BudgetTravel

HôTEL CARON DE BEAUMARCHAIS
'Hood The Marais, historically the city's Jewish quarter and now also a center for gay nightlife. It's one of the few neighborhoods with shops that are open on Sundays.

First Impression From the pianoforte dating to 1792 to the gilt-framed mirrors, the hotel re-creates the feel of an 18th-century artist's home. It's named for Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, the French playwright whose Le Mariage de Figaro was adapted by Mozart. Beaumarchais lived just up the road.

PARIS HOTELS These five boutique properties offer atmosphere to spare, and at a price that's right. • Launch the slide show

The Rooms No two of the 19 rooms are the same, though most have sumptuous fabrics, a crystal chandelier refitted with electric candles, an original exposed-beam ceiling, and an antique writing desk and armoire.

Plus The hotel might look like it dates from another era, but it has modern conveniences like flat-screen TVs, WiFi, and air-conditioning.

Minus The seven rooms facing the tiny courtyard lack natural light, particularly the one on the ground floor.

Details 12 rue Vieille du Temple, 4th arr., 011-33/1-42-72-34-12, carondebeaumarchais.com, from $165.

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HôTEL LA MANUFACTURE
'Hood The up-and-coming 13th arrondissement, also known as Gobelins, the name of the famous tapestry factory that's been in operation there for more than 400 years. The area is home to many students and the city's enormous Chinatown.

First Impression An elegant limestone exterior gives way to a lobby with the pizzazz of a Matisse canvas. Orange armchairs sit atop boldly striped rag rugs, and the walls are decorated with local artist Alberto Cont's geometric paintings.

The Rooms While four seventh-floor minisuites evoke a kind of minimalist plantation-style aesthetic, with white cotton fabrics and dark wood furniture, the 52 smaller rooms on the hotel's six other floors are more traditionally Parisian, with walls painted in turquoise, rose, or yellow and soft curtains.

Plus Room 74, a suite, has a view of the Eiffel Tower.

Minus There's a police station next door, and the car sirens can be obtrusive.