The common areas and 35 rooms of Hotel Le Mareuil are outfitted with contemporary design, original art, and ultramodern electronics. The hotel is situated in the lively neighborhood of République, known for its large pedestrian square, hip bars and restaurants, and slightly scrappy vibe. Highlights of the hotel include a small fitness center with an adjacent steam room and an oxygenating station; massage services are available 24 hours a day. Most guests have commented favorably on room comfort, cleanliness, and a particularly helpful staff.

In a city of overpriced and often rundown budget hotels, the Hotel du Printemps is a breath of fresh air -- it's tasteful, clean, and has great transport links close by. Don't expect spacious rooms or much in the way of facilities, but the basics such as free Wi-Fi and organic toiletries are a nice touch. It's a bit of a trip into the center, so the location won't appeal to everyone, but such low rates within city limits are hard to find.

This film-themed boutique hotel combines fun, graphic decor and a retro aesthetic with contemporary design. Each of the 46 rooms has a wall-sized image of Marilyn Monroe. The lobby is a mix of 1950s and 1960s design elements that harken back to the golden era of cinema. There's also a small gym, a spa, and a diner-style restaurant. It's a bit far from the center of town but its proximity to public transportation and nearby conference facilities makes it popular among both tourists and business travelers.

The 33-room Hotel Fabric fits perfectly in its Oberkampf surroundings; here, post-industrial chic meets artisan vintage -- with a hipster edge. The rooms of this boutique property are generally spacious with fun, funky interiors and the odd architectural reminder of the building's heritage (plus modern bathrooms with walk-in showers). An evening honesty bar is a cool touch and the spa is a bonus, though on the small side. Rates are a little high for the area, but trendy doesn't usually come cheap -- especially in Paris.

Location is a huge draw for the Hotel Le Littre, which is steps from the Montparnasse train station and a five-minute walk from several Metro lines. The property itself combines a certain grandiosity of interior architecture (marble hallways, sconce chandeliers) with eclectic, contemporary and sometimes kitschy touches (the recessed arch of a hallway statuette is illuminated in bright pink, for example). Rooms are large by Parisian standards, clean according to most, and devoid of noise (though some are more modern than others). Most agree this is a plain, clean property with an excellent location -- worth the trade-in for the slightly bland decor.

Hotel Cujas Panthéon is a budget-friendly, 48-room hotel set in the heart of the swanky Latin Quarter in central Paris, near a local train that connects directly to airports. Air-conditioned rooms are clean and comfortable but generally small, with uninspired decor and modest bathrooms -- though they're what might be expected for the price. Rates are low for Paris, especially for a location this central, though guests might want to compare the property with the nearby and nicer Hotel Design Sorbonne, where prices are often not much higher.

The upscale 40-room Hotel Regent's Garden is a former 19th-century private mansion located on a quiet road within walking distance of the Arc de Triomphe. Rooms nicely blend modern decor with a period flavor, and free minibars are a plus, though some rooms could use a refresh here and there. The highlight of the property is the lush garden, which provides a real respite, though on-site parking and free Wi-Fi is also a bonus. Rates are reasonable, particularly for Paris, especially for guests that don't mind being a little away from the center to save some euros. 

La Manufacture is a mid-range, 57-room hotel housed in a beautiful Haussmannian building on Paris' Left Bank. The impressively colorful and arty styling of the lobby doesn't quite extend to the rooms, but they still provide a pleasant, understated decor, while top-level rooms provide special views. Amenities consist of breakfast for a fee, free Wi-Fi, an on-site bar, and a lobby computer terminal. Although the location of the property isn't super central, nearby transport links and plenty of local color means that the hotel's generally low rates can be a real bargain.****

The Melia Paris Champs Elysees is an upscale chain hotel whose 2014 renovation has successfully retained the property's subtle period charm. Its setting on an attractive, tree-lined avenue is quintessentially Parisian, and the Arc de Triomphe and Trocadéro are both within walking distance. Rooms are handsomely finished and mostly spacious for Paris, however some are on the smaller side and bathrooms can be tiny. Rates are impressively low for the location and caliber of hotel, however facilities are a little sparse and breakfast is not included. Try to avoid the smaller-sized rooms to get the most value for money.

Melia Colbert is an exquisite piece of Parisian architecture with an enviable position just minutes from Notre-Dame by foot. Local transport links are also excellent, especially to the airports. Rooms are elegant with modern touches, though spaces are typically small -- especially bathrooms. The cellar breakfast room can feel a little pokey, but the lounge bar is lavish and spacious. Classical refinement at a prime location doesn't come cheap, so if the Melia Colbert is out of budget, check out the similar Hotel Residence Henri IV a few blocks away.