The Best Luxury Hotels to Book in Paris

The last home of Coco Chanel and beloved by Ernest Hemingway, the Ritz is perhaps the most awe-inspiring luxury hotel in Paris. The lavish guest rooms are furnished in an ornate 18th-century style and deliver sweeping views over Place Vendôme. Facilities include a Michelin-starred restaurant, designer boutiques, a huge pool with a spa, and the Salon Proust where afternoon tea is overseen by former World’s Best Pastry Chef, François Perret.

Le Bristol is a majestic hotel in Paris that has been awarded the prestigious Distinction Palace – a step above the five-star standard – and delivers luxury on every level. Dining includes Eric Frechon’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant Epicure, the one-Michelin-starred 114 Faubourg, and Cafe Antonia for decadent afternoon tea. If you’re looking for some me-time, head to the rooftop swimming pool or book into the spa for treatments courtesy of Swiss brand La Prairie and cult natural skincare brand Tata Harper.

The Nolinski is tucked away on a bustling street in the city centre, just a short walk from must-sees like the Louvre and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Despite the busy location, everything about the Nolinski feels like a peaceful retreat – from the tranquil rooms decorated with bespoke furniture and plush fabrics to the atmospheric spa and pool hidden underground. Next door, you’ll find a hidden cocktail bar and a restaurant overseen by chef Philip Chronopoulos, who also heads up the Michelin-starred Palais-Royal Restaurant.

In the well-heeled 8th arrondissement, also known as the Golden Triangle, this luxury Paris hotel is just a short walk from the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe and the designer shopping street, Avenue Montaigne. This stay is known for its impressive culinary offering and holds a total of five Michelin stars. There’s also a cocktail bar and an outside terrace decorated with floral arrangements designed by Jeff Leatham.

This art nouveau landmark was built in 1910 as the only grand hotel on the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) of the Seine. Since then, it has attracted the likes of Pablo Picasso, Charles de Gaulle and James Joyce. Don’t miss the holistic wellness centre, Akasha, where you retreat to the secluded hammam, do laps of the 17m (56ft) swimming pool, and get a radiant glow with a Swiss facial.

Another jewel of the Parisian art-deco movement – which has impressed visitors since 1928 – the Prince de Galles hotel is a beacon of grace. Seek it out for its incredible location, just a stone’s throw from the Champs-Elysées and Avenue Montaigne. The property offers 44 suites bursting with opulent charm. Bag the right room and you can gaze across monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais from your bedroom window.

An impressive 20th-century art collection collides with the avant-garde decor at this characterful hotel near the Champs-Élysées. As you wander across the black-and-white optical illusion floor amid marble columns of the lobby, you’ll get a handle on the style of the hotel. Some rooms and suites have views of the private park in the hotel, and each has an individual theme, ranging from pared-back blue-and-white to an eye-popping combination of striped wallpaper, Pop art and red-lip sofas. If all the colour leaves your eyelids heavy, book a personalised in-room spa experience or relax in the hammam.

Le Meurice has a prime location in the 1st arrondissement, tucked between the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden. The dreamy interior whisks you back to the Louis XVI-era and has been dazzling visitors – including Picasso, who got married here, Dalí and Warhol – since 1835. These days, you’ll discover modern surprises, such as plasma TVs hidden behind the paintings. Part of the esteemed Dorchester Group, the hotel features a spa and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant by Alain Ducasse.

There are five-star Paris hotels and there are those awarded the Palace Distinction – among them, Le Royal Monceau Raffles. Boasting five floors of first-class suites, all designed by Philippe Starck, this impeccable hotel leaves no aspect of its design to chance. Dining spans gourmet Italian at Il Carpaccio to contemporary Japanese at Matsuhisa. The all-white Clarins spa is a haven of relaxation, with a 23m (75ft) pool, treatment rooms, a hammam, a laconium room and a sauna.

This Shangri-La outlet offers a slice of the good life. Start the day in true Parisian style with fresh croissants delivered to your room, and return after a day of exploring to a pampering session at the spa. The best place to soak up the splendour of the hotel is from highly coveted Eiffel Tower suites, which are so close to the monument you can practically touch it. The restaurants are just as spectacular – cap off dinner with a mature cheese platter and a bottle of champagne.

This art-packed retreat is a cocktail of architectural and design influences, from Africa to South America, Bauhaus to Dada. Be sure to take a break from the bustle of Parisian life in the rooftop hot tub and garden in the hotel, where you’ll find aromatic herbs, fruits, vegetables and a hen house surrounded by 360-degree views of the city – including the nearby Eiffel Tower. Stroll down the street and find yourself immersed in the designer boutiques and attractions of the 16th arrondissement, including the Musée Marmottan Monet.

The Hotel Raphaël takes over an intricately carved stone building just metres from the Arc de Triomphe. Louis XVI glamour meets modern-day luxury in the lavish rooms and suites, which incorporate hand-painted murals and genuine antique furniture. Make sure you take a trip to the seventh-floor rooftop, where you can take in panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Sacré Cœur while sipping the finest champagne.