Le Général

This high-design boutique hotel is surprisingly well priced considering its convenient location on a quiet side street close to the Place de la République and just five minutes from shopping in the Upper Marais. The subdued black-and-gray Art Deco exterior belies the interior’s mix of sleek 70’s-inspired furniture, Philippe Starck plastic chairs, and modern cube chairs in the lobby. The rooms are done predominantly in neutral shades with wood and chrome accents and the requisite flat-screen TV’s. Homey touches include fresh fruit on pillows and a shiny silver-hued rubber ducky in the bathroom. The modern bar is ideal for lingering over coffee or drinks, and the basement fitness area includes a sauna and massage room, which are admirably equipped for a hotel of this size.

Insider Tip: Skip the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and opt for coffee and a croissant in one of the nearby cafés facing the 19th-century covered market Le Carreau du Temple.

Room to Book: Since Le Général sits on a narrow street, ask for a room on the fifth or sixth floor for optimal light; the seventh-floor suite is extra-sunny.