Paris The Marais

As would be expected, the Marais and its surroundings provide budget accommodations with a bit of flare. Many basic rooms are wallet-friendly, done up in style, and situated in the center of Parisian action. The trendy yet down to earth 4ème is also home to some of the best deals and worthwhile splurges in the city. There's a lot of good stuff to take home.

Maubuisson, 12 rue des Barres (☎01 42 74 23 45; www.mije.com), Recognized as a 17th-century historical monument, Maubuisson is a former convent on a quiet street by the St. Gervais monastery. In keeping with the pious theme, the hostel only accommodates individual travelers, rather than groups. A member of the MIJE hostel group, Maubuisson can arrange airport transportation as well as reservations for area attractions; call for details. Breakfast, in-room shower, and sheets included (no towels). No smoking. English spoken. Public phones and free lockers (with a €1 deposit). Internet access €0.10 per min. with €0.50 initial connection fee. 7-day max. stay. MIJE membership required (€2.50). 4-to-9-bed dorms €30; singles €49; doubles €72; triples €96. Reception 7am-1am. Lockout noon-3pm. Curfew 1am; notify in advance if coming back after this time. Quiet hours after 10pm. Arrive before noon the first day of reservation (call in advance if you'll be late).Individuals can reserve months ahead online and Takes credit cards. Has internet.
Le Fourcy, 6 rue de Fourcy (☎01 42 74 23 45; www.mjie.com), Le Fourcy surrounds a large, charming, mansion-worthy courtyard ideal for meeting travelers or for open-air picnicking. The adjoining restaurant is located in an authentic vaulted cellar, and offers a main course with drink (lunch only) and 3-course “hosteler special” (€10.50). Breakfast, in-room shower, and sheets are included (no towels). No smoking. English spoken. Public phones and free lockers (with a €1 deposit). Internet access €0.10 per min. with €0.50 initial connection fee. 7 day max. stay. MIJE membership required (€2.50). 4- to 9- bed dorms €30; singles €49; doubles €72; triples €96. Reception 7am-1am. Lockout noon-3pm. Curfew 1am; notify in advance. Quiet hours after 10pm. Arrive before noon the first day of reservation (call in advance if you'll be late). Groups of 10 or more may reserve a year in advance. Individuals can reserve mo Takes credit cards. Has internet.
Hotel Picard, 26 rue de Picardie (www.hotelpicardparis.com), :République. Follow bld. du Temple and turn right on rue Charlot. Take the first right on rue de Franche Comte, which becomes rue de Picardie.Singles with sink €53-68, with bath €74-93; doubles €59-74/89-112; triples €124-155. Shower €3. Breakfast €5. Reserve 1 week ahead in summer and 2 weeks ahead the rest of the year. Takes credit cards. Has internet.
Hôtel Jeanne d'Arc, 3 rue de Jarente (☎01 48 87 62 11; www.hoteljeannedarc.com), Joan of Arc may have been one, but you certainly won't be a martyr for staying in this quaint hotel. Charming rooms decorated in mismatched patterns all come with bath or shower, toilet, cable TV, safe and hair dryer. Despite its modern amenities, the place feels more like a homestyle inn than a 2-star hotel; the dining area boasts an absurdly funky mosaic mirror, and serves a country-style breakfast. St.Paul. From St-Paul, walk against traffic on rue de Rivoli; turn left on rue de Sévigné then right on rue de Jarente. Breakfast €7. Free Wi-Fi. English spoken. Reserve 2-3 months in advance (longer for stays in Sept.-Oct.) by emailing or calling with credit card. Singles €62-90; doubles €90-116; triples €146; quads €160. Takes credit cards. Has internet.
Hôtel du Séjour, 36 rue du Grenier St-Lazare (☎01 48 87 40 36; www.hoteldusejour.com), Bringing the spirit of minimalism to the service industry, this trendy hotel features 20 basic rooms with a colorful and urban decor. Ideally located a block away from Les Halles and the Centre Pompidou. You'll be pleased with the warm staff at reception and the young clientele. Takes credit cards.
Le Fauconnier, 3 rue St-Bon (☎01 42 78 43 93), Living proof that well-run businesses don't have to be soulless, this modern hotel has a friendly and family-run vibe. Rooms are clean, carpeted, and softly decorated with phone, hairdryer, TV, A/C, and bath. Some rooms have a sleek, black-and-white zebra motif. Top floor rooms have balconies. Conveniently located on a quiet street two blocks from Hotel de Ville. Takes credit cards. Has internet.
Hôtel Sévigné, 2 rue Malher (☎01 42 72 76 17; www.le-sevigne.com), Everyone knows that French people are skinny, but even Twiggy would have a hard time squeezing around this hotel. The absurdly tiny but brightly decorated rooms are all equipped with A/C, hair dryers, telephone, TV and bath. Ideally located in the center of the Marais, which means you'll probably be spending most of your time outside anyway. Takes credit cards. Has internet. Has air conditioning.
Hôtel de Nice, 42bis rue de Rivoli (☎01 42 78 55 29; www.hoteldenice.com), This quirky and extravagantly decorated hotel off the adorable Pl. du Bourg-Tibourg prides itself on its “old-time Paris” appeal. Heavily wallpapered and painted rooms feature vintage prints, satellite TV, toilet, shower or bath, hair dryer, phone, and A/C. A few have balconies with great views, but the beauty comes at a price. Takes credit cards. Has internet. Has air conditioning.
Hôtel de Roubaix, 6 rue Greneta (☎01 42 72 89 91; www.hotel-de-roubaix.com), The rooms here are small and may look like your grandmother decorated them (check out the flowered wallpaper), but they are also clean, with high ceilings and soundproof windows. All have bathrooms, phone, locker, and satellite TV; some have balconies. Takes credit cards.
Hôtel Bellevue et du Chariot d'Or, 39 rue de Turbigo (☎01 48 87 45 60; www.hotelbellevue75.com), Standard rooms are short on light but clean, with phone and cable TV. More time may be spent in the spacious bathrooms, many of which have full baths. Some rooms have balconies. Takes credit cards.
Hotel Pratic, 9 rue d'Ormesson (☎01 48 87 80 47; www.hotelpratic.com), Tiny, tiny rooms with busy, busy decor in a timbered hotel on a redeeming cobblestone square in the Marais. A dark retreat from the colorful 4ème, the business of the patterns creates a cozy feel. All guest rooms have TVs, direct-dial phones, hair dryers, safes, and soundproof windows. Takes credit cards.
Hôtel de la Herse d'Or, 20 rue St-Antoine (☎01 48 87 84 09; www.hotel-herse-dor.com), A decent hotel in every way—decent location, decent rooms, decent service—it becomes more exceptional when you remember it's technically a one-star establishment. Small, clean, slightly dark rooms with low ceilings and a cute timbered dining area and two courtyards. All rooms have Wi-Fi, hair dryer, phone, and TV. Takes credit cards. Has internet.