Luxury hotels of Paris: Part 1
Paris is always a good idea, especially when you have the opportunity to stay in some of the world’s best luxury hotels.
Part 1 of our ‘Luxury hotels of Paris’ showcases seven special properties located in the Arc de Triomphe-Golden Triangle area, as well as two Saint-Germain-des-Prés gems.
All the properties featured below are available with exclusive amenities and benefits when you book your sojourn with Sojourns Of.
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SHANGRI-LA HOTEL
https://www.shangri-la.com/en/paris/shangrila/
10 Avenue d'Iéna ● 75116 Paris
Set within the Palais Iéna, the former palace of Napoleon Bonaparte’s grandnephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte, the Shangri-La Hotel may possibly lay claim to having the best views of Paris’ most iconic landmark – the Eiffel Tower. Restored by a team from the Louvre, the opulent Louis XIV building with Versailles-like interiors perfectly blends Imperial decadence with warm Asian hospitality for which the Shangri-La group is famed.
Located in a tasteful residential corner of the city equidistant between Trocadéro and Palais de Tokyo, the hotel is moments from the shopping heaven of the Golden Triangle. With just 100 rooms (including 67 suites), the hotel has all the features one would expect to find in a Palace-rated hotel – from the only Michelin starred Chinese restaurant in France to a gorgeous naturally lit swimming pool.
This hotel is all about capitalising on its view and one should book a room accordingly. Deluxe Rooms are well sized at around 40 sqm and feature views of the hotel gardens or surrounding avenues. Guests really benefit once moving to categories with terraces and views of the tower – given it was a royal residence, terraces are vast and much more usable than is often the case.
Of course, signature suites will delight guests. On our visit we had the pleasure of visiting the La Suite Gustave Eiffel, La Suite Chaillot and La Suite Shangri-La, all of which feature vast outdoor spaces particularly the latter with a 100 sqm with sweeping panoramic views of all most every landmark in Paris.
SO regal
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Shangri-La The Luxury Circle
THE PENINSULA PARIS
https://www.peninsula.com/en/paris/
19 Avenue Kléber ● 75116 Paris
Located on Avenue Kléber in the 16th arrondissement, The Peninsula is a historical hotel whose history on the site dates back to 1864 when a wealthy Russian constructed a palace on what was then known as avenue du Roi de Rome. After being converted into the grand Hotel Majestic in 1908, we fast-forward to 2014 when the property reopened as The Peninsula after a five-year, €338M renovation.
The hotel’s location is just outside the Golden Triangle, steps from the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile and the top of the Champs-Élysées. For me personally, the location is a little removed and perhaps shows how keen the Peninsula group was to get into the Paris market (in fact, this was their first hotel in Europe). It will work for some though, and the hotel is indeed a special property and one of the most ‘grand’ of the Palace-rated properties.
Of course, facilities at a hotel such as The Peninsula will meet almost any need a guest could have. I especially loved L’Oiseau Blanc on the rooftop overlooking the Eiffel Tower along with the adjacent Le Rooftop bar. One can also enjoy Cantonese cuisine at LiLi and Le Lobby with is grand Belle Epoque styling is a fantastic spot for lunch surrounded by chic Parisians.
200 luxurious rooms (including 86 suites) are located throughout the hotel. Deluxe Suites (we saw #411) are large and residential in feel with great bathrooms and a focus on technology. This particular suite also had a small balcony which may appeal. Deluxe Rooms are actually the same layout as the bedroom and bathroom area of the suite, so you know you are getting value if booking that category.
It was a pleasure to visit a Rooftop Garden Suite (which comes with the availability of a MINI Cooper S Clubman) with its incredible terrace which had almost 360° views of Paris from Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre to the forever impressive Eiffel Tower. The suite (#638) was a Parisian delight with its mansard roof and large living area.
