We Walked In… and Instantly Fell in Love with This Hotel

In this video we check into Hotel JoBo, a boutique hotel in the Marais themed around Josephine Bonaparte, the outspoken first wife of Napoleon. Our Hotel JoBo review answers one question in particular: is it too girly for Antoine? If you are looking for a romantic, characterful stay near Place des Vosges, this one is for you. We share what we paid at the end.

The room

  • We stayed in an upgraded junior suite on the top floor, the largest room in the hotel. All 24 rooms are different.
  • Walls covered in quilted fabric rather than wallpaper, which looks playful and helps with noise.
  • A king-size bed with crisp, high-thread-count linens, but no nightstands, just a ledge above the bed with USB ports.
  • Working air conditioning, two TVs, a mini bar, a coffee maker, robes and slippers.
  • A bathroom with a tub, bath salts and a pull-out seat.
  • Despite being steps from busy Rue de Rivoli, the room was dark and quiet, and we slept very well.

Bar, breakfast and the neighborhood

There is no restaurant, but the cozy bar serves welcome drinks, and you are within walking distance of countless restaurants. Breakfast surprised us: alongside pastries, fruit and crêpes there were eggs and bacon, served in the bar or in a charming little garden. The big red front doors close at midnight and you need your key to get in, which adds a sense of security. Right outside is one of our favorite little squares in the Marais, lined with restaurants.

Prices and our verdict

When we filmed, standard rooms started a little above 200 euros off-season (August is the dip) and around 350 euros in high season. Our upgraded room was a little above 400 euros off-season, compared with about 650 euros in season. It has a feminine touch but is not too feminine; it is more of a boudoir than a bright place to work, and perfect for a romantic getaway or a solo traveler. We loved it.

Book directly with our Hotel JoBo direct booking offer and code Frenchies for 5% off and free breakfast. For more hotels by neighborhood, see our Paris hotel guide and Paris Guide Bundle, and arrange your arrival with our recommended Paris airport transfers.