Boutique and Luxury Hotels in Paris, London, and Rome, at Every Budget

For a first visit, stay in central Paris within the first eight arrondissements. The 1st (Louvre and Tuileries) is grand and central. The Marais (3rd and 4th) is charming, walkable, and full of cafés and boutiques. Saint-Germain-des-Prés (6th) is classic Left Bank Paris. The 7th puts you near the Eiffel Tower but is quieter at night.

For better value, look at the 9th around Opéra and South Pigalle, or the 11th near Oberkampf. Both are well connected by metro and have excellent restaurants.

Le Meurice on the Rue de Rivoli is one of the city's legendary palace hotels, facing the Tuileries Garden, with interiors full of gilt and crystal. Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg sits steps from the Place de la Concorde and the fashion houses of the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, with a more modern feel. For a boutique stay in the heart of the Marais, Sofitel Le Marais offers style and an unbeatable location for walking.

Flights to compare: New York to Paris, Atlanta to Paris, Miami to Paris, Chicago to Paris, and Los Angeles to Paris.

Covent Garden and the West End put you in the middle of theaters, shopping, and restaurants. Mayfair and St James's are polished and expensive. South Kensington offers museums, quiet garden squares, and great transport links. South Bank is ideal for walking along the Thames with views of Westminster and St Paul's.

For value, look at Bloomsbury, Shoreditch, or King's Cross. All three have strong Underground links and plenty of boutique hotels at lower rates.

The Savoy, on the Strand overlooking the Thames, is one of the world's most famous hotels, known for its Art Deco style and afternoon tea. The Kensington Hotel, in a row of elegant townhouses in South Kensington, is a quieter, more residential choice near the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park.

Flights to compare: New York to London, Dallas to London, Chicago to London, Atlanta to London, and Miami to London.

The historic center, around the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and Campo de' Fiori, lets you walk to almost everything. The area around the Spanish Steps and Via del Corso is elegant and great for shopping. Trastevere, across the river, is atmospheric and full of trattorias, though it can be loud at night.

For value, look at Monti, near the Colosseum, or the streets around Termini station, which are convenient for day trips by train.

Hotel de Russie sits between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo, with a beautiful terraced garden that feels like a secret oasis in the city. Hotel Artemide on Via Nazionale is a well-reviewed four-star option with a rooftop terrace and excellent value, close to Termini and the Monti district.

Flights to compare: New York to Rome, Miami to Rome, Chicago to Rome, Atlanta to Rome, and Dallas to Rome.

London, Paris, and Rome work beautifully as a multi-city trip. London and Paris are about two and a half hours apart by the Eurostar train, and Paris to Rome is a short flight. A good plan is to fly into one city and out of another, which avoids backtracking.

Give each city at least three full days. If you only have a week, choose two cities rather than rushing all three.

April, May, September, and October offer the best mix of pleasant weather and reasonable prices in all three cities. Summer brings the longest days but also the biggest crowds and highest hotel rates. Winter is the cheapest time to visit, especially in January and February, and is a great choice for museums and food.

Book hotels in these cities earlier than you would at home. Central rooms at good boutique hotels often sell out two to three months ahead in spring and fall. Our guide on how to find hidden hotel deals has more tips on getting better rates.