5 Best Hotels in The Marais, Paris

On a small street, just steps from the Place des Vosges and the Musée Picasso, this hotel takes its name and stylish spirit from Joséphine Bonaparte herself. Somehow, its raucous mash-up of leopard print, toile de Jouy, and roses (Joséphine cultivated them) really works. Its lovely bar and intimate terrace are perfect for an apéro or cocktail (open until 11 pm), and its dusky atmosphere feels very Marais: that is, trendy, historic, and glamorous as all get-out.

If it weren't your chic destination for the night, you could easily walk right by this boutique hotel set on a tiny street. Each of its rooms was created by a different designer, giving each a singular character (room Joseph L’Estrange has a small balcony) and different size, although all have spacious bathrooms. It's a favorite among trendsetters, so book early around fashion weeks.

This glamorous Philippe Starck–designed property takes the art and poetry of Cocteau-era Paris as its theme and couldn't be more stylish or better located. Located in the heart of the lower Marais, it's minutes from the major sights and an easy walk to dining, shopping, the Centre Pompidou, and Île de la Cité. The cozy rooms are bright, glamorous, and full of artsy charm, and the roomier upper-floor suites offer splendid Marais views. 

Once a convent, a theater, and a brothel (not at the same time), this chic boutique hotel is not shy about mixing the metaphors of its colorful past. Eve’s sinful snake emblazoned on the carpet points you to your petit boudoir, where buttoned-up tweed banquettes and headboards contrast with bright plush velvet chairs and throw pillows. Sexy original photographs spice up the rooms, the on-site bar, and private pool “salons,” where guests can reserve a one-hour private swim—with champagne and pastries, if so desired—in a spacious whirlpool equipped with a shower, dressing area, and velvet chaises. The glamorous bar hosts DJ sets, sexy shows, and ateliers, accompanied by creative craft cocktails and a menu of surprisingly excellent bar snacks. Just around the corner from the Marché des Enfants Rouge in the heart of the Marais, the hotel perfectly reflects this epicenter of fashion.

Subdued lighting and rich jewel tones announce the blend of romance and chic cultivated by the Hôtel Bourg Tibourg, designed by Paris superstar Jacques Garcia. Royal-blue walls and red velvet line the claustrophobic halls, and Byzantine alcoves hold mosaic-tile tubs. Rooms are barely bigger than the beds, and every inch has been upholstered, tasseled, and draped in a cacophony of stripes, florals, and medieval motifs. A pocket garden has room for three tables, leafy plants, and a swath of stars above. Loaner iPads and flat-screen TVs are among the creature comforts.