The best boutique hotels in Paris

Monsieur Aristide feels less like a hotel and more like a storybook come to life – a love letter to Montmartre’s bohemian spirit wrapped in Belle Époque charm. Tucked into a cobbled street at the foot of the Butte, this 19th-century townhouse channels the mood of cabarets and cafés once beloved by artists and dreamers. The heart of the hotel, Café Aristide, is both bistrot and bar, where mahogany panelling, floral banquettes and a vintage jukebox set the stage for cocktails, live music or spontaneous cabaret.

There’s only 25 rooms here, which are equal parts nostalgic and chic, all equipped with retro furnishings and upcycled details. Rooms are stylish but relaxed, mixing vintage mirrors, flea-market ceramics and wooden textures with modern comforts. Around half overlook the leafy garden, and the duplex suite feels like a refined Paris apartment. Bathrooms are stocked with Grown Alchemist products with reworked transistor radios.  Downstairs, the bistrot draws both guests and locals for seasonal Mediterranean dishes, cheese plates and fresh tarts. Breakfast is a simple Parisian affair of warm baguettes, pastries and organic eggs, enjoyed on the terrace or in the garden. In colder months, Le Chalet d’Aristide brings Alpine cosiness to the terrace, with raclette and Savoie wines served under twinkling lights. Service is part theatre, part friendship – whether from Louis-Marie’s effortless charm or Antoine’s moonlighting turns as cabaret singer, the welcome feels as warm as the décor.

This eccentric bolthole thrives on atmosphere rather than formality. Guests drift between live music nights, lazy garden afternoons or quiet mornings flipping through art books in their rooms. The vibe is playful, inclusive and utterly Montmartre – equally welcoming to couples, families and kindred spirits. Step outside and you’re surrounded by the quartier’s creative energy: Sacré-Cœur, Musée de Montmartre and winding streets lined with cafés, from old cabarets to Emily in Paris faves. Hôtel Monsieur Aristide captures the village-like heart of Montmartre – bohemian, a touch mischievous and completely unforgettable.

Time Out tip: Do not under any circumstances miss our absolute favourite feature of this hotel – a tucked-away terrace behind the bar which feels like your very own secret garden. 

Address: Hotel Monsieur Aristide, 3 rue Aristide Bruant, 75018 Paris, France

Price per night: Classic rooms from €180 per night, Superior rooms from €230, and Junior Suites/Duplex from €400

Closest transport: Metro Blanche 

Le Pavillon de la Reine reigns quietly over the elegant Place des Vosges. Hidden behind ivy-covered façades and calm courtyards, this seventeenth-century mansion feels more like a cute country retreat than a hotel in the centre of Paris. The vibe is low-key luxury and polished discretion, with welcoming staff and cosy marble fireplaces, gilt mirrors and velvet lounges inside. Tucked away and leafy, this is the kind of place that draws loyal regulars (and under-the-radar celebs), rather than the flashy Instagram crowd. 

Bedrooms vary from cosily romantic to grand and light-filled, with antiques, Jacquard wallpaper and marble bathrooms. Some look out onto the Japanese garden or quiet Marais streets, others over the inner courtyard. Suites echo private Parisian apartments, complete with coffee machines and complimentary minibars, and the palatial Suite de la Reine features double-aspect windows, chandeliers and original parquet floors. Décor ranges from richly traditional to restrained contemporary, but all rooms share a sense of deep comfort. Breakfast is indulgent and the Michelin-starred restaurant Anne – named for Queen Anne of Austria – serves up refined, seasonal dishes. 

Service is effortlessly gracious, from the discreet check-in to the polished concierges and ever-attentive maître d’. Guests can retreat to the moody salons, honesty bar or leafy terrace, or unwind in the spa, which includes a jacuzzi, hammam and Codage-stocked treatments. Step outside and you’re surrounded by some of Paris’s finest heritage: the mansions of Place des Vosges, the Picasso and Carnavalet museums, and the narrow streets of designer boutiques and bars. Le Pavillon de la Reine is that rarest of things – a storied Paris address that feels private, romantic and entirely unhurried. 

Time Out tip: The hotel offers complimentary parking and bicycles for exploring the Marais. 

Address: Le Pavillon de la Reine, 28 place des Vosges, 75003 Paris

Price per night: Classic rooms from €350 per night, deluxe rooms from €600; and Junior Suites from €1000. 

