The right hotel is the cornerstone of a good trip. The best boutique hotels in Paris combine unique interior design details with tailored, authentic service, providing a luxury experience that feels more intimate and unique than some of the standard haunts. Our picks of the best boutique hotels in Paris take into account architecture and interior design, location (both well-known hotspots and neighbourhood hideaways that provide a more authentic experience of Paris), hotel amenities, room—and bed!—comfort, and service.
With the Summer 2024 Olympic Games fast approaching, now is the time to sort out your accommodation. While the City of Light is in no shortage of beautiful museums and galleries to visit, luxury fashion houses to peruse, and restaurants to try, you still want a charming room to rest your weary bones as the day closes. Replete with creature comforts and alluring design details, Albert Review editors have put together a curated list of our favourite boutique hotels in Paris.
1. Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs, Saint Germain
Harkening back to the Golden Age of travel when true luxury lay in the journey itself, a stay at the Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs feels more like visiting your glamorous aunt than checking into a hotel. Service is relaxed, friendly, and helpful, with staff well-equipped to dole out recommendations without being overbearing. Designed by Fabrizio Casiraghi, the Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs takes on a nostalgic, artistic tone, with custom made furniture and a curated art collection making for an idiosyncratic experience. Rooms and suites are laden with old-school charm (but complemented by modern comforts); simple in their design, they feature starry carpets and minimalist plaster cornices and bas-reliefs, while bathrooms are small but colourful. Overall, the feeling is like coming back to your own apartment at the end of the day. That’s not to say there isn’t ample opportunity for socialisation though — the buzzy downstairs area sees the reception, bar, and restaurant hosted in a single space, making for excellent people watching round the clock. With enough privacy to conduct an intimate rendezvous—head down to the secret bar, Poppy, located under the main bar for live music and cocktail-fuelled conversation—Hôtel des Grands Voyageurs manages to cultivate an atmosphere that attracts travellers worth chatting to.
Price: from $380AUD/night
Address: 92 Rue de Vaugirard, Paris, France
2. La Fantaisie, Faubourg Montmartre
Located in the 9th arrondissement, the whimsical and fanciful design of La Fantaisie lives up to its name. Conceived by Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki, stepping into this boutique hotel in Paris is akin to joining Alice in Wonderland, with a restrained yet elegant material palette teamed with soft colours, floral and patterned wallpaper, and statement design details making for an exciting visual experience at every turn. A visit to the Golden Poppy restaurant, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn, is a must, while those looking to destress and decompress will find solace at the underground spa. Despite being located amidst the bustle of the trendy Faubourg Montmartre neighbourhood, La Fantaisie is replete with lush green spaces and quiet spots to unwind.
Price: from $600AUD/night
Address: 24 Rue Cadet, Paris, France
Related: Paris Destination Guide: Where To Eat, Drink, Stay & Shop In The French Capital
3. Maison Proust, Le Marais
Themed hotels can be touch and go, but Maison Proust keeps you wanting more. We’ll take seven volumes, thanks. While it’s dedicated to the literary giant from whom it gets its name, Maison Proust doesn’t solely cater to esthetes and the literati; it’s designed for lovers of beauty, art, history, design, and culture. Spread over a restored six-storey townhouse on a quiet street in Le Marais, guests are transported into the vibrant artistry of the Belle Époque era. Each level of the townhouse is dedicated to the world of Marcel Proust, whether it’s in the form of nods to the celebrities he knew or bespoke lampshades featuring passages from The Remembrance of Things Past. Maison Proust houses two elegant salons which are designed to invite intrigue and facilitate conversation, with the second salon housing a stunning rotunda-shaped bookcase topped by a gold-leaf sunshine artwork on the ceiling. Rooms and suites are dedicated to Proustian muses and friends, each space uniquely decorated with paintings, fabrics, and colours that align with the spirit of the people after whom they are named. To get the full picture, you’ll simply have to stay in each of the 23 suites.
Price: from $1650AUD/night
Address: 26 Rue de Picardie, Paris, France
4. Maison Souquet, Montmartre
For those who are hedonists at heart, may we recommend a stay at Maison Souquet? A former brothel—or ‘pleasure house’—turned hotel, Maison Souquet is only sanitised in writing, with the location retaining all its early 20th century glamour. Dark, moody maximalism reigns supreme here, with plush velvet upholstery, wooden bookcases replete with leather-bound tomes, wood panelled walls, candlelight, and the heady scents of jasmine and tuberose setting the stage for discreet encounters. Rooms and suites pay homage to the building’s exotic past, with paintings of the unclad female form and intricate gilded details celebrating the pursuit of pleasure. Interior design inspiration is drawn from various sources, with rooms looking to Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Art Deco, and 18th century styles.
Price: from $900AUD/night
Address: 10 Rue de Bruxelles, Paris, France
5. Maison Delano Paris, Madeleine Quarter
While many hotels deliver luxury at top volume, Maison Delano Paris does so with a whisper. Set within a neoclassical 18th century mansion in the 8th arrondissement of Paris (just a few steps from the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré — every luxury fashion lover’s paradise), Maison Delano Paris spans 56 rooms and suites. Its discreet nature extends to its amenities; rather than a public spa, in-room massages can be arranged, while the 24/7 gym is tucked away in the basement. Rooms and suites make the most of the historical detail of the mansion in which they sit, with ornate mouldings and intricate frescos accented by soothing tones, luxurious materials, and tactile textures — think boucle furniture, veined marble mantelpieces, and grained wood furniture. Due to its comparatively small size, public spaces are limited yet impactful, with the La Chambre Bleue restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Dani García serving up French-Andalusian cuisine in the mansion’s central courtyard, while the Delano Bar makes for a stylish space for hotel guests and Parisian locals alike to enjoy a nightcap.
