Paris has more great hotels than almost any city in the world, but a handful stand apart. These five are all Palaces – an official distinction given only to a few French five-star hotels – and each has its own personality: the legend, the garden, the view.
Here is what makes each one special, who it suits best and what to ask for when you book.
| # | Hotel | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ritz Paris ★★★★★ | Vendôme & Opéra | Couples, Luxury |
| 2 | Le Meurice ★★★★★ | Louvre & Tuileries | Couples, Families, Luxury, Travelling with a dog |
| 3 | Le Bristol Paris ★★★★★ | Faubourg Saint-Honoré | Families, Luxury, Travelling with a dog |
| 4 | Hôtel Plaza Athénée ★★★★★ | Champs-Élysées | Couples, Luxury, Travelling with a dog |
| 5 | Shangri-La Paris ★★★★★ | Trocadéro | Couples, Families, Luxury |
How we chose these hotels
We looked for hotels that combine a memorable setting, impeccable service and a location that makes it easy to enjoy Paris on foot. We left aside very new openings without a track record. No hotel paid to appear here, and we never quote prices: they change daily, so check availability with the button under each hotel.
1. Ritz Paris
The most famous hotel in Paris is also the most central of our picks: from Place Vendôme you can walk to the Louvre, the Tuileries and the Opéra. Choose it for the legend – Coco Chanel’s home for decades, the Bar Hemingway – and for the calm of its spa and indoor pool after a day of sightseeing.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Vendôme & Opéra
- Location
- 15 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
- Best for
- Couples, Luxury
Why we like it
- A legend on Place Vendôme, between the Louvre and the Opéra
- Bar Hemingway, one of the city’s best-known cocktail bars
- Ritz Club spa with an indoor pool
Good to know
- Among the most exclusive addresses in the city: book well ahead
- The square is formal and quiet at night; nightlife is a taxi ride away
2. Le Meurice
Le Meurice has the best garden view in the city: the Tuileries are right across Rue de Rivoli. It feels grand but warm, and it is the most relaxed of the palaces about children and dogs. Ask for a room facing the garden.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Louvre & Tuileries
- Location
- 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
- Best for
- Couples, Families, Luxury, Travelling with a dog
Why we like it
- Views over the Tuileries Garden from many rooms
- Family suites, children’s menus and babysitting on request
- Dogs are welcomed with their own amenities
Good to know
- Rue de Rivoli is busy by day; ask for a room facing the garden or the courtyard
- Pet rules and any fees: confirm them when you book
3. Le Bristol Paris
Le Bristol is the palace of space and calm: a large French garden at its heart and a pool on the top floor. It is on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, perfect for shopping, and a classic choice for families who want room to breathe.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Faubourg Saint-Honoré
- Location
- 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris
- Best for
- Families, Luxury, Travelling with a dog
Why we like it
- A large French garden in the heart of the 8th arrondissement
- A pool on the top floor with views over the rooftops
- Family rooms, and dogs and cats are accepted
Good to know
- A formal, classic style: not the place for a design hotel
- Pet rules and any fees: confirm them when you book
4. Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Behind its famous red awnings, the Plaza Athénée is pure Parisian glamour on Avenue Montaigne. Book a room or suite with a balcony facing the Eiffel Tower – it is across the Seine – and walk to the Champs-Élysées in five minutes.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Champs-Élysées
- Location
- 25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
- Best for
- Couples, Luxury, Travelling with a dog
Why we like it
- The red awnings and flowers of Avenue Montaigne
- Rooms and suites with balconies facing the Eiffel Tower
- Dior spa
Good to know
- Eiffel Tower views depend on the room category: book one that says so
- Small dogs only (listings mention up to about 7 kg) – confirm when you book
5. Shangri-La Paris
A prince’s former home on the hill of Chaillot, the Shangri-La has the most spectacular Eiffel Tower views of the five: many rooms look straight at it across the river. The Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro gardens are a short walk away.
- Hotel
- 5-star hotel
- Area
- Trocadéro
- Location
- 10 Avenue d'Iéna, 75116 Paris
- Best for
- Couples, Families, Luxury
Why we like it
- Many rooms and suites face the Eiffel Tower across the river
- A princely 19th-century residence with period salons
- Indoor pool; children’s amenities and babysitting on request
Good to know
- Rooms without a tower view face the city: choose the category carefully
- The 16th arrondissement is elegant but quiet in the evening
Which one should you choose?
- For a first, unforgettable stay: the Ritz Paris, at the heart of everything.
- For a garden and quiet: Le Bristol or Le Meurice.
- For the Eiffel Tower view: the Shangri-La, or a tower-view room at the Plaza Athénée.
- With children or a dog: Le Meurice and Le Bristol are the most welcoming.
Booking tips
- Book the room category, not just the hotel: views (garden, tower, courtyard) depend on it.
- Travel in low season – January, February or August – for the best availability.
- Check the cancellation policy before you pay, especially for non-refundable rates.
If you are still choosing a neighbourhood, our guide to where to stay in Paris compares the best areas, and Paris in 3 days will help you plan your time.
