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The City of Light's reputation for extravagance is much deserved. Many hotel rooms have nightly rates that will cost you an arm and a leg, and snagging budget accommodation for less than $150 per night requires a sleeve-full of strategies. Lucky for you, we have some insider tips on booking lodging, plus a handful of hotel recommendations.
Avoid the city center. Low-numbered neighborhoods are central and home to many popular areas to visit, such as the Latin Quarter and the Champs-Elysées. Hotels in the 1st–8th arrondissements, or neighborhoods, are thus the most expensive in town. Métro-savvy visitors can save a bundle and still be close to the action by staying in the "second ring" arrondissements and commuting in by Métro to their favorite sightseeing spots. The right bank arrondissements numbered 9–12 have excellent access to the Métro—plus, some of the city’s best value restaurants. Fifteen minutes on the subway might save you $50 per night in hotel costs. Look for hotels that are near subway lines 1, 7, 8, and 9—these routes have stops near the major monuments.
Book months ahead. Paris has only about 30 great-value hotels but receives as many as 30 million visitors every year. Book your hotel room early to boost your chances of snagging the place you most desire.
Stay during the shoulder season. As a rule of thumb, hotels charge their highest rates between mid-May and mid-September. Visit the city in the spring and autumn for more affordable rates—not to mention more manageable crowds and milder temperatures, too.
Be flexible. Understanding what you can live without is the key to finding hotel happiness. You can’t get a spacious center-city room with modern design and an eat-in kitchen, for instance. But you can get a couple, or at least one, of those things. Your perfect compromise might be a closet in the cobblestone center or a sleek design hotel on the outskirts.
For longer stays, consider an apartment instead of a hotel. Short-term rentals are best if you’re staying a week or more. There are two types of Web resources for short-term apartments. The first type will help you find luxury digs that are more spacious than the typical Parisian hotel, but cost about the same, giving you a bigger bang for your euro. A swank apartment on the Ile-Saint-Louis, for example, sleeps four for $240 (€190) per night. That works out to about $120 per couple per night for a 17th-century address overlooking the Seine. Guest Apartment Services is a good site for these high-end rentals.
The second type of website lists rentals on the other end of the scale. For example, websites like Venere offer smaller, typically IKEA-furnished rentals from $126 (€100) per night.
Both Guest Apartment Services and Venere accept online reservations and deposit by credit card. Note, though, that many smaller companies accept deposit only by bank transfer.
Always read the reservations policies carefully with an eye out for traps, such as the policy on cancellations. Be particularly wary of negotiating any rental found on a message board like Craigslist. Deposits have been stolen via short-term rental scams made through such sites. For full advice on how to arrange a vacation rental, see our Vacation Rental Handbook.
For hotel recommendations, see our listings for properties we've visited with starting rates under $200 per night: "Paris at a Price That's Right."
EARLIER
Save on Paris sublets
Paris: Love and shelter for less than 100 euros
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Hi, we rented an apartment this past year using Rentals in Paris (www.rentals-paris.com). The owner is American and lives in Paris where he manages the business. His name is Glenn Cooper. His apartments are all in the center of the city, in the 'chic' sections. We had a two bedroom two bathroom apartment at the Place des Vosges. It was pretty reasonable, and we enjoyed it MUCH more than our usual Paris hotel thing. We go several times each year, and from now on, we will rent an apartment, hopefully with Rentals in Paris.
Brian.
Posted By Brian Reeds on January 14, 2009, 3:30 AM
As an American living in Paris and in love with the city, I've decided there must be a better way to provide affordable accommodation for tourists. I mean under 100€ per night, and without sacrificing comfort.
To make this dream project come to life, I would really appreciate any of you participating in an online survey until Jan. 25th, available through the following link:
http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1119994
You can also learn more about the new project on the website www.parisharing.fr
Hope to greet you in Paris someday.
