Some has-been author once said, “Paris is a moveable feast.”
And while that rings true today in some ways, there’s no denying the modern experience is a tad pricier than in the Roaring Twenties. But there’s one thing we have today that they didn’t have: hotel loyalty programs.
Yeah, it’s not the sexiest sounding thing in the world, but when it drops the cost of your Paris visit to almost nothing, you’ll forgo a little of the romanticism.
Plus, they were all drinking absinthe, anyway, They had no clue what was going on.
Here are the best hotels in Paris you can book with points.
The best hotels in Paris you can book with points: Hyatt
Hotel de Louvre
Location: 2nd arrondissement, Paris
Price: 25,000 points/$500+
Vibe: 5-star classic
The rundown: A classic hotel for a classic city. The iconic property has sat proudly on its spectacularly Parisian corner for over a century, and despite Hyatt taking over the reigns, it has retained its old-world opulence in all the right ways while stepping forward confidently into the 21st century. It’s one of the best hotels in Paris based on location, too—it’s just steps from the Louvre.
Guest rooms are high-ceilinged and bright, bursting with understated elegance and offering views of the bustling streets below. Service is exceptional, and the garden bar is an utter delight to waste away an hour or two behind a cocktail glass. Thanks to Hyatt’s amazing award charts, you can nab a standard room here for just 25,000 points. Even at peak times, 35-40,000 feels like a steal—especially when rooms can cross the $1,000 threshold.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 60,000 bonus points
after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the ultimate all-around travel credit card—it fits perfectly into almost any points-earner’s wallet. Points novices can enjoy a significant intro bonus and easy to grasp spending categories with an approachable annual fee. The more experienced can utilize its high value earning potential as a secondary card and also gain access to Chase’s strong travel booking portal.
PROS
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and cruises through Chase Travel℠.
- The $50 dollar hotel credit for stays purchased on the Chase Travel Portal already cuts the already approachable $95 annual fee significantly.
- A 10% annual points bonus is tacked on every year, adding a little more value.
- A free year-long Doordash DashPass membership is also thrown in, which gives you free delivery and some extra discounts. It’s a solid perk if you order food delivery at least semi-frequently (Activate by 12/31/2024).
- Along with all of the above, cardholders also have access to a string of travel protections like rental coverage, cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
CONS
- Maximizing the value of Chase points can still be complicated for complete novices.
Competing cards like the Capital One Venture have a better earning rate for non-bonused spend.
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So, if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Annual Fee: $95 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme
Location: 2nd arrondissement, Paris
Price: 25,000 points/$1,200+
Vibe: Posh spot, budget cost
The rundown: Not too far away from Hotel du Louvre is the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme. Burrowed amongst the glitz of its namesake neighborhood, this is a hotel to be seen and to see from—thanks to the spectacular balconies that come with some rooms. It’s another Category 7 property, so it’s possible to grab it for the same 25,000-point rate despite averages of well over $1,200.
If you’re looking for one of the bigger rooms with the balcony views, you will have to fork out a few thousand more, but it’ll be worth it. For those unfamiliar, Vendôme is a chic corner of the city, where you’ll find high-end luxury stores like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. It’s one of the best hotels in Paris for all-out luxury.
Hyatt Paris Madelaine
Location: 8th arrondissement, Paris
Price: 25,000 points/$450+
Vibe: Independent Parisian soul
The rundown: We’re giving Hyatt an extra spot this week because its value is just that good. No other brand offers hotels of this quality for rates that low. Long may that continue.
The Hyatt Paris Madelaine is a little different from the first two, but no less spectacular. While still insanely luxurious, it taps into the Bohemian feel of the city, lending to a more relaxed and localized feel than some of the classically high-end hotels. It’s still sitting in that 25,000-point off-peak category, so an intro bonus like the current 60,000-pointer on the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card could cover three nights here if you play your cards right.
The best hotels in Paris you can book with points: Hilton
Hilton Paris Opera
Location: 9th arrondissement, Paris
Price: 75,000 points+/$460+
Vibe: Boujie on a budget
The rundown: By switching to Hilton we do get a significant drop in value, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t deals to be had. Hilton has some of the best hotels in Paris in its repertoire, and grabbing them at the right time can be affordable—especially if used with a free night award.
