Before we look into each neighborhood, here are some general tips to help you decide where to stay in Paris:
- BOOK EARLY to find good deals on the best hotels
- Paris is full of old buildings, so be aware that some of the cheaper hotel will look tired. This is a trade-off.
- Generally speaking, it is mode expensive in the center, and the further towards the outside ring you get, the cheaper the hotels
Yes, the first time you look at it, finding the best place to stay in Paris can feel daunting but
- Paris is really Easy to get around - a lot of attractions in the center can be visited on foot, other with the boats cruising the Seine River. Otherwise the metro (underground train) is reliable, safe and easy to use. But if you are scared of taking it, no worries, the Hop-on - Hop-off buses will take you around to all the major sights. So you see no need to worry.
- Taxis are readily available in all neighborhood and will go everywhere
- Since it is easy to get around, do not fixate on one attraction to find your Paris accommodation, unless you want a hotel with view of one special place (for example the Shangri-La has splendid views of the Eiffel Tower)
- Don't dismiss the neighborhoods just outside Paris. They are sometimes cheaper and some of them have metro station - See further in this article for good options
- Where to stay in Paris first time? - I think there is not much difference between your first time and repeat visit. It depends more on your profile
- Choose mostly based on your budget and the vibe you are looking for - see my guide by neighborhood to help you find the answer
Where not to stay in paris
Before we discuss the best places to stay in Paris, here are a few tips about where not to stay in Paris:
- If you don't feel comfortable with public transports, avoid getting too far out of Paris. The RER suburban trains can be daunting at first - Only pick areas where you can find a metro
- At night, some streets feel more comfortable than other. Impression is that: around the metro station of Barbes Rochechouart, Bâton Rouge and Gare du Nord, the people walking at night feel less comfortable.
- Crime rate is not particularly high in Paris. But like in most large city, pickpockets are around so pay attention - I have lived in Paris center during 2 years and had no issues at all. Just be mindful!
Best places to stay in Paris - Summary
In the next chapter, I will introduce all the arrondissements one by one for your to find the best neighborhood to stay in Paris. But first, here is a visual summary.
It is a global assessment of each - of course things can change from one side of an arrondissement to another (some of them are quite large) - this just to give you a general overview of each neighborhood with their attractions, Vibe and Price Range
Some people will complain about this map because the words are too limiting, and "their neighborhood is so much more". I agree, all of them have different sections and atmospheres. There will always be issues with a summary 
Cost Ratings are overall evaluations from $ to $$$$. They is average based on accommodations within price ranges offered on booking.com for 1 night in November in the middle of the week for 2 adults. You can of course find all types of accommodation and prices in each neighborhood.