Closest transport: Metro Chemin Vert, St Paul or Bastille

Maison Delano Paris brings a little touch of Miami glamour to the elegant (but polished) eighth arrondissement. Set in an eighteenth-century mansion on Rue d’Anjou, just off Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the hotel sits steps from Paris’s fashion houses and the Élysée Palace. Behind its dignified façade, a calm, monochrome world unfolds: 56 rooms arranged around a tranquil courtyard, with black-and-white interiors and gauzy drapes nod to the Delano’s signature style. It’s boutiquey and chilled-out, with attentive service and a location that makes it an ideal base for exploring Paris’s most exclusive streets and landmarks.

Rooms blend period elements – parquet floors, marble fireplaces and tall windows – with sleek, contemporary design. My Prestige room was light, spacious and impeccably finished, featuring an indulgent bed, a champagne-stocked minibar and a high-tech Japanese toilet. Bathrooms are generous and marble-clad, though some guests might wish for a bath over a vast shower. Suites, ranging up to 190 square metres, add chandeliers and painted ceilings for a touch of royal drama. Breakfast is served indoors at the hotel’s Delano Café or (better), out in its lovely courtyard. 

Service is polished and personal, with staff happy to handle everything from taxis to table bookings, and housekeeping that keeps things spotless. Extras are limited to an all-hours gym and in-room massages, but the focus here is comfort, not amenities. Outside, the streets gleam with couture boutiques, and landmarks like Place de la Concorde, the Madeleine and the Louvre are all close by. Maison Delano is best suited to travellers seeking understated luxury in a grand location. 

Time Out tip: We loved pretty much everything about this hotel – apart from its restaurant. And you’re in Paris, so you may as well book somewhere nice to eat nearby instead. 

Address: 4 Rue d'Anjou, 75008 Paris

Price per night: Prices start around €700 per night

Closest transport: Madeleine or Concorde metro stations

Madame Rêve has been getting all the hype over the last few years, and once we visited, we could see why. It wasn’t always so stylish. In its previous incarnation, the building was a 24-hour post office, but apart from the odd subtle nod – mail art hung on the walls, postage stamp rugs in each room – you’d never really know, as this boutique hotel is chic and smart without being pretentious. Expect warm wood, marble, and artful details throughout. Highlights include a vast rooftop terrace with jaw-dropping views of the Eiffel Tower and Sacré Cœur, sleek rooms with panoramic windows, and a moody ground-floor bar.

Now, the ground floor is dominated by a high-ceilinged bar with tall black columns, marble tables and chairs arranged side-by-side so that you can watch what everyone else in the room is up to whilst chatting to your neighbour. For a different kind of view, head to the roof. Here, you’ll find one of the city’s biggest terraces and a pulsating bar with a small number of cocktails and an eclectic food menu. But you’re really up there for the Paris skyline – seriously, the views are incredible, with pretty much every famous landmark in the city on display, from the Eiffel Tower to the Sacré Cœur.

Back inside, the hotel’s rooms are bright and well-proportioned, with panoramic sloping windows showcasing more of those unbeatable skyline views. Simple bathrooms are speckled with mosaic tiles, and the beds are enormous and soft. There are desks that’ll actually make you want to sit down and do some work, and leather sofas for reading a magazine or book. It’s all incredibly tasteful and chic. If you’ve got the budget, the penthouse is one of the great Parisian spaces. If that’s not enough, the wellness centre is on hand to provide yet another layer of serenity during your stay.

Time Out tip: Up your sightseeing game by taking one of Madame Rêve’s electric bikes out for a spin. It’s not cheating – it’s just more fun to see the city this way.

Address: 48 Rue du Louvre, 75001 Paris

Price: From €560 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Louvre - Etienne Marcel bus stop

While we're on the topic of hedonism, we may as well indulge a while longer by putting a spotlight on the infamous Maison Souquett. This hotel’s past is certainly colourful. This former brothel is hidden away from the world and keeps the Belle Epoque Pigalle of yesteryear alive – at least in spirit. Through the discreet frontage, don’t be fooled by Jacques Garcia’s Belle Epoque meets orientalist decor. It’s got a serious Arabian Nights vibe: 1895 Cordoba leather on the walls, Moorish earthenware, porcelain, copper and bric-a-brac furniture – all of it is magnificent. It is Paris, but not the Paris you imagine.

