Best Boutique Hotels in Le Marais, Paris

Tucked away on a narrow side street in the trendy Marais, Hotel Dupond-Smith looks different from the average Parisian hotel. The entrance is marked only by a discreet sign that reads “Dupond-Smith” in upside down lettering. Inside, chic decor contrasts nicely with the building’s medieval stone walls. The eight rooms are named after Hollywood aliases and French noms des plume, and are individually decorated with luxe design elements like textured wall coverings and eclectic light fixtures. Aside from their good looks, rooms are replete with posh amenities, including espresso machines and plush bathrobes and slippers. Spa-like bathrooms feature beautifully patterned tile work, and they're thoughtfully equipped with rainfall showerheads, scented shower diffusers, and towel warmers. All in all, guests will feel less like ordinary tourists, and more like privileged members of an elite club.

Theatrical designs by Christian Lacroix, a decadent atmosphere, and a trendy Haut Marais location set the 17-room Hotel du Petit Moulin apart from other upscale Paris boutiques. Formerly a bakery, the building’s original storefront door leads into the lobby that features painted ceilings, an old-fashioned front desk (24 hours), and a lounge with velvet and leather seating and billowy, dark curtains hanging over exposed wooden beams. Individually decorated rooms feature stylish and bold decor, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and, in some, pitched ceilings and Paris views. However, there are no in-room tea or coffee facilities and some showers are handheld only. Room service is available through the hotel's hip restaurant and bar.

The Pavillon de la Reine sits hidden away on the Place de Vosges, the first planned square in Paris, which was commissioned by Henry IV and completed in 1612. The hotel dates from the same year. Today the stone chateau-turned-luxury hotel commands its own topiary- and ivy-covered courtyard, with the addition of modern statues set along the worn cobblestones. Inside, evidence of the late medieval era can be seen in the worn stone block columns and heavy wooden ceiling beams. The 54 elegant rooms and suites range from classic to contemporary, and all come with iPod docks, Nespresso machines, and rainfall showers. There's no full restaurant, but guests can help themselves to drinks and snacks at an honesty bar in a lounge beside wood-burning fireplaces. The hotel has a luxurious spa with a steam bath and a hot tub, and it rents bikes and iPads at no extra charge. It also offers free on-site parking, a true rarity in Paris.

Hotel Jules & Jim is a cool, artistic hotel, packed with lots of eye-catching design pieces, named after the iconic 60's film of the same name. The property is comprised of three buildings arranged around an atmospheric courtyard with bar seating and a fire pit. All 23 modern, minimalist rooms have flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, while Duplexes add Nespresso machines. The cute skyline-view rooftop rooms are tailor-made for couples.

Housed in a beautiful 17th-century building that was once the home to the regent of France, this charming boutique hotel is named after an even older residence, the 15th-century Palais des Tournelles, which stood on the site of the present Place des Vosges. The hotel underwent a full renovation in 2016, which turned the 24 small rooms into eye-catching spaces with modern jewel tones and bold fabrics (as well as air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs). A Parisian breakfast is served daily in the 17th-century cellar (but not included), and a cozy lounge space has an honor bar and books, magazines, and newspapers.

Located in the southwestern part of the popular Marais District -- across from the BHV department store and about a block from the Hotel de Ville -- this three-pearl spot boasts sleek, contemporary decor by architect-turned-designer Jean-Philippe Nuel. Trendy but not intimidating, it features modernist furnishings and a calming palette of woodsy colors (picture bark browns and slate blue brightened by hits of chartreuse). The lobby’s many seating options -- breakfast-area banquettes, funky armchairs, and deep bar-side couches -- provide lots of places for lingering, as does the little interior courtyard, which doubles as a très chic smoking spot. Duo's 58 rooms include minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi and, in some cases, Juliet balconies or original architectural elements. As an added bonus, Duo features a fitness room and sauna (rarities for small-scale Paris boutique hotels); however, there are cheaper mid-range alternatives in the area, so you may want to shop around before committing.

The six-story, 18-room Hotel Caron is quaint and charming -- exactly what travelers expect in a quality boutique hotel. It's situated on a fairly quiet side street, and flowering potted plants hang on the second floor above the entrance. Inside, there's not much to the hotel beyond its lobby, breakfast room, and guest rooms, but all aspects of the hotel are stylish and sharp. The rooms are small, but feature air-conditioning, free minibar items, and free Wi-Fi. Jazz music plays in the cozy breakfast room, and petite orchids decorate the tables.