Golden Tulip Opera De Noailles is an upper-middle-range, 56-room venue set in the heart of Paris' bustling 2nd arrondissement. Numerous kooky and kitsch pieces of modern art produced by the group Cracking Art are scattered throughout the lobby, though hallways and rooms can feel a little flat in comparison. The property is a bit short on facilities, but a tiny sauna and gym are something, and the fireplace lounge is a charming touch. All in all, it’s a fun, quirky hotel with a sought-after central location and, often, high rates to match.

Hotel La Comtesse is an upscale boutique property located in the 7th Arrondissement set in a typical Parisian building that's within sight of the iconic Eiffel Tower. A head-to-toe renovation in 2016 transformed interiors to channel the spirit of an 18th-century literary salon with chic, contemporary design. But it's the views that steal the show, with the Eiffel Tower visible from each one of the 40 guest rooms. They also have flat-screen TVs, minibars, and electric kettles with free coffee and tea, and upgraded rooms add Bluetooth speakers and espresso machines. A cafe-cum-tea room serves an excellent breakfast, plus there's small wellness center in the basement with a sauna and modern gym equipment. Rates aren't cheap, but the package all feels suitably upmarket. Travelers looking for a more value-oriented option with Eiffel Tower views can compare prices with the Derby Eiffel Hotel just around the corner. 

The 36-room Standard Design Hotel is located in the lively Bastille district. This boutique property features creative, black and white decor in the common lounges, cozy breakfast room, and rooms. A different accent color sets rooms apart from one another, though they all have the same appealing carpets, bedspreads, and light fixtures. The design, convenient location, and free Wi-Fi make the hotel a good value, but don't expect much in the way of amenities -- there is no gym, spa, or on-site restaurant.

Maison Albar Hotel Paris Champs-Elysees is a striking upscale property in central Paris, right by the iconic Arc de Triomphe. Bold statement decor is found throughout, including the 40 rooms with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and Nespresso machines. As is common with Paris hotels, rooms are on the small side. A lounge bar offers a stylish place to relax, as well as eat breakfast and light bites, plus there are many dining options nearby. A tiny gym is the only leisure facility, unfortunately. Travelers are a one-minute walk from the Charles de Gaulle metro station for direct transport to the Eiffel Tower and financial district. Travelers looking for larger, more classically styled rooms may prefer the nearby Hotel Raphael.

The upscale Hidden Hotel -- as its name suggests -- is tucked away on a quaint side street within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe. This intimate hotel has 35 rooms, and incorporates handmade craftsmanship and natural materials that give it a contemporary, Zen-like vibe. Rooms feel effortlessly chic, with organic linens, canopied beds, and slate accents, but they’re tight on space and bathrooms lack privacy. The property serves two breakfast buffets -- one hot, one cold -- although travelers should note that neither is typically included in nightly room rates. And apart from breakfast service, there's little in the way of features on the premises: no full-service restaurant, spa, or fitness center. Travelers looking for these amenities may prefer Le Meridien Etoile, though it’s slightly pricier and farther from tourist attractions. 

Part budget hotel and part hostel, the Smart Place Paris offers a youthful vibe and exceptional prices for a property in Paris' 10th Arrondissement, a four-minute walk from the Gare du Nord and within a 20-minute walk of Montmartre. Rooms are fairly clean, but small and built for function, ranging from private doubles to 10-person dorms with bunk beds and en-suite bathrooms. The industrial-style lobby includes a small bar, a kitchen available for guest use, long wood tables, books, games, and a foosball table. Smart Place has free Wi-Fi, but doesn't offer breakfast. Travelers may want to compare rates with the nearby Hotel Altona, which has nicer rooms.

The boutique Hotel R de Paris offers an upscale Right Bank location between the Opera, Pigalle, and Montmartre districts. The 41 chic rooms feature plush beds, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, but some rooms are small (though not by Parisian standards). The hotel serves a generous breakfast buffet (for a fee), and has a steam room and sauna. The R de Paris is a good choice for travelers who want a stylish but not overly lavish and expensive hotel in a central location. Guests may also want to consider nearby Secret de Paris, which has stylish, artsy rooms at a similar price point.

The two-pearl Au Royal Mad is a backpacker base for travelers needing only a place to sleep that’s near the center of Paris. In the 11th Arrondissement near the Place de la Bastille, the hotel is a short metro journey from most of Paris’ main attractions. Inside, there’s no decor or character, and it has the charm of a college dorm. The 39 basic rooms are all private singles, twins, or doubles, and have amenities like a fridge and microwave, but many share a bathroom and there's no air-conditioning. Noise and cleanliness are common complaints here, and though breakfast is offered for a fee, most eat elsewhere. It's true that rates are low, but Smart Place Paris has more style and a better location at sometimes similar prices.

The grandeur of the Hotel Normandy’s historic 19th-century building fits perfectly with its surroundings; it is ideally located steps from the Louvre in the 1st arrondissement, the site of some of Haussmann’s most magnificent Parisian architecture. Unfortunately the hotel has seen better days, and many have noted that, despite the large rooms and palatial interior architecture, the hotel features visually antiquated decor and peeling paint. There may also be mechanical quirks related to the hotel’s age; some visitors have noted that outdated electrical wiring may make fans -- supplied in place of air-conditioning in some rooms -- an impossibility at night. The hotel claims to be undergoing renovation; some of these circumstances may change.

Ignore the "Holiday Inn" part -- this hotel, set in a beautiful Belle Epoque palace, is surprisingly chic and stylish. Interiors reject the homogenized chain aesthetic for a sleek look that incorporates the building's historic details. A major renovation to the hotel's 128 spacious rooms and suites wrapped up in 2018, leaving them fresh and contemporary. All have minibars, HDTVs, double-glazed windows, and modern marble bathrooms. A daily breakfast buffet is served in a grand space shared by the hotel's lobby bar, and several hotel meeting rooms total 4,500 square feet. Minutes from the Gare de Lyon train terminal, the hotel is super-convenient for getting into, out of, and around Paris -- though the immediate area can feel a little dingy. Rates are particularly competitive, especially for Paris. The nearby and similarly-priced Hotel Palym is a boutique option across from the station, but without Holiday Inn's bar or business facilities.