Looking for a "crème de la crème" experience in the city of lights? A stay at one of these top luxury hotels in Paris will ensure just that. The best Paris luxury hotels offer old-world chic and modern convenience, and often house some of the French capital's most inventive and prestigious restaurants.
Hotel Plaza Athenee
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A high temple of luxury and fashion in Paris and situated on the chic Avenue Montaigne, the Plaza Athenee regularly welcomes celebrities and socialites, making the entrance a common lurking spot for paparazzi. A Paris luxury hotel boasting 146 rooms and 45 suites decorated in Regency, Art Deco or Louis XVI style and breathtaking views of monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Plaza Athenee merits its standing as a "palace" hotel. The Michelin 3-star restaurant, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee, is one of Paris' gastronomic institutions, while the recently inaugurated Dior Institute has added an improbable extra layer of luxury to the Plaza.
Ritz Hotel
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Hotel de Crillon
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Built in 1758 under the commission of King Louis XV, the Hotel de Crillon is one of Paris' oldest luxury hotels. A truly classical setting is apparent in the hotel's 147 rooms and suites, which are lavishly decorated with tapestries, furniture, sculpture and other objects dating to the 17th and 18th centuries. The top-floor Leonard Bernstein suite, named after the celebrated pianist, harbors one of Bernstein's pianos and affords breathtaking views of Paris. The hotel has hosted countless famous figures, including many famed American politicans, from Franklin D. Roosevelt to Herbert Hoover. On the gourmet side, the Crillon's prestigious restaurant Les Ambassadeurs is run by young and talented chef Christopher Hache.
Le Meurice
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Located on the opulent Rue de Rivoli across from the Tuileries Gardens and near the Louvre Museum, Le Meurice is another institution among Paris luxury hotels. Built in the early 18th century, Le Meurice was fully revamped in 2000 and belongs to the same group that owns the Plaza Athenee. This five-star hotel, apart from being within close reach of many of the city's most-coveted attractions, boasts a Michelin three-star restaurant run by celebrated chef Yannick Alléno, 160 Louis XVI-style rooms, and full spa services, among other top-notch amenities.
Four Seasons George V
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The Parisian version of the high-end luxury Four Seasons chain offers all the opulence and indulgence of a palace. Housed in a building dating to 1928, the sprawling property offers 245 rooms, nearly a quarter of which are suites, across eight floors. A large proportion of the rooms have private terraces which offer impressive views of Paris. The hotel's main restaurant, Le Cinq, now boasts two Michelin stars and offers traditional French cuisine with a continental twist. Luxury spa and sauna facilities complete the sumptuous picture.
Le Bristol
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Established in the roaring 1920's on the site of a building that was once occupied by several members of the French aristocracy, this hotel seeps with old-style glamour. Having hosted stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, Ava Gardner and Josephine Baker, Le Bristol is another luxury palace hotel in Paris that also claims a place in history. In 1940, it was used as a shelter by the American Embassy as World War II broke out. 210 rooms and suites fitted in traditionally French decor are on offer here. A Michelin three-star gastronomic restaurant, headed by chef Eric Frechon, full spa services, and outdoor pools affording breathtaking views of Paris, complete the offer.
Hotel Fouquet’s Barriere
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A relative newcomer to the five-star palace hotel landscape in Paris, Fouquet's Barriere is ideally situated on the Champs-Elysees. Built around a lush, isolated interior garden, Fouquet's has 107 rooms and suites decorated in a modern style that retains traditional elements of Parisian-style opulence. A full spa and sauna, gastronomic restaurant and terrace offering panoramic views of Paris help place Fouquet's among the most-coveted luxury hotels in the capital.
Hotel Prince de Galles
Courtesy of the Hotel Prince de Galles
This art-deco style Paris luxury hotel, opened in 1928, is located in close reach of attractions including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. 138 rooms and 30 suites are decorated with classical and art deco design features, and the hotel offers a full bar and gastronomic restaurant.
The Westin
Overlooking the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre, the Westin is a sprawling luxury hotel boasting 440 rooms and suites. Prestige suites offer spectacular views of the Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel tower. The hotel, first opened in 1878, has a full restaurant, bar, spa and fitness center and extensive conference rooms.
Pavillon de la Reine Chateaux
Courtesy of the Pavillon de la Reine.
Nestled in a corner of the opulent Place des Vosges in Paris' Marais district is one of the city's more subdued and charming luxury hotels. Named after Anne of Austria, the Pavillon de la Reine offers numerous rooms and suites overlooking a quiet, green terrace and courtyard, affording a sense of peace and privacy. A large spa operated by luxury brand Carita adds to the discreetly but decidedly luxurious setting.
