4 Star Hotels in Paris

There are over 400 four-star hotels in Paris. The price variation is absurd.

Price Discrepancies

KAYAK data shows an average nightly rate of $286. Budget Your Trip reports $149. HotelsCombined gives $216. Same city, same star rating, three websites, three different prices.

KAYAK

^$286

per night average

Budget Your Trip

^$149

per night average

HotelsCombined

^$216

per night average

The French Rating System

This relates to the French hotel rating system.

Atout France is the official French tourism development agency responsible for hotel star ratings. The rating criteria include nearly 300 items covering facilities, services, accessibility, and environmental measures. An updated version was released in April 2022, removing outdated items like DVD players and fax machines, while adding WiFi, energy efficiency, and waste sorting. Four-star hotels must meet 95% of 357 mandatory points—at least 339 points—with the remainder made up through optional items.

~300

Rating Criteria

357

Mandatory Points

339

Minimum Required

91%

Paris Hotels Rated

Here's the problem: a room as small as 13 square meters can still earn four stars.

A Coach Omnium report states bluntly that this system is too "minimalist and basic," and hotels can earn an extra star without much effort. 91% of Paris hotels participate in the official rating system, but a high rating doesn't guarantee comfort. Some four-star hotels have rooms so small you can barely turn around, while some three-star hotels are actually more spacious. User ratings on Booking and TripAdvisor sometimes tell you more than the official star rating.

Seasonal Price Variations

Peak and off-peak price differences are significant.

February

$173

Cheapest month

Summer 2024

$400+

Olympics surge

September

High

Conference season

October

Declining

Prices drop early Oct

February is the cheapest at an average of $173 per night. Summer 2024 during the Olympics saw prices skyrocket—some reported being unable to find a four-star room under 400 Canadian dollars. September is conference season with high prices. Prices start falling in early October. Statista data shows the average Paris accommodation price in March 2024 was €253, €10 more than the same period in 2023.

When to Book

How far in advance you book also matters. HotelsCombined recommends booking about 68 days ahead, which could get you prices around $190. Booking too early is pointless—many hotels only open reservations 11 months out. Booking too late is worse—good rooms in popular areas get snapped up quickly.

Days in Advance

Optimal booking window for best prices around $190

Location Differences

Location makes a big difference.

Select Hotel Rive Gauche

Highest user-rated four-star on KAYAK

9.1

Victoria Palace Hotel

6th arrondissement • Guests say rooms are larger than expected

<$300

per night

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel & citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon

Chain brands • Standardized facilities • Convenient locations

Hôtel Maison Montmartre Paris Les Puces

Montmartre area • Budget option • Far from city center

$108

starting from

Unrated Gems

Some hotels choose not to participate in official ratings. On the Rick Steves forum, people recommend Hotel Muguet and Hotel Beaugency, both near Rue Cler and suitable for first-time Paris visitors. They're cheaper than four-star hotels in the same area, but the quality is comparable. Ratings are voluntary—choosing not to be rated doesn't mean the hotel is bad.

❄

Air Conditioning: Ask Separately

Many lower-star hotels lack air conditioning. Four-star hotels generally have it, but it's not mandatory. The 2022 regulations list air conditioning as an optional bonus item, not a requirement. Paris summers can reach over 30°C (86°F)—July and August without AC can be miserable. Confirm before booking.

Taxes Calculated Separately

France has a Taxe de Séjour, charged by star rating. Four-star costs more than three-star, five-star more than four-star. The exact amount varies by location—Paris four-star hotels charge roughly a few euros per person per night. This money goes entirely to the local tourism bureau. Prices shown on booking sites usually don't include this tax.

Four-Star vs Five-Star

What's the price difference between five-star and four-star? According to Budget Your Trip, it's $149 versus $270—a difference of over $100. But four-star hotels actually have higher user ratings: 8.4 versus 8.2. Some five-star hotels are massive factories with 300-400 rooms, standardized service processes, and weak personalization. Boutique four-star hotels sometimes offer a more comfortable stay.

★★★★

$149

Average Price

User Rating: 8.4

★★★★★

$270

Average Price

User Rating: 8.2

When it comes to choosing a hotel, star ratings are just a reference, not the answer.

The best hotel for you depends on your priorities—location, room size, service style, and budget all matter more than the number of stars on the door.