The twenty rooms and six suites are upwards of €400 but certainly define the meaning of ‘chic’. Each one is named after a different courtesan and embraces various global themes (Japanese, Indian, Chinese), while also staying true to the hotel’s design aesthetic. Guests can choose between vibrant red for Carmen, verdant sweeps for Marguerite, confident yellow and blacks for La Païva, peacocks for Rita, and many more. It’s easy to see why clientele flock here for an authentic taste of Paris, rather than the picture-perfect postcards. Expect to leave completely enchanted.

Once you’ve acquainted yourself with its risqué history, you can plunge into the other dazzling commodities: a bar serving delicious cocktails and the spa, complete with a swimming pool you can rent by the hour. The breakfast menu covers buffet and a la carte options, before share plates take over as the day goes by. The spa? Delightful, all deep blues and utter serenity. The hotel describes it as its “best-kept secret,” but everyone is very aware of its charms. Don’t even bother trying to resist during your stay at Maison Souquet, because resistance is futile. Let your hair down, let yourself go, and who knows what might happen.

Time Out tip: The hotel website goes into detail about the cultural inspiration for each room, so do a little extra research before making your booking

Address: 10 Rue de Bruxelles, 75009 Paris

Price: From €410 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Blanche subway station

There are plenty of excellent hotels in Paris, but finding one that’s also affordable? Not so simple. Enter Touriste, a small group of attractive boutiques dotted across the city whose owners work with up-and-coming designers to create distinctive hotels, each with a completely different vibe. And they’re clearly having a whale of a time doing it. Nowhere demonstrates this better than Hotel Les Deux Gares, a ridiculously fun place straight out of Wes Anderson’s playbook that pops with colour and character at every turn. The quirky look and feel come from English designer Luke Edward Hall, and he didn’t hold back when given this assignment. Each room features a different combination of dizzying wallpaper, bold furniture and checkerboard bathrooms in the kind of colours that fell out of fashion decades ago – think avocado, lemon yellow and burgundy. It shouldn’t work, but it really, really does.

There’s definitely a lived-in feel here, and it’s fair to say that space is a bit limited – the corridors are so narrow you’ll get your suitcase wedged, and rooms are a bit of a squeeze – but you can’t really argue when a single comes in at just under £150. Besides, there are a few surprisingly luxurious touches, including roll-top baths in the bigger rooms and Diptyque products in the bathrooms.

The best thing about Hotel Les Deux Gares? The location. Sure, you might look out of your window onto a sea of railway tracks, but that’s the small price you pay for being able to roll out of bed and be in the queue for the Eurostar in under 10 minutes, or stepping onto a train heading somewhere else on the continent before you’ve had time to finish your morning espresso. There’s no better spot for travellers who hate the stress of travel – and let’s be honest, isn’t that all of us?

Time Out tip: Don’t forget to make use of the sauna, which is tucked away in the basement – an excellent way to unwind after a day out in the city.

Address: 2 Rue des Deux Gares, 75010 Paris

Price: €160 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Gare de l’Est train station

La Maison Favart might be as close as you’ll get to heaven on earth. Nestled in the confines of the 2nd arrondissement, on the discreet rue Marivaux, the hotel has been neighbours with the Opéra-Comique since 1824. Another gorgeous boutique hotel secreted away on the edge of a city square, Le Maison Favart is one of the prettiest – and wittiest – hotels around. It pays homage to the frills and spills of 18th-century fashions, while giving a knowing wink to the present day. Expect to wake up feeling like a decadent yesteryear aristocrat (with, ahem, your head still firmly attached) while also planning a full-on day out and about in contemporary Paris.

A lot of the rooms have an unapologetically feminine touch, with bold blooms of pink, red, and cream. It’s deliberately almost ‘too much’ but the interiors consistently demonstrate just the right amount of reserve to never verge fully into kitsch. Yes, it might all seem frivolous, but also sophisticated, as demonstrated by the gorgeously girly brunch area. Sweet, buoyant and airy-light (and that’s just the pastries).

