Paris is a place of romance, enchanting landmarks, impeccable style, and scintillating gastronomy—there’s really no other city quite like it. So it only makes sense that its hotels are equally astounding. But in a destination brimming with five-star lodging options, how do you discern which ones are the best of the best? Established in 2010 by the French Minister of Tourism, an even more prestigious category was devised: the Palace status. The greatest distinction that can be received, it lets the world know that the property is the crème de la crème of hotels. There is no shortage of marble, gold leaf, or antique furniture; flawless service is, of course, a must; but it’s the above-and-beyond niceties that separate the Palaces from the rest: a dedicated art concierge (Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris), a world-renowned sommelier and incredible wine cellar holding more than 50,000 bottles (Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris), and devotion to sustainability via rooftop gardens and energy efficiency methods (Mandarin Oriental, Paris), just to name a few.
There are currently 23 properties in France that hold the coveted title, 10 of which are in the country’s capital. While we wait to find out who the new crop of honorees are, we’re taking a look at the most luxurious suites at the City of Light’s elite group, along with the Ritz Paris, which will almost inevitably join them soon.
Suite Coco Chanel at Ritz Paris
It’s a difficult task, choosing which of the glitzy rooms is the finest at the Ritz Paris. There’s the Windsor, named after the duke and duchess it pays homage to, dressed in beautiful pastel hues including Wallis blue, the duchess’s favorite color; and the Suite Impériale, the largest of them all and a listed historic monument, where one of its bedrooms is a replica of Marie Antoinette’s chambers in Versailles; but the one that takes the cake is the Suite Coco Chanel. The legendary designer called the Ritz Paris home beginning in the 1930s and her abode has been relocated from the second to the third floor to allow for more natural sunlight. Decorated in black, white, and beige, it’s a lesson in understated elegance. Furnished with lacquered Coromandel screens, Goossens gilt-framed mirrors, sketches of Karl Lagerfeld, and never-before-seen photos of Gabrielle Chanel, it’s a true homage to the iconic woman and her brand.
The Penthouse at the Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
If you’re on a search for a home à la Parisienne, look no further than the Penthouse at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. A foyer lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, white orchids, and lights beaming from the floor make for a grand entrance. Your senses are further stimulated by the soothing pastel hues and softened golden tones that dress the elegant pied-à-terre throughout. Make your way to the bathroom, and you’ve entered into your own personal oasis, where a one-ton marble infinity tub, with a chromotherapy system, rivals an oversize walk-in shower. Natural light floods in and more white orchids are encased in glass displays—it’s airy, it’s bright, and it’s downright magnificent. Furthermore, the bedroom has its own balcony outfitted with a sunbed, a posh living room furnished with a bookcase filled with antique books, and a marble mosaic–floor parlor fit for an intimate gathering. But the pièce de résistance is the terrace that opens out from the conservatory, where views of the Eiffel Tower are meant to be savored and that is undoubtedly the best spot for FOMO–inducing Instagrams (don’t forget to include a lovely breakfast spread). Walk up the adjacent spiral staircase and you’ll find yourself at a small landing where you feel like you’re far removed from everyone and everything else. It’s easy to spend hours up there, taking in breathtaking views of the city, preferably with a glass of Champagne in hand. But don’t get too hooked on room service; just a few floors below, you’ll find three outstanding eateries so good that they are all Michelin-approved, making the Four Seasons Hotel George V the first hotel in the country with a trio of starred restaurants.
Royal Suite at Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Located right on Avenue Montaigne and just steps away from shops like Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Saint Laurent, Hôtel Plaza Athénée is in a prime spot for the chic visitor who plans to do a little shopping. And just like its neighbors, the hotel itself is irresistible. Alain Ducasse’s three-Michelin-star restaurant, characterized by reflective stainless steel banquettes at the entrance and dramatic Swarovski crystal chandeliers, is one of the hottest tables in Paris and looks out onto the property’s equally stunning ivy-covered courtyard. Book the Royal Suite and you’ll enter your multi-room abode via a private entrance. Pops of color punctuate the space, from a deep aubergine to a bright fuchsia, and the bathroom feels like your own personal spa, outfitted with a steam room and Jacuzzi. If you’re looking for something smaller but just as luxurious, opt for the Eiffel Suite, where the iconic landmark is framed with an ornate picture window and there’s still plenty of square footage to lounge around in.
Grand Palais Suite at La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa
The most intimate out of all of the Palaces in Paris, La Réserve Paris consists of 40 accommodations, 26 of which are suites, and feels more like a club privé than a hotel. And due to its small size, the boutique property excels in personalization. Upon checking in, you’ll receive a leather card case holding your room key and personalized cards with your name and the hotel’s details on it (perfect for when you’ve done a little too much damage on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and need the shop to send your bags to the hotel). The spa will even curtain off its indoor pool for your exclusive use so that you can disconnect in solitude. And for those seeking digs evocative of a Parisian apartment, the two-bedroom Grand Palais Suite, decorated with Napoleon III antiques and luscious brown and burgundy velvet, will do just the trick. Plus, it houses an astounding 14 floor-to-ceiling windows, which lead out to balconies that overlook the verdant Champs-Élysées gardens and the glass roofs of the historical site that it’s named after.