Price: from $1000AUD/night
Address: 4 Rue d’Anjou, Paris, France
6. Hôtel Madame Rêve, 1st arrondissement
Nestled in the heart of the prestigious 1st arrondissement is the Hôtel Madame Rêve; one of the best boutique hotels in Paris (and a go-to for Albert Review editors). A short stroll away from the Louvre Museum and the Bourse de Commerce, the Hôtel Madame Rêve is located within the Louvre Post Office and offers stunning views of the city, with external rooms featuring sloped windows that look upwards out onto the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre while internal rooms face the garden and feature balconies. Rooms and suites are pared-back yet replete with thoughtful design details. Executed in understated fabrics and tonal woods, they use their panoramic views as the centrepiece and craft a warm, luxurious environment around it. Although it’s located in the centre of one of the most-visited areas in Paris, the Hôtel Madame Rêve manages to craft a relaxing environment, devoid of the noise of the world around it. There are two restaurants—one Japanese-inspired and the other French contemporary—however it’s the rooftop bar (aptly named ‘Roof’) that’s a must-visit, thanks to its vegetal surroundings and expansive views of the city.
Price: from $830AUD/night
Address: 48 Rue du Louvre, Paris, France
7. Le Pavillon de la Reine, Marais
Holding court on one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, the Le Pavillon de la Reine is befitting of its prestigious location. Its resplendent vine-trailed facade matches the energy of the splendour within, with the 17th century build playing host to 56 lavishly decorated rooms and suites, each taking on a unique tone. There’s a Michelin-starred Restaurant Anne serves classic French dishes overseen by chef Mathieu Pacaud, while the intimate library lounge offers the ideal setting in which to unwind with a cocktail.
Price: from $2300AUD/night
Address: 28 Pl. des Vosges, Paris, France
8. L’Hôtel Paris, St Germain-des-Prés
For true lovers of beauty, L’Hôtel Paris is a natural choice. The former home of OG aesthete Oscar Wilde, L’Hôtel Paris has played host to the likes of Salvador Dali, Grace Kelly, and Richard Burton. The intimate auberge spans 20 rooms and suites, each featuring Baroque style interiors designed by Jacques Garcia. Located in the art and culture mecca of St Germain-des-Prés, L’Hôtel Paris is perfectly positioned to explore the galleries on Rue des Beaux Artes and is walking distance from the iconic Café Deux Magots.
Price: from $720AUD/night
Address: 13 Rue des Beaux Arts, Paris, France
9. Le Narcisse Blanc, 7th arrondissement
Le Narcisse Blanc nails the key principles that make a good boutique hotel: individually tailored service, warm yet unpretentious hospitality, an intimate mood, and singular aesthetics. Swathed in delicate hues of champagne and pale pink, Le Narcisse Blanc is a haven for lovers of soft, romantic design. Located in the 7th arrondissement, a part of Paris long associated with romance, it’s an apt stylistic choice. Channelling 18th century Parisian sophistication, rooms and suites are classically styled with luxurious materials, gilded gold details, and warm neutral tones. The restaurant, helmed by chef Bruno Aubin, serves fresh, seasonal fare in an intimate setting, while the verdant courtyard makes for a quiet location to retreat to with a book after a day spent exploring the nearby Musée d’Orsay.
Price: from $1640AUD/night
Address: 19 Bd de la Tour-Maubourg, Paris, France
10. Hotel Monte Cristo, 5th arrondissement
As the name suggests, the Hotel Monte Cristo is inspired by the international adventures of the titular character in Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Each of the 50 rooms and suites in the hotel are an ode to the art of exploration, resembling the cabin of a ship and laden with bold colours and interesting decor such as bespoke fabrics, tapestries, and paintings. There’s a curiosity cabinet in the lobby that was established by the entomologist Jean-Baptiste Deyrolle and his son Achille in 1831 and plays host to an array of entomological and taxidermied specimens. In the way of more typical hotel offerings, there’s an indoor pool and sauna, as well as a restaurant and bar — the latter with a dedicated rum selection. Its prime location in the 5th arrondissement means that the Hotel Monte Cristo is just a few steps from some of the city’s most famous attractions, including the Louvre, Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, and Luxembourg Gardens.
Price: $480AUD/night
Address: 20-22 Rue Pascal, Paris, France
11. Soho House Paris, Pigalle
Holding court within a 19th century building in Pigalle—the former home of French artist and poet Jean Cocteau, no less—Soho House Paris is spread over five storeys and boasts an impressive collection of French art, as well as a verdant tinder garden, gym with two movement studios, rooftop plunge pool, and restaurant serving French-Italian fusion cuisine. These facilities are available to Soho House members as well as hotel guests, with rooms bookable by members and non-members alike. The 36 rooms and suites in Soho House Paris boast Art Deco and 1940s-inspired interiors which celebrate the beautiful (and beautifully restored) bones of the heritage building. Ranging from Tiny Attic to Boudoir Plus, there’s a room for every style of traveller. Larger rooms are fitted with freestanding baths and play host to some of the most stunning cornices and mouldings in the city.
Price: from $690AUD/night
Address: 45 Rue la Bruyère, Paris, France
Words by John Deckard
