Inside look: This new points hotel in Paris offers Eiffel Tower views and luxurious accommodations from 110,000 Hilton points
The City of Light is home to hotels aplenty, ranging from serviceable budget accommodations to luxury digs where your points can help you save some euros.
The newest entrant on the scene comes courtesy of Hilton’s upscale LXR Hotels & Resorts brand, and is an under-the-radar, 118-room gem in Paris’s sleepy 7th arrondissement.
Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts opened its doors at the end of May, and TPG popped in there just after Bastille Day for a spontaneous stay on the city’s Left Bank. Here’s everything you need to know about Paris’ latest points hotel and how to make the most of a stay there.
First impressions
An ever-changing cast of well-heeled foreigners — some toting bags from fashion brands galore, others furtively issuing orders via mobile phones to unseen assistants — seems to play background characters in front of the 1899 former telephone exchange that has recently been transformed into the Sax. If you can tear your surreptitious gaze away from their antics, you might spot the golden dome of Les Invalides down one of the wide boulevards radiating from the hotel, and the spire of the Eiffel Tower in another direction down a leafy street.
Sharply dressed doormen do their best to match the right parties to the right Mercedes sedans, or to help the latest arrival wheel massive pieces of luggage that hark back to the monthslong ocean voyages of yore into the relatively diminutive reception area.
One of the check-in agents will surely compliment your high-school French as you complete the check-in formalities, then they will hop out from behind the standing desk to personally escort you to your chamber, pointing out the alfresco The Garden restaurant (and plunge pool) through the back door, or the sultry, chandelier-filled The Galerie lounge along the way before leading you under a ceiling mural by street artist Sto on the way to the elevators.
Rather than one of the city’s grande dame hotels, this feels more like a well-to-do residential building that you just happen to be calling home during your visit to Paris.
The rooms
For a hotel with so few rooms, the Sax Paris actually has a preponderance of room categories — I counted 18 on the booking page — which can make it hard to suss out exactly what you’re getting. However, there are just king and queen rooms in the starting Sax category, and these are the ones available for the fewest points, so that is likely what most guests will end up trying to book.
Thanks to my Hilton Honors Diamond status, I was upgraded a single category from a Queen Sax room to a King Deluxe room that was 280 square feet versus just 250 square feet. Though small, it was still spacious by Parisian standards and efficiently laid out.
Anchoring the space was a sumptuously dressed king-size bed with crisp, white, monogrammed linens, flanked on both sides by marble-topped nightstands.
Rather than a headboard, the wall behind it was a window looking into the bathroom (albeit with electronic privacy blinds).
At the far side of the room, a wall of mirrored doors hiding the closet lent the space a more expansive feel while also reflecting the natural light from the wall of windows overlooking the hotel’s courtyard.
The room also held a marble breakfast table with two chairs — one wood, the other leather — providing a decent workspace. Next to this, the 55-inch flat-screen HDTV was mounted on a floor stand. The rough-hewn wooden minibar held a variety of specialty treats like savories and sweets from La Grande Epicerie and bottled cocktails from the Avantgarde Spirits Company.
To one side of the short corridor to the front door was a water closet containing an automated toilet.
To the other was the main bathroom, clad in gorgeous white marble with deep black veins and with a dual sink carved from dark marble. One quirk of this was that the hot water pipes seemed to run through the brass fixtures upon which the towels hung — an ingenious way of warming the linens, perhaps, but hot to the touch otherwise, so attention!
The walk-in shower had hand-held and overhead showerheads and pleasantly scented custom-made hair and skin products.
Contemporary but with nods to art deco and 1960s style, the room felt very chic and well laid out, if a tad on the small side for this price point.
Dining
The hotel has several dining and drinking establishments.
Those looking for a swinging scene should head straight to Kinugawa, a Japanese fusion restaurant with other outposts in Dubai, Morocco and St. Barts, among others, on the top floor, where a raft of hosts and hostesses stand ready to escort you to your table. Those around the central bar and the omakase counter are the liveliest, but the ones with Eiffel Tower views are the most coveted. All have plush pink velvet chairs and banquettes, though, with a potted palm or two thrown in for good measure.
There are tables outside on a small deck as well as one floor up via a spiral staircase (though this area was not yet ready for guests). Just a heads-up that this tends to be where the smokers congregate, so your panoramic view might come with wafts of smoke.
