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.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Lauris
Domaine de Fontenille
Boasting an elegant yet simple style, Domaine de Fontenille is set in palatial grounds with several different gardens for guests to explore at their leisure. A number of walking trails wind their way through the grape vines, while the area is also set with a large swimming pool, a boules pitch and a spa that comes complete with a Turkish bath and massage room. Guests can take their pick from 18 luxurious bedrooms and suites, each of which faces the gardens and is decorated in a classic French style with plenty of decadent touches.
Savoie, Val Thorens
Le Fitz Roy, Val Thorens, a Beaumier Hotel & Spa
Soak in the astonishing panoramic views of Europe’s highest ski resort while the winding lifts and stretched-out slopes melt around you in true Alpine style at Le Fitz Roy, a Beaumier Hotel & Spa. A paragon of luxury and refined hospitality, elegance has never been this easy to reach.
Situated at the heart of the breathtaking Val Thorens village, this ski-in, ski-out hotel draws in the lovers of the slopes where they can find comfort and refinery at their fingertips after a full day of activity. With 72 rooms across their space, they boast a refuge adorned with softness to help you feel at home during your stay. You can choose the room that best suits your needs while customising it with the view you desire – village or slopes.
During your visit, you can press pause on life’s responsibilities and unwind with the variety of amenities and experiences on offer at Le Fitz Roy. Recharge your body and mind with their very own yoga classes, leave your body’s tension at the door with the sauna and specialised spa menu, or indulge in the tastes of Savoy with fresh Alpine produce prepared into gastronomic delights at their very own restaurant. Its immersive experience makes Le Fitz Roy the ideal base for your next trip.
For that extra spoonful of pleasure during your next encounter with the beautiful snowy slopes of Val Thorens, choose what you deserve – a stay in Le Fitz Roy, a Beaumier Hotel & Spa.
Ile de France, Paris, 16th arr.
Shangri-La Paris
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.
Ile de France, Paris, 8th arr.
Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Located in the Golden Triangle of Paris, The Four Seasons Hotel George V occupies a 1920s art deco hotel which is chic and welcoming. The hotel’s 244 rooms and suites are spacious and historic, some of the suites even boast views of the Eiffel Tower. The hotel also has a dedicated concierge service, newspaper service, spa and provides guests with luxury bath products. Yet the hotel stands out in its own right due to its dining options. The hotel is home to three Michelin-starred restaurants which have been awarded a total of six Michelin stars. This lineup includes Le Cinq, a three Michelin star restaurant by Christian Le Squer, it is world-renowned for being one of the best restaurants anywhere. The hotel is also home to a cosy and intimate bar which serves coffee, cocktails, and light dishes.
Ile de France, Paris, 1st arr.
Cheval Blanc Paris
Just moments away from the Louvre and the Marais, the Cheval Blanc Paris gracefully rises out of the Seine. Occupying a historic yet beautifully renovated Maison, the Cheval Blanc’s interior – designed by Peter Marino- is playful and distinctly French. The hotel’s 72 rooms and suites are intimate and luxurious, many also boast commanding views of the city. Many of the hotel’s exclusive suites even have some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine to be found anywhere in Paris. The Cheval is home to the Dior Spa and Rossano Ferretti salon and thus it meets every beauty and wellness need of its guests. The Cheval is home to Hakuba, a stylish Japanese restaurant, and Le Tout-Paris a Michelin-starred brasserie and cocktail bar which gazes out over Paris. For a true culinary experience, guests can also dine at Plenitude, a three Michelin star restaurant which serves some of the best food to be found anywhere in France.
Ile de France, Paris, 8th arr.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
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.
Aquitaine, Bordeaux, Chartrons
Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes
The opulent Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes can be found in the heart of Bordeaux’s Chartrons district. This former Calvet wine cellar is now a spectacular 5-star hotel, designed by Philippe Starck. It has 97 luxurious guestrooms and suites on offer which offer stunning city views and terrace options. Guests can indulge in Japanese specialities in the on-site, alfresco restaurant or savour a signature cocktail or sake at the splendid terrace bar. This hotel boasts serene spa facilities including a relaxing indoor heated pool complete with a sauna and Hammam. In addition to the range of treatments available, there is also a fantastic fitness centre. There are three sophisticated meeting and event spaces with catering available for up to 72 persons. The hotel’s excellent, central location allows guests to explore all that the city has to offer while providing a secluded sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Rhône-Alps, Megève
Les Fermes de Marie
Guests here are housed in one of 70 bedrooms, some in chalets and ‘mazots’ (a kind of Savoyard mountain hut). Les Fermes de Marie came into being in the 1980s but now has a classic chalet feel (think Game of Thrones-style; wood panelling, fur throws, sheepskin cushions and rustic four-poster beds). Its new-look Pure Altitude Spa was launched in 2019, with 17 treatment cabins, hot and cold ceder ofuro soaking tubs, a child-friendly indoor-outdoor swimming pool and an adults-only indoor pool. There’s also a hot tub on the terrace, the Traditionnel restaurant and two further eateries that open during high season.
Rhône-Alps, Val dʼIsère
Airelles Val d’Isère
The dark beams, heavy ornate wooden fireplaces, oversized oil paintings, wood-panelled tubs and Elizabethan style furnishings found in Airelles Val d’Isèr creates an almost medieval feel. Every room has a bath here, and although there’s a pool and hot tub, the option for a private soak post-slopes is most welcome. Guests have ski-in, ski-out access and can buy ski passes on site. Elsewhere, the hotel has a Guerlain spa, an outdoor terrace, gym, two restaurants (French and Italian) and a bar. Double rooms, through to two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes are available.
Rhône-Alps, Courchevel
Six Senses Residences Courchevel
A short stroll from the heart of 1850 lies this collection of apartments. Sleeping between two and five in each suite, the resort caters to a wide range of parties. Eschewing the more traditional Alpine cuisine, this hotel serves exquisite sushi in its Japanese restaurant, Sumosan. The Six Senses Spa’s encompasses 7,500 sqft of treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub, a juice bar and Kneipp foot bath therapy – with rituals accompanied by Organic Pharmacy products. There’s also an on-site ski rental shop and boutique, so you can pack lightly for inbound travel.
Ile de France, Paris, 16th arr.
The Peninsula Paris
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.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Saint-Tropez
Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez
An iconic property since its inception in 1931, the Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez began life as a home from home for artists, musicians and movie stars. Toward the end of the century, it received an extension, including the glamorous Dolce Vita Suite. Today guests are greeted in the lobby by a chandelier made up of 3,500 ivory-lacquered aluminium petals, ebony black resin sculptures and a pool suspended 15 metres in the air. Enjoy a meal on the rooftop at chef Michele Fortunato’s table, or in Les Toits restaurant. Take drinks beside the open-air swimming pool and listen to the sound of live piano music as you savour lobster and champagne in L’Atrium.