The 12 best hotels in the Marais, Paris

Looking like a set in Sofia Coppola’s ‘Marie Antoinette’, stepping into this five-star spot is like entering a pastel-hued dreamland. Think rooms full of stylish antiques, tapestry-hung walls, ornate murals and richly-tiled bathrooms with marble vanity sinks and brass taps. The restaurant is just as impressive with Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit cooking up Middle Eastern-style dishes in richly-decorated surroundings. Or sit in one of the duck-egg blue bar stools at the bar and sip on hand-crafted cocktails. Don’t miss a visit to the hotel’s basement pool, which is a haven of calm, swim lengths in the candy-striped tiled baths looking up at the ceiling painted with an ornate floral mural.

Mood? A pastel-hued dreamland.
Budget range? Spenny. 

Looking a little bit like a life-size gingerbread house, Maison Saintonge offers guests a quaint inner-city retreat, that feels more like a country cottage stay than central Paris - seriously, you'd never guess you were 'round the corner from Pompidou and Gare du Nord. Expect a lot of gingham, floral prints, beautiful chinaware, and cosy rooms topped off with complimentary toiletries.

Mood? Cottage core.
Budget range? Pretty decent for such a cute abode in central Paris.

Situated right by Place de la Republique, Hôtel Jacques De Molay is not only close to touristy attractions (the Pompidou and Canal Saint-Martin are within walking distance) it offers great amenities too. Get a thorough workout in their onsite gym, followed by a stint in the sauna and a beverage in the bar. There's also free wifi throughout the hotel, so you can get online from the comfort of your air-conditioned room or over the continental breakfast that's served daily.

Mood? Eclectic design.
Budget range? Very affordable. 

Guests and Parisians mingle in this peaceful, quiet corner where discretion is key. Completely hidden from the street, it can only be reached by entering through the reception then into the secret garden courtyard. The gallery-like main entrance corridor plays host to work from some of the most beautiful photography galleries in Paris. Another jewel-like touch – one of the hotel managers Geoffroy will take you on a 90-minute tour of the city in his Citroen DS (€190 for one to three people). The perfect trip to awaken your senses – and see Paris through the eyes of a local.

Mood? Central comfort.
Budget range? Mid-range.

Using innovative architecture and committing to respecting the environment, Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers in Le Marais offers its guests the experience of a timeless art of living. The hotel's 64 rooms are dressed in raw materials like cut stone, terrazzo, steel, and wood by expert craftsmen to give you the perfect place to recharge your batteries and embody uniqueness. Stylish and modern, the rooms are equipped with a mini-bar and coffee machine (the staples) and a sumptuous bed to sleep in. Depending on the room, there may be a balcony and either street or courtyard view. Guests have access to the gym and beauty workshop for some attention to their well-being.

Mood? Earthy delight.
Budget range? A wide range of options. 

Also known by its full name, the Hôtel de Joséphine Bonaparte, this 4th arrondissement hotel is a lovely blend of the old-school flair its namesake would approve of and modern quirks (a liberal splattering of leopard print being one of them). Stay here if you’re the kind of person who gets a sincere jolt of pleasure at even the briefest whiff of a Ladurée macaron – this is a fairytale version of Paris made for dreamers. All the normal attractions of Le Marais are within strolling distance but don’t forget to also make time for a longer walk to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens for the type of perfectly pruned greenery only found in France.

Mood? Bespoke interiors.
Budget range? Pricey.

Within striking distance of the hip shops around rue Charlot, this turn-of-the-century façade masks what was once the oldest boulangerie in Paris, lovingly restored as a boutique hotel by Nadia Murano and Denis Nourry. The couple recruited Christian Lacroix for the decor, and the result is a riot of colour, trompe l'oeil effects and a savvy mix of old and new. Each of its 17 exquisitely appointed rooms is unique, and the walls in rooms 202, 204 and 205 feature drawings and scribbles taken from Lacroix's sketchbook.

Mood? Parisian style at its finest. 
Budget range? Well priced.

This attractive boutique hotel does precisely what an urban boutique hotel is meant to: combine the beauty and convenience of a hotel with the unique and friendly feel of a home. It’s located in an historic building and contains only 24 rooms, all of which are kitted out to feel cosy and snug, with a nice pop of colour to top it off. We love the stone cellar where breakfast is served each day. There’s also a nice library area with an all-hours honesty bar which makes a sweet addition to the place.

Mood? Memorable design. 
Budget range? A fantastic deal. 

Located on one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, the Pavillon de la Reine seems like it's always been there. Staying the night at this luxury hotel is a real treat, like a slice of paradise in the middle of Paris’s beating heart. And one of the biggest reasons for that is in the name: this hotel also includes a smallish-but-perfectly-formed spa. Along with two treatment rooms, it also has a hammam in which to soak away the aches of a day walking around the city exploring. Treat yourself to a full body scrub as part of the spa’s signature package or experience feeling years younger after a specialist drainage massage.

Mood? Boujie spa vibes.
Budget range? Spenny.

If you always feel a little uncomfortable in really posh hotels (or your travelling with, for example, older teenagers, the Hotel Georgette might be right up your street. The rooms and shared spaces here are very nicely done but also totally unpretentious, colourful and fun (some have very quirky décor choices indeed). There’s also fun to be had in the Café Georgette which revolves around a sense of good food, good friends and good conversation.

Mood? Perfectly quirky.
Budget range? So worth it.

Built in 1910 during the Belle Epoque period, this hotel is ideally located in central Paris, with easy access to the city’s tourist attractions. It offers elegantly decorated guest rooms. Paris France Hotel is located just a three-minute walk from the Marais Theatre and 260 metres from République Metro Station. Private parking is possible nearby.

Mood? Cheap and cheerful.
Budget range? A steal. 

Hôtel Dupond-Smith is located in the Marais area in central Paris. It offers individually decorated rooms with design features. Notre Dame Cathedral is a ten-minute walk from Hotel Dupond-Smith and the Pompidou Centre a is two-minute walk away. Charles de Gaulle Airport is 25km from the hotel.

Mood? Parisian chic.
Budget range? On the pricier side.