Though some initially thought this red-light-district spot was an illicit by-the-hour sex shack, the Amour is just a themed budget property. The walls are painted … bright red or black and decorated with artwork from romance novels or provocative photos. The rooms have no TV or net access, but there is free wifi in the public spaces. Doubles start at €120 euros.[link]

The Hôtel Chopin was built in 1846 on a pedestrian arcade, Passage Jouffrouy. The rooms are basic, but the hidden locale is romantic. The rooms are well … decorated and comfortable, and some get a good deal of light. Singles start at €61, and doubles start at €81.[link]

The only problem with the clean and cheap Hôtel des Grandes Ecoles is getting into it. Turns out the quaint hotel is mentioned in just about every budget … guidebook out there, and it's frequently full. The rooms are large and the decor gorgeous, so it's well worth it to book months in advance. Double rooms are €110 to €135.[link]

Within walking distance of the Louvre and five minutes from Saint-Germain des Pres, the Hôtel Lindbergh is a basic budget hotel in an excellent location. The … place has been recently renovated, so all of the rooms are reasonably clean and modern. The small lobby has a place to read and is decorated with pictures of the eponymous pilot. Doubles from €98.[link]

This elegant budget spot is a great deal for the price. Some rooms have views of the Eiffel Tower, and while by no means big, they're larger than some and come … with flatscreen TVs and wifi. Guests eat breakfast in a glass-roofed patio, and the communal lounge has red leather chairs and a wood-burning fireplace. Doubles from €130.[link]

The The neighborhoody Hôtel de Varenne is great for visitors interested in visiting the nearby Rodin Museum. The hotel has a lovely courtyard, and the rooms … are outfitted with large, comfortable beds. It was once a private mansion and still has that intimate, homey feel. Doubles start at €137.[link]

Though the Hôtel Verneuil is a little more expensive, the New York Times' Elaine Sciolino claims you can get a small doubles for €136. The rooms may be … small, but they all come with TV, minibar, and hairdryer. There is a guest lounge with comfortable couches, a rack of magazines, and an afternoon service of drinks.[link]

The New Orient Hotel is decorated in antique and secondhand furniture. The bedspreads and drapes are a little too floral and grandmotherly for our tastes, but the … common rooms and dining area seem pleasant enough. Rooms range from €85 to €145.[link]