There's nothing quite like a Parisian Palace hotel... It's impossible to pick just one, so we've rounded up our current top five.
Everyone has their personal favorites in Paris – but as professional travel advisors, it’s our job to set aside (some of) our own preferences and play hotel matchmaker for our clients. Multiple factors influence which hotel to recommend for a particular client and, beyond that, for a specific trip. And in a city like Paris, with so many #ArbiterApproved options, our job is especially fun.
While we adore a chic boutique hotel as much as anyone, there’s nothing quite like a Parisian Palace (there are 11 hotels that have received the official distinction) for the ultimate luxurious experience that will make you feel like royalty. Here, we’ve narrowed down our five favorite Palace hotels in the City of Light.
LE BRISTOL
At Le Bristol, “old-world charm” isn’t just a style, it’s a philosophy. This hotel (which you may recognize from Midnight in Paris) wraps you in the elegance of the golden age of Paris, blending nostalgic aristocratic décor with modern creature comforts. Here, flawless service meets a deeply-rooted heritage, making it less of a hotel and more of a sumptuous Parisian home away from home – one that feels both familiar and impeccably stylish (and never stuffy).
AT A GLANCE
- Aesthetic: Retired golden age socialite’s elegant residence – granny chic that’s young at heart
- Keys: 190
- Ideal Client: Traditionalists, Paris frequenters, well-bred children
- Neighborhood: 8th Arrondissement, Faubourg Saint-Honoré
- Arbiter Amenities: Guaranteed upgrade at booking, complimentary breakfast, €85 – €170 hotel credit based on length of stay
RITZ PARIS
Technically, the Ritz Paris is not a “Palace,” but it’s such an icon that it can’t not be on this list. Once home to Coco Chanel and a favorite haunt of Fashion Week fixtures both past and present, its storied halls add a unique charm to its glamorous allure. From the celebrated Bar Hemingway (bonne chance getting a seat!) to the ornate swimming pool (the first ever built inside a hotel), the Ritz is splendidly opulent and quintessentially Paris. (And truthfully, with our Arbiter Amenities it’s one of the best values in town.)
AT A GLANCE
- Aesthetic: Dreamscape of a royal fashionista who’s never heard of ‘quiet luxury’ and loves a historic novel with her martini
- Keys: 142
- Ideal Client: Jetsetters on the Fashion Week circuit, first-timers who want the Parisian dream, pampered tots
Neighborhood: 1st Arrondissement, Place Vendôme - Arbiter Amenities: Guaranteed upgrade + early check-in / late check-out confirmed at booking, round-trip airport transfers + VIP greeter on arrival, complimentary breakfast
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
At the Hôtel de Crillon, history meets haute couture at the Place de la Concorde – the crossroads of Parisian culture. Recently, and gloriously, reimagined with a touch of Karl Lagerfeld’s genius, this legendary Neoclassical Palace seamlessly blends its aristocratic past with avant-garde style. It’s a living work of art, where the juxtaposition of modern masterpieces against classic opulence creates an atmosphere that’s both grand and intimately personal. And you know a hotel is good when locals choose to hang out at the bar, as they do at the Les Ambassadeurs lounge.
AT A GLANCE
- Aesthetic: Inherited home of an avant-garde aristocrat who has her art consultant on speed-dial and never misses an opening
- Keys: 124
- Ideal Client: Design connoisseurs, Francophiles, celebrities (or those who want to be treated like one)
Neighborhood: 8th Arrondissement, Place de la Concorde - Arbiter Amenities: Guaranteed upgrade + early check-in / late check-out confirmed at booking, complimentary breakfast, €95 hotel credit
Cheval Blanc Paris
Cheval Blanc Paris is the newest hotel to achieve Palace status, and a crown jewel of the impressive LVMH collection. The 1920s Art Deco wing of the historic La Samaritaine building was reimagined in 2021 by Peter Marino to feel like a private apartment, with handcrafted interiors, a noteworthy contemporary art collection, and breathtaking Seine views. The lavish materials and muted tones create an atmosphere of hushed opulence, and exceptionally personalized service impresses the most discerning.
AT A GLANCE
- Aesthetic: Painstakingly renovated maison of a high-powered art connoisseur who may seem austere but is legendary for her hospitality
- Keys: 72
- Ideal Client: Power couples, scrupulous aesthetes, glitterati who were meant to live in Paris
Neighborhood: 1st Arrondissement, Pont Neuf - Arbiter Amenities: Complimentary round-trip airport transfers, complimentary breakfast
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Known simply as the “George V,” and located just steps from the Champs-Élysées, this Palace hotel is the gold-standard. The Art Deco masterpiece, renowned for Jeff Leatham’s jaw-dropping floral displays and its exquisite art collections, recently underwent a meticulous facelift, blending classic Parisian elegance with modern luxuries. It offers the signature comfort and service that Four Seasons is beloved for, with an exclusivity and discretion favored by Hollywood’s elite.
AT A GLANCE
- Aesthetic: The elegant Art Deco enclave of your most sophisticated friend who delights in the finer things and never forgets her manners
- Keys: 244
- Ideal Client: Hotel snobs, Michelin star collectors, discreet movie stars, globetrotting families
- Neighborhood: 8th Arrondissement, Champs-Élysées
- Arbiter Amenities: Complimentary breakfast, €100 – €200 hotel credit based on room category
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