Paris is the city of all lovers. Who doesn’t dream of being here for Valentine’s Day? Ha. As a matter of fact, I do. Paris has long been more than just the city of lovers. It’s a modern, vibrant and lively city where many people want to be for several reasons: art, high fashion, architecture and partying. I am, of course, generalizing. I will tell a lot about Paris. But for now, I’ll start with hotels.
The article will be in two parts, so wait for the sequel. And the first part I will definitely start with the top hotels in Paris, the most famous and luxurious ones (of course you have heard about the Plaza Athene Hotel). But also, my selection includes cozy little hotels in different parts of Paris that are not famous for blogger hangouts, famous guests and room prices with the infinity symbol.
I’ll start the list with 7 of the most famous luxury hotels in Paris that have received the new (relatively) official “Distinction Palace” label: George V, Plaza Athénée, les Bristol, Meurice, Crillon, Ritz and Lutetia.
1. Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris 5*
The Four Seasons George V is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Paris. Located just steps away from the Champs-Elysées in the Golden Triangle area of haute couture boutiques, on Avenue George V. The hotel is famous for its signature lush flower beds, designed by florist Jeff Litam, and its Michelin-starred restaurants. Le Cinq, a Michelin 3* restaurant, serves traditional French cuisine. La Galerie, a chic café and a favourite of fashionable Parisians. Le George restaurant 1* Michelin – with Mediterranean cuisine. And Orangerie 1* Michelin, a marble restaurant set in the winter garden. It serves traditional French cuisine in a modern interpretation.
2. Hôtel Plaza Athénée – Dorchester Collection 5*
When it comes to luxury in the most romantic and stylish city in the world, it is impossible not to mention the Plaza Athénée. This Dorchester Collection hotel is located in the heart of haute couture, on the famous Avenue Montaigne. Its windows offer one of the most magnificent views of the Eiffel Tower. The hotel was founded in 1913 and often receives members of the royal family, celebrities and politicians. Plaza Athénée is a luxurious palace with Dior Institute Spa, 5 restaurants, cocktail bar and seasonal ice skating rink. It has established itself as one of the best hotels in Paris. By the way the hotel is relatively new, which is a big plus. Hotels of such value must be updated often, otherwise they will lose their “prestige”.
3. Le Bristol Paris – an Oetker Collection Hotel 5*
Le Bristol Paris is a historic palace-hotel in which the elegant interiors of the 18th century are maintained at the highest level of modern luxury. The hotel is located on the prestigious rue Faubourg Saint-Honore (have you seen Dangerous Liaisons? Then you know what it is), surrounded by haute couture. Le Bristol Paris is a gastronomic bastion with 4* Michelin (exclusive restaurant Epicure and beer bar 114 Faubourg). Some come to Paris just to sample the cuisine of chef Eric Frechon: his stuffed pasta, black truffle, artichokes and duck foie gras reflect all the genius and passion of one of the greatest chefs.
4. Le Meurice – Dorchester Collection 5*
Hotel Le Meurice occupies a palace building in the center of Paris. It is another iconic hotel, and one of the hotel’s highlights is the 2-Michelin-star Le Meurice restaurant, which serves exquisite French cuisine prepared by Chef Alain Ducasse (who has 3 Michelin stars). The food is served in the large dining room decorated by Philippe Starck in the style of the Salon de la Paix in Versailles with antique mirrors, crystal chandeliers, bronze, marble and frescoes. It also has a view of the Tuileries gardens. Perfect!
The Crillon Hotel is another luxury hotel with the title “palace”. It received it in 2018, thus becoming the 25th palace in France. De Crillon has 2 restaurants: gastronomic restaurant L’Ecrin and beer restaurant Brasserie D’Aumont. All beds in the hotel rooms are made with Italian Rivolta Carmignani linens and French Drouault pillows and comforters. The spacious, marble-clad bathroom is complete with custom-made beauty products and a mirror with a built-in TV. Luxury and convenience in one package.
César Ritz opened in 1898 in Paris, at No. 15 on Place Vendôme. The success of this venture allowed Ritz to later open hotels of the same name in London and other major cities. Architect Charles Mevey rebuilt as a hotel one of the aristocratic mansions designed in the early 18th century by Jules Ardouin-Mansard and used in the 19th century as an office of the bankers of the Pereire brothers. It was the first hotel in the world in which every room was equipped with a bathroom. The legendary chef Auguste Escoffier was in charge of the cuisine. Now it is a luxury hotel Ritz Paris – the first hotel in France, which received the certificate of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The GSTC is a non-profit organization recognized by the United Nations and its agency UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), which is responsible for setting the highest standards of tourism. This policy ensures that the enterprise meets “the highest social and environmental standards in the industry”.
