- Mr Plane Guy
- 23 hours ago
- 7 min read
citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées Review: Smart Luxury in the Heart of Paris
By Mr Plane Guy, travel blogger, flight expert & professional city-break maximiser
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and book, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Mr Plane Guy airborne.
Finding a hotel in central Paris that balances location, comfort and value can be surprisingly difficult.
Rooms are often small, prices are high, and the best areas fill up quickly.
During my recent trip to Paris, I stayed at citizenM Paris Champs‑Élysées, a modern boutique hotel just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe and the world-famous Champs-Élysées.
What I found was a hotel that delivers excellent value for central Paris, with friendly staff, smart technology inside the rooms and one of the best locations for exploring the city.
However, there is one thing you should know before booking.
The rooms are very small.
Here is my honest review of citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées.
citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées Hotel Quick Facts
Location: Champs-Élysées, 8th arrondissement
Nearest landmark: Arc de Triomphe (5-minute walk)
Nearest airport: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
Room style: Compact smart rooms
Best for: Short city breaks and solo travellers
Check-in: 14:00
Check-out: 11:00
Breakfast: Buffet available (€20.5)
If you're planning a trip to the French capital, you may also want to read my full guide “Unlock the Secrets of Paris”, where I share my favourite neighbourhoods, travel tips, and things to do across the city.
Location: One of the Best Areas to Stay in Paris
The biggest advantage of this hotel is the location.
citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées sits on Rue La Boétie, just moments from the Champs-Élysées.
Within a few minutes’ walk you can reach:
• the Arc de Triomphe
• the luxury shopping along Champs‑Élysées
• restaurants and cafés across the 8th arrondissement
• metro and bus links across Paris
For a city break, it’s one of the most convenient areas in the city.
Many of Paris’s major attractions are either walkable or easily reachable by metro.
citizenM Paris First Impressions and Check-In
One of the highlights of my stay was the staff.
Despite arriving several hours early, I was allowed to check in at 12:00 midday, even though standard check-in time is 14:00.
After travelling, being able to access the room early made a huge difference.
The lobby area is modern and spacious, with large communal seating areas that feel more like a stylish lounge or co-working space than a traditional hotel reception.
CitizenM hotels are known for their tech-focused design, and this becomes clear the moment you arrive.
Rooms at citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées: Small but Cleverly Designed
This is where citizenM hotels divide opinion.
The rooms are very compact, which is typical for central Paris hotels, but they are cleverly designed to maximise the space.
Inside the room you’ll find:
• a large wall-to-wall bed
• mood lighting controls
• a tablet controlling lights, blinds, temperature and TV
• a modern bathroom pod
The bed itself was extremely comfortable, which matters far more than room size when staying in a city hotel.
The shower was particularly interesting.
The compact capsule-style design reminded me of something you might find on a premium aircraft. At one point I joked that it felt like I was using the shower on an Emirates A380.
For one person the room works perfectly. For two people, it can feel slightly tight.
Facilities and Breakfast at citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées
CitizenM focuses heavily on communal spaces rather than oversized rooms.
The hotel includes:
• large lounge areas
• a stylish bar and restaurant
• fast Wi-Fi
• comfortable work areas
Breakfast is available for an additional fee and includes a buffet selection.
It’s a convenient option if you want to start the day quickly before heading out to explore Paris.
Getting to the Hotel From the Airport
The hotel is well connected to both of Paris’s main airports.
From Charles de Gaulle Airport, the journey takes around 35–45 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic.
Travellers can also reach the hotel using the RER B train to central Paris, followed by a short metro ride.
From Paris Orly Airport, transfers typically take around 30 minutes by taxi.
If you're flying into Paris, you might also find my guide to flying business class from London Gatwick helpful when planning the journey.
A Smart Booking Trick: Earn Avios Points
One of the best parts of this stay had nothing to do with the hotel itself.
I booked the room through Avios Hotels, which is powered by Expedia. By doing this I earned over 4,825 Avios points for the booking.
For travellers who collect airline miles, this is a simple way to earn extra points from hotel stays.
