The 18-room Hotel Caron is a three-pearl boutique property in Paris' trendy Marais, one of the city's best central neighborhoods. It's surrounded by restaurants, shops, galleries, and nightlife, and a number of major Paris attractions are within walking distance. Contemporary rooms are small, but stylish and clean, and feature air-conditioning, free minibar items, and loaner DVDs. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and breakfast is served for a fee, but other amenities are pretty thin. The Hostellerie du Marais, which also has a small lounge, is nearby and worth considering, though rooms at Hotel Caron are a bit more fresh.

Small, but cozy, common areas and 31 rooms make up this boutique property. The location of the hotel is ideal for tourists; It is located opposite the Pantheon, where a number of French historical figures are buried, and a short walk from two of the Latin Quarter and the Luxembourg Gardens. Rooms feature classic, upscale decor; picture floral wallpaper, gilded furniture, and cozy beds. Bathrooms are tiny. Breakfast, the only meal served, gets mixed reviews. The hotel largely attracts couples who are willing to forgo numerous on-site amenities in favor of a great location and a romantic vibe.

Hotel Residence Foch is a boutique hotel set in the swanky and relatively quiet surrounds of the 16th arrondissement in northwestern Paris. The location isn't ideal for exploring the capital, though a few sights, such as the Arc de Triomphe, are within walking distance. Interiors are pleasantly finished -- decor is a contemporary homage to 18th-century France -- and the property as a whole has a certain Parisian charm. Rates seem to fluctuate more than at most venues, but prices can often be competitive, as long as you don't mind being away from the center of things.****

Hotel des Grands Boulevards is gorgeous boutique hotel on the Right Bank, in a commercial area full of bars and brasseries. Housed in a French Revolution-era building slightly set back from the Boulevard Poissonniere, the 50-room hotel stands out for its sleek design that subtly nods to the court of Marie Antoinette. Rooms feel like chicly pared-down boudoirs, with handmade beds with satin sheets, bathrobes/slippers, and excellent minibars. Pastel bathrooms come with a variety of upscale beauty products (think Sachajuan shampoo and Malin+Goetz lotion). The glass-roofed restaurant opens for every meal and specializes in elegant French/Italian cuisine, and The Shell cocktail bar is open nightly until the wee hours. The nearby Hoxton, Paris is another super-chic design hotel with a buzzier scene and comparable rates.

The Hotel Pax Opera is a two-and-a-half-pearl property that offers affordable and attractive accommodations in central Paris. While its 9th Arrondissement location is convenient and close to the metro, most of the city's top sights are more than a 15-minute walk away. Common spaces have traditional decor, but its 48 guest rooms are more modern and stylish, with AC, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi -- plus all feature abstract paintings done by the hotel's owner. There's a 24-hour bar and lounge with a public computer, and an ample continental breakfast served for a fee in an attractive dining room. Travelers looking to stay in this area who want more upscale rooms with minibars and free breakfast might consider the nearby Opera Cadet Hotel. 

The 208-room, mid-range Campanile Paris 19 – La Villette offers simple guest units with bright, minimalist design features. The Campanile brand is known for its reasonable, no-frills approach, and all rooms have air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. One of the city’s main parks and Europe’s largest science museum are nearby, but the immediate area can be a little dodgy and major Paris landmarks take at least 30 minutes to reach by metro. Guests looking for a more vibrant, central neighborhood should try Best Western St. Martin Bastille, though rooms will be slightly more expensive.

Le Royal Monceau is a seriously luxe hotel a stone's throw from the Arc de Troimphe. A Philippe Starck renovation -- finished in 2010 -- brought a heady mix of art and design, which extends to every corner of each of the 149 rooms, to this already high-class hotel. Facilities also go above and beyond most five-star standards, from Michelin-star dining to a guitar in every room, to bespoke art collections and a digital 3D theater on-site. Unsurprisingly, rates are eye-wateringly expensive -- probably the highest in Paris -- so this resort is only to be considered by those with very deep pockets.

The budget-friendly Hotel Tiquetonne has 45 simple, homey rooms at shockingly low prices. A few blocks north of Les Halles on a pedestrian street filled with hip restaurants and boutiques, it's off the Rue Montorgueil, known for its street market. The Tiquetonne is within walking distance of three metro stations, although Etienne Marcel is the closest. The Centre Georges Pompidou and the Marais are within a 10- to 15-minute walk, as is Notre Dame Cathedral. Rooms are no-frills simple but are bright and clean. Some rooms share bathrooms (guests can use a clean, shared hallway shower for a fee), and none have TVs, but the place is comfy, and has free Wi-Fi.

Location is a huge plus for the upscale Hotel Le 123 Elyees - Astotel -- it's only two blocks from Champs Elysees in the heart of Paris. The hotel is surrounded by fine dining and upscale shops in every direction, and a metro station is only a two-minute walk away. Its 41 rooms are clean and comfortably sized, with excellent amenities that include free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges stocked with free water and soft drinks, safes, coffeemakers, and robes/slippers. There's a bar and an extensive breakfast buffet, but no other meals are served on-site. However, free snacks and soft drinks are offered in the afternoon. Rates are competitive for its central location and category, but there are plenty of similarly priced four-pearl properties nearby, such as the boutique Hotel Mathis Elysees Matignon. 

Le Village is a budget-friendly property located in the heart of Montmartre, blocks from the metro and the Sacré Coeur. It offers all the basics of a backpackers hostel -- including both private rooms and dorms with bunk beds, competitive prices, and a lively bar open late. There are a few nice perks, as well, including free breakfast, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a small terrace with Sacré Coeur views. It is a decent pick for young travelers on a budget, but cleanliness seems to be a problem sometimes, and the only lockers available are in the lobby.