Paris hotels with arrival day cancellation?

Well, since you’re using flight benefits from a friend, you’re flying on what my family used to refer to as a buddy pass so you’re very smart not to book hotel rooms that can’t be canceled up until the last minute.

None of the hotels I use and recommend in Paris. I allow cancellation the day of they’re all at least 24 hours. I think it’s going to be hard to find something, even most of the chains now require 24 hours. I think I did see an intercontinental hotel that had the same day cancellation in London a little while ago so you might see if they have any options

My friends who work for the airline do book on the plane or at the airport after they know they’re going to clear. They do not book anything in advance. It does mean you have less options, but that’s the price of the extremely discounted airfare.

I wouldn't book anything in advance for the first night. There are so many options for lodging, even if you're stuck somewhere you might not prefer for the first night or two. I'd just look at it as the cost of the free (or discounted) flight. This is coming from someone who typically books MONTHS in advance because I'm so picky, lol. But for a free flight, I'd wing it!

I'm staying at the Warwick Geneva in a couple months and can cancel up to 4pm the day of arrival. It looks like there is a Warwick in Paris and they offer the same 4pm day of cancellation but it's in the 8th arrondissement. https://www.warwickhotels.com/warwick-paris/.
Have a wonderful time!

The Warwick suggestion does bring up one other thing you might want to provide to give people some guidance on what you want. How much do you want to spend per night.? Yes, that one can be canceled up till the last minute but I’m pretty sure their hotels are usually in the $300 to $400 range and that may be more than you want to spend

One other option is to spend that first night at a hotel by the airport. They’re generally always available. They’re generally not incredibly expensive. It’s not ideal, but I’ve done it when travel plans changed at the last minute and survived. (It’s been a long time since I flew buddy pass, and I’m reminded of why. )

Thanks to all who have responded already! I updated with budget. Also, the plane tickets aren't free, but they're definitely a great deal. But yes, it can be stressful to fly standby.

We travel to Paris quite often, and on occasion, when we are in another city and decide to leave early, we will head to Paris. Once on the train, or even a flight (with internet) we will go to booking.com and book a room for that night last minute. We often find good deals for last minute doing this - not always, but we have in the past. So once on board, you could book something while in flight or directly upon arrival in Paris. Either way, most hotels have a check in time policy. Most often when we arrive, they will let us check in early if the room is available. If not, they will let us store our luggage and call/text when the room is ready.

NH hotels have same day cancellation

I have sometimes seen a same-day cancellation option on a chain-hotel website when I checked the rate for members of the affinity group. I don't know whether that has popped up on multiple hotels belonging to the same chain or whether it was hotels across several chains. I'd say try Best Western and Mercure. Also Accor since it has so many properties in France (many some flavor of Ibis), though I haven't looked at its website recently.

Premier Inn is a chain that has same-day cancellation on its "Flex" rates, but as far as I know it doesn't have any properties in Paris.

Following JR, it may be easier to search for and find last minute bookings rather than same day cancellation.