The two-and-a-half-pearl Le Trente is a clean and contemporary hotel in the hip Batignolles neighborhood near cafes, restaurants, and trendy shops, and a five-minute walk from the metro. The hotel is a solid option for those who don’t mind staying a bit far (about 25 minutes by public transportation) from the main Paris sights. Property features are limited to a lobby library, outdoor courtyard patio, and well-reviewed continental breakfast buffet (for a fee). The 31 guest rooms are in good condition, though some are a bit small. Room amenities are extensive, with flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi in all rooms. As an alternative, the nearby Art Hotel Batignolles has lower rates and pleasant rooms. 

Les 3 Chambres is a gorgeous, upper-middle-range bed-and-breakfast in Paris's 9th Arrondissement. The miniature three-room property, housed in a 19th century building, has designer decor and a curated mix of details that oozes charm. Rooms are decked out with ultra-luxe furnishings, Nespresso machines, and iPod docks. High-end Aesop toiletries are stocked in the sleek bathrooms, but narrow stall showers are a down point. An excellent breakfast spread is served daily, and guests say the host is helpful and welcoming, although strict rules such as no food in rooms may be a deterrent for some. Another similar property to consider could be the Hotel Sacha by HappyCulture, which has similar decor and a slightly lower rate, but neither property is ideal for families with small children or business travelers requiring more flexibility and amenities. 

Eiffel Rive Gauche is a hidden gem along a quiet street near the Eiffel Tower. This three-pearl property has a chic interior, and like many boutique hotels in the city, offers only a few amenities such as a breakfast buffet, a free evening reception with wine, and a public computer. The 29 homey rooms don’t offer a lot of space (or air-conditioning), but they do include flat-screen TVs, and some have views of the Eiffel Tower. Still, it may be worth checking the prices at the nearby Hotel du Cadran, which has rooms with air-conditioning, spacious bathrooms, and minibars. 

The upscale, 47-room Grand Hotel Saint-Michel has a prime Latin Quarter address next to the Sorbonne. Rooms are stylish and plush, but compact, and feature flat-screen TVs and contemporary bathrooms. There's plenty to see within walking distance, including the Luxembourg Gardens, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Pantheon. Although there's no on-site restaurant, the hotel does serve a varied buffet breakfast (for a fee) as well as a free afternoon tea. There’s a gym with an attached steam room and a small meeting room with sophisticated decor. Guests looking to stay in Le Marais, across the Seine, should consider the Hotel du Petit Moulin, with rooms designed by Christian Lacroix.

Situated in the outlying 20th Arrondissement, east of central Paris, Hotel de L'Union is an unapologetic budget hotel that promises affordable nightly rates and convenient metro access. Its contemporary-style accommodations are simple but serviceable, and some have kitchenettes that add another layer of practicality. Nevertheless, potential guests should carefully weigh the pros and cons before checking in. On the one hand, rooms here include amenities like mini-fridges, coffee/tea-making supplies, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi; on the other, they lack air-conditioning and, in some cases, private bathrooms. As for the property itself, there is no elevator, and the dearth of common areas leaves guests with few places to gather. If you’d prefer a hotel with the same pearl rating that offers more features in a more tourist-friendly location, consider the Campanile Paris 11 – Bastille instead. 

The Hotel Madeleine Plaza is an upper-middle-range property on the Right Bank in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, one of the city's main business districts. Rooms on the upper floors of this 49-room property have balconies with broad views of the Madeleine Church and the Eiffel Tower. Tourists who want to be close to important attractions yet also stay in a neighborhood where Parisians actually work will like this hotel. An inviting breakfast room and snug bar off the lobby and a peaceful courtyard add to the Madeleine's appeal. With their Toile de Jouy fabrics, the rooms read more auberge than contemporary hotel, though all have flat-screen TVs and minibars. For a sleeker, more modern design in the same neighborhood, travelers might like Mercure Opera Garnier.  

The upscale Plaza Tour Eiffel is a boutique property with designer touches that sits at the crossroads of two quiet streets in Paris' 16th arrondissement. While the surroundings are mostly residential, the Museum of Modern Art and the Eiffel Tower are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Rooms, which have large windows, are smart and stylish but somewhat small -- suites have partial Eiffel Tower views. For a chic and friendly hotel with a fitness center and designer flair, the Plaza Tour Eiffel is a solid pick, but travelers might want to compare rates with the nearby Radisson Blu Le Metropolitan, which has a pool and a spa.

In 1911 Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, and hid with the painting in the building that is now Hotel Da Vinci & Spa. This compelling piece of history is highlighted by 24 Leonardo da Vinci-inspired guest rooms, all of which feature wall murals of the painter’s greatest works. The four-pearl property is well-located in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, a neighborhood filled with high-end boutiques and famous cafes, and it features a cool subterranean spa with a small pool — a rarity for Paris. There's no full-service restaurant or fitness center, but a substantial breakfast buffet is offered every morning for an additional fee. Guest rooms are nicely equipped with amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, bathrobes, and free Wi-Fi. While they aren't small by Paris standards, travelers looking to sprawl out might prefer Hotel Relais Saint-Germain, though it’s often pricier.