Ah, Paris. The City of Light – of romance, of style, of beauty. Her people are effortlessly chic, her buildings extraordinary in their splendour.
The food, the art, the shopping, the theatre… whether strolling along the Seine on a spring afternoon or wiling away an evening people watching on a bistro terrace with a carafe of wine, the French capital is an exceptional place to spend some time.
Considering it’s only two hours from St Pancras on the Eurostar, it’s the ideal destination for a quick escape from London life.
Here are some of the best hotels Paris has to offer.
Le Meurice
228 Rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st
The second Parisian member of The Dorchester Collection is found on one of the most celebrated streets in Paris, and has been a luxury hotel for almost 200 years.
The list of notable figures who have visited Le Meurice in that time is a long one, and when you consider the view across the Jardin Des Tuileries it is not hard to imagine why.
The Louvre is on your doorstep when staying here, the high-end brands of Rue St Honoré a gentle stroll away and the river and Notre Dame almost within touching distance. In the property, the baroque opulence and Michelin-starred dining of Alain Ducasse can be followed by digestifs and live jazz at the Bar 228, before retiring in sheer luxury to rooms and suites which rival any in the city for sheer space and comfort.
The crowing glory of the hotel is the Belle Etoile penthouse suite, whose sprawling roof terrace has to be seen to be believed. The views across the city are unrivalled.
Read a full review here. For more information, see dorchestercollection.com
Hôtel Madame Rêve
48 Rue du Louvre, Paris 1st
There is no shortage of grand old buildings around the heart of Paris, and Hôtel Madame Rêve occupies another one – the 19th century Louvre Post Office.
Most of the building is now given over to the hotel’s 82 rooms and suites, as well as public areas including a ground floor café with soaring eight metre-high ceilings.
The top floor plays host to La Plume Rive Droit, a Japanese restaurant by chef Benjamin Six, and Roof, a chic bar and terrace. Both enjoy spectacular views over the rooftops of the city. The rooms in between are as chic as the bar, with suites reminiscent of Don Draper’s Manhattan apartment and some incredible views across the skyline.
Read the full review here. madamereve.com
The Nolinski
16 Av. de l'Opéra, Paris 2nd
Opening in 2017, the Nolinski quickly established itself as one of Paris's most stylish hotels.
Designer Jean-Louis Deniot eschewed bright surfaces in favour of polished greys, blues and greens. There’s even a mural of stormy skies running up the staircase.
There are only 45 rooms and suites spread across six floors, which tells you plenty about both their size and the detail that’s gone into them all
Enjoy dinner at the hotel's restaurant – executive chef Philip Chronopoulos won two Michelin stars with the nearby Palais Royale – or knock back a few cocktails in the gorgeous Grand Salon. Or if the sightseeing gets too much, relax in the subterranean spa.
Le Grand Mazarin
17 Rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th
Le Marais, to the east of the historic centre of Paris, is an area of vibrancy and bustle. Eclectic independent boutiques and trendy bars line the streets, and the whole area has a lively, fashionable buzz.
Le Grand Mazarin is located on one of its most busy corners, perfectly situated to explore every nook and cranny of this fascinating part of the city.
Rooms and suites in vibrant colours and plush fabrics – interiors were designed by Martin Brudnizki, most famous for the décor at Annabel’s – will give an individuality to the living spaces which will fit the neighbourhood perfectly, with two bars and a restaurant providing ample opportunity to relax after a day of trawling the winding local streets.
Hotel Lutetia
45 Boulevard Raspail, Paris 6th
The Left Bank is also home to some magnificent hotels, with none more deserving of the title than the spectacular Hotel Lutetia.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is known as a home of art and creativity, and this hotel seeks to celebrate that reputation, with nods to local heritage throughout its corridors and a signature suite designed in collaboration with Carré Rive Gauche, the local association of art and antique dealers.
The central restaurant, Le Saint-Germain, is dressed with artworks by Fabrice Hyber and crowned by an astonishing stained-glass roof, while twi chic and modern bars offer secluded spots to unwind with a cocktail after a long day.
If the 1st, 2nd and 8th arrondissements of Paris have long been considered the centre of the city’s high society, the bohemian atmosphere of the 6th has its own considerable charm, and is just as capable of offering luxury to its guests. The Lutetia is the shining example of this.
