9 cheap hotels in Paris for a budget break in the City of Lights
Save your money for sightseeing with these amazing hotels that offer affordable rates without scrimping on luxury
Paris is perfect for a city break on a shoestring and you don’t have to spend lots of money to have a good time. There are free museums and galleries galore, plus long walks by the river ─ soaking up the scenery and stalls ─ little cafes where you can while away an hour or so with a beautifully balanced coffee, parks to take a picnic, piazzas to wander around, and lots of famous landmarks to tick off on foot.
From posh hostels like Generator Paris near Canal St Martin with its bars, restaurants and vintage shops, to Hotel Rochechouart in the trendy Montmartre district, your city needs are catered to whether you opt for a dorm bed or a suite. You might also find that choosing a cheap hotel in Paris takes you to a neighbourhood you wouldn’t have considered before ─ like the fun and funky Mama Shelter Paris East in the 20th district.
Here’s our pick of affordable hotels in Paris that make visiting on a budget a dream.
25hours Hotel Terminus Nord
Right by the Gare du Nord railway station, the zany 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord is an excellent choice if you’re looking for striking interior design that pays homage to the area’s melting pot of cultures ─ with fabrics and artworks influenced by its African, South Asian, East Asian and French heritage ─ plus cheery staff and a superb bar and restaurant serving eastern-Mediterranean cuisine.
Rooms are lively, with bold colours and pops of pattern; some on the upper floors have balconies. This is a great jumping off point for exploring the city on bike or foot if you don’t mind a 30-minute walk to the Palais-Royal and Louvre, and is well-connected for other transport links.
Hotel Rochechouart
In the trendy Montmartre district, a hop from sights like the Basilica Sacré-Cœur and Square Louise Michel, Hotel Rochechouart attracts a fashionable crowd keen to discover a new and more authentic side to the city.
The look and feel channels a bohemian spirit with elegant Art Deco influences ─ the brasserie evokes the Roaring Twenties, and well-appointed rooms combine greens, browns and terracottas with wood, brass and marble design accents. Join the fun weekend crowd by kicking your evening off at the restaurant before heading down to the nightclub (during winter) or up to the small rooftop bar (in summer).
TOO Hotel
Occupying the 17th floor of a skyscraper by the Seine, TOO Hotel is the place for scintillating city views. It’s a little way from the historic centre but good transport links make getting to the key landmarks relatively easy, and you’re right on the river.
City vistas can be absorbed over French-Asian plates in the excellent restaurant, cocktails at the dazzling rooftop bar and terrace, the spa’s al fresco whirlpool, and the comfy rooms ─ go for the Paris View category for views of the Eiffel Tower.
The design is worth coming for alone: interiors by Philippe Starck feature lots of natural materials ─ woods, leather, copper and playful works by Pierre Monestier.
Mama Shelter Paris West
Mama Shelter Paris West might not be in the heart of downtown Paris but it more than makes up for location with its choice of restaurants, summer roof terrace and eye-catching design. You can reach the centre in 30 minutes by Metro (Tuileries Garden, the Louvre and Pont Neuf) which is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, but equally this spot is perfect if you’re visiting the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
The 207 shower-only rooms impress with comfortable beds of a high standard, organic amenities and complimentary films, plus lots of colour and edge. Families particularly love it and it’s convenient if you’re travelling by car.
Mama Shelter Paris East
In a vibrant and traditional 20th district neighbourhood off the beaten city track, Mama Shelter Paris East is all about making your own fun away from the tourist hordes ─ though you can get your sightseeing fix by taking the Metro to Montmartre and visiting the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Inside the look is funky and young, with playful nods in the form of witty quotes chalked on the ceiling, Mario light shades and neon lighting. Minimalist rooms feature lots of polished concrete and black carpeting as well as good-quality beds, organic toiletries and free films on large TVs.
Generator Paris
A five-minute walk from Canal St Martin with its bars, restaurants and vintage shops, the Generator Paris appeals to digital nomads and city hoppers of all ages looking to spend their money seeing Paris rather than splurging it on an expensive hotel.
You can opt for a bed in a dormitory or plump for a private room; either way the amenities and service are top-notch and you won’t be missing out on an authentic Parisian party experience (think happy hours and late night karaoke sessions). The 202 rooms are simple but beds are comfy and everything is spotless. The rooftop and cafe for all-day dining are sociable spots to be.
Moxy Paris Bastille
Digital nomads and budget-conscious city-breakers with an eye for style and character are well served at Moxy Paris Bastille, an affordable hotel in a Bastille location.
There’s a a buzzy ground-floor lounge where people of all ages can be seen challenging each other at foosball or tapping away at their laptops in the company of a flat white, an outside terrace with lots of greenery, and clean-lined, minimalist rooms with good beds and modern essentials (USB ports etc). If budget allows, go for one of the sixth and seventh-floor rooms for an outside terrace with views over the city’s rooftops.
Pullman Paris Montparnasse
The smart and efficient Pullman Paris Montparnasse is particularly popular with business guests, families and city-breakers looking for a nice, clean, functional base to return to after a busy day’s sightseeing.
It’s right next to Gare Montparnasse in the south of Paris ─ so views of the Eiffel Tower from the 32nd-floor SkyBar terrace are simply marvellous ─ and offers plenty to do in the locality.
Smart rooms provide peaceful respite and feature an inoffensive palette of walnut, yellows and greys. The hotel makes a point to train staff on climate change and sustainability.
Hotel Paradiso Cinema-Hotel
A relaxed hotel in the Marais district that’s big on cinema. Owned by independent French cinema chain MK2, each of the Hotel Paradiso Cinema-Hotel’s accommodations has a projector and screen with access to hundreds of films from iPads, DVDs or new releases being shown in the cinema below (you can stream them at the same time they are being shown).
Up the Everyman experience with thick black-out curtains, food to your door (Deliveroo or room service), and movie snacks like popcorn and sweets from the minibar. Elsewhere there’s a little karaoke room, a cafe serving casual French fare, and a rooftop bar and terrace.
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