SO grand
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, The Peninsula Hotels PenClub
LE ROYAL MONCEAU RAFFLES PARIS
https://www.leroyalmonceau.com/en/
37 avenue Hoche ● 75008 Paris
Located steps from the Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées on Avenue Hoche, Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris is rather unique amongst the palace-graded hotels of Paris. Hidden behind the Art Deco façade, you’ll find a contemporary masterpiece (albeit one not for everyone) created by Phillipe Starck, with its blend of classic and contemporary, all with the famed designer’s signature touch.
Art is a considered a major differentiator at the hotel and throughout intimate public spaces you’ll find various works from its own 350+ piece collection – a stunning central staircase with its many chandeliers is a focal point. The hotel even has an Art Concierge – the world’s first – who curates all things creative at the hotel and for guests.
“Irasshaimase!” is the greeting called to each guest as the enter Matsuhisa by Chef Nobu, the first of its kind in Paris. The food is, of course, incredible (the black cod!) as is the people watching. On my visit for lunch during fashion week Gigi and Bella were leaving as I was arriving.
Elsewhere in the hotel one can find an intimate 99-seat theatre where guests are treated to popcorn and champagne for special movie screenings, and, in the basement, a gorgeous Starck designed wellness area complete with a 23-metre pool and a Clairns spa is available for guests.
Unfortunately during my visit occupancy was high (fortunately for the hotel) so I was only able to see one room – a Junior Suite or Gallery Suite. This suite is a great size and some will really love the quirky Starck design features. The 84 rooms and 64 suites were really designed to feel lived in, and you’ll notice features like mismatched art, furniture designed to be slightly off-centre, and more homely touches than you may find in other properties. The bathrooms are a standout – completely mirror-lined and with perfect lighting, there is no hiding in here!
So Starck
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Leading Hotels of the World VITA
HOTEL PLAZA ATHÉNÉE
https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/paris/hotel-plaza-athenee/
25 Avenue Montaigne ● 75008 Paris
One of Paris’ most iconic hotels (those red awnings!), this elegant, landmark property has a prime location on Avenue Montaigne. The hotel is located in one of the hubs of fashion in Paris – it wants to be known as the fashion hotel of the city and with Valentino to the left, Harry Winston to the right and Prada and Giorgio Armani directly across the avenue, its location gives it a pretty strong claim to this.
The historic hotel was first opened in 1913, and although refreshed over time (the most recent renovation took place over one year in 2014), it does retain some of this original Parisian charm. The 200 rooms (including 80 suites) are divided amongst the buildings that make up the hotel and over eight floors – six floors have more traditional French design, whereas the top two floors are more Art Deco in style.
Deluxe Rooms make up the majority of the room inventory and the room we saw (#130) was well-sized and had very refined and not overwhelming traditional décor. This room overlooked the courtyard, however, some Deluxe are available overlooking the avenue and will have Eiffel Tower views. A third floor Prestige Suite (#315/16) was very much an apartment style room – traditional in style again, but very high quality with ample space for guests.
The property has a host of dining experiences available to guests ranging from Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée with its three Michelin stars, the Art Deco charm of Le Relais Plaza, glamorous La Galerie serving up afternoon tea from it’s one of the best pastry chefs in the world, to Le Bar with its Dom Pérignon collaboration. The gorgeous courtyard is also a drawcard and morphs with the seasons – winter sees an ice rink installed!
Unfortunately there is no pool at the property; however, there is a gym and Dior Institut au Plaza Athénée which has been a feature since it opened within the hotel in 2008.
SO Paris
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Dorchester Collection Diamond Club
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL GEORGE V PARIS
https://www.fourseasons.com/paris/
31 Avenue George V ● 75008 Paris
Ask people ‘in-the-know’ which is the best hotel in Paris, if not the world, and you’ll likely find the Four Seasons Hotel George V amongst the answers. The landmark property has long been a benchmark globally for luxurious excellence and deservedly so. Located off the Champs-Élysees, the property has a prime Golden Triangle location amongst flagship designer boutique, luxury residences and high-end eateries.
Upon entering the property, one will be immediately impressed by the always incredible floral arrangements in the lobby. These flow through to the beautiful large courtyard which the hotel likes to call its ‘Michelin paradise’. It’s the only hotel in Europe with five Michelin stars – Le Cinq with three and Le Geroge and L’Orangerie with one each. All three face the elegant marble courtyard.