Posted By Carsten Sprotte on January 15, 2009, 3:57 PM
The rental scams on Craigslist Paris and other Internet classified sites are a huge problem worldwide. Bottom line: Never send money via Western Union or Moneygram. For more tips on how to protect yourself from apartment rental scams in Paris, check out http://parishousingscamwatch.wordpress.com
Posted By oasis on January 15, 2009, 10:40 PM
I'm staying in a Latin Quarter hotel, room with TV, double bed, telephone, and shower, for 82€ a night. I know the hotel and the rooms are nice.
Posted By Ken on January 16, 2009, 10:58 AM
My family of four is going to Paris in late March. We have accomodations for most of our trip but desire to stay one more night in Paris. It is very difficult to find an inexpensive room that sleeps four. Any suggestions? We wouldn't mind staying out by the Charles De-Gaulle airport since we are flying home the next morning, but any location accessible to the metro is good.
Posted By Sally on January 16, 2009, 1:30 PM
Hi all, I understand the wariness some have of craigslist, but I have never been ripped off. The apartment where I stay is a cute studio, about the size of a small hotel room for 65 euros a night next to la Bastille. It is modern, fully equipped with internet, etc. I like that it has a microwave and a dining table, is clean and well-cared for.
The key is that the person does not request a deposit. I would say that is a sign that the owner is a local who trusts that we're going to show up and pay, kind of like when I buy & sell furniture and what-not on there. Most people on craigslist are ordinary people just trying to make the most out of renting out an investment apartment. I can understand a healthy dose of skepticism, especially if one is planning a big holiday, but there is a good community spirit online that is unfortunately ruined (?) by some unscrupulous people.
I would just add that there is another site that a lot of French people use with affordable apts--I have used it for a trip to Antibes, not Paris, but it does have user reviews, etc., www.homelidays.com And I do not work for this site-just trying to be helpful as an American living in Europe & I am obsessed with traveling on a budget the way locals do :-)
Posted By Joanna on January 16, 2009, 6:36 PM
I agree with Joanna, mostly craiglist is used by French landlords trying to renting out investment.
If the landlord ask a too large amount for reservation, it can be supicious. Sometimes they would ask 10% throught Paypal because they are as afraid of last minute cancellation as you are for your booking...
I personnally own 3 apartments ( www.short-term-apartment-rental.com ) and I can understand that booking directing can seems dangerous... The best part for us landlords, is that we can make friend around the word !
Direct deals like craiglist or direct renters small website are always best deals than reservation website that charge 20 to 30% more...
Posted By Jim on January 17, 2009, 10:06 PM
It's a very tricky to find nice accommodation in Paris, while I've found plenty of cheap hotels to stay, I am yet to find some place I would be happy to stay on my regular visits. Booking an apartment is an attractive option but unfortunately the booking process is so complicated and there are so many reviews about the landlord not returning the deposit.
Posted By Cheap Hotels in Paris on January 28, 2009, 4:09 PM
I was very successful in November when asking hotels if they would consider reducing the room rate for my 9 night stay.
Posted By Anne on February 7, 2009, 6:12 PM
Hi, I am Glenn Cooper, owner of Rentals in Paris (www.rentals-paris.com). I just read Brian's comments about us and that made me happy to see. It feels good to see that guests appreciate their experience. I am American and have lived here for 17 years, and rented apartments for the past 12 years. I have a reputable company and this is very important. Guests should always make sure to deal with companies that have been in business and try to find some info on the web about them before sending any money. I think that guests should also pay with credit cards since this ensures that in case of problems your credit card company can defend you for a refund. Renters asking for cash, travelers checks, bank wires to personal accounts, etc. should be avoided.
As for securty deposit, all agencies require them. the apartments we rent are worth a great deal of money so the deposit is nothing compared to the value of the apartment. If the apartment is returned in perfect shape, NOTHING is billed to the client. However, when damage occurs, and it sometimes does, this deposit covers repair costs, which is fair and reasonable. As the owner of my business and most of my apartments I am weary of a guest who refuses to leave a security deposit. This means that the person expects to reneg on his/her contractual obligation to keep my apartment in perfect shape and I would not want this person staying with me. This doesn't happen often, but I have had a few cases over the years.