If you’re planning flights with British Airways, these points can later be used towards reward flights or upgrades.
Who This Hotel Is Best For
CitizenM Paris Champs-Élysées works particularly well for:
• couples on a short Paris city break
• solo travellers
• travellers who prioritise location over room size
• frequent flyers collecting loyalty points
If you plan to spend most of your time exploring Paris rather than sitting in the room, the compact layout isn’t a major issue.
Is citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées Good Value?
Paris hotels are rarely cheap, especially in central locations.
However, considering the location and the modern design, this hotel offers good value compared to many nearby options.
You’re staying within walking distance of some of Paris’s most famous landmarks.
For travellers looking for a hotel near the Champs-Élysées in Paris, it’s a strong option.
Book with Hotels.com
✔ No hidden fees – the total price already includes taxes and mandatory fees (including resort fees).
✔ Earn rewards through the One Key Rewards programme, collecting OneKeyCash you can use towards future hotel stays.
A Beautiful Breakfast Spot Near the Hotel
Just around the corner from the hotel is one of the most beautiful cafés I found in Paris: Bacha Coffee.
Located at 26 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, this stunning café feels more like stepping inside a palace than a coffee shop.
The interior is inspired by Moroccan palaces, with gold details, marble tables and incredibly rich décor. It’s easily one of the most opulent cafés I’ve visited in Paris.
It’s the perfect place for:
• morning coffee and croissants
• an elegant brunch
• afternoon tea and pastries
The pastries and coffee are excellent, although prices are definitely on the luxury side. Still, for the atmosphere alone, it’s worth visiting if you're staying nearby.
Final Boarding Call
If you want a modern hotel near the Champs-Élysées, citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées is an excellent choice.
The rooms are small, but the clever design, comfortable beds and superb location make it a great base for exploring the city.
Add friendly staff and the opportunity to earn thousands of Avios points when booking, and it becomes an even more appealing option.
For travellers who want to stay in central Paris without paying luxury-hotel prices, this hotel delivers solid value.
Here Are Some Must-Know Paris Travel Tips
If you're visiting Paris for the first time, a few tips can make your trip smoother:
• Stay near metro lines for easy travel across the city
• Many major attractions are walkable from central districts
• Book popular museums and attractions in advance
• Avoid peak museum times in the afternoon
• Consider airport transfers if arriving with luggage
Plane Related Travel Guides
You may also enjoy:
Pros and Cons of citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées
Pros
• Excellent location just steps from the Champs-Élysées
• Walking distance to the Arc de Triomphe and major attractions
• Friendly staff and flexible early check-in during my stay
• Comfortable bed and clever in-room technology
• Good value compared with many hotels in central Paris
• Opportunity to earn Avios points when booking through Avios Hotels
Cons
• Rooms are very small, especially for two travellers
• Limited storage space for large suitcases
• Bathroom pod design may feel compact for longer stays
• Breakfast is an additional cost
Mr Plane Guy Hotel Review Score
✈️ Location & connectivity: 10 / 10
Just minutes from the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe with excellent metro access across Paris.
🛏 Comfort & sleep quality: 8 / 10
The bed is extremely comfortable, although the compact room layout means space is limited.
💸 Value for money: 9 / 10
A prime Paris location without the typical luxury-hotel price tag.
📦 Room size & practicality: 7 / 10
Cleverly designed, but rooms are undeniably small.
🎟 Points & rewards potential: 9 / 10
This stay earned 4,850 Avios through Avios Hotels, or you can earn OneKeyCash when booking via Hotels.com through the One Key Rewards programme.
💎 Plane Luxury for Less Score: 9 / 10
Overall rating: ⭐ 8.5 / 10
A stylish, well-located Paris hotel that delivers a premium location and smart design without luxury-hotel prices, especially if you maximise Avios or travel rewards.
Book with Hotels.com
✔ No hidden fees – the total price already includes taxes and mandatory fees (including resort fees).
✔ Earn rewards through the One Key Rewards programme, collecting OneKeyCash you can use towards future hotel stays.
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading citizenM Paris Champs-Élysées Review: Smart Luxury in the Heart of Paris.
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