The best hotels in the Marais

To be labelled one of ‘Paris’s sexiest hotels’ is a tall order in a city that specialises in, well, sexy hotels. But Sinner absolutely lives up to the hype. Unlike many of the district’s classiest establishments which concentrate on decedent heritage styles, Sinner provides a welcome blast of contemporary chic. The yesteryear allusions are here purely for playful reasons – including some risqué references to the church – and help create the sense that anything and everything is ripe for reinvention in the name of having fun. Needless to say, this is the perfect location for a couple’s break (or if you plan on becoming a couple during your stay…). Book in alone and you might start to find the romantic vibes a little trying.

Situated right by Place de la Republique, Hôtel Jacques De Molay is not only close to touristy attractions (the Pompidou and Canal Saint-Martin are within walking distance) it offers great amenities too. Get a thorough workout in their onsite gym, followed by a stint in the sauna and a beverage in the bar. There's also free wifi throughout the hotel, so you can get online from the comfort of your air-conditioned room or over the continental breakfast that's served daily.

Guests and Parisians mingle in this peaceful, quiet corner where discretion is key. Completely hidden from the street, it can only be reached by entering through the reception then into the secret garden courtyard. The gallery-like main entrance corridor plays host to work from some of the most beautiful photography galleries in Paris. Another jewel-like touch – one of the hotel managers Geoffroy will take you on a 90-minute tour of the city in his Citroen DS (€190 for one to three people). The perfect trip to awaken your senses – and see Paris through the eyes of a local.

Using innovative architecture and committing to respecting the environment, Hôtel National Des Arts et Métiers in Le Marais offers its guests the experience of a timeless art of living. The hotel's 64 rooms are dressed in raw materials like cut stone, terrazzo, steel, and wood by expert craftsmen to give you the perfect place to recharge your batteries and embody uniqueness. Stylish and modern, the rooms are equipped with a mini-bar and coffee machine (the staples) and a sumptuous bed to sleep in. Depending on the room, there may be a balcony and either street or courtyard view. Guests have access to the gym and beauty workshop for some attention to their well-being. 

Also known by its full name, the Hôtel de Joséphine Bonaparte, this 4^th arrondissement hotel is a lovely blend of the old-school flair its namesake would approve of and modern quirks (a liberal splattering of leopard print being one of them). Stay here if you’re the kind of person who gets a sincere jolt of pleasure at even the briefest whiff of a Ladurée macaron – this is a fairytale version of Paris made for dreamers. All the normal attractions of Le Marais are within strolling distance but don’t forget to also make time for a longer walk to the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens for the type of perfectly pruned greenery only found in France.

If you're fond of spending an afternoon gazing at artwork, Villa Beaumarchais is a good spot to settle. This four-star hotel is surrounded by galleries and museums: Michel Rein, Galerie Liberal-Bruant, Each x Other and the Carnavalet to name a few. In the hotel itself, you'll find a small fitness room, glass-roofed restaurant and bar. All the rooms come with AC, regal decor and free wifi. Bike hire is also available from reception.

Once upon a time, this heart-of-the-Marais address was where the aristocracy went to bathe. It then became the place to be seen for Belle Epoque creative types before, in the 1980s, transforming itself into a nightclub where Mick Jagger and co. were regularly spotted. Fast forward to our own times and this boutique hotel is now a hive of references to its multi-purpose past and a ridiculously glamourous place to make your Parisian home. The location is top-notch – the galleries, cafes and other attractions of the area are all right on the doorstep – but if you can’t be bothered to venture out, there’s always the onsite swimming pool or subterranean nightclub.

Within striking distance of the hip shops around rue Charlot, this turn-of-the-century façade masks what was once the oldest boulangerie in Paris, lovingly restored as a boutique hotel by Nadia Murano and Denis Nourry. The couple recruited Christian Lacroix for the decor, and the result is a riot of colour, trompe l'oeil effects and a savvy mix of old and new. Each of its 17 exquisitely appointed rooms is unique, and the walls in rooms 202, 204 and 205 feature drawings and scribbles taken from Lacroix's sketchbook.

Les Tournelles is a hotel located in the heart of the Marais area in Paris. It is just a two-minute walk from Place des Vosges and features a 24-hour front desk. Saint Paul Metro Station is 400 metres away. Opéra Bastille is 700 metres from Les Tournelles, while Pompidou Centre is 900 metres away. The nearest airport is Paris – Orly Airport, 14km from Les Tournelles.

Located on one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, the Pavillon de la Reine seems like it's always been there. Staying the night at this luxury hotel is a real treat, like a slice of paradise in the middle of Paris’s beating heart. Expect to feel at ease as soon as you walk in; with an entry situated between two art galleries and a cosy private terrace, the building gives off an alluring charm. This is the idea stay for travelers in search of discretion and luxury in the Marais and with irresistible charm. It would also be an incredible gift fo

Located in the centre of Paris in the fashionable Marais district, Hôtel Georgette offers contemporary rooms, a 24-hour reception and a concierge service. Centre Georges Pompidou is just 350 metres away. Rambuteau Metro Station is a three-minute walk away and offers direct access to Place de la République and Hôtel de Ville.

Forget the dark-and-sexy aesthetic of many Le Marais hotels and instead immerse yourself in something a bit more frou-frou. This boutique hotel takes its lead from the style leaders of 18^th century Paris, coupled with the irrepressible charm of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. The whole place has a feel more in keeping with an eccentric home than a centrally-located hotel, as demonstrated by each unique bedroom. Another highlight? They serve breakfast all the way through to midday, which is our kind of decadence.

Built in 1910 during the Belle Epoque period, this hotel is ideally located in central Paris, with easy access to the city’s tourist attractions. It offers elegantly decorated guest rooms. Paris France Hotel is located just a three-minute walk from the Marais Theatre and 260 metres from République Metro Station. Private parking is possible nearby.

Hôtel Dupond-Smith is located in the Marais area in central Paris. It offers individually decorated rooms with design features. Notre Dame Cathedral is a ten-minute walk from Hotel Dupond-Smith and the Pompidou Centre a is two-minute walk away. Charles de Gaulle Airport is 25km from the hotel.