The palace hotels of Paris, and what “Palace” really means
Five stars is not the top of the French scale. Above it sits a rarer title, Palace, given only to a handful of hotels. Here is what it means, and where to stay.
A distinction above five stars
France introduced the Palace distinction in 2010 to recognise hotels that go beyond the five-star rating: historic or architecturally remarkable buildings, an exceptional location, and a level of service that the star system cannot describe. Only a few dozen hotels in the whole country hold it, and each must be re-examined to keep it.
The title is awarded by Atout France, the national tourism agency, after an inspection and a jury. It is not bought, and it is not permanent.
What sets a palace apart
Look for the things that cannot be added in a renovation: a historic address, gardens or courtyards in the centre of the city, a staff that outnumbers the rooms, and restaurants with Michelin stars of their own. Palaces also tend to have the best concierges in the city, which matters more than any amenity when you want a table that is not available.
Our palace hotels in Paris
- Ritz Paris · Paris
César Ritz opened his hotel on the Place Vendôme in 1898 with Auguste Escoffier in the kitchen. - Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel · Paris
An 18th-century palace commissioned by Louis XV on the Place de la Concorde, a hotel since 1909 and reopened by Rosewood after a four-year restoration. - Le Bristol Paris · Paris
Opened in 1925 on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, steps from the Élysée Palace. - Hôtel Plaza Athénée · Paris
The red awnings of Avenue Montaigne, the street of the great couture houses, since 1913. - Four Seasons Hotel George V · Paris
An Art Deco landmark of 1928 a few steps from the Champs-Élysées, famous for its flowers and home to Le Cinq, one of the city's three-star dining rooms. - Cheval Blanc Paris · Paris
LVMH's Paris palace, opened in 2021 inside the Samaritaine building on the Seine, with interiors by Peter Marino and the three-star Plénitude.
Where to dine without leaving the hotel
Three of the city's great dining rooms are inside palace hotels. Le Cinq at the Four Seasons George V holds three stars. Epicure at Le Bristol and the Ritz's own restaurants are destinations in their own right. Book them when you book the room.
How to book well
- Book direct with the hotel. The best rooms, upgrades and late check-outs go to guests the hotel knows.
- Ask about the history of your suite. Most palaces have a story for every floor.
- Plan for Fashion Week and the autumn salons: prices and availability change sharply in late September and early March.
