I’ve always said that to be Parisian is to be dog-friendly, and Hôtel Balzac graciously extends their fine hospitality to our most faithful companions to ensure that a stay in their property is not only delightful, but also exceptional.

Carina and Gigi Checking in at Hôtel Balzac, a dog-friendly property in Paris

Traveling with my dog Gigi has allowed me to create the fondest memories in countless destinations, and we’re often asked for our top recommendations of dog-friendly hotels in our hometown of Paris. We had the opportunity to stay at Hôtel Balzac to experience it for ourselves, and it was clear that they understand how truly special it is to travel with a pet. Between the personalized service and the attention to detail found throughout the property, I felt at ease knowing my dog and I were in great hands at Hôtel Balzac.

Continue reading to learn more about my experience staying at Hôtel Balzac in Paris with my dog, along with details about my favorite amenities and design features.

A Dog-Friendly, 5-Star Boutique Hotel in the 8th arrondissement of Paris

With an ideal location in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, Hôtel Balzac is a perfect home base for visitors who plan on shopping, dining, and exploring the endless options and attractions throughout the city.

And for travelers who come to discover the city with their small dog, Hôtel Balzac is perfectly appointed to feel like your home away from home. My pomeranian Gigi was kindly welcomed to the hotel by the friendly staff, and she managed to settle in immediately. In a hotel stay, the three factors that Gigi cares most about are comfort, tranquility, and the opportunity to be by my side as much as possible– and at Hôtel Balzac, she was able to indulge in all aspects.

Gigi settling into our Eiffel Tower View Suite at Hôtel Balzac in Paris

Peaceful sanctuary just steps away from the Champs-Élysées

It’s obvious from the moment you enter the property, that Hôtel Balzac exudes a calming air of elegance– but something you only discover once you step foot in your room is how peaceful the hotel really is. The building was renovated and intentionally designed to be serene, and succeeds in shutting out the chaos and noise from the outside world. The contrasts are made even more stark when you consider that the property is located just a few steps away from the bustling Champs-Élysées. I slept deeply and comfortably during my stay at Hôtel Balzac, even though I purposefully left the curtains open overnight to let the light pour in as the sun rose in the morning. I wanted to take in every second of my suite’s iconic Eiffel Tower view, so waking hours were just as dreamlike as the hours I spent sleeping.

Enjoying a tea on the balcony of our Suite at Hôtel Balzac

Gigi curled up on our king sized bed at Hôtel Balzac

Gigi certainly slept comfortably, too. Between the plush dog bed that was provided by the hotel, the oversized sofa in the sitting area, and the king-sized bed, she had plenty of options to snuggle upon. She even managed to take a nap on the window sill, perched perfectly in front of our Eiffel Tower view (you’ll see the photo at the end of this article)!

Hôtel Balzac provided a plush bed and a ceramic water dish for my dog, gigi

Hôtel Balzac is a peaceful sanctuary, Just a block away from the iconic Champs-Élysées

Elegant interiors designed by FESTEN Architecture

Even before you enter the property, the refined details that frame the front door of Hôtel Balzac offer a glimpse of the elegance that is to be found inside. The aesthetic of the entrance hall is a celebration of cohesive contrasts that continues throughout the hotel, finding balance between the soulful choice of materials and the clever use of negative space that illuminates the interiors.

At Hôtel Balzac, design duo FESTEN expertly captures an essence that I’ve come to deeply appreciate about Paris: an air of intentional effortlessness. Though every detail is carefully planned, the execution is so flawless that everything feels as though it is simply as it was meant to be. The renovation of the property was only completed recently in 2024, so while the finishes are modern, the design of the space reflects and respects the classical heritage that the historical building and surrounding neighborhood are known for.

The design of Hôtel Balzac offers a unique sense of subdued sophistication that I haven’t found in any other hotel in Paris, making it truly exceptional. For travelers like me who are most inspired by beautiful and intentional interiors, a stay at Hôtel Balzac is an experience in Paris that is not to be missed. The layered color palette alone was enough to draw me in and make me not want to leave, and I couldn’t help but notice that my dog seemed to match the hotel perfectly.