Aside from the deluxe brioche and the endlessly photographable rooms, the other reason to stay here is the hidden spa. Down in the stone vaults of the city, the hotel’s spa includes a relaxation bath, a sauna and a self-programmable massage bed. There’s also a fitness suite, although you are on holiday, so don’t make yourself work up too much of a sweat. The hotel’s excellent location will entice you to spend plenty of time exploring the city, but make sure you also return to it at least once in time to taste the complimentary afternoon tea or treat yourself to a late-night tipple from the honesty bar.

Time Out tip: Our advice? Put your phone in aeroplane mode and glide off into the clouds.

Address: 5 Rue de Marivaux, 75002 Paris

Price: From €320 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Quatre Septembre metro station

At Secret De Paris, there's no need to peel back your curtains to get a glimpse of the city. Each guestroom is individually designed to pay tribute to Paris' most iconic monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, and Trocadéro. Some even feature a Jacuzzi, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring the busy boulevards. The only trouble is, you won't want to leave, although with the whole “Jacuzzi in a Parisian hotel room” deal, who could blame you?

Between Place de Clichy and Gare Saint-Lazare, in the Saint-Georges area, l'Hôtel Design Secret de Paris will take your breath away. There are 29 rooms (21 with a private jacuzzi) with decor that offers a surreal six-stop tour of the city. Prepare to plunge into Palais Chaillot at Trocadéro, an artist’s Montmartre workshop, an indispensable visit to the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, the musée d'Orsay or even a racy night at the Moulin Rouge. You can indulge in the city’s finest monuments, with your head still on the pillow. The rooms are fashionable, sizable, and comfortable, but it is the commitment to Parisian icons that really seals the deal.

Of course, don’t let that stop you from discovering Paris for real. The Hôtel Design Secret de Paris has everything you need to unwind after a hardcore day pounding the pavements of Paris – relax in the wellness area, complete with massages, a sauna and a hammam. If you’ve worked up a sweat on the streets of the City of Lights, the spa here is the perfect place to bring yourself back to harmony. For a different type of relaxation, choose from the hotel bar’s cocktail list and drink until dawn before leaving this surreal slice of Paris.

Time Out tip: We can’t stress it enough; make a point of requesting one of the jacuzzi rooms

Address: 2 Rue de Parme, 75009 Paris

Price: From €240 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Liège subway station

Tucked below Montmartre and a three-minute walk from Pigalle metro station, Grand Pigalle Experimental is one of a number of hotels, restaurants and bars operated by the Experimental group in Paris. The lobby is small but stylish – we’re rarely compelled to comment on how a hotel displays the room keys, but behind the reception desk, the neat rows of keys hanging from their elegant tasselled leather keychains are undoubtedly a nice touch.

Unsurprisingly (given the proportions of the classic Haussmannian apartment block this hotel calls home), rooms are comparatively small but comfortable, with thoughtful details (such as a plug adapter for international guests). The designer did take a risk with a leopard print carpet, however. The borderline trashy choice would be very out of place in a swankier arrondissement, but it works here. While not actually small in terms of square footage, the dramatically sloping eaves mean much of the floorspace is unusable, but being right up under the roof has its perks: from this vantage point, guests can enjoy impressive views of the Sacré-Cœur and the neighbourhood’s beautiful architecture.

The real standout of a stay is Frenchie Pigalle, the hotel’s restaurant. Here, chef Gregory Marchand cooks up his ‘sexy-trash’ dishes, a descriptor that belies the serious skill and refinement on display here. Dishes are best shared, and the small plates include the unctuous and fresh ceviche and the witty trompe-l'œil ’crème brûlée’. Larger plates (like the monkfish in bouillabaisse) are comforting and hearty, and finishing things off with a tasty (and very generous) dessert is a must. Breakfast is equally as delicious and at €23 for a hot drink, fresh juice, bread with butter and jam, a pastry, yoghurt, granola, fresh fruit, and a hot dish such as pancakes or avocado toast, it’s exceptional value for money, too.

Time Out tip: Fancy a night out? Head to La Machine du Moulin Rouge, one of the best clubs in the city, right next to the iconic Moulin Rouge.

Address: 29 Rue Victor Massé, 75009 Paris

Price: From €190 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Pigalle metro station

This hotel has more than earned its title. Having been l'hôtel d'Allemagne and then l'hôtel d'Alsace, it became l’Hôtel in the sixties – pure and simple. A magnificent building built at the same time as Rue des Beaux-Arts, it stands on the exact spot where Queen Margot once lived. Completely renovated and redecorated by Jacques Garcia in 1967, the hotel has a lot to be proud of – not least its history and its famous guests.

