For an unforgettable honeymoon in Paris, there’s nothing better than shacking up in a five-star hotel, ordering expensive room service and chilling out on your private terrace (with Eiffel Tower views). High end hotels here go beyond expectation: you want a $4,000 macaroon delivered on a gold platter? By all means! But the beauty of Paris is that many hotels with that je ne sais quoi, don’t cost an arm and a leg, and will still make the two of you feel like a king and queen (or at least a prince or a distant cousin to a nobleman). Let us tell you about these 5 awesome budget-friendly hotels.
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Mama Shelter
Mama Shelter Paris, Rue de Bagnolet, Paris, France
When Mama Shelter first opened in Paris in 2008, hotel-loving millennials freaked out the way Apple fan boys geek out whenever a new iPhone is announced. The boutique hotel from design legend Philippe Starck is luxurious, hip, cool and affordable. Mama Shelter Paris is a departure from the standard “budget” hotel you’re used to. The stylish rooms may be tiny by American standards, but they’re packed with iMacs, microwaves, murals, and other fancy stuff. The public spaces are sleek, the restaurant is helmed by celebrity chef Guy Savoy, and the hotel staff is so hip it hurts. The only drawback: Mama Shelter Paris is not in the center of town. It’s just on the outskirts in the 20th arrondissement, so you’d have to take the Metro to get anywhere (or borrow a bike if you don’t mind a long ride through the city). Rooms start at $160 a night, which is a steal, and you can get a room with a terrace for $380.
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Hotel Verneuil
Hotel Verneuil Paris, Rue de Verneuil, Paris, France
It’s hard to believe rooms at Hotel Verneuil start at $212 a night. This charming hotel in an historic 17 century building, is no-frills, but romantic. It’s within walking distance of most major attractions, and the rooms are stylish and even quite posh. If you don’t need a ton of space, it’s the perfect hotel (rooms average about 130 to 300 square feet), and the owners ensure it’s as high-end as it can be, with comfy beds, Nespresso coffee machines, 40” TV, and fast wifi. You can tell that the owners and staff put a lot of heart into making this hotel special. It’s not the Four Seasons, but if Four Seasons ever decided to a do a budget-friendly chain, it might feel like this.
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Bourgogne & Montana
Bourgogne & Montana, Rue de Bourgogne, Paris, France
Bourgogne & Montana proves honeymooners can have a “high-end” stay in Paris without emptying their bank accounts. This is the most refined, “budget” hotel in the city, with rooms available for staggeringly low rates (ranging from $190 to $305 a night). With a classic Louis XV design, it’s elegant, grand, and very Parisian. The hotel is next to the Place du Palais-Bourbon, Musée d’Orsay, and Boulevard St-Germain, so it’s convenient. It’s also intimate: there are only 32 rooms (all recently renovated), and they’re decked out with individual design, which usually include fireplaces, high ceilings, and historic flair.
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Generator Paris
Generator Hostels, Place du Colonel Fabien, Paris, France
Generator is a hostel chain, the first in the world to brand itself a “luxury hostel,” as far as we know. Before you freak out, let us assure you that it feels more like a boutique hotel. It’s also utterly hip. Sure, there are dorm-like bunks, but half the hotel is private rooms. Located in the neighborhood-y 10th arrondissement, Generator Paris has a hip rooftop bar, a gourmet restaurant, and even a nightclub! If you’re looking to save a buck but also want tons of privacy, book the private room with private terrace and en-suite bathroom. The private terraces are huge and come with their own hammocks. Best of all: they average $100 a night, which means you’ll have plenty of extra to spend on fancy stuff like Michelin-starred restaurants and that crocodile briefcase.
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Hilton Paris Opera
Hilton Paris Opera, Rue Saint-Lazare, Paris, France
You probably won’t believe us when we tell you Hilton Paris Opera, right in the heart of the Right Bank’s Opera district, has rooms that average $300 a night. This is a steal for a four-star hotel that went through a $50-million renovation in 2015, making it feel brand new. The biggest draw is the grand salon, with 46-foot high ceilings, hand-painted frescos, glittery chandeliers, and dramatic arches. The building opened the same years as Eiffel Tower (1889) so it’s one of the most historic hotels in the area.