L'Hotel
13 Rue des Beaux Arts, Paris 6th
A mere 20 rooms make this property a true boutique hotel. The simplicity of the name L’Hotel belies the extravagance of the design inside; textured wallpaper, exquisite silk drapes and all manner of hidden details are to be found on closer inspection.
True to the artistic heritage of the local area, this was the final home of Oscar Wilde – a fact which is celebrated in their cosy cocktail bar. Use of the basement hammam, with pool and steam room, is reserved to guests and private appointments are included with every stay.
This may not be the largest hotel in the city, but it’s certainly one of the most welcoming.
Le 5 Codet
5 Rue Louis Codet, Paris 7th
A beautiful art-deco building that once housed a telephone exchange is now home to Le 5 Codet, situated perfectly between the stunning Hôtel des Invalides and the iconic Eiffel Tower.
Crisp modernity is on display in every aspect of this hotel, from the design of the rooms and public areas to the menu in David Maroleau’s Chiquette restaurant. This may be a lesser-known area of town than some other parts of the city centre, but it’s still within easy reach of all the main sights, shops, galleries and destinations.
The service provided by the Clefs d’Or-approved concierge team is subtle but attentive, the patio is perfect for relaxing on when the afternoons get too hot and, if you go for a suite, the view of the gold dome of Les Invalides never gets old.
Best get in quick before that lesser-known status disappears.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
25 Avenue Montaigne, Paris 8th
The avenue Montaigne, marking the southern edge of Paris’ ‘Golden Triangle’, is a globally important fashion destination, and the scarlet awnings and 1,900 red geraniums decorating the front of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée are probably its most recognisable feature.
The ornate stone carving and ironwork of the façade set the tone for the exquisite design work of the interior, from the modern cool of Le Bar to the traditional Parisian garden aesthetic of La Cour Jardin.
Rooms and suites offer levels of luxury you would expect from a member of Dorchester Collection, and the views of the Eiffel Tower from the balconies at the front are breath-taking.
Complete a visit with classic French cuisine from Jean Imbert in the evening and a morning in the Dior Spa to refresh the body and mind.
Read a full review here. For more info, see dorchestercollection.com
Le Bristol
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th
Few hotels in Paris boast their own rooftop pool, or their own live-in cat who greets guests as they arrive – Le Bristol has both.
This sprawling property also boasts three different restaurants, a chic and modern bar area which remains lively until the small hours every weekend, and an extraordinary garden, recently re-designed by renowned designer Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd.
Spend an afternoon browsing the modern art galleries which fill the rest of the street, indulge yourself at the three-star Epicure restaurant then wind down with a few laps of the pool as you enjoy the views of the sun setting over the city rooftops to the west.
La Maison Champs-Elysées
8 rue Jean Goujon, Paris 8th
Another Golden Triangle hotel with fashion at its core. The interior of La Maison Champs-Elysées was designed by Maison Margiela, and is quite simply stunning.
Margiela is known for using the contrast of black-on-white and this is evident throughout the property, from the deliberately disordered flagstones on the lobby floor to the way the White Room - a space just off the lobby for guests and locals alike to grab a moment of respite - is directly opposed in both location and aesthetic by the sumptuous Black Cigar Bar.
To say this place is cool is an understatement - your only issue will be dragging yourself outside to explore the rest of the city.
Four Seasons Hotel George V
31 Avenue George V, Paris 8th
The western edge of the Golden Triangle is Avenue George V, and right in the centre of it lies the magnificent Four Seasons Hotel.
From the avenue itself this art deco masterpiece is impressive enough, but stepping inside reveals a sprawling complex housing three Michelin-starred restaurants – three for flagship Le Cinq, one each for Le George and L’Orangerie – as well as a handsome wood-panelled bar, a private interior courtyard and a very well-equipped spa and fitness centre.
The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are within easy reach, the neighbouring 16th arrondissement is a pleasure to stroll through, and the hotel itself is an elegant place to unwind for an afternoon, but if you fancy venturing a bit further afield then the hotel’s partners can provide the opportunity.
Discover the Maison Belle Époque of champagne house Perrier-Jouët, or join Chef Simone Zanoni on a foraging trip round his kitchen garden at Versailles before heading to the kitchens at Le George to learn how to cook what you picked.
Read the full review here. See more at fourseasons.com
Bulgari Hôtel Paris
30 Avenue George V, Paris 8th
Iconic Roman jewellery house Bulgari have become just as well-known for their incredibly luxurious hotels – the Bulgari London in Knightsbridge being a fine example – and their Paris venue comfortably lives up to their high standards.