Belle Etoile Suite at Le Meurice
If you’re looking for the most extensive cityscape vistas from the comfort of your own room, Le Meurice is it. Located across from the Tuileries Garden, many of the rooms boast marvelous panoramic views of Paris’s major attractions, from the Louvre to the Grand Palais. But if somehow that isn’t enough, the Belle Etoile Suite’s expansive roof deck offers 360 degrees of jaw-dropping scenery. The spacious marble bathroom also features three windowed walls from which you can glimpse the remarkable views. As you unwind in the grand bathtub (undoubtedly with the bottle of Krug that comes along with your booking), take in views of Montmartre, the Opéra, and the Place Vendôme. Just don’t forget to stop by the opulent Le Dalí—which pays tribute to the Spanish artist who frequently stayed at the hotel—for an unforgettable meal.
The Peninsula Suite at The Peninsula Paris
Just steps away from the Arc de Triomphe sits the grandiose Peninsula Paris, where its sun-drenched main lobby welcomes you with a shimmering glass installation that resembles falling leaves, and a solarium-style rooftop restaurant presents views of the Eiffel Tower alongside seasonal cuisine made with ingredients handpicked at the markets by chef Sidney Redel every day. But make your way to the first floor and you’ll find the sprawling one-bedroom Peninsula Suite. Tai Ping carpets, a Yamaha piano, and sparkling Baccarat chandeliers hanging from soaring ceilings characterize the East-meets-West dwelling. To really up the ante, the room also has separate walk-in closets and bathrooms for you and your partner. But if you’re looking for something a little smaller, opt for the Katara Suite, where both a terrace and rooftop garden await your presence. Either way, guests of the themed accommodations and Garden Suite have complimentary access to the hotel’s Mini Cooper to help zip them around the city, as well as BMW electric bikes in the summer.
Raffles Presidential Suite at Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris
Arguably the most contemporary out of the Palace hotels, the Philippe Starck–designed property has a refreshing quirkiness (with exposed brick walls and an installation of 15 life-size wooden elk and deer by Russian artist Nikolay Polissky) to it. And if a shortage of mirrors happens to be one of your biggest pet peeves, you’ll find Le Royal Monceau Raffles to be an absolute dream. The closets and bathrooms in all of the rooms are covered in reflective surfaces, creating not only a dramatic space but also one anyone would enjoy getting ready in. The ultimate prizes are their three Presidential Suites. Accessible via a private entrance, the blush-tone apartments near 4,000 square feet with three generously sized bedrooms. Pick between Katara, 241, and Raffles, with the last one being slightly larger than the other two. Plus, breakfast at this Palace features a bevy of Pierre Hermé pastries—talk about starting the day off right.
Royale Mandarin Suite at Mandarin Oriental, Paris
The first thing you notice when you step into the nearly all-white Royale Mandarin Suite is all of the natural light that bathes the airy living room, where high ceilings are adorned with Ochre chandeliers and the staircase has a decorative guilloche metal railing. For those who plan on entertaining an intimate group of friends, the expansive terrace or dining room complete with a bar are both perfect spaces for a convivial affair. And once you’re ready to call it a night, two steam showers are at your disposal along with a soaking tub that offers up views of the sparkling Eiffel Tower. Your reservation also includes an in-room 80-minute treatment for two—a great opportunity to make use of that gorgeous balcony on a sunny day.
La Suite Shangri-La at Shangri-La Hotel Paris
La Suite Impériale, originally Prince Roland Bonaparte’s private apartment, is easy to admire, but when staying at the Shangri-La in Paris, you have to go for a room with views of the Eiffel Tower. The hotel’s proximity to the famed masterpiece affords visibility from the base up and is best appreciated from the La Suite Shangri-La’s fully furnished teak balcony. The one-bedroom accommodation also touts panoramic windows and a luxurious marble-clad bathroom with heated floors. And while you’ll inevitably want to stay in the quarters every free second you have, make sure you pull yourself away long enough to enjoy a spectacular vegan afternoon tea at the shrouded La 8 Iéna terrace.
Presidential Suite at Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme
While the Impériale Suite is the largest at Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, the duplex Presidential is perhaps more favorable, due to its two balconies with Eiffel Tower views. A Bechstein piano and Bang & Olufsen sound system will keep you entertained while the luminous en-suite spa will meet all of your relaxation needs. Equipped with a massage table, mosaic-tile hammam, and whirlpool tub, the solarium-style space is the kind of oasis you won’t want to leave.
Terrace Suite at Le Bristol Paris
The hotel’s Panoramic Suite is most notable for its role in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, but it’s the smallest of the Signature Suites that is the most appealing. With a terrace slightly larger than the room it extends from, it’s an ideal venue for an alfresco meal. And if you plan on kicking your feet up and lazing in the sun, there’s an option to reserve a similar accommodation that also boasts an outdoor Jacuzzi.
