Culinary prestige and couture: top luxury hotels in Paris for your next escape

Best hotel for couples

Reason to stay: couture and luxurious wellness

Nestled in the “Golden Triangle” of Paris fashion and luxury, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a masterclass in French couture. Designed by Charles Lefebvre and opened in 1913, the hotel’s history is interwoven with the neighbouring Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, once a favourite haunt for composers, artists, and theatregoers. Today, this luxury Parisian hotel draws travellers with a rare dual view: the Eiffel Tower at one end, the Champs-Élysées at the other. A symbol of French heritage and glamour, the legacy hotel is home to five celebrated restaurants and bars, along with the legendary Dior Spa, cementing its place among the most exquisite hotels in the world.

Best hotel for families

Reason to stay: culinary prestige and a garden oasis

While Le Bristol embodies a quieter, more understated splendour, it quietly flaunts four Michelin stars across its dining experiences. Designed for discerning travellers with a taste for epicurean excellence, this luxury hotel in Paris is revered for its in-house artisanal culinary production and its three-Michelin-star restaurant, Épicure. Each room and suite feels airy and refined, adorned with opulent fabrics by Frey, Canovas and Brunschwig.

The pièce de résistance? Le Jardin Français – a tranquil urban oasis designed by landscape visionary Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd. A living homage to Mother Nature, it’s framed by orange trees, blooming florals and elegant drawing rooms that make you forget you’re in the heart of Paris.

Best hotels for proximity to shopping

Reason to stay: art Deco charm and impeccable service

It wouldn’t be a luxury hotel list without the Four Seasons – and Paris’ Four Seasons Hotel George V outpost is a glamorous Art Deco jewel in the heart of the “Golden Triangle”. Built in 1928, the iconic palace blends historic opulence with modern indulgence, mere steps away from some of the city’s most coveted designer boutiques, including Louis Vuitton. Savour exquisite Parisian cuisine at one of the hotel’s three Michelin-starred restaurants (six stars in total), sip fine wine in the marble-clad courtyard, or unwind with a bespoke treatment at the five-star spa after a long day of boutique hopping. From Jeff Leatham’s extravagant floral installations to elegant high-teas served on fine china, this luxury hotel in Paris delivers grand Parisian charm at every turn.

Best hotel for location

Reason to stay: a taste of royalty and 24-hour butler services

Speaking of “Palaces” and prestige, Hôtel De Crillon is a historic property that personifies the Parisian spirit. Since its original conception in 1758 to its impeccable restoration in 2013 and beyond, this luxury Parisian hotel is a true testament to timeless elegance and a masterclass in preservation. From its signature suites to its opulent Les Grands Appartements designed by legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, each expansive room is immaculately adorned in marble and French linens, evoking the atmosphere of a refined Parisian flat rather than a hotel room. Whether you’re on a romantic escape or a lavish family retreat, Hôtel De Crillon is an idyllic haven that everyone can savour – with its tailor-made wellness spa experience a must.

Best hotel for views over the Seine

Reason to stay: sweeping Seine views and riverside dining

Like most of the city’s grand hotels, Cheval Blanc is a tapestry of fine taste, but its prime Seine-side location and devotion to both art and design set it apart. An intimate retreat with just 72 rooms and suites, it captures the spirit of a contemporary boutique stay wrapped in old-world opulence. Each suite is bathed in light, with plush king beds and cinematic river views, while the hotel’s amenities make it almost impossible to leave. Think al fresco rooftop dining, a serene handcrafted mosaic infinity pool, and a tranquil hammam complete with sauna and an invigorating snow shower.

Best for old-world glamour

Reason to stay: timeless, old-world glamour

Set in the historic heart of Paris, The Ritz drips with antique charm and embodies the very essence of European elegance. Since opening in 1898, this luxury hotel in Paris has not only set the benchmark for luxury but also pioneered elements of modern hospitality with ensuite bathrooms and electricity in every room – revolutionary for its time. Today, its 142 rooms and suites are dressed in marble, velvet, silk, and gilded finishes, with floor-to-ceiling windows that look like something out of a Renaissance painting. A stay at The Ritz isn’t just accommodation, it’s a statement. A cultural icon, a love letter to Parisian grandeur, and a destination in its own right.

Best hotel for wellness

Reason to stay: Italian flair and indulgence

Paris is a city renowned for its impeccably high hospitality standards, so J.K. Place’s success is a true testament to its aristocratic charm and service. As the brand’s first venture outside of Italy, co-founder Ori Kafri and Florentine architect and interior designer Michele Bönan sought to bring the brand’s signature Italian warmth to the French capital. Furnished with Italian marble, supple leather, and plush velvet, this 29-room luxury hotel in Paris blends quiet Parisian luxury with Italian style and confidence. Guests can unwind in tranquillity at the J.K. Place Spa or indulge in the finest fromage at the intimate on-site restaurant, Casa Tua.

