France

In my many years of designing itineraries for France-bound travellers, I’ve found that most of these journeys begin in Paris. How could anyone resist? Aside from it being your likeliest point of arrival into the country, there’s something about the city that lures you back time and time again, even if you’ve run out of fingers to count the number of times you’ve been.

There’s still a must-see museum you can’t believe you never knew about, a restaurant taking on unheard of culinary feats and burgeoning fashion designers opening the doors of their new boutique.

One thing I look forward to on my trips to the City of Light is the excellent hotels. I have scoured endless properties in search of the crème de la crème. While there are so many options, I am drawn most to hotels that successfully capture the essence and je ne sais quoi of Paris. Here are my top picks for the best five-star hotels in the city: filled with glamour, history, impeccable service, and style.

La Réserve: The Best of the Best

Perhaps it’s the 19thC sophistication combined with a perfectly curated French decor—not too subtle, but not too stuffy, either—and the rich palette of gold, burgundy and marble touches. It could be the sight of the Tour Eiffel, piercing through the dove-grey Parisian sky, that catches the corner of my eye from the window of my room, firmly reminding me of where I am. Or perhaps, it’s the white-glove level service that comes so naturally and, somehow, without pretension.

Whatever it is, La Reserve holds a special place in my heart—and that’s why I keep sending my travellers through its crimson doors, located just off the Champs-Élysées. Equipped with everything you need for an immaculate stay, like a full-service spa, a restaurant with two Michelin stars, and a library bar (which happens to be one of my favourite spots not just in Paris, but the world over), you may find it difficult to leave. Accompanying the refined guestrooms and suites—with their marble bathrooms, brocade walls and plush fabrics—are fully serviced apartments, which are ideal for travelling in a group or with the family.

Hotel Lutetia: A Fresh Look

From its address in tony Saint–Germain-des-Prés, one of the city’s most coveted neighbourhoods, the striking Art Nouveau facade of Hotel Lutetia stops you dead in your tracks. Inside, it just keeps getting better. After undergoing a four-year makeover, this historic hotel finally reopened in 2018. (For a little perspective, Pablo Picasso was once a frequent guest, and James Joyce wrote a portion of Ulysses while staying here). With its return came modernized guest rooms, a holistic wellness centre, the resurgence of its beloved jazz haunt, Bar Josephine, and the Brasserie Lutetia, helmed by the three-Michelin-star chef, Gérald Passedat.

The Ritz: Iconic Elegance 

Nothing says timeless elegance like The Ritz, the lavish hotel that served as second home to icons of the Belle Époque like Coco Chanel and Marcel Proust. This is as French as it gets, with one bistro and one gastronomic dining room, in-house wine tastings in the Salon Proust, tastefully decorated guest rooms, and an all-around sense of French flair.

Even without a reservation, you should make a point to stop by the legendary Bar Hemingway for an author-inspired cocktail in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s favourite seat or to sip on the preferred drink of Hemingway himself: a dry Martini.

Hotel Le Crillon: Modern Meets Classic

The palatial Hotel Le Crillon, with its stately Neoclassical exterior, has firmly held its position overlooking the Place de la Concorde since 1758. It wasn’t until 1909 when the mansion’s owners, the Counts of Crillon, sold their private residence to turn into the exalted hotel it is today.

After closing for restoration, the hotel reopened in 2013 with a modern makeover, while still preserving its 18thC opulence through glittering chandeliers, hand-painted walls, and gold gilded finishings, playing up the theatrics of an abode that has hosted the most elite of guests over the century. New additions include the Rosewood spa and its sky-lit pool, refreshed guest rooms and their marble bathrooms and the Les Ambassadeurs champagne bar; a super-stylish rendezvous for DJ nights and live music.

Pavillon de la Reine: Country Feel in the City

If you’re partial to the countryside rather than the city, the Pavillon de la Reine could be the choice for you. You’ll find this romantic residence in the posh Marais district, mere steps away from the Place des Vosges, in an idyllic garden that sets the stage for the ivy-draped front of this former 17thC estate. Privately operated by a family, being here feels as close as you can get to being hosted in a (swanky) French homestead, with a roaring fire in the main lounge, exposed wood beam ceilings, antique furnishings spattered throughout and hospitality at its core.

Le Bristol: A Parisian Institution

A Parisian institution since 1925, Le Bristol is often lauded as one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. Built within the walls of a former palace, it’s easy to lose yourself wandering its hallways from both the sheer size and the whimsy of it all. Between the immaculate gardens that surround the terrace of the gastronomic restaurant to the rooftop pool area—reminiscent of a 1920s French beach resort and with views of the city skyline—to the adorable resident Burmese cat, Fa-Raon, who greets you at the concierge desk, a stay at Le Bristol is a sheer delight.

The guestrooms are dressed in a traditional but fresh look—awash in pastel hues, soft floral accents and Louis XV-inspired furnishings—and are generous in size (an impressive feat in Paris), comfortably fitting a king-sized bed and a living area in even the smallest category. As a family-run hotel, the experience at Le Bristol is just as special for your little ones as it is for you, with a kids’ club adjoined to the La Prairie spa, offering a sweet playroom to keep the children entertained while you get pampered.