Best Luxury Hotels in Ile de France

Le Royal Monceau is an exceedingly fashionable hotel situated in the centre of Paris. Its interior is bathed in natural light and adorned with modern art pieces which give it a chic flair. The hotel’s rooms and suites are warm and homely, they are all unique and try to tell a different story about the history of Paris, this makes the rooms feel quintessentially Parisian. The hotel is home to a 1500 sq. m Spa and fitness centre which has a 23m pool, fitness coaches, saunas and a hammam. The Royal Monceau also offers guests many experiences such as cooking classes, cinema viewings in its onsite cinema and yoga classes just to name a few. The Royal Monceau boasts various dining options like the exquisite Matushi Japanese restaurant and the Michelin-starred Il Carpaccio Italian restaurant. There are also two bars: Le Bar Long, an exceptional Parisian-style bar and the tranquil Vinales Lounge.

When you pay four figures a night for your accommodation, you expect nothing less than the very best of five-star everything. At La Reserve Paris Hotel and Spa, you get just that. Situated on the fashionable Avenue Gabriel, the hotel verges on the ambience of a private gentleman’s club. Built during the 1800s, and providing stunning views across the Paris skyline, the interior was completely redesigned by hotel designer Jacques Garcia. With its modern feel, yet traditional look, the décor and furnishings allude to the personal service which is so much a feature of the hotel.

The first hotel to be located within the Palace grounds, Le Grand Contrôle was built by Louis XIV’s architect of choice in 1681. Now it has 14 rooms and suites, enabling guests to sleep in a confine once reserved solely for royalty and their courtiers. An extension of the palace’s south wing, it provides a unique experience – step inside and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to the 17th century. Period antiques, candle effect lighting, wall hangings and pastel pallets recreate an Antoinette era. But there are exciting new additions too, including Alain Ducasse’s own restaurant, the Valmont spa and an indoor pool.

Found between the Garden of Versailles and the Grand Triano, the neoclassical Trianon Palace was built at the turn of the 20th century. An enormous Guerlain Spa surrounded by mature gardens is a highlight here, along with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s own Michelin starred fine dining restaurant proffering views over the palace. 199 guest rooms are decorated in harmony with the hotel’s grand environs, adding in some contemporary styling. Onsite leisure amenities include two tennis courts, a large Grecian-inspired indoor pool, hammam, a relaxed brasserie and a bar. Family and pet-friendly rooms are available at this Waldorf Astoria owned property.

The Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Paris, is an iconic 5-star masterpiece of the Parisian Art Deco era. Since opening its doors in 1929, the Prince de Galles has stood as a beacon of elegance and refinement in Paris, France. The hotel offers 159 rooms, including 43 suites, providing a luxurious retreat. Situated on Avenue George V, it is just a 5-minute stroll from the Champs-Elysées, Avenue Montaigne, and renowned landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. The hotel’s new Parisian cocktail bar, 19.20, offers a sophisticated and exclusive setting to enjoy cocktails inspired by Paris, explore the world of cognac, and sample some of the finest wines and champagnes from local producers.

In the 16th arrondissement, this property has Eiffel views. Le Metropolitan is cosy and quiet, with an almost museum-like feel and 19th-century architecture designed by François Champsaur. The decor is simple and calming; true Parisian chic. The super comfy beds are the kind you sink into after a long day’s sightseeing — some are housed in uber-contemporary minimalist four-posters and bathrooms have been crafted using Capri marble and Zimbabwe granite as feature materials. The hotel’s restaurant is seductive and alluring, displaying understated luxury, while the bar (open all day for morning coffee through to late-night cocktails – is entered via two works of art.

If you saw the final episodes of HBO’s Sex and the City TV series, you’ll recognise Hôtel Plaza Athénée as the splendid establishment in which Carrie Bradshaw stayed. The character was wowed by the view from her suite balcony, and you will be too as it’s opposite the capital’s most iconic emblem. The front elevation features wrought-iron balconies planted with colourful flowers and is found on Avenue Montaigne, close to designer boutiques. After a spot of nearby shopping, you can unwind in the hotel’s Dior spa and dine in its Michelin-starred restaurant.

A boutique hotel in a 19th-century mansion, the San Régis enjoys a secluded setting, on a quiet rue in the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the exclusive 8th arrondissement neighbourhood. Owned by the Georges family, its atmosphere is homely, yet opulent. 30 bedrooms and 12 suites have all been individually decorated; a selection of fine fabrics, oil paintings and antique furnishings have been painstakingly curated to create a unique impression. And its restaurant, Les Confidences, takes its cue from nature, with a garden-inspired dining room and a living wall. Hôtel San Régis’ discreet entrance, unique styling and personalised service combine to ensure it’s popular with celebrities and VIPs.

Stay in the regal building that was once home to Prince Roland Bonaparte. It’s listed among France’s “Monuments Historiques” and has an enviable location opposite the Seine and facing the Eiffel Tower. As such, rooms (all with seating areas, marble bathrooms and Guerlain toiletries) have an outlook of one or both of these landmarks, with private balconies providing the opportunity for the most romantic of selfies. The hotel group has its roots in Asia, so you’ll find plenty of aesthetic and cultural influences, particularly in the food. And the dining at Shangri-La Paris is something very special, with two refined restaurants, one of which is Michelin-starred.

Located in the iconic 19th-century Louvre post office building, the Madame Rêve Hotel boasts a great location and its 82 rooms and suites and public spaces offer guests a unique panorama over the Parisian cityscape. With a subtle design of precious woods and golden-brown fabrics, there is an understated vibe of luxury here. The five-star hotels presents guests with two culinary experiences Madame Rêve Café serves a taste of the Mediterranean and La Plume takes its menu inspiration from Japanese-influenced cuisine. For guests that need to recharge, the fitness room is equipped with the latest equipment and the sauna with breathtaking views is the perfect place to unwind or for full relaxation indulge in a treatment on one of the two calming treatment rooms.

Found in the same neighbourhood as Le Metropolitan, the Majestic Hôtel epitomises timeless French elegance. It’s a spa hotel with a huge swimming pool in which you can take aqua-biking classes; a gym in which you can book personal training sessions and treatment rooms for a therapeutic experience like its hammam ritual. Each of the 57 bedrooms has heavy drapes and artwork specifically chosen to complement the space, while one and two-bedroom suites provide kitchenettes for those wanting to do a little home cooking. But there is a restaurant within the hotel, and a bar serving chic afternoon tea. Another highlight of Majestic is its top-class Les Clefs d’Or concierge.

Tradition has a lot to do with the city of love, and there is no better place to get totally immersed in tradition than the 5-star Hotel Raphael. Operated by the same family for four generations, the hotel maintains the highest of time-honoured, traditional standards. Situated in the city’s business centre, close to the Arc de Triomphe, each room is as unique as the hotel itself. With its large collection of lovingly restored antiques and traditional décor and furnishings, it is the ideal place to base yourself, for a little Parisian amour.