, the "dollhouse" interior, the friendly (and slightly amused) management, etc. Put it all together and you have one very popular hotel.
Hotel Cluny Sorbonne
Doubles: €70-98
If you dream of staying in the Latin Quarter of starving poets, artist garrets and Claire Fontaine notebooks, the family-run Cluny Sorbonne could easily fit the bill. While rooms are modestly furnished (and priced), you'll be sleeping in the studious heart of the Quarter, with several rooms looking across the street into the University of Paris. Romantic bonus: The 19th-century poet Rimbaud composed verses in his room here.
Hotel Tiquetonne
Doubles €65
At the risk of singing its praises too loudly or frequently, I'll once again recommend the Hotel Tiquetonne for its rock-bottom rates, convenient location near (but not too near) Les Halles, and air of nostalgia. Perhaps its the creaky staircase, the candy-colored reception, or the sassy repartee with the staff. Something about the Tiquetonne is just magical.
Hotel Stella
Doubles: €70
The Stella is a creaky old one-star hotel with a four-star location, just steps from the Place de l'Odeon and the Luxembourg Gardens in the Latin Quarter. Everything about the place is old fashioned, including the furniture, wood-beamed ceilings and room rates.
Hotel de Nesle
Doubles: €75-100
Care for some historically-minded murals with your budget bed? The Hotel de Nesle certainly doesn't lack for character, as great figures and moments in French history grace the walls of each (otherwise simply furnished) bedroom. The Nesle boasts a convenient, if initially confusing, St-Germain des Pres location.
Hotel de Nice
Doubles: €110-160
One of my other first choices when staying in Paris (along with the Tiquetonne), the three-star Hotel de Nice's guestrooms are decorated with a humorous flamboyance that's fitting for the neighborhood. The hotel's picture-book location (across the street from the Hotel de Ville, with rooms overlooking a cafe-lined square) makes it exceptionally convenient.
Hotel du 7e Art
Doubles: €100-160
It's all about moviemaking at the Hotel du 7e Art, a funny little two-star hotel in the Marais. Film stars from Rita Hayworth to Judy Garland (and the rest of the cast of "The Wizard of Oz") decorate the otherwise standard guest rooms and hallways at the 7e Art, which should at least leave film lovers rested... and entertained.
Hotel du Nord
Doubles: €81-85
Situated on a surprisingly quiet street behind Place de la Republique, the one-star Hotel du Nord's ivy-covered and flower-boxed exterior charms from the street. However, it's the playful, artistic flair in the lobby that really won us over (not to mention Pluto, the gregarious owner's dog). Smallish rooms are stylishly decorated and furnished with a TV and equipped with Wi-Fi, and the hotel lends bikes to guests for free.
Want to read more?
These 10 hotels just represent the tip of the cheapo iceberg, of course. Read reviews of many more affordable hotels in our Paris guide.
Note: A longer version of this article was originally published on EuroCheapo's blog.
