Best Luxury Hotels in France

Located on Avenue Kleber, just a few hundred yards from the Arc de Triomphe and close to Montaigne with its chic designer boutiques, The Peninsula is central for those days out, wherever you’re headed. Traditional blends with contemporary in this opulent 200-room hotel. A-listers from stage and screen, and international sports stars are frequent visitors to enjoy the sumptuous rooms, and suites displaying expensive artworks and traditional dark woods with contemporary fittings. Bathrooms have marble floors and walls, deep luxurious bathtubs, and double sinks. Every convenience you can imagine is included in the rooms – and some. A 5-star hotel with a ‘Palace’ reputation.

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.

Saint Tropez is arguably the most famous spot on the French Riviera. Tourists flock here to catch a glimpse of its superyachts and wealthy sun-worshippers. But you can escape the throng in style, at this bohemian hotel. In places, it’s evocative of 1950s Hollywood but also graced with upscale rustic room decor in peaceful tones. Found among the pine littered, picture-perfect hillsides of Ramatuelle, Villa Marie is ideal for couples. There are four-poster beds, open-plan bathrooms, a heated pool on the terrace, a heavenly Pure Altitude Spa, and Dolce Vita, the villa’s veranda restaurant, with cuisine by Chef Cédric Luisin.

Home of the iconic film festival, Cannes is another magnet for celebrities. Hyatt’s Green Globe-certified Riviera property has 409 room, ten of which are accessible. There’s an art deco theme to its swish design by Pierre-Yves Rochon, with colours echoing those found in the local coastal scenery. Culinary artistry comes from Michelin-starred Executive Chef Christian Sinicropi, in the hotel’s three upmarket eateries. The finest – La Palme d’Or, overlooks the Bay of Cannes and features crockery designed by Sinicropi and his wife. There’s also a spa, kids’ club, beach and plenty of meeting facilities (all buzzing with famous faces and press during the film festival)

Althoff Villa Belrose is a 5-star hotel that sits amongst manicured gardens and pine trees and is just 5 minutes away from the charismatic town of St Tropez. The luxurious retreat boasts 40 rooms and suites that are both elegant and comfortable, are adorned with carefully selected antiques and open onto terraces with sweeping views of the sea, rooms are complemented by expansive marble bathrooms. The Villa Belrose is home to the sophisticated indoor-outdoor Le Méditerranée Restaurant where guests can enjoy aperitifs by the pool and The Club L’Indochine by The Duc NGO, adds to the hotel’s culinary allure. With a vast outdoor swimming pool, a spa utilising premium Swiss Niance products, and trails offering breathtaking vistas, it’s an idyllic sanctuary for those passionate about wellness. Elevated above the vibrant energy of St. Tropez, yet conveniently close to both lush vineyards and picturesque hilltop towns, this is a refined retreat on the Cote d’Azur.

The timeless InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hotel is included in IHG Hotels’ exquisite portfolio and is located in Place de la Comédie. Each of the lavish guestrooms and suites feature upholstery designed by Jacques Garcia and exude the elegance of time gone by while boasting modern amenities and comfort. A stay in one of the hotel’s suites may include a stunning view of the Opera or a spacious outdoor living area. Guests can opt to dine alfresco in the Rooftop Bar or take part in a gastronomic experience at the Michelin-starred Le Pressoir D’Argent Gordon Ramsay. Le Bordeaux serves local and region French specialities while The Orangerie Bar offers gourmet delights in a warm, inviting setting. The rooftop Guerlain Spa is a getaway in itself and has a serene indoor pool offering panoramic views of the city. There is also a fully equipped fitness centre.

This hotel is a hidden jewel and can be found perched on a steep hill overlooking the bay of Angels and Nice. If you are looking for privacy and luxury the Hotel La Perouse is the destination for you. The building reminds of an old-world manor house and welcomes guests with its warm tones and relaxed atmosphere. The hotel offers a wide range of amenities to its guest allowing you to forget about the world and relax. The outdoor heated swimming pool and relaxation area are a favourite of guests who want to soak up the warm Mediterranean sun. The on-site restaurant serves the very best French cuisine and comes highly recommended.

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.

Located in the vibrant Haut Marais district, Hotel Experimental Marais is the new flagship from the Experimental Group, marking its third hotel in Paris. Housed in a reimagined neo-Gothic building designed by Tristan Auer, the five-star boutique property offers 43 rooms and suites, a luxurious spa in collaboration with Susanne Kaufmann, an indoor pool, and a cocktail bar inspired by iconic New York speakeasies. The hotel’s restaurant Temple & Chapon, a 100-seat restaurant led by acclaimed French chef Mélanie Serre, serves a menu inspired by 1950s Manhattan chophouses with French finesse. The interiors are infused with theatrical flair and eclectic charm, reflecting the story of an imaginary well-travelled aesthete, with features such as stained-glass windows, vaulted arches, and curated artwork. Rooted in Experimental’s Parisian origins and global hospitality acclaim, the hotel combines bold design with immersive experiences, all just moments from the Marais’ galleries, boutiques, and historic landmarks.

The delightful L’Auberge du Père Bise – Jean Sulpice sits along the scenic shores of Lake Annecy and invites guests from across the globe to soak in the surrounding landscapes while indulging in the culinary offerings of the chef after whom the hotel is named. The hotel, situated in the bay of Talloires, offers luxurious accommodation in the form of lavish and modern guestrooms and suites featuring the spacious Master Suite and its private outdoor terrace and Jacuzzi. There are two exceptional on-site dining options including the gourmet, 2-Michelin-starred Jean Sulpice Restaurant and Restaurant The 1903, preparing unique flavours and an intimate gastronomic experience that you won’t find elsewhere. The hotel offers guests access to the spa with exquisite wellness facilities including a Hammam, sauna and indoor swimming pool with floor-to-ceiling windows which allow you to take in the views and let your stress melt away all year round.

The Rivage Hôtel & Spa sits on the banks of the picturesque Lake Annecy. There is a selection of modern guestrooms, suites and penthouses with expansive windows providing splendid views over the lake or the surrounding mountains. The hotel’s finest offering is the spacious Privilege Suite with a lakeside terrace and a grand bathtub. There is the on-site Lôna Restaurant serving local and seasonal cuisine. The NUXE Spa is spread over more than 1,000m2 and offers a wide range of state-of-the-art spa and wellness facilities. There is a Hammam, a sauna and a cold water well for hydrotherapy. The facilities also include a fully equipped fitness centre, yoga studio and a herbal tea room. There is a 16m indoor swimming pool as well as a children’s pool and a relaxing outdoor terrace area. This hotel is ideal for a relaxing getaway with plenty of amenities specifically for pampering yourself and escaping reality.

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.