When I first started traveling across France, I was guilty of booking the usual chain hotels—safe, reliable, but often soulless. Toulouse, however, taught me something new. The “Pink City” isn’t just about its terracotta-brick facades, cobbled squares, and the Garonne River at sunset. It’s about the intimate, human-scale charm you can only experience when you stay in a guesthouse.
Guesthouses in Toulouse are different: they feel like homes. They’re often family-run, infused with local character, and located in neighborhoods that put you in touch with daily life rather than just tourist zones. My stay at one particularly lovely guesthouse—La Cour des Consuls Hôtel & Spa—left such a deep impression on me that I couldn’t wait to explore more.
I’ll share my personal experience at one Toulouse guesthouse and recommend four more that I researched, toured, or consulted fellow travelers about. Expect details on location, facilities, booking platforms, advantages, drawbacks, and even a few secrets about saving money.
So, if you’re wondering where to stay in Toulouse beyond the usual hotels, grab a coffee—this is going to be an in-depth guide.
✨ My Stay: La Cour des Consuls Hôtel & Spa Toulouse – MGallery
I’ll never forget the first evening I checked into La Cour des Consuls Hôtel & Spa, nestled on Rue des Couteliers in the Carmes district. The building itself, a restored 18th-century townhouse, was already dripping with character before I stepped inside.
📍 Location
The guesthouse sits in the heart of Carmes, one of the most atmospheric neighborhoods of Toulouse. Just a 10-minute stroll from Place du Capitole and a 5-minute walk to the banks of the Garonne River, it offered the perfect blend of centrality and quiet retreat. I loved walking to Pont Neuf for sunset—literally a few blocks away.
🏡 Facilities & Atmosphere
The guesthouse manages to combine the intimacy of a guesthouse with the luxury of a boutique hotel. My room featured:
• A four-poster bed with crisp linen.
• Original parquet floors.
• A marble bathroom with both a rainfall shower and a soaking tub.
Beyond the room, I had access to:
• A small courtyard garden with wrought-iron furniture, perfect for morning coffee.
• Spa Nuxe, offering massages and facials (I caved in for a €95 aromatherapy massage—worth every cent).
• A cozy lounge with a fireplace, where I ended up chatting with fellow travelers over Armagnac.
🥐 Breakfast & Dining
Breakfast (€22) was an absolute highlight:
• Flaky croissants that rivaled Paris.
• Local cheeses and charcuterie.
• Freshly squeezed orange juice and artisanal jams.
The in-house restaurant, Le Cénacle, is Michelin-starred. I treated myself to a duck breast with spiced jus (€38) and a glass of Gaillac red. Pricey, but unforgettable.
💶 Price & Booking
• Double rooms start at around €220/night, depending on the season.
• I booked via Booking.com, which offered a Genius discount bringing my rate down by 10%.
• Free cancellation up to 48 hours was included.
✅ Pros
• Elegant mix of heritage and modern comfort.
• Central yet peaceful.
• Luxurious spa facilities.
❌ Cons
• Pricey for long stays.
• Breakfast not included in the base rate.
Still, it was my favorite guesthouse stay in Toulouse—a blend of romance, history, and indulgence.
🌿 Recommended Guesthouse #1: La Villa Rosada
If you love the idea of staying near a garden retreat, La Villa Rosada is perfect.
📍 Location
Set in the Minimes district, it’s a 10-minute metro ride from Place du Capitole. While not right in the city center, it’s a quiet residential area, giving you an authentic feel of Toulouse daily life.
🏡 Facilities
• Rooms decorated in pastel tones with wrought-iron balconies.
• A shared garden with roses, lavender, and a small fountain.
• Free bicycles available for guests (a major plus for exploring the Canal du Midi nearby).
🍳 Breakfast
Breakfast is included in the rate and is served in the garden on warm days. Expect baguettes, yogurt, and homemade cakes.
💶 Price & Booking
• Rooms from €110/night.
• Bookable via Airbnb or Expedia.
✅ Pros
• Quiet garden escape.
• Free bike rentals.
❌ Cons
• Slightly outside the center—metro travel is necessary.
I’d recommend this one for couples who want to combine city exploring with quiet downtime.
🏠 Recommended Guesthouse #2: La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin
This one is all about location and budget-friendliness.