Built in 1928, the property is one of the larger Palace-rated hotels in Paris, although it never feels this way. It has 244 rooms (including 59 suites) yet it retains a very calm and intimate atmosphere through clever use of its public spaces and high staff count to provide for guest needs. You are always have a sense that you are in one of the truly great hotels of the world.
Rooms are a delight here and refreshments occur frequently. We had the pleasure of visiting one of the most recently refurbished Presidential Suites (#201) which would surely appease even the most discerning traveller. The suite is vast at 200 sqm and is absolutely impressive in every way – especially the gorgeous bathroom.
The Four Seasons Suites are the most popular category and are a good size for entry-level suites at 60 sqm. Colour schemes are yellow, green or blue, and décor generally is what I’d view as being contemporary classic. Within each categories there are numerous variations ranging from terraces to Eiffel Tower views, and these can be requested and confirmed prior to arrival where possible.
Of course facilities are amazing at the property. The spa was recently closed for two years, opening last July following a complete renovation. The result is an impressive wellness destination with a 17 m swimming pool, additional vitality pool, numerous treatment rooms, hammam, and well equipped fitness centre.
SO exceptional
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner
HÔTEL LUTETIA
45 Boulevard Raspail ● 75006 Paris
The iconic Hôtel Lutetia is one of the most famous hotels on the Left Bank and is the only grand hotel on this side of the river. A landmark of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Art Nouveau building opened in 1910, re-emerging in 2018 following an extensive four-year, €200M renovation with stunning results.
Public areas of the property have particular ‘wow-factor’. Bar Joséphine will delight with its original frescos discovered during the renovation, as will Le Saint-Germain Restaurant featuring its historic glass roof enhanced by a contemporary and colourful work by the artist Fabrice Hyber. If fitness and wellness is your thing, the gym is incredible for a hotel, with the pool being one of the most impressive in Paris and one of the only with natural light.
Masculine eucalyptus-lined hallways with plush purple carpets lead to exquisite guestrooms. The hotel has 184 rooms (including 47 suites) and each is extremely well designed – bathrooms are especially remarkable. Grand Superior Rooms are a nice size and would generally be the entry category. Lutetia Suites are the first category of suites with separate living and sleeping areas and are well sized for those looking for some extra space.
The Presidential ‘Carré Rive Gauche’ Suite is immaculate and must be one of the finest suites in the city. Whilst views outwards to the Eiffel Tower impress, so too does the ever-changing art which decorates the interior of the suite thanks to a collaboration with Carré Rive Gauche, the leading alliance of art dealers in the area. Want to purchase something? The ancient Greek statue in the bathroom could be yours for just €100,000.
SO chic
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso, Leading Hotels of the World VITA
HÔTEL ESPRIT SAINT GERMAIN
https://www.hotel-esprit-saint-germain.com/en
22 Rue Saint Sulpice ● 75006 Paris
Tucked away in a quiet corner Saint Germain des Pres, Hôtel Esprit Saint Germain is the quintessential boutique hotel with just 28 rooms and suites. The intimate property has been imagined as a delightful home-away-from home with guests with welcoming spaces and complimentary beverages available at any time during a stay in the hotel’s quaint lounge rooms.
Esprit is very well located in the centre of the action in Saint-Germain-des-Prés – the Church of Saint-Sulpice watches over the hotel and one is moments from the Jardin du Luxembourg and the trendy boutiques along Rue de Grenelle and area. Quintessentially Parisian, this area of the Left Bank offers a very different experience for visitors who may usually stay on the other side of the river.
This is a quaint hotel for guests who are happy to forego the facilities available at larger properties. It very much lends itself to those looking for a refined base to come back to after being out exploring Paris. Rooms are small and cosy, and I definitely recommend a minimum of Deluxe Room category here. Suites offer living areas which can accommodate two, so work well for families. For something special, book one of two rooms featuring terraces.
SO quaint
Sojourns Of affiliations and partner programs: Virtuoso