In any event, overall Paris rentals are thriving since guests appreciate the good value for money compared to hotels.
Posted By Glenn Cooper on February 8, 2009, 6:03 AM
We've rented apartments in Paris several times, very reasonably, through VRBO.com (Vacation Rentals by Owner). One deals directly with the apartment owner and we've never had a bad deal.
Posted By John on February 17, 2009, 7:31 PM
A few of my friends have stayed with Haven in Paris and have always had wonderful things to say... The apartments are really quite luxurious and the services rendered are great apparently.. I am investigating options for myself, and they just posted this article on their blog that compares hotel rates with haven in paris' rates -- and all the apartments and up being less than 100 euros a night per person! most of them are less than 70, which is pretty astonishing to me... hope this helps!
http://hipparis.com/
Posted By Louise on February 19, 2009, 12:02 PM
Upon the recommendation of a friend, we stayed at the Sully St Germain on Rue des Ecole in the Latin Quarter. It was great! We have since passed on the recommendation to at least 7 other parties. There's usually an internet deal for
Posted By Steve on February 23, 2009, 11:38 AM
I will be staying at the Hotel du Levant in April for 73 euros per night for a small single room with breakfast. It is a three star hotel,just off Place Ste. Michel-not in the middle of nowhere. I have stayed there before and it is very nice;convenient to so much. Use the computer-LOOK!
+
Posted By Carole J. Sullivan on February 23, 2009, 3:05 PM
Try vacationinparis.com we have used this American company twice and have been extremely pleased. In fact, we liked the apartment so much our first time with vacationinparis that we rented the same one this past Christmas holiday season. And no, I am not going to tell you which one, but I think you will be pleased at their selection and prices. We found them to be extremely flexible and helpful. Their website allows you to view the apartments room by room in many cases as well as displaying a map of the apartment's location.
Posted By Lee Kline on March 2, 2009, 7:44 PM
I've used Glen Cooper's service five times and can vouch for the quality of his flats, the service and the neighborhoods. Glen's prices are somewhat more modest, as his flats are too -- comfortable but not luxe. If you're interested in higher end apartments for week minimum and don't mind paying more, try Chez Vous.com, an American company based in Sausalito, Calif.
Posted By luke popovich on March 8, 2009, 12:07 AM
Hi All,
My family with 2 adults and 1 kid of 4 years old
is planning for long vacation Europe this Dec - 2009.
We need to find for the CHEAP/FAMILY BUDGET STAY
1 nights in Paris
1 nights in Belgium
1 nights in Holland
1 nighst near Vatican - Italy
We target for 50$ for family stay/night.
We only need to be safe.
tks,dao
Posted By dao on March 15, 2009, 10:45 AM
Stay in Paris for FREE. I arranged a home exchange in Paris for 2 1/2 weeks last summer. We had a beautiful 3BR/2BA flat in the 6th arrondissement near Luxembourg Garden - fabulous! Check out homelink.org. There are 100's of homes for exchange in Paris alone.
Posted By Linda on March 15, 2009, 5:51 PM
Paris is not all expensive hotels or apartments. This year I visited Paris, and we rent with www.apartmentparis.fr .Absolutely perfect! It was just as it described...except bigger. We were 5 adults and we never felt cramped for space. We weren't sure if our American wireless would work with the one in Paris...but it worked fine. The subway was minutes away and we were close to everything so absolutely no need for a vehicle. In fact, I don't recommend it. The street is tiny and Paris driving is a sport that only few have mastered! The apartment was very clean and had pretty much everything you could need. The owner is really nice...we accidently locked ourselves out of the apartment...didn't realize it until midnight and he was still up and provided us with a key ! Take it from me, a highly critical person, you will not be disappointed with this place. we rent this specific apartment, rue des blancs Manteaux, in LE MARAIS : http://www.myapartmentparis.com/aparteng-59.html . Bon voyage !
- Correena S
Posted By chouch on March 28, 2009, 5:03 AM