13 Best Boutique Hotels in Paris, From Design-Forward Stays to Petit Palaces

Whenever someone asks me where they should stay when visiting the City of Light, I point them to my list of the best boutique hotels in Paris. I humbly share that list with you now. After 15 visits to the French capital over the years (with my 16th coming up this Thanksgiving, an annual tradition I recommend), I’m still happy to be there no matter where I check in, be it a ready-for-move-in Airbnb in the 18th arrondissement or the Shangri-la Paris, a Palace-designated hotel along the Seine with views of the Eiffel Tower (the #2 best hotel in Paris, according to our Readers’ Choice Awards).

But there’s something a little extra special about a boutique hotel, which I define as an independently run property (or part of a locally founded hotel collection) with around 100 rooms or less—no big-box brands in this roundup. At these hotels, you’ll find suites dripping with character, opulent textures and prints, and historical details that tell the story of one of the world’s most legendary cities. A drink at the hotel bar will give you ample opportunity to soak in the scene, guaranteed to present a lively mélange of locals and visitors. At these Parisian boltholes, attention and respectful intimacy are the calling card; by the time you check out, the staff will know you by name, and vice versa. You’ll feel like you’re part of the fabric of Paris in no time. Without further ado, here is my list of the best boutique hotels in Paris.