Hôtel Madeleine Plaza: A Perfect Parisian Hotel for a Long Weekend
An easy, central base on Place de la Madeleine, ideal for short Paris stays when you want location and views more than full-service frills. Hôtel Madeleine Plaza is a 4-star hotel in Paris’ 8th arrondissement, a classic Right Bank address directly opposite the Madeleine church.
This visit to Paris was really a stopover. We had around 36 hours in the city before picking up the TGV to the South of France, then one night back in Paris on the return, before taking the Eurostar home to London. In that context the Madeleine Plaza made a lot of sense. It is significantly cheaper than the Sofitel and you are paying for location and convenience rather than amenities. For a long weekend, a theatre trip or a single night between trains it works very well.
Location on Place de la Madeleine
The hotel sits directly on Place de la Madeleine, facing the church. Step out of the front door and you are immediately in the square, with the colonnades, smart streets and familiar Paris names all around you.
From here you can walk across the square to Maison de la Truffe for lunch, dinner or a little truffle shopping. You can stroll down towards Place de la Concorde and the Tuileries, take a direct Metro line to Gare de Lyon for dinner at Le Train Bleu before your train, and reach the Louvre easily for a return visit to Louvre Couture. It is straightforward to access both the TGV and the Eurostar with simple transfers.
For our itinerary it was close to ideal. Arrive by train, drop bags, head out for dinner, visit favourite parts of Paris the next day and then a simple hop to the station. On the way back, arriving late from the South of France, it was reassuring to know we were only a short ride from Gare de Lyon to a familiar bed opposite the Madeleine.
A simple “rooms only” city base
Hôtel Madeleine Plaza is really a “rooms” hotel. There is no bar, no restaurant beyond breakfast, and no spa, gym or boutique.
If you are used to full-service luxury hotels this will feel more pared back, but that is reflected in the rate. For travellers who know Paris, or simply want a clean, comfortable room in a smart area, it is very effective.
Check in was smooth and reception is manned 24 hours, which matters more than you think. On one leg our TGV was six hours late, so arriving into Paris long after our original plan could have been stressful. Knowing we could still walk straight into the lobby and pick up our key made a big difference.
The hotel also offers day use rooms, which is a smart option if you are passing through and want somewhere secure to leave bags, have a shower and change before an evening train or flight.
Rooms and views at Hôtel Madeleine Plaza
Hôtel Madeleine Plaza has a compact set of room types. The main differences are space and view rather than dramatic changes in décor.
Classic Rooms are the entry level option, around 14 to 16 m², facing the inner courtyard. They are simply furnished, clean and quiet, ideal if you want a good bed and a central base at the lowest price point.
Cosy Rooms are a touch larger at 15 to 17 m², with views over Place de la Madeleine or Rue Tronchet. These are a good balance of space and setting. Some have small balconies that give you that classic Paris street feel as soon as you open the window.
If the view matters, Superior and Deluxe rooms are the place to start. Superior rooms look straight onto the church, with some offering a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. Deluxe rooms add a little more space, an armchair and a desk, with generous light and wider views across the square and Rue Tronchet. We stayed in a Deluxe room that followed the same theme of soft colours, good daylight and strong sightlines to the Madeleine. It felt spacious enough for a short stay, with plenty of light pouring in and that unmistakable church view as you looked out.
The Parisian Suite is the standout category and the one that really justifies the name. Our Parisian Suite was set over two floors. The main level has a large, comfortable bed, a small seating area and a desk. Upstairs there is a single bed tucked under the eaves with a skylight looking over the city.
The real highlight is the wraparound balcony. Step outside and you face the Madeleine church, with a couple of small tables and chairs that make it very easy to sit out with a drink and watch the city. In the distance you can follow the Eiffel Tower beam as it sweeps the skyline and see the tower sparkle on the hour. On the other side you look across the rooftops towards Sacré-Coeur. We had a superb view of the Bastille Day celebrations from here and are already planning to return in 2026 to watch the fireworks from the same spot.
A motion lapse of the Paris Skyline from the Balcony at Hotel Madeleine Plaza
In-room amenities are thoughtful rather than lavish. There are bathrobes and good quality toiletries, tea making facilities and a detail we particularly liked: two black flasks which you can fill with still or sparkling water from the dispenser in reception. It is a simple, genuinely useful move towards cutting plastic and feels more considered than the usual bottled water on a desk. The welcome card and chocolates on arrival were a small touch, but very Paris.
Breakfast: basket or café pavement
Breakfast is served in a small dining room off the lobby. The room is spotless and efficient, the bakery basket is fresh and there is everything you need if you simply want coffee, juice and pastries before heading out.
For atmosphere though, we preferred Café Madeleine next door. Sitting outside with a view of the church, watching Parisians head to work, feels far more like the Paris we come for. On future visits we would probably skip the in-house option and take breakfast on the pavement.
Breakfast with a view, next door at Café Madeleine Paris
If you like a big hot buffet breakfast and a long, slow start, you will be happier at Sofitel Paris Le Faubourg. If you just want a quick, decent start to the day before you head off to the Louvre or the station, Madeleine Plaza will do the job.
Who this hotel suits
“Hôtel Madeleine Plaza is a classic Parisienne address with an outstanding location and real city views, a hotel that feels unmistakably Paris without the price tag of the big international names.”
This is a hotel for you if you want a central, smart but simple base rather than a destination hotel. It suits long weekends, shopping trips and theatre breaks, and works well if you are passing through between the Eurostar and the TGV and want an easy, safe area to overnight. It is also a good choice if you plan to eat and drink elsewhere and do not need a hotel bar or restaurant, and if you value views and location over spa facilities, club lounges and full hotel dining.
If it is your first time in Paris and you want the complete cocooned hotel experience, the Sofitel will still appeal with its bar, restaurant and rich interiors. If you already know the city, or you prefer to put more of your budget into meals, exhibitions and shopping, Hôtel Madeleine Plaza lets you stay in a prestigious location without Sofitel pricing.
Why we would return
For the way we increasingly use Paris, Hôtel Madeleine Plaza makes a lot of sense. It is super convenient for the stations, perfectly placed for some of our favourite places in the city, comfortable and calm without feeling anonymous, and priced in a way that leaves room for Le Train Bleu, truffle lunches and exhibition tickets.
Service is friendly and efficient, limited in scope to reception and breakfast but supported by good pre and post stay communication. It feels like a hotel that understands its place, a central, well run Paris address with enough charm and some genuinely lovely views. We fully expect to stay again in 2026.
Date of stay(s): 12 to 15 July 2025 and 25 July 2025