Completing the top 7 palaces is the famous Hotel Lutetia, located in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, on the left bank of the Seine. It became a palace in October 2019. This makes it the only Hotel des Palaces in this part of the city. For lunch and dinner at the hotel, you can visit the famous Lutetia restaurant or the Saint Germain restaurant. The hotel has 2 courtyards where you can eat, an exclusive cigar lounge and a jazz bar designed by Jean Michel Willmott.
8. Hotel The Peninsula Paris 5*
The Peninsula Paris is another luxury hotel located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysees. The hotel is part of the Peninsula hotel group. The current building was erected on the site of a former private mansion, known as the Palais de Castile. It was first used as a luxury hotel under the name “Hotel Majestic” from 1908. In 1936 it became the property of the state, which turned it into a government building. From 1946 to 1958, it was the temporary headquarters of UNESCO. Sold by the state in 2007, it became a luxury hotel again under its current name. After a four-year renovation, the hotel was named a palace in July 2016. The hotel is home to Kléber Terrace, one of the largest outdoor dining terraces in Paris. And L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant on the roof, bar and terrace serves modern French cuisine.
9. Park Hyatt Paris – Vendôme 5*
The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme is a luxurious place with thoughtful amenities, exquisite decor and unparalleled elegance, and the Pur’ – Jean-François Rouquette’s 1* Michelin-starred restaurant. Chef Jean-François Rouquette is here. The hotel was designed entirely by American architect Ed Tuttle. Many works by contemporary artists (including Roseline Granet, Sam Gilliam, Ed Paschke and Irmgard Sigg) are on permanent display at the hotel.
10. InterContinental Paris Le Grand, an IHG Hotel 5*
This 5-star hotel, opened in 1862 under Napoleon III. It is a veritable haven of history, with a profusion of decorative elements characteristic of the time, red Empire and royal blue, combined with some other styles. This Ottoman style is an example of Parisian charm. By the way, the “Ottoman style” has nothing to do with Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, but comes from the name of the architect Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann, whose last name in the original sounds like Haussmann. Napoleon III, having decided to get rid of Paris slums, commissioned Haussmann to rebuild Paris. And he did. Practically the entire center of Paris was torn down and rebuilt.
11. Hôtel Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris 5*
A modern luxury hotel with a striking design is a true masterpiece, located in the heart of the city of lights. Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris was renovated by the world-famous designer Philippe Starck. The bathrooms feature Clarins cosmetics, the Matsuhisa restaurant serves modern Japanese cuisine, and Il Carpaccio serves fine Italian cuisine and desserts by renowned pastry chef Pierre Hermès.
Shangri-La Hotel, Paris occupies the former palace of Prince Roland Bonaparte, a listed historic monument in France. The hotel is located opposite the Eiffel Tower, on the opposite side of the Seine. Asian hospitality and French lifestyle echo here. Some rooms have stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. All rooms have a separate living room with a desk and a marble bathroom with Guerlain toiletries. All of the room furniture is custom-made. The hotel has two restaurants under the direction of Chef Christophe More, one of which is awarded 1* Michelin. Le Shang Palace is the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in France.
The Saint-James Paris is a member of the Relais & Châteaux, an incredibly elegant 19th-century building surrounded by its own garden designed by the landscape designer Xavier de Chirac. The hotel is only a 20-minute walk from the Champs-Elysées. An amazing combination of comfort in the heart of Paris. There is a spa on site in collaboration with the Guerlain cosmetics brand. This former private mansion now combines its romantic neoclassical soul with modernity – thanks to the talent of interior designer Laura Gonzalez, who has achieved a perfect symbiosis of vegetation and art deco.
The J.K. Place is famous for its modern, impeccable chic and hospitality (there are hotels in Capri and Rome), which is why all travelers were so much looking forward to the opening of the first hotel outside of Italy. The hotel has been featured in Conde Nast Treveller, Hot List, The Best Hotels in the World, Travel & Leisure, The Telegraph, AD and Forbes. The 29 five-star rooms and suites – decorated with stucco, marble and modern wood-burning fireplaces. Every detail of this Italian-Parisian home has been masterfully designed and thought out. The dressing rooms are almost as spacious as the black and white marble bathrooms. Rooms are equipped with Dyson hair dryers and Alma K brand toiletries. Absolutely everything is monogrammed JK, which makes the hotel even more unique.