Carina and Gigi in the lounge of Hôtel Balzac

Carina and Gigi in The entrance hall of Hôtel Balzac, designed by FESTEN Architecture

A delightful stay with Relais & Châteaux and MICHELIN Key distinctions

It’s hard to talk about Hôtel Balzac without mentioning how impressively beautiful the property is, but beyond its elegant aesthetics, the hospitality and service provided by the hotel is of the highest caliber and is what truly makes your stay memorable. Hôtel Balzac was recently awarded a MICHELIN Key in 2025, and is a Relais & Châteaux property– two honored distinctions that recognize excellence in hospitality.

And when this fine hospitality is extended to our pets who are made to feel like family, we are sure to enjoy an unforgettable stay. Having visited hotels all over Europe and the US with my dog Gigi, I’m most impressed and feel most at ease when a property makes sure that she is comfortable and has everything she needs– and Hôtel Balzac certainly exceeded our expectations. Friendly smiles greeted us throughout the property from the moment we arrived to the moment we departed, and kind compliments from the staff and other guests reminding me “how adorable she is” and how “she looks like she belongs here” are now memories that will stay with me forever.

Gigi the Pomeranian at the Hôtel Balzac in Paris France, a dog-friendly, 5-star Relais & Châteaux property

Amenities at Hôtel Balzac

During my stay at Hôtel Balzac, I found that the property maintains the perfect balance of having everything that you need, and nothing that you don’t. The experience of staying at Hôtel Balzac is elevated by its uncomplicated sense of fine hospitality. The service provided throughout the property is masterfully understated, and guests can confidently ease into their stay knowing all their needs will be met, often without even having to ask.

The amenity most important to me– and the very reason for my stay– was the fact that Hôtel Balzac welcomes small dogs. At a rate of 50€ a night, pets are happily welcomed throughout the property with the exception of their spa. My dog Gigi and I are happiest when we are at each other’s sides, so being able to stay at Hôtel Balzac together truly made it most enjoyable.

Spa Ikoï at Hôtel Balzac is unlike any other spa I’ve ever visited. It feels like it’s own world– the immersive space is inspired by Japanese design and well-being techniques, but what is possibly most impressive is that guests feel transported to a world away from the bustling center of Paris that’s just outside. The spa offers a menu of rejuvenating and relaxing treatments, and guests are also welcome to access the plunge pool, the sauna, and the fitness center.

Other amenities that were very appreciated during my stay were 24-hour room service, in-room breakfast, and a delightful mini-bar and beverage station that introduced me to my latest tea obsession: Thé du Cloître from Conservatoire des Hémisphères. Another memorable moment from my stay was getting ready in my suite’s beautifully appointed bathroom, complete with my favorite toiletries and products from Diptyque to make the experience even more indulgent.

Taking a pause between eventful days and lively nights exploring Paris

The rejuvenating Spa Ikoï at Hôtel Balzac feels like a world away from the center of Paris

Balcony views of the Eiffel Tower from Hôtel Balzac

One of the many highlights of our visit was the view from our balcony– we stayed in an “Eiffel Tower View Suite” at Hôtel Balzac, and the name truly delivered. The suite itself was bright and spacious, with an entry that features ample storage space and leads guests into the sitting area to take in the quintessential views of Parisian rooftops and the Eiffel Tower from the fifth floor of the hotel. Large windows and an open skyline allow for natural light to pour in, and the private terrace proved to be the perfect place to enjoy a tea and read a book as the sun was setting.

With a total of 58 rooms and suites across eight categories and six floors, Hôtel Balzac maintains a true boutique feel where guests are made to feel at home while in Paris. The personalized attention, combined with 5-star hospitality from the hotel’s staff, had me dreaming of returning before I even checked out. Hôtel Balzac is now my first answer when I’m asked for hotel recommendations in Paris that are sophisticated, elegant, and design-forward– and especially for those who are visiting Paris with their dogs, Hôtel Balzac is the finest choice.

Breakfast in bed with a view of the Eiffel Tower at the dog-friendly Hôtel Balzac in Paris

Are you planning a trip to Paris with your dog and wondering if a stay at Hôtel Balzac is right for you? Feel free to leave a comment below and ask me anything about my experience staying here with my dog! I’ve also written a review of Hôtel Balzac’s sister property, Hôtel Château des Fleurs, which is only a few blocks away– click here to discover what we loved about our stay.

View rates and availability for Hôtel Balzac here
Hotel Balzac’s Pet Policy