In the short time since its December 2021 opening it has worked to cement a place among the city’s truly elite hotels, providing not one, but two pools in the spa, the first Paris offering from three-Michelin Star chef Niko Romito, a penthouse which spans the top two floors of the building and features an impressive 600 square metres of terrace, and the ultra-chic surroundings which have become the trademark of Bulgari properties around the world.
Given its proliferation of world-class hotels, Paris is a tough market in which to launch a new one, and Bulgari have gone all-out to succeed with theirs.
Read the full review here. For more information, see bulgarihotels.com
Maison Albar Le Vendome
7 Rue du Helder, Paris 9th
Tucked away on a quiet street beside the Opéra Garnier is Maison Albar Le Vendôme. The façade is a relic of the grand restaurant which occupied the site more than 100 years ago, but inside is a sharp, modern hideaway which is perfect for travellers seeking a bit of tranquillity.
The Japanese garden in the courtyard at the heart of the building is a haven of wind chimes and greenery – and follows the aesthetic of the Japanese/Portuguese fusion restaurant where dinner is served – while the basement spa is accessed via an opulent gold stairway which is again a nod to a previous incarnation of the property, this time as the Russian Bank for Foreign Trade.
Rooms are cosy and comfortable, and the buzz of Montmartre is just a short stroll away should the serenity ever grow stale.
maison-albar-hotels-le-vendome.com
Le Pigalle
9 Rue Frochot, Paris 9th
Paris by night can be a far cry from the refinement of luxury shopping and art gallery-hopping by day. The area around Place Pigalle in the 9th – home to the legendary Moulin Rouge – is where visitors in search of music and excitement into the small hours of the morning will flock, and Le Pigalle is where the more discerning of them will make their temporary home.
There are no sprawling penthouses or silent spas here – instead expect live music, hectic parties and an electric atmosphere.
Rooms are kitted out with turntables and a collection of vinyl curated to the guest, and the on-site café and restaurant provide curers and energisers to help you keep up with all that revelry.
The views from Sacré-Cœur are just a short walk away, as are the quaint and winding streets of Montmartre. Get pleasantly lost amongst them in the day, but be sure to keep some energy for dancing on the tables at your hotel by night.
Maison Bréguet
8 Rue Bréguet, Paris 11th
An old laundry factory just a few minutes north of Place de la Bastille now plays host to a bright, airy five-star hotel which is the perfect starting point for an exploration of Paris’ eastern quarter.
Maison Bréguet (named for the street, sadly nothing to do with the watches) is a warm and friendly boutique hotel with a gorgeous sunlit restaurant at the rear and a gorgeous spa hidden in the basement.
This part of town is perfect if you’re a fan of Hoxton and Shoreditch, and the hotel’s comfortable rooms and relaxed, friendly service will make you feel right at home.
The expansive glass roof over that restaurant makes it the ideal place to catch your breath of an afternoon, or even catch up on emails if your trip blends business and pleasure, before heading out at night to explore the vibrancy of the area.
La Fantaisie
24 Rue Cadet, Paris 9th
Rue Cadet was once home to a sprawling public garden, and the theme of La Fantaisie – also decorated by Martin Brudnizki – is to celebrate that heritage.
Floral motifs abound, from the café in the lobby to the bar and terrace on the roof, but the real star is the garden created in the courtyard.
Lush greenery makes the space feel much more disconnected from the city than it actually is, and tables of two hidden in corners as opposed to all grouped together ensure it is perfect for date nights.
The restaurant, Golden Poppy, is popular with locals and tourists alike, and the rooms have a brightness to them which will help you keep your energy levels up throughout a packed Parisian itinerary.
Hotel Rochechouart
55 Boulevard de Rochechouart, Paris 9th
A recently revamped art-deco icon which harks back to the glory days of its first inception, Hotel Rochechouart was once a hub for fashionable Parisians to quaff champagne and dance long into the night, and today that heritage is revived.
The aesthetic of the property is rooted in the original 1920s glamour, and the many of the cosy rooms have exceptional views of Sacré-Cœur, but the best of to be found at the huge rooftop terrace and bar.
The in-house restaurant is a classic Parisian bistro, then after dinner you can burn off those calories at the speakeasy-style nightclub in the basement – reminiscent of the opium clubs which littered the area 100-odd years ago, it’s a place for late-night decadence and flowing cocktails.