Located in the heart of Paris, a stone’s throw from the Louvre, the Mercantile Exchange and the Samaritain, the Madame Reve is part of the renaissance of the luxury hotel industry. The unique 5-star hotel, located in the iconic Louvre post office building, has 82 rooms and suites with panoramic views over Paris, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. The hotel’s green roof is like a quiet haven in the heart of the madness of the city of light. “I had a dream to create a symbolic place conceived as a modern fairy tale, calling for the joy of life and emotion. A place full of history that highlights all the monuments of the city of Paris and its unique rooftops” – Laurent Taieb, founder and artistic director. An incredibly stylish hotel from the pages of the AD.
16. Monsieur George Hotel & Spa – Champs-Elysées 5*
One of the best boutique hotel designers, Anouschka Hempel (who is over 80 years old by the way), has brought her magic to Monsieur Georges, transforming a typical Parisian building into a luxurious den of hospitality. Anoushka Hempel is considered a benchmark in her field: interior and exterior designer. But back to the hotel. 46 rooms, 5 stars. A hotel unlike any other. The classic Ottoman architecture gives the rooms a Parisian chic, each floor has its own atmosphere and decor in the rooms. The hotel has Monsieur George’s Restaurant and Galanga Gastronomic Restaurant under the direction of Chef Thomas Danigo, as well as Le Spa by Le Tigre, popular with locals.
This delightful, tastefully furnished boutique hotel retains the intimacy of the private residence it once was. The hotel is located in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, just 700 meters from Notre Dame. Relais Christine pays homage to the unique history of the place by changing the traditional rules of luxury. The decorator Laura Gonzalez brilliantly accomplished this task and managed to preserve its timeless soul by combining antiques and modernity, giving the old stones a new look. The spa at the hotel (located under the vaults of an old 13th-century Cistercian abbey) is a collaboration with Guerlain and combines artisanal know-how with cutting-edge technology. It’s amazing. The hotel, by the way, is part of the association of luxury hotels Relais & Chateaux.
18. Cheval Blanc Paris & Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris 5*
The Hotel Cheval Blanc Paris is in a historic building from 1928 with modern charm and a view of the Pont Neuf. The hotel is a vibrant Art Deco heritage and a tribute to French craftsmanship. A wealth of textures, shapes and fabrics. A kaleidoscope of gold and colors. A collection of artwork, bespoke objects and rarities found here and there. The spirit of Cheval Blanc Paris, interpreted by architect Peter Marino. Each piece of furniture has been specially designed or selected, every detail carefully considered. Subtle harmony under the sign of art, where paintings by Vic Muniz and Sonia Delaunay are combined with works by Philippe Antonios and the Lalanne couple. And the staircase from the lobby to the Dior Spa Cheval Blanc deserves special attention. It was created by the expressive artist Sophie Malbranche. This monumental work of art, inspired by the industrial printing in the Art Deco style, perfectly fits into the characteristic atmosphere of the House.
The hotel is located on a quiet street adjacent to the prestigious Golden Triangle. The Maison Villeroy has been completely renovated to recreate its early 20th century splendor and elegance. The hotel is based on the concept of a private home, offering a unique experience through cozy warm service that sets it apart from the big chain hotels. Although in fact, it is also a chain. But Maison Villeroy is 11 unique apartments, suites and rooms, making it feel like a Parisian private home.
Hotel Bulgari is a 1,000 m2, its own roof garden and 76 luxurious residences filled with Italian flavor and breathtaking panoramic views of Paris. Also, Bulgari is the Italian restaurant Il Ristorante Niko Romito (chef Niko Romito, winner of three Michelin stars) and Bulgari SPA. The luxurious Spa occupies 1300 square meters on two floors. The walls are faced with stone Vicenza (from the Italian region of the Veneto), Burmese teak and gold mosaic. The hotel was designed, as all Bulgari hotels and resorts, by the Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, and the project of reconstruction of the hotel facade was made by ACPV in collaboration with the French architectural firm Valode et Pistre. Bulgari does not betray its traditions. Inside the 11-story building with its minimalist Parisian stone façade, the Hotel Bulgari Paris uses the same combination of colors and textures as the other Bulgari hotels: marble, silk wall coverings, granite, tapestries and lacquered eucalyptus woodwork. The glamour of Rome and the legacy of Roman jewelers come alive in all public and private spaces.
I’ll publish the second part soon) Which hotel did you like the most? My favorites are the Bulgari, Saint-James Paris, and Madame Reve.
All photos are taken from Booking.com