The menu is pricey, even by Parisian standards, with standout dishes like crispy rice with salmon, snow crab and avocado ($35); katsu duck cress salad ($30.50); a wagyu burger with yuzu kosho aioli ($47); and a variety of sushi rolls and sashimi, including ultrafresh spicy tuna ($25) and individual pieces of sweet crab ($8).
Kinugawa is also where breakfast is served from 7-10:30 a.m. daily. It was included as part of my Hilton Diamond benefits and featured an extensive buffet of pastries, fruit, cold cuts, juices and even Taittinger Champagne, plus a selection of a la carte dishes like avocado toast, brioche French toast and eggs made to order.
Guests looking for something more continental can sample the same menu whether dining in the lobby-adjacent all-day dining venue, Sax, or the tranquil courtyard restaurant, The Garden, which is also where you’ll find a small plunge pool, a Jacuzzi and a handful of loungers.
Among the signatures on offer are lobster gyoza ($27), mini grilled cheese ($20), a jamon de bellota platter ($40), Caesar salad ($35) and a club sandwich ($38), plus specialty cocktails like the heady Mr. Burns with Glasgow Blend whisky, Planteray O.F.T.D. rum, buckwheat tincture and Martini Rubino vermouth ($22).
With trellises, trees, tiled floors and umbrella-shaded tables, as well as a dramatic mirrored sculpture titled Rockstone, by artist Arik Levy, The Garden feels like a St. Tropez beach club transported to the city, while Sax is more luxe, with velvet chairs, crystal chandeliers and a black-and-white reproduction of Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People” on the ceiling.
Though not completely open while we were there, The Galerie is a sultry space opposite Sax with red velvet banquettes and slipper chairs, mirrored walls and ceilings, and fanciful Baccarat crystal chandeliers, all tinted red by the street-facing windows.
Amenities and service
- Two floors underground, the small fitness center has the latest Technogym fitness and cardio equipment and men’s and women’s locker rooms with steam rooms and saunas.
- The spa offers various massages and facials ranging from 45-90 minutes, and advance reservations are suggested.
- There is a small pool and Jacuzzi in The Garden, but lounge chairs are in limited supply.
- Staff members throughout the hotel could not have been friendlier, transitioning between French and English depending on what guests preferred, and ready to lend a hand with everything from luggage to directions.
Location and logistics
The Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts is on Avenue de Saxe in the 7th arrondissement of Paris. The surrounding area is a relatively quiet, upscale, residential area of the city, though the hotel is only a short walk to tourist-thronged spots like the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides. There are plenty of Metro and bus stops nearby, so getting around the city via public transport is a breeze.
It’s relatively quick and inexpensive to get to the hotel from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) via the RER B and Metro 10 line ($15) or a $50-$80 ride using Uber or Bolt, depending on the time of day and the type of car you prefer.
What it costs
Nightly rates at the Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts start at around $780 or 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night, with plenty of award availability, for rooms in the starting Queen Sax and King Sax categories.
That equates to a value of around 0.71 cents per point, which is slightly above TPG’s August 2025 valuation. Also consider that, during one of Hilton’s frequent sales of points with a 100% bonus, you could purchase points at a rate of 0.5 cents apiece, so 110,000 of them would cost you $550, which could end up saving you money on a stay.
The room to which I was upgraded, a King Deluxe, starts at around $840 per night.
When booking the Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts, try to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hilton stays, or one that offers automatic Hilton Honors elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 12 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels, automatic Gold elite status and the ability to upgrade to Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year by spending $40,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year.
- Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 7 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Silver elite status (with an upgrade to Gold through the end of the next calendar year when you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year).
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Earn 14 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at Hilton hotels and automatic Diamond elite status.
The information for the Hilton Aspire Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Accessibility
The hotel’s public areas, including the lobby and restaurants, are accessible with wheelchairs, though the use of elevators is required in some cases, and these are on the small side.
The hotel has wheelchair-accessible rooms in the King Sax and King Prestige categories that have features such as more floorspace for easier wheelchair navigation, roll-in showers and toilet grab bars. As always, call the hotel directly to ensure you can book an accommodation that meets your specific needs.
Bottom line
Removed — but not far — from the Left Bank’s busiest tourist attractions in the sophisticated 7th arrondissement, Sax Paris, LXR Hotels & Resorts provides the refined backdrop for a relaxed stay in the French capital. It's a welcome alternative to the city’s sometimes over-the-top luxury hotels. What’s more, it is readily bookable using Hilton Honors points, albeit at sky-high rates. Still, if you have the points to spare, they can save you quite a bundle on a Parisian getaway and open up a sometimes overlooked corner of the city for your exploration.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.