There’s no denying that Paris has amazing hotels—more than 1,600 of them—and they cover all the bases: romantic, historic, stylish, luxurious, palatial. But a nice, well-located Paris hotel can♎ be pricey. And location matters: If you’re not staying in the heart of the city, you could spend half your visit riding the🎀 Metro and buses.

Instead of paying a pile of euros for a hotel 🥀room, consider renting a privately owned room from a Paris resident through Airbnb, the online service that launched in 2008.

Log on to to view more than 110,000 listings for Paris, searching by type of accommodation (shared, private room or entire place), location, and price (conveniently listed in U.S. dollars). You can view photos and read descriptions and user reviews. After creating a profile, you book through the site and wait for the host to confirm your reservation. Your payment goes to Airbnb (via a maj🧸or credit card or PayPal) and is forwarded to the owner (minus a service fee) 24 hours after you check in.

Most of the time, an Airbnb rental costs far less than a hotel room. However, it does mean yꦅou’re staying in somebody else’s apartment or home. Whether the owner is home or you’re taking over the whole place, there are pluses and minuses for choosing an Airbnb over a hotel.

The following examples compare rooms in three Paris hotels with Airbnb rentals in the same neighborhoods. We 🔴looked at a three-night weekend stay in a private room for two from Augu꧙st 23-25, 2024. (These properties book up fast; our dates may no longer be available.)

[Prices are current as of June 2024 at an exchange rate of one euro to US $1.07.]

On The Seine

HOTEL: Hotel Notre Dame Saint-Michel A glamorous hotel in the Latin Quarter🎐, housed in a 400-year-old 💖building beside the Seine near Notre Dame Cathedral. The 26 rooms were recently redone by fashion designer Christian Lacroix.

What you’ll pay: $153 per night for a river view.

AIRBNB: “Floating studio in Neuilly-sur-Seine” In this case we really mean “on the Seine.” The room is in a houseboat moored just minutes from th🦂e Eiffel Tower. It’s cramped but romantic; guests have their own studio with a ter🍰race and garden furniture and access to the riverfront.

What you’ll pay: $97 per night, plus a $49 service fee and $32 cleaning fee for the minimum three-night stay. 

IN THE MARAIS

HOTEL: Hôtel Caron de Beaumarchais 🐈An intimate 19-room hotel named for the 18th-century author of “The Marriage of Figaro.” Antique furnishings, rich fabrics and 🦹floral wallpaper will make you feel as if you’ve entered the life of a French nobleman. 

What you’ll pay: $182 to $284 a night for front side or back sidꦆe room

AIRBNB: “Beautiful bedroom in the Marais” This spacious and sunny room has stunning🌌 views and is between Republique and Chatelet. A recent guest reported, “Sam was a gracious and communicative host. He readily responded to messages and his instructions were very clear. He i♉s an extremely responsible and considerate host.” 

What you’ll pay: $133 per night, plus $54 cleaning fee and $90 servi♋ce fee

IN SAINT-GERMAIN-DES-PRÉS

HOTEL: Hotel Baume Enjoy the chic art-deco design of this new 35-room hotel. It’s an easy walk to the Louvre, and there are dozens♋ of restaurants nearby.

What you’ll pay: From $454 a night, fo﷽r a “junior suite with shower”

AIRBNB: “Trendy Apt - St Germain des Prés next to the Seine" A stylish studio includes a Parisian-chic kitchenette and elegant bathroom with walk-in shower. This waterfront location has a backyard and is "surrounded by dining, shopping, and cultural venues."

What you’ll pay: $𝓰196 per night, plus a $64 cleaning fee and a $100 servi🦩ce fee

Hotels Vs. Airbnb: Pros and Cons

Saving money isn’t the only reason to consider Airbnb. Here are some otheಞr points to keep in mind.

Space: Most Paris hotel rooms are small, so you’re not giving up t𒉰hat much by choosing Airbnb. In fact, you may end up with more✤ room than you’d get in a hotel, at a lower rate. 

Personal contact: Airbnb offers the chance to meet a rea🀅l Parisian. But even if your host isn’t a local, ꧂they will likely be happy to steer you to the nearest Metro stop and recommend favorite museums, bars and restaurants. 

Less flexibility: Many Paris Airbnb hosts require a minimum stay of two or three nights. Check-in times might be inconvenient for late arrivals, unlike at a typical hotel, but tha🦩t can be negotiated with your host.

Fewer – or more – amenities: Business travelers tend to prefer speedy check-in, and may need a business center, hotel bar or restaurant. But Airbnb renters are often invited to use the kitchen, which may be stocked with coffee and breakfast croissants. And Wi-Fi is usually free. However, make sure you check the details: For example, our houseboat’s listing doesn't include a kitchen.

Is trust an issue? According to Airbnb, identities are typically verified with government identification, and sometimes a selfie is required. It normally takes about an hour. Both hosts and renters establish an online reputation, since everyone can see how others rate them. And you can use the site’s messaging system to get more info, from hosts orꦫ other guests.

The Airbnb business: In Paris as in New York City, there are concerns that the Airbnb boom is cutting into the number of low-cost residential properties available. Also, locals complain that their buildings are being turned into hotels–and they’re losing their sense of community. While those renting out space are required to use their apartments as their primary residence, such laws are tough to enforce. The host of one Paris listingꦍ cheerfully admits: “Hello! Myself, together with my friend Stefano, we manage apartments in Paris on behalf of some other friends who are not living in this wonderful city.” 

The Bottom Line

While a stay in a Paris hotel is not to be missed, Airbnb offers many temptations in prime locations at affordable prices. Browse for a half hour and you may find yoursel🐽f checking airfares to get yo🉐ur trip underway.