The Social Anthropologist

Paris

Recommended Hotels

Paris is an amazing city to find beautiful hotels on any budget. Just make sure you book the smaller boutique hotels well in advance of your trip as they have fewer rooms and therefore the popular ones have limited availability.

Mama Shelter - 109 Rue de Bagnolet Paris - A Philip Stark advocate for many years Mama Shelter appealed to me instantly for its minimalist and eclectic design. Although its location is not ideal this is a great affordable design hotel. www.mamashelter.com

Lumen Paris Louvre - 15 Rue des Pyramides, Paris The Lumen is a contemporary design, luxury boutique hotel that is very reasonably priced. Located in the heart of the Les Halles district, steps from the Louvre, everything is within walking distance from this beautiful hideaway. www.hotel-lumenparis.com

Hotel Amour - 8 Rue Navarin, Paris - Situated near Montmarte Hotel Amour historically was a whorehouse. How times have changed as it’s now a meticulously designed boutique hotel that given its namesake offers romantic rooms perfect for a weekend of passion. www.hoteamourparis.fr 

L’Hotel  13 Rue des Beaux Arts, Paris - A more traditionally Parisian designed boutique hotel from Jacques Garcia, L’Hotel is ideally situated in the St. Germain-des-Prés district. A stones throw away from all the galleries and cafes.www.l-hotel.com

Hotel Caron De Beaumarchais -12 Rue Vieille du Temple, Paris - Although it is not a cutting edge design hotel nor one of luxury this hotel caught my eye in St Germain and is worth a mention for those on a budget . The quaintness of its rooms, it’s typically parisian style and its amazing location make it a worthy place to stay. www.carondebeaumarchais.com/

Hotel D’Orsay -  93 Rue de Lille, Paris - Another budget hotel which is a charming option in the heart of the city is Hotel D’Orsay. Nestled inside an 18th century building opposite Musee D’Orsay this modest and classically styled hotel is a delightful inexpensive option that is ideally located. It is worthy to note that the Esprit de France group that owns the hotel has several other reasonably priced and equally as charming hotels centrally located in Paris. www.espritdefrance.com

Mandarin Hotel - 251 Rue Saint Honore, Paris - Paris’s newest addition to the luxury market is the uber cool Mandarin Oriental, an architectural feat of beauty and luxury. Hidden in the heart of Rue Saint - Honore ( the main shopping district) a lobby of gilt edged walls and butterflies greets you as you stumble off the busy street - www.mandarinoriental.com/paris/

George V - 31 Avenue George V, Paris - One of the most beautiful places to stay in Paris is the Four Seasons George V hotel. Located near the Arc De Triomphe the George V is breathtaking from the minute you step inside. From the marble lobby draped in tapestries to the ever changing flower arrangements it is a truly decadent experience. The rooms are reasonably large and styled in a traditional Parisian way. There is nothing better than sitting in the parlor room for breakfast, lunch or afternoon wines and desserts as you listen to the pianist fill the room with beautiful sounds.