Hotel Esmeralda
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-21.
Hotel Esmeralda is worth booking if you want a very central Paris base opposite Notre Dame at the lowest price among our three picks, and you can accept a 1-star property with mixed cleanliness feedback. Skip it if spotless rooms matter more to you than location.
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Sold out on your dates? See the best available alternatives →Who it suits, and who should skip it
This is a budget pick for travellers who plan to be out most of the day. It is tagged as family-friendly, and the property lists family rooms. Room sizes and bed layouts are not confirmed in our data, so families should check them before booking.
Skip it if you are sensitive to dust or older carpets, or if you want a hotel with a long list of facilities. The property lists only two: family rooms and free Wi-Fi. It is a 1-star hotel and should be judged as one.
Location and getting around
The address is 4 rue Saint-Julien Le Pauvre, in the 5th arrondissement. Guests describe a central Latin Quarter setting opposite Notre Dame and near Metro stations. Its location score is 9.8, the strongest number in its profile.
Walking times below are straight-line estimates, so real routes may take a little longer. The Louvre is 1.3 km away, about 16 minutes on foot. The Musée d'Orsay is 1.7 km, about 21 minutes. Place de la Concorde is 2.4 km, about 30 minutes, which is a long walk at the end of a day. For longer trips across the city, plan on public transport or a taxi.
What guests say
The score is 8.0 out of 10 from 1,620 guest reviews. That is solid, but it ranks 29th of 38 eligible properties in the provider sample, so it sits in the lower part of the field.
Guests like the location and the staff. Reviewers mention a friendly team that gives a warm welcome, local advice and help with luggage.
The main complaint is room cleanliness. Some guests find their rooms tidy. Others report dust, mold and stained carpets. That is an uneven picture, and it means your room could be better or worse than the average.
Price and what you get, compared with our other two picks
All prices here are reference prices for 10 to 12 November 2026, for 2 adults in one room. They are not live quotes.
Hotel Esmeralda is listed at €220.47 per night. Our Best Value pick, Nestay Les Halles (4 stars, 9.4 score), is €328 per night, so Esmeralda is €107.53 cheaper per night. Our Luxury pick, Le Grand Mazarin (5 stars, 9.3 score), is €759.37 per night, a gap of €538.90.
Our selection notes also show a figure of €180.76 per night, described as 39% below the sample median of €295.99. Our data does not explain the difference between the two figures. Plan with the higher one and check the total at booking.
Breakfast is not confirmed. Do not assume it is included.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 40 candidates in Paris. Esmeralda is our Budget choice because it was the lowest-priced eligible option once the upscale choice was set aside, and because its location is hard to beat at this price.
It does not win on guest score or condition. It wins on price and position. That tradeoff is the reason it is here.
Before you book
Room size, noise, renovation condition, breakfast and cancellation terms have not been assessed. Check each of them on the booking page for your dates.
If cleanliness worries you, read the most recent reviews and ask about the room type before you pay. Availability, fees and opening times can change, so confirm the final price for your exact stay.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out on your dates? See the best available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Is Hotel Esmeralda in Paris a good budget hotel?
It is a good choice if location and price come first. It scores 8.0 from 1,620 reviews and is the cheapest of our three Paris picks. Cleanliness feedback is mixed.
How far is Hotel Esmeralda from the Louvre?
The Louvre is 1.3 km away in a straight line, about 16 minutes on foot. Real walking routes may take a little longer.
Does Hotel Esmeralda include breakfast?
Breakfast is not confirmed in our data. Check the booking page for your dates before assuming it is included.
What do guests dislike about Hotel Esmeralda?
The main complaint is room cleanliness. Some guests report dust, mold and stained carpets, while others find their rooms tidy.
How much does Hotel Esmeralda cost per night?
The reference price is €220.47 per night for 2 adults, 10 to 12 November 2026. It is not a live quote, so confirm the total at booking.