Paris has 2,000 hotels spread across all of its arrondissements and many of them in the city centre lie in the upscale bracket. The quality in these establishments is very high, as is service and facilities, yet price and availability are major factors for booking ahead. Most class hotels in Paris have plenty of character in both their setting and look.

Place de la Concorde at the end of the Champs-Elysées has some of the best top-end hotels in the French capital. These include the Hotel Ritz and the Hôtel de Crillon. Prices and availability at both of these are tough going, yet you cannot beat the setting and standard.

A popular higher-end family hotel in Paris is the Hôtel de Fleurie on the left bank of the Seine River and located in the heart of St-Germain-des-Prés. It comes with connecting rooms and kids can stay for free.

Two popular, well-budgeted hotels in Paris are the Résidence Lord Byron on Rue Chateaubriand and the Hôtel de la Place des Vosges, with its fabulous location. Other popular mid-range and upscale hotels in Paris are the Accor hotels in Paris, the Sofitel, Novotel, and Mercure, and a number of Louvre hotels.

Despite the upgrading and developing of the left bank, the right bank of the Seine has the most attractions, the best shopping and the best hotels. The left bank has seen a resurgence of late, however, and has many fine hotels around the Odéon and St-Germain-des-Prés.

The Champs-Elysées is the ultimate place to stay in Paris owing to its positioning near many city centre sights, the mega shopping options and the huge number of upscale hotels. Place de la Concorde occupies one end of the Champs-Elysées and boasts a long history and some of the best hotels, including the Hôtel de Crillon and Hotel Ritz.

Other popular areas to lay your head in a nice Paris hotel include Place de la Bastille, L'Opéra, and the Latin Quarter, while business types will probably want to seek out the well-heeled hotels of the La Défense district.

At the other end of the spectrum is the more laid-back and arty Montmatre area, which is home to the likes of Sacré Coeur and smaller, cheaper hotels and guest houses.

Montparnasse on the left bank also has cheaper alternatives. Farther afield is the burgeoning Marais district, while Ménilmontant, République, and the hotels along Rue Oberkampf will save you money.

Paris's airports - Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly - have many good hotel options if you have an early flight. The Sheraton Paris Airport is a five-star option near Charles de Gaulle Airport, as is the nearby Sofitel Roissy Paris Charles de Gaulle Aeroport. Paris Orly has the Holiday Inn Paris Orly and Express by Holiday Inn.