Best Luxury Hotels in France
France – sometimes dubbed ‘l’hexagone’ due to its six-sided shape – is home to what is arguably the most romantic city in the world, and the glitziest rivieras in Europe. The varying climates here will suit all types of traveller – from the cooler north to the sun-soaked south, balmy interior regions and snowy Alpine reaches. Our European neighbour is just a ferry hop, Eurostar ride, tunnel drive, or short flight away. And it provides internationally acclaimed gourmet foods, indigenous cheeses and fine wines – so much so, that French gastronomy has even been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status.
Rhône-Alps, Annecy
les Tresoms
Les Trésoms offers luxurious accommodation in the stunning setting of Annecy. The hotel has been decorated with a unique combination of contemporary style and 1930’s Savoyard elegance. There are 52 guestrooms and suites including Attic Rooms with views over the Lake Annecy as well as lavish villas nestled between the lake and the Alps. The hotel offers two room types – lake side offering spectacular views of the lake and forest side rooms with chic Art Nouveau portraits on display. Guests can opt to indulge in the Michelin-starred La Rotonde des Trésoms Restaurant where gourmet dining is taken seriously. There is also the on-site L’Atelier Restaurant and a relaxing atmosphere at The Bar des Trésoms. On-site spa facilities include a Balneotherapy pool and Hammam in addition to an array of blissful treatments. There is also an outdoor pool and relaxation area.
Rhône-Alps, Courchevel
L’apogée Courchevel
This hotel has a unique position on top of what was once an Olympic ski jump. Part of the Oetker Collection, it’s palatial, with a resort feel – there’s a beauty and hair salon, La Prairie spa, pool, salt sauna, boutiques, a smoking room and the largest children’s club in Courchevel. L’apogée has 53 guest rooms, a penthouse and two private chalets. Sushi is prepared in its restaurant, Koori (meaning ‘ice’ in Japanese), with French fare at Le Comptoir L’Apogée. By day Le Bar de L’Apogée serves light lunches, while by night the venue becomes a cocktail lounge accompanied by the sounds of live singers and DJs.
Bourgogne, Levernois
L’hermitage Gantois, Autograph Collection
A charming riverside hideaway, Hostellerie De Levernois is a rustic white mansion, surrounded by six hectares of parkland and century-old trees. Ingredients from its vegetable garden are used in the creation of Bistrot du Bord de l’Eau’s dishes, all of which are cooked in the original 18th-century kitchen. Choose wine from a selection of around 1000 bottles, kept in the property’s cellar. Rooms boast period features such as wooden beams and exposed stone walls, complemented by upmarket French country chic decor. The Relais & Château property is just three miles from the station and minutes from the highway, yet feels wonderfully secluded.
Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Lille, Lille Centre
Hôtel Barrière De Lille
This modern, glass-walled hotel sits beside a shopping mall, just yards from the mainline train station. The highlight is a huge in-house casino, reached through velvet drapes off a hotel corridor or directly from the street. Here you can try your luck at slots and table games and watch glamorous shows or cabarets in the 1200 seat theatre. Hôtel Barrière De Lille’s nine floors include 145 rooms (some of which are fully accessible) and two restaurants; while the fourth floor accommodates its spa, Escal’Bien-Etre. Pets and kids are welcome and there’s an excellent Sunday brunch accompanied by live tunes.
Languedoc-Roussillon, Carcassonne
Le Domaine d’Auriac
Occupying the site of an ancient Carsac oppidum, this 19th-century townhouse is surrounded by three-century-old parkland — a calm and majestic setting to enjoy fine cuisine. And as this is a Relais and Chateaux property, you can be assured of the best food. There are two restaurants; Le restaurant Bernard Rigaudis and Le Bistrot d’Auriac, with the option of dining beside the outdoor pool on a pretty terrace. The hotel kitchen also offers epicurean workshops dedicated to women with breast cancer, utilising the freshest local produce and celebrating the expression of the terroir. Guests can play golf and tennis onsite at the 21-bedroom hotel.
Rhône-Alps, Val dʼIsère
Le Yule Hotel and Spa
With its special ski-to-door access, Le Yule Hotel and Spa offers guests the opportunity to roll out of bed and hit the slopes straight away. Village Ski Lift is located just 200 metres away, while Bellevarde Express Ski Lift is just a 400-metre stroll. Even people who don’t want to try their hands at skiing will find plenty to do here as the large and luxurious spa come with a sauna and steam room, while there is a whole host of spa treatments to choose from. There are 41 rooms in total, with top options including balconies that look out over the slopes.
Rhône-Alps, Megève
M de Megève
Enjoy all the cosiness of an Alpine chalet in full contemporary style at M de Megève. The design here is deeply sophisticated, befitting a sleek boutique establishment. A new wing was added in 2019, housing some of the hotel’s 42 bedrooms, and there’s a spa (with a counter-current pool) beneath the ground floor. Nothing says romance quite like a horse-drawn carriage rides around a snow-covered French chocolate box town – and this is something the hotel offers completely free of charge (although it must be pre-booked). It’s a perfect setting for a proposal or a memorable anniversary, followed by an exquisite French meal at Le M Restaurant.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Saint-Tropez
La Ponche Hôtel Restaurant · Saint Tropez
This boutique hotel and restaurant has been enchanting guests for decades with its unique character and views of the Med. Step into a world of timeless beauty as you enter the historic building, where each room exudes a sense of understated luxury. Situated just steps away from the vibrant Old Port and cobbled streets, the setting invites guests to bask in the sunshine on nearby sandy beaches, explore the markets, or simply relax. For those seeking a little tranquil among St Tropez’s high-octane glamour, the hotel has a serene courtyard where you can unwind amidst greenery and the soothing sound of a trickling fountain. Indulge in a pampering massage, tuck into Provencal cuisine, or take a leisurely dip in the secluded pool to complete your relaxation.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Nice, Le Carré d'Or
Le Negresco
The Hotel le Negresco has been an iconic destination on the French Riviera for more than a century. The hotel boasts some of the best rooms that Nice has to offer and features trendy and modern yet elegant decor. You will be able to unwind and relax completely in the tranquil surroundings of this hotel as you overlook the Mediterranean Sea from your suite. Le Negresco has been a favourite spot of many artists and other famous people since its opening more than 100 years ago, you can stay in the same rooms as these people and experience the Louis XIV-style decor of the exceptional suites which reminds you of a time gone by.