Best Luxury Hotels in France

Surrounded by lush greenery, but just a short walk from Petite Venise, this MGallery property is a showcase for modern art and wellness. Its L’Esquisse Spa by Clarins is spread over 500 m² with a 15-metre sunlit pool and jacuzzi, overlooking the solarium patio. Bedrooms have balconies with views of Champ de Mars Park and come with Nespresso machines and Clarins bath products. There are accessible rooms and the huge penthouse suites are perfect for families. Its K Bar is the place for cocktails; the venue is characterised by an enormous hanging copper mask art installation.

Centrally placed, and close to the Place Vendôme and Palais Garnier, many of the big Paris attractions can be reached in a pleasant 15-minute stroll from the hotel. When you wish to explore further afield, a number of Metro stations are just metres away. A magnet for many A-list celebrities, from tennis grand slam winners to chart-topping singers, the hotel offers the very best of five-star accommodation, dining and amenities. Rooms and suites are set off in pleasing contemporary styling with attractive, elegant adornments. The main restaurant has a one-star Michelin rating, while breakfast and brunch can be enjoyed in the glass-ceilinged Les Orchidées, or the relaxing La Cheminée.

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.

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.

Housed in a sophisticated listed heritage building from 1820, Le Pélican is situated in the heart of Annecy. Between the entrance to the old town and the spectacular Lake Annecy, you’ll find this luxurious retreat that has transformed a historic hospital into a combination of new and old, especially with the recent addition of a new structure. There are 100 lavish guestrooms and suites to choose from featuring the exceptional Pélican Lake Suite which boasts a 650sqft terrace fitted with a Nordic bath. There is a gourmet bistro restaurant with a glass ceiling and an expansive terrace overlooking the natural wonders of the mountains and the lake. In the lobby you’ll find Bakery Ô Bon Pain serving French delicacies. The hotel offers guests a relaxing heated outdoor pool with a pool bar. There are also weekly live music performances at Le Pélican depending on the time of year. This hotel is pet friendly.

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.

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.

In a prime position right on the promenade (Boulevard de la Croisette), the JW Marriott faces onto the beach. Bedrooms pay homage to the city’s Hollywood heritage, with black and white photographs of big screen icons from the golden era of cinema, along with Bvlgari products, spa baths and hi-tech gadgets to ensure you too feel like a star. There’s a grill restaurant, a lobby lounge and a rooftop bar and cafe to take in those views over a snack. You can rent a bicycle from the hotel for a greener way of exploring the locale, swim in the pool and workout in the Marriott fitness centre.

Occupying an estate and chateau the Saint James is one of the most romantic and luxurious hotels to be found anywhere in Europe. Saint James despite its gardens and privacy is located in the central, 16th neighbourhood, which is not only one of Paris’s most exclusive areas but is also close to many of its major sites. The hotel’s rooms, suites, villas, and apartments are decadent, light, and historical with every inch of every room feeling like an 18th-century Chateau which has been skilfully brought into the 21st century. The Saint James is also home to a fully equipped fitness centre and the Guerlain Spa which offers exceptional treatments to guests. The Saint James is also home to many dining establishments like the Red and Green Michelin-starred Bellefeuille with a decadent French menu curated by the acclaimed chef Gregory Garimbay and The Library Bar which feels like the British gentlemen’s club it used to be.

Marty Hotel Bordeaux, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, offers a hip, boutique experience in Bordeaux’s revitalised Mériadeck district. The hotel’s name reflects its artistic vibe and location, with the lobby resembling a vibrant art gallery showcasing works by contemporary French artists, curated by Nell Caritey-Hergué. The hotel features 61 rooms including Queen, King Deluxe, and Twin Deluxe, with some King Deluxe rooms offering private terraces. Interiors are stylish, with burnt orange or army green wood-panelled walls, midcentury furniture, and plush beds with Gervasoni upholstered headboards. Modern amenities include large-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms with rainfall showers and Soin de Soi toiletries. Le Marty’s cocktail bar boasts a sophisticated aesthetic, a thoughtful wine list, and a diverse cocktail menu, complemented by a selection of shareable plates. Located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel is a short walk from the city centre and close to the Bordeaux tram network.

If you desire that true slice of Alpine life in Europe’s highest ski resort, surrounded by luscious views while in the comfort of your own room, then Hôtel Le Pashmina, Val Thorens, is made for you.

Find a mixture of colour and comfort while you take refuge in Hôtel Le Pashmina’s 43 rooms and suites, 8 ‘cosy homes’, 2 chalet apartments or even their Igloo Pod, located on their rooftop, where you can make yourself right at home. Accommodating anywhere between 1-10 people, their rooms and suites come with their own private balconies, minibars, and spacious bathroom set ups to ensure you are equipped with the small luxuries that complete your stay.

When you’re not relaxing in your homestead, hit Pashmina’s Base Camp to discover the delights of bistronomic cuisine while soaking in the sound of live music, or experience Michelin-star quality while embarking on an incredible culinary odyssey at Les Explorateurs. And when all is said and done, recharge your batteries in Hôtel Le Pashmina’s pool and sauna facilities where their Spa by L’Occitane offers treatments and massages to rejuvenate your body and mind.

Prioritise comfort and leave your worries at home by choosing peak luxury at Hôtel Le Pashmina during your trip to the stunning slopes of Val Thorens. A mountainous escape for every kind of traveller.

A short walk from the beach and town, this peaceful 17th-century inn and apple farm is now a five-star hotel, incorporating the original farmhouse, a pavilion, a tower and a thatched cottage (the latter was painted by Monet and serves as the main restaurant). La Ferme Saint Siméon was once a favourite of impressionist painters who adored the sweeping Seine views; a heritage that is maintained by an artist in residence. Many of the original features remain too, with beamed ceilings, wood-panelled walls, oil paintings and large open fires. The hotel provides watercolour classes, horse-drawn carriage rides and boat trips and has an in-house spa.