📍 Location
Just steps from the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The guesthouse is within walking distance of Capitole, markets, and metro lines.
🏡 Facilities
• Dorms (from €25) and private rooms (from €70).
• Shared kitchen for cooking your own meals.
• Courtyard terrace that doubles as a social hub.
🍳 Dining
No breakfast service, but plenty of bakeries nearby. I recommend Boulangerie Saint-Sernin, two doors down, where a croissant is €1.20.
💶 Price & Booking
• Dorms: €25–30/night.
• Private rooms: €70–90/night.
• Booked via Hostelworld or Booking.com.
✅ Pros
• Superb central location.
• Great for meeting fellow travelers.
❌ Cons
• Can get noisy at night.
• Basic facilities—don’t expect luxury.
This is ideal if you’re a solo traveler or on a tight budget but still want to stay central.
🌸 Recommended Guesthouse #3: L’Appart’ Hôtel Clément Ader
Technically an aparthotel, but it blends the feel of a guesthouse with added independence.
📍 Location
Located on Rue de Bayard, it’s just a 5-minute walk from Toulouse-Matabiau Station—perfect if you’re arriving by train.
🏡 Facilities
• Studio and one-bedroom apartments with kitchens.
• Outdoor pool (rare in Toulouse guesthouses!).
• Fitness center and sauna.
🍳 Dining
Self-catering kitchens make this a great option for families or longer stays. There’s a Carrefour City supermarket around the corner.
💶 Price & Booking
• Studios from €130/night.
• Bookable via Hotels.com or directly on their website.
✅ Pros
• Independence of an apartment + guesthouse services.
• Pool and sauna are a big bonus.
❌ Cons
• Lacks the charm of a family-run guesthouse.
• Breakfast (€15) is quite basic.
This is great for families or business travelers looking for space and amenities.
🌺 Recommended Guesthouse #4: La Maison Toulouse
For travelers who want the true “home stay” feeling, La Maison Toulouse is hard to beat.
📍 Location
Set in Côte Pavée, a leafy district 15 minutes by bus from the city center.
🏡 Facilities
• Only 3 rooms, each uniquely decorated.
• A garden patio with hammocks and lounge chairs.
• Hosts often organize aperitifs with guests.
🍳 Dining
Homemade breakfast included, with organic jams and locally sourced honey. Dinner on request (€25 per person) includes regional specialties like duck confit.
💶 Price & Booking
• Double rooms from €95/night.
• Found on BedandBreakfast.eu or direct booking via their website.
✅ Pros
• Warm, family-style hospitality.
• Excellent homemade meals.
❌ Cons
• Not walkable to main attractions.
• Small property = limited availability.
This is a guesthouse for those who want to slow down and connect with locals.
📖 Booking Tips & Platforms
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks:
- Compare platforms: Booking.com often has discounts, but direct booking sometimes gets you perks like free breakfast.
- Check cancellation policies: Many guesthouses offer free cancellation up to 48 hours.
- Contact hosts directly: For small guesthouses, emailing them directly can secure better rates or upgrades.
- Season matters: Prices spike during summer (June–August) and major festivals like the Toulouse Jazz Festival. Book early.
🌟Guesthouses in Toulouse are more than just places to sleep—they are experiences in themselves. My stay at La Cour des Consuls Hôtel & Spa was a blend of luxury and intimacy, but I was equally charmed by the simplicity of places like La Maison Toulouse and the social vibe of La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin.
What struck me most was how each guesthouse told its own story. Some spoke through history-laden architecture, others through the warmth of their hosts, and others through thoughtful touches like bicycles or homemade jam.
If you’re coming to Toulouse for the first time, I recommend mixing it up: stay a couple of nights in a central guesthouse to soak in the lively city center, then switch to a quieter property on the outskirts to enjoy garden mornings and starry nights.
One last note: Don’t underestimate the emotional value of staying in a guesthouse. Hotels may offer efficiency, but guesthouses give you memories, conversations, and the feeling that—at least for a few days—you were part of Toulouse life.
And that’s why, when I think of Toulouse now, I don’t just picture the Capitole or the Canal du Midi. I remember the clink of glasses in a leafy garden, the smell of croissants baking in a family kitchen, and the comfort of knowing I had found a true home away from home.