It was here, on 13 rue des Beaux-Arts, that Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau once frolicked, where Serge Gainsbourg composed “Melody Nelson” and played "Je t'aime moi non plus" for the first time and where Jim Morrison bought the drugs that killed him. But what l’Hotel is really famous for is Oscar Wilde, who lived here for two years before he died. In a mythical 35m2 room, complete with green peacock wallpaper (his favourite animal) and packed with trinkets. Nestled on the first floor, the Oscar Wilde suite opens onto a private terrace where guests can enjoy their breakfast in peace and quiet. Several floors up, rooms fall into the ‘chic’ category, such as the chambre that once belonged to saucy French singer Mistinguett, which still retains its art deco mirror bed.

With twenty rooms, four on each floor, a restaurant (which has kept its Michelin star since 2006) and cosy bar, l'Hôtel is thought to be one of the smallest five-star stays in Paris. The bar is the perfect place to surrender the evening - preferably sunken in one of their padded olive-green chairs. It’s very Left Bank, far from the palatial palaces in the same area. Instead, its focus is on intimacy, discretion and calm: old-fashioned glamour at its best.

Time Out tip: Nestled under the arches, the small pool can be rented out privately to guests by the hour

Address: 13 Rue des Beaux Arts, 75006 Paris

Price: From €480 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Jacob bus stop

This hotel gets its name from notorious 19th-century it-girl and literary salon host Juliette Récamier—a homage located in the Saint-Germain, with each floor inspired by Juliette's life. A classic Saint-Germain-des-Prés building which backs onto a classic Parisian street on one side, and a more contemporary view on the garden side. La Belle Juliette offers two faces but one story, of Juliette Récamier. A nineteenth-century heroine who hosted a literary salon and was able to counter most of the intellectuals and politicians of her time. Known to be one of the most influential women of the Napoleonic era, she contributed to François-René de Chateaubriand's 'Les Mémoires d’outre-tombe’.

Each floor of the 45-room hotel has a decorative theme corresponding to a period in Juliette’s life: exile, Italy, her relationship with Chateaubriand, her time in the salons, her friendships, and her suitors. Each room features a vibrant colour palette and a blend of modern and antique furnishings. All the unknown beauty is sure to amaze. The rooms are decked out in a contemporary Scandinavian style, contrasted with period pieces. There are more spectacular rooms in Paris, but there is a sophisticated class here that cannot be denied. Opulent fabrics and technology blend subtly—for example, there’s an iMac in every room.

The spa is tinged with poetry and romance too – it’s a proper boudoir escape, inviting you to relax in its tranquil atmosphere, plus there’s even the chance to privately rent the space too. It’s more than just a discreet address, it’s a journey into this exceptional woman’s life – all the while with the feeling there's a spirit watching over you. It might even be Belle Juliette, although there’s a good chance she’ll be haunting the stylish bar, where patrons enjoy cocktails and snacks throughout the day and night.

Time Out tip: Views come with street or garden views, and we tend to lean towards the latter

Address: 92 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris

Price: From €310 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Vaneau subway station

Everything about this hotel feels so quintessentially Parisian. From its Hausmanian facade to its balconies, impressive staircase and high ceilings, no one does it quite like the French when it comes to refinement. Rooms are brightly furnished with soft pastels, linens and antiques to offer you the height of comfort. Somehow, it remains discreet. Across from the Conseil d’Etat on rue de Valois, the GHPR barely draws attention from the outside. But once you’re inside, it’s all classic facades, large Disney princess-style staircases and high ceilings. However, that’s a mere mise en bouche by famed decorator Pierre-Yves Rochon.

This is also the place to drink in the view of the city’s most beautiful monuments; from the Sacré-Coeur to the Eiffel Tower, via the Tour Montparnasse and the Haussmannian roofs. If the ludicrous view from the Panoramic Suite wasn’t enough, you’ll also get a private elevator. Although not all rooms get this picture-perfect vista, you’ll undoubtedly get a view of the area around Palais Royal or the secret courtyard. Linen, wood, marble and period furniture make everything the height of comfort.