More luxury hotels in Paris

Reason to stay: interior design enthusiasts

Once a private mansion for more than a century, Saint James Paris is now a stunning 22-room boutique retreat offering travellers a slice of neoclassic-meets-Art Deco romance. While its façade evokes the charm of a chic château, the true allure of this timeless property lies in designer Bambi Sloan’s eclectic vision. Like all of Paris’ grand hotels, it delivers opulence through impeccable service and an indulgent spa, but its extravagant furnishings, vibrant textiles, and warm, jewel tones set this gem of a hotel apart from its urban neighbours. A perfect haven for guests with a penchant for interior design, Saint James Paris promises to leave a lasting impression.

Reason to stay: aristocratic sophistication

Le Grand Mazarin brings theatrical flair to the heart of the Marais. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the hotel leans into playful opulence: scalloped headboards, fringed lampshades, painted ceilings and patterned textiles in a palette of dusty pinks and deep greens.

There are 54 rooms and seven suites, plus a pool tucked beneath a mosaic-covered dome. The restaurant, Boubalé, serves Ashkenazi-inspired dishes with a modern twist.

Reasons to stay:

• Step outside and you’re within minutes of the Seine, Place des Vosges, and a tangle of cafés, bookshops and falafel counters
• The bar channels the spirit of a decadent literary salon
• The décor is Wes Anderson whimsy meets Right Bank romance

Reason to stay: nostalgic globetrotters craving transatlantic charm

Free-spirited Left Bank lovers will feel at home in this cosmopolitan new arrival, which marries Parisian coquettishness with bold Transatlantic energy. Sitting close to Saint-Germain in the 6th Arrondissement, it’s near enough to the big-name attractions for them all to be easily accessible (the Jardin de Luxembourg is an easy 10-minute stroll away) but also tucked far from the bulk of the tourist hordes. The 138 rooms have a vintage ocean liner vibe, harking back to a bygone era of grand European tours and commemorating the eternal love affair between Paris and New York.

Reasons to stay:

• The Bistro skilfully brings together French and American classics from foie gras to caesar salad
• The gym has a gladiatorial feel, swapping the usual stark functionality for vintage rugs and a fresco by Italian artist Osanna Visconti di Modrone
• Deluxe Rooms and Suites each contain record players stacked with French and American classics from Gainsbourg to Charles Mingus

Reason to stay: for classic romantics & unparallel location

Housed inside a Belle Epoque-era building, this Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysee-ajacent hotel aims to transport guests back to the beguiling beauty of the late 19th and early 20th century. The corner suites and deluxe rooms are the ones to snag if you can, notable for their high-arched windows and city views.

Reasons to stay:

• All the big name Paris box ticks are right nearby; you can pick up Lauduree macarons a short stroll away or staff can book private tours of the Louvre or Versailles
• The Spa by Ominsens offers massage, facials and light therapy
• The bar’s signature Flower Spritz is mixed with French spirits and tonics and dusted with the colours of the Tricolore

Reason to stay: aristocratic sophistication

Inspired by modern-day Versailles, this newly restored hotel on the iconic Rue de Rivoli epitomises Parisian elegance of yesteryear. Dating back to 1835, and named after its original owner, Charles-Augustin Meurice, it’s considered one of the first luxury hotels in the world. Forever drawing a discerning art crowd, its walls were once home to Salvador Dali and famously played host to Pablo Picasso’s wedding banquet. Elegantly designed by Charles Jouffre, it could easily masquerade as a gallery or museum. From its restorative La Maison Valmont pour Le Meurice wellbeing spa to its revered Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, it offers an alluring mix of classic French sophistication and contemporary flair.

Reason to stay: art aficionados

A distinguished luxury hotel with a boutique charm, Le Royal Monceau is one of the few luxury hotels in Paris to have been awarded the “Palace” classification. Art is the cornerstone of this Art Deco property, with not only a vast collection to admire but also to purchase. Artistic touches permeate the suites and grand communal spaces, while the thoughtfully curated interiors and spa offer a polished sense of timelessness and poetic design.

The perfect base for refined travellers with a penchant for innovative cuisine, guests can savour delectable morsels at either of the two on-site restaurants – Matsuhisa, a contemporary fusion of Japanese, Peruvian, and Mediterranean flavours, or Il Carpaccio, the Michelin-starred Italian dining experience – before setting out to explore the city’s iconic marvels mere steps away from the property.