14 Hotels in Paris That Feel Like Another Era
You’re not looking for a basic stay. You want the kind of hotel that hits different the second you walk in. Velvet, mirrors, chandeliers. History in the walls or at least in the details. A place that feels like old Paris or at least a world apart from the sterile, modern hotel chain experience. Bonus points if it’s theatrical, themed, or totally over-the-top in a good way.
Here are 14 hotels in Paris (and just outside) that people describe as lush, immersive, and packed with character.
1. Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais (4th arrondissement – 3*)
Small, romantic, and affordable. The rooms are filled with vintage pieces and musical references to the composer Beaumarchais. The lobby feels like a private salon.
It’s not luxurious in the modern sense, but it charms everyone who walks through the door.
2. Plaza Athénée (8th arrondissement – 5*)
Elegance doesn’t need explaining here. The red awnings and iron balconies say it all from the outside. Inside, it leans into classic Parisian décor with serious attention to craftsmanship.
Everything feels considered. People looking for timeless design without gimmicks often land here.
3. Hôtel George V (8th arrondissement – 5*)
The outside looks like wealth. The inside manages to stay on theme without feeling soulless. Compared to Crillon or Lutetia, this one keeps more of a grand old hotel feel in the rooms.
It’s still a luxury experience, but one that retains some charm and personality.
Hôtel Georges V (Four Seasons)
4. Le Grand Mazarin (4th arrondissement – 5*)
This is for people who want something bold. Described as feeling like a Wes Anderson film in hotel form.
Rooms are richly decorated with vibrant colors, pattern clashes, and maximalist touches. The restaurant gets praise too. It’s not classic in the traditional sense, it’s theatrical.
5. Maison Souquet (9th arrondissement – 5*)
Formerly a brothel, now a luxurious boutique hotel near Pigalle. Designed to echo Belle Époque decadence, with dark velvet, ornate mirrors, and sultry lighting. It’s all intentional.
You’re staying in a fantasy version of fin-de-siècle Paris. Definitely not minimalist.
6. Maison Proust (3rd arrondissement – 5*)
Decorated with heavy fabrics, antique-style furnishings, and literary references, this hotel recreates a bygone world. It’s not actually old, but it gets the look right.
The Marais location makes it easy to explore central Paris without giving up style.
Maison Proust Hôtel & Spa La Mer
7. Le Pavillon de la Reine (3rd arrondissement – 5*)
Hidden just off Place des Vosges, this hotel doesn’t scream for attention. But inside, it’s all refined elegance with ivy-covered courtyards and cozy, classic rooms.
It gives historic townhouse energy without being too fussy.
Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa Place des Vosges
8. Le Relais Christine (6th arrondissement – 5*)
Tucked into a quiet street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this one blends 17th-century architecture with rich fabrics and restored details.
Rooms feel like private apartments. The common areas go big on the Old World vibe. People book this place for the feeling of being somewhere secret.
9. L’Hotel (6th arrondissement – 5*)
Oscar Wilde died here. The interiors are lush, layered, and definitely not trying to be modern.
Located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this small hotel is all about atmosphere. It leans heavily into bold fabrics, velvet, and draped canopies. The pool in the basement adds to the charm.
10. Hôtel de Nice (4th arrondissement – 3*)
Loud wallpaper, antique-style furniture, and a maximalist approach to color. This hotel in le Marais has real character.
The price point is accessible, but it still manages to give people the “definitely in Paris” feeling they’re looking for.
11. Hotel Britannique (1st arrondissement – 3*)
Centrally located and frequently described as charming. The décor isn’t extravagant but it avoids feeling sterile. People call it simple in the best way. It has that slightly faded, old-Europe style.
12. Saint James Paris (16th arrondissement – 5*)
Not just a luxury hotel, it’s a full-blown fantasy château hidden in the 16th. Garden entrance. Belle Époque staircase. Library bar. A surreal mix of aristocratic and surrealist décor.
Definitely on theme if you’re looking for a stay that feels like stepping into another world.
13. Cheval Blanc Paris (1er – 5*)
Yes, it’s upscale, but not in a sterile way. The décor is art-forward and intentionally styled. It’s inside the old Samaritaine building, with massive views over the Seine and Pont Neuf.
Sleek but with personality. It’s one of the rare new luxury hotels that people say actually feels different.
14. Airelles Château de Versailles – Le Grand Contrôle
It’s not in Paris, but it might ruin every other hotel you try after. You get Versailles to yourself before and after hours.
Afternoon tea and breakfast are included, as is a private hour at the underground pool. Golf carts with blankets in the gardens. Champagne before fireworks.
There are Ladurée macarons casually left around the hotel. Some guests add on a library tour where they get to handle documents from George Washington and Marie Antoinette.
Others opt for a picnic by the Grand Canal or meals by Alain Ducasse. The setting, the service, and the details hit like a royal fever dream.
Airelles Château de Versailles
Note: Hôtel de Crillon and Hôtel Lutetia (8th and 6th)
Both get mentioned often but also dismissed by people chasing a certain aesthetic. The exteriors are stunning, but many feel the interiors have gone too sleek and modern.
If you care most about the lobby or want big-hotel comfort, they still have a place. But they don’t top the list for atmosphere.