The hotel restaurant, Lulli, and its chef, Clément Le Norcy, cook up a feast with modern ingredients executed with mastery. Art is also an essential element for this spot; each floor hosts a different artist: Robert Delaunay, Braque, Matisse, Miro, Picasso and Modigliani all have a place of choice with reproductions of some of their major works. On the ground floor are busts of Diderot, Rousseau and Voltaire, all created by the students of the Louvre’s sculpture school. With more contemporary notes, is the monumental replica of a Louis Vuitton trunk that sits at the bottom of the main staircase. A veritable haven of peace.

Time Out tip: Take a few moments (several times) to soak in the atmosphere at the foot of that spectacular staircase. Welcome to Paris.

Address: 4 Rue de Valois, 75001 Paris

Price: From €530 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre

If Leonardo Da Vinci were to have a Parisian hotel, it would undoubtedly be near the Seine and a hop, skip and a jump from the Louvre. So it’s no surprise that Hotel Da Vinci is on the famous rue des Saints-Pères, close to Saint-Germain and a few metres from Ile de la Cité. This cramped yet charming twenty-four-room hotel goes all guns blazing to celebrate the master of the Renaissance. Nods to Leonardo are everywhere, from the entrance to the rooms – room 204, for example, includes the indigo found in ‘Madonna of the carnation’ and the angelic sweetness of ‘The Virgin on the Rocks’.

Exposed beams and antique lamps in each fragrant room give the place an atmosphere of the Paris of yesteryear. Understandable when you consider that the hotel has been around for over a century. A small sign in the lift says that in 1911, a certain Vincenzo Perrugia hid in room 603 after stealing 'The Mona Lisa'. And so, the Hôtel Rive Gauche became the Da Vinci. It feels like you have gone back in time – if it wasn’t for the digital, modern comforts. You can never have enough of those, after all, and Hotel Da Vinci doesn’t sacrifice modernity in its quest to honour the great artist.

Add to that the honesty bar and small patio, plus the highlight: a large relaxation bath in the basement with water jets, hot tea and fresh fruit at the reception. Sixty minutes of pure bliss guaranteed. Muse over some of Da Vinci's most famous works, like the 'Madonna of the Carnation', the 'Mona Lisa' and the rearing horse sketch, all while enjoying a remarkable stay in the 6th Arrondissement. Each of these elegantly made-up guestrooms invites you to peer into the genius of the artist, in some cases, transporting you altogether.

Time Out tip: Do a little research into the life of Leonardo before visiting, and you’ll wring every drop of magic from your stay

Address: 25 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75006 Paris

Price: From €320 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: Jacob bus stop

Hidden between the Golden Triangle and Place de l'Etoile, Hotel Vernet has maintained its splendour and elegance for as long as anyone in the city can remember. The entrance and elevator are a vision of wood and glass, surrounded by stunning stained glass windows. The corridor to the rooms is bright with light carpets and graphic-style furniture – this is tasteful luxury at its best. The apartments are very zen, with Carrara marble basins, glass mosaics and brass fittings. There are 50 rooms and suites available in the hotel, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.

In the evening, rendezvous under the sublime stained glass dome designed by Gustave Eiffel at the V, the hotel’s restaurant (helmed by chef Baldassare Mazzara), dedicated to enlivening the senses. The open kitchen allows a window onto the skilled chefs working their magic. Expect classic French gastronomy with a touch of innovation to wow your taste buds. Then comes the marble-decked, sumptuous bar, which has a gallery feel, best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. A ceiling fresco by artist Jean-Michel Alberola adds a touch of madness to this otherwise haute-gamme, elegant spot, although that will depend on your definition of madness. Whatever your opinion, the creativity and energy are difficult to deny.

Luxury, calm and pleasure: this is Hotel Vernet’s credo. It’s close enough to the hustle and bustle of the Champs-Élysées, yet a world away. Since there isn't really a word in English that describes Hotel Vernet's boisterous yet elegant style, we've just gone with 'cool'. Adored for over a century, it possesses a truly unbeatable location and is positively dripping in sophistication, with style and substance in abundance throughout. Don’t forget to look up, as the domed roof really is a triumph of geometric wizardry that demands you sneak a quick pic during brunch.

Time Out tip: A range of tailored services is available, from family offers to a private chauffeur and special treats for pets

Address: 25 Rue Vernet, 75008 Paris

Price: From €580 per night based on two people sharing

Closest transport: George V subway station