Hilton Opera is a stunning option. Located in the 9th arrondissement or Opera, the expansive communal bar area steals the show. Its soaring chandeliered ceilings and Belle Époque-style architecture. It’s been a hotel since the World Fair in 1889, and you can feel the history in its walls, even with the Hilton name now on the front door.
Le Belgrand Hotel Champs-Élysées
Location: 16th arrondissement, Paris
Price: 55,000 points+/$300+
Vibe: Location, location, location
The rundown: Another historic property, Le Belgrand Hotel Champs-Élysées wows with its architecture but draws return visitors in the thousands thanks to its phenomenal location. It’s only a 10-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe and near the Champs-Élysées.
That 55,000-point rate isn’t the norm—you’ll need to do some digging a little further in advance to find them that low, but they’re there. On any given day rates can soar well over 100,000 points a night but seem to balance out between 75,000 and 85,000. A solid American Express card like The Platinum Card® from American Express could earn you those nights once transferred.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
80,000 Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $8,000 on purchases in your first 6 months of card membership
The Amex Platinum was once the sole dominating force in the luxury credit card space. While it now faces some stiff competition, it still offers unbeatable perks like unprecedented airport lounge access, elite status at Hilton and Marriott, and some outstanding statement credits making the mammoth $695 worth it for some.
PROS
- The Amex Platinum’s typical intro bonus of 80,000 points is massive in itself. It’s worth $800 when spent directly through Amex’s travel portal on flights and hotels, which is already stellar. But when transferred to a partner, it’s very possible to squeeze over $1,600 or more in value.
- The Platinum has a slew of top-tier benefits, like Priority Pass, which gives the cardholder access to thousands of airport lounges and restaurants around the world, as well as Amex’s own Centurion lounges which are known for the high-quality (and free) food and cocktails. Other perks include up to $200 in Uber credits (to receive this benefit, you must have downloaded the latest version of the Uber App and your eligible American Express card must be a method of payment in your Uber account, and this Amex Benefit may only be used in the United States), up to $200 in airline fee credits (given in statement credits), up to $240 in digital streaming credits, up to $200 towards hotel bookings (given in statement credits) with Amex’s Fine Hotels and Resorts (2 night minimum stay required), and more. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
- A number of statement credits spanning multiple industries can build even more value into the card, including free stays when applied strategically.
- The Amex concierge is an underutilized benefit that can transform a trip by helping book hard-to-find dinner reservations or show tickets.
CONS
- The $695 annual fee is brutally high. Too high for many that can’t, or don’t want to take full advantage of its benefits.
- Points-earning rates are low unless spending directly on flights or with the Amex Portal.
- Some of the benefits, like travel credits, are more limited and are harder to use than competing cards’ offerings.
Annual Fee: $695 | Terms Apply | Rates & Fees
The best hotels in Paris you can book with points: Marriott
Moxy Paris Bastille
Location: 11th arrondissement, Paris
Price: 35,000 points+/$180+
Vibe: Simple chic
The rundown: Onto Marriott’s offerings, the Moxy Paris Bastille is a pleasant shift from big-time luxury to modern budget-lux. The Moxy line’s MO is high-quality basics done efficiently. You won’t get the bells and whistles of a high-end hotel, but you certainly won’t feel like you’re staying in a budget one.
Its prime location in the Bastille area puts you close to some of the best nightlife in the city, as well as top shopping, while the big-hitting tourist sites are leisurely strolls down the Seine. With rates at around 35,000 points a night, it’s one of the more affordable options on the list, as well as one of the most accessible in terms of award availability.
Le Pigalle, A Member of Design Hotels
Location: 9th arrondissement, Paris
Price: 40,000 points+
Vibe: Paris artist dreaming
The rundown: On the other end of Marriott’s offerings is Le Pigalle. It’s a member of Marriott’s “Design Hotel” range, These properties are all independently run and are often a little more avant-garde in terms of the experience. Le Pigalle, named for its neighborhood is no exception to that, embracing the creative soul of its surroundings by incorporating music, food, and art from nearby artisans.
A stay here is arguably the closest you’ll get to feeling like living in a Paris loft, so if you’re prone to romanticizing the city through the eyes of your favorite authors and artists, there’s nowhere better. Rates start at around 40,000 points a night but can rise pretty significantly at peak times. Give yourself a good window to get the best value stay at one the best hotels in Paris.
Read also: The Best Ways to Travel to Paris on Points
by travelers, for travelers.
