Where to Stay in Paris

Chroniqueuse said it best when he wrote, "I have often wondered at fashion’s strange freaks. Just at the time when Paris is most beautiful, most green, most inviting, fashion’s votaries are off to some disagreeable sunny watering place, making themselves as uncomfortable as possible in small dark rooms in that most unpleasant of all places, a French hotel." That's why, when friends come to Paris, I recommend renting an apartment, or staying in a converted storefront like Paris Boutik. Visitors experience French culture and life in a way they couldn't at a hotel, like walking up seven flights of stairs carrying luggage, dodging the gardien, and trying to boil water on a hot plate in a cramped kitchen. It's not for everyone. I read once that since French people look like Americans, we tend to judge them according to our standards, expecting their homes and customs to be exactly like ours when they couldn't be more alien. Hotels and hostels entice with the promise of comfortable similitude. I think Hotel Grand Amour is the only place to stay in Paris, but there are other cool places like Tinah, Off Paris (the first floating hotel on the Seine), Mama Shelter, and Le Cinq Codet. Here are a few more at various price points.

Henriette Rive Gauche

http://www.hotelhenriette.com/

Rooms start at 69€ in this design hotel opened by a veteran fashion journalist on Rue des Gobelins. Vintage furnishings and recycled materials are the main attraction and they also offer an extensive city guide, organized by neighborhood. Single rooms available.

C.O.Q Hotel

http://www.coq-hotel-paris.com/en/the-hotel

C.O.Q. stands for Community of Quality, with the nicest staff in this colorful, beautiful 13ème design hotel. Inspired by the framework of membership clubs, hotel guests have access to an exclusive city guide.

Hotel Providence Paris

http://www.hotelprovidenceparis.com/

If Indochine were a hotel, the 18 room Hotel Providence would be it. Situated in one of my favorite neighborhoods near Strasbourg Saint-Denis, French fashion magazines shoot editorials and Parisians staycation here. The bath products are even designed by Buly's Ramdane Touhani.

Hotel Grand Amour

http://www.hotelamourparis.fr/
So I always stay here now because of the vegan meals, and I love the drinks and the people, and the rooms are so beautiful, with the deepest bath tubs ever. It's a very convenient location off line 7 and near Gare du Nord too. Forty-two rooms feature art by the likes of Keith Haring, Dash Snow, Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin; an aquarium, library, apartment and restaurant are all housed in this  beautiful Pre-Haussmann building. Ask for one of the light pink rooms- they are my favorite.

Generator Hostel

http://generatorhostels.com/en/destinations/paris/#

An old office block transformed into an atmospheric design hostel fitted with original Paris Métro tiles. The rooms have private terraces and the rooftop bar has one of the best views of Paris. I just love this neighborhood too.

Le Grand Pigalle

http://www.grandpigalle.com/
Or Le Pigalle.

 

Chess Hotel

http://www.thechesshotel.com/

Alfresco murals and green walls dot the Carrara marble-ensconced Chess Hotel, just a few steps from l'Usine and Opéra. The bar and terrace are popular and they offer single or double rooms.

Hotel Edgar

http://www.edgarparis.com/

This restaurant is really popular although the type of people there annoy me sometimes. Hotel Edgar features thirteen individually designed chambers and a pretty terrace. Rooms from 170€ (low season rate).

Kube Hotel

http://www.kubehotel-paris.com/

Actual French people staycation at this Cristina Cordula and Top Chef endorsed-hotel. I love Goutte d'Or; they call this the "mini Parisian North Pole," with suspended beds and a 20-ton ice bar. 41 chambres, single and double, from 169€.

Hotel El Dorado

http://eldoradohotel.fr/

This is one of Paris' best terraces, often hashtagged #insolite on Instagram. Rooms are as little as 50€ and Rue des Dames' is such a nice street - the bistrot is also famous.

Three Ducks

http://www.3ducks.fr/

The bar and rooms at this completely redone, conveniently located hostel are freshly painted and scrubbed, and patrons always look like they're having fun. I don't have many good things to say about the 15ème, but the neighborhood is not the least bit touristy, despite close proximity to the Eiffel Tower and Beaugrenelle.

The Loft

http://theloft-paris.com/

Paris' first five star boutique hostel offers twin and double rooms or dormitory rooms with private bathrooms and is located in Belleville, one of my favorite neighborhoods. 

*Mama Shelter offers single rooms without a supplement. Enfin, I also recommend Les Bains, Hotel Saint Paul Rive Gauche, eco-friendly Solar or Hidden Hotel, or La Réserve Paris, which has the most beautiful bar (and gluten-free brunch).