Best Luxury Hotels in France

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.

Want the chance to enjoy fine dining at its best while taking in enchanting views of the Loire Valley you will be sure to love staying at Chateau de Rochecotte. There are several dining rooms to choose from, each serving classic French dishes from the region with a few modern touches. Each of the spacious rooms and suites are sumptuously decorated in French Renaissance style and boasts huge picture windows overlooking the formal gardens, while the outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to unwind.

This enchanting 19th-century Chateau Pierre de Serjac is the first word in luxury and style and boasts eight elegant rooms for guests to choose from nestled in a traditional wine estate. The city of Montpellier can be found just an hour away and for people who want to be surrounded by nature while enjoying first-class amenities such as a spa and outdoor infinity pool, this is the perfect place to stay. Guests will be able to spend their days cycling through the countryside or playing tennis on the onsite court before enjoying fine dining in the hotel’s restaurant.

This classic 13th-century castle is the perfect place for lovers of luxury to stay while exploring the picturesque Lot Valley. The chateau is surrounded by vineyards and guests will want to make sure that they sample a glass or two of the house wine while enjoying a gourmet feast in the evening. The chateau comes complete with impressive crenulated walkways as well as towering turrets, flags and drawbridge, to help set the scene for a romantic getaway and following the walking trails through the surrounding forest to admire the beehives and pretty gardens is an experience that is sure to stir the spirits.

Set right on the bank of the gently flowing Dordogne River, this five-star hotel is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a little pampering in between taking trips to explore the area. The large onsite spa features four different beauty cabins as well as a sauna and Turkish hammam, while the outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by sun loungers where guests can top up their tans. Each room has been decorated in a different style fit for royalty with adjoining balconies and palatial en suite bathrooms, while gourmet cuisine is provided in the large and impressive onsite restaurant.

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.

Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa is a luxurious, five-star getaway in the heart of Bordeaux’s historic centre. Housed in a beautiful historic building, the hotel is comprised of 28 guestrooms and suites with private terraces fitted with Jacuzzis and features the lavish Montesquieu Suite with its private elevator, starry-sky cinema room and Hammam. Guests are invited to dine in the 30’s private club inspired Le Cercle de Montaigne restaurant serving innovative gourmet cuisine. The on-site Spa Nuxe offers total relaxation and a treat for all the senses thanks to its treatments and wellness facilities. The Le Palais Gallien Hotel & Spa boasts a tranquil garden with a poolside lounging area.

In downtown Bordeaux Agnès Guiot and the team are awaiting your arrival at Yndō Hotel, housed in a private mansion, where a tailored hotel experience is there to be had. The hotel is comprised of a collection of understated and luxurious guestrooms where each of the twelve serene rooms and suites have been uniquely decorated. The Yndō Suite is the most spacious and its high location afford you unbeatable views over the mansion. Two properties have been established outside of the property offering a The Yndō Cabane at a renovated oyster farm & The Yndō Apartment. Guests are invited to make the most of exclusive access to restaurant La Table d’Agnès where the menu is made completely in-house with the very best seasonal produce. The hotel puts a focus on design and creating a calming atmosphere with its simplistic yet unique décor.

The five-star Maison Pavlov is a luxurious boutique hotel, situated mere minutes from the historical centre of Bordeaux. Each of the eight guestrooms and suites have been uniquely decorated with modern and abstract furnishings and offer guests a comfortable stay in a stylish setting. The on-site dining options are the Bistronomic restaurant, serving lunchtime delights, and the Gastronomic restaurant, serving an exquisite seasonal menu for dinner. Guests are welcome to enjoy this beautiful and lively setting for a meal or by enjoying a cocktail or something from the wine & champagne menu. The hotel boasts a verdant garden and a seasonal outdoor pool ideal for relaxing and allowing you to escape city life while there are private yoga classes available in and out of the hotel. The hotel prides itself on being family friendly and accessible to those with reduced mobility. Concierge services are available to help you make the most of your stay through planning unforgettable trips and experiences.

Les Clos des Sens is an intimate and luxurious escape in the stunning surroundings of Annecy. Located close to the Lake of Annecy, this tranquil retreat boasts 10 beautifully appointed rooms offering spectacular lake and city views. The hotel displays simplistic and contemporary décor in every corner with an elegant and sophisticated ambience amidst the stunning landscapes of the area. Guests are invited to indulge in the gourmet dining from the on-site three-Michelin-starred kitchen which allows you to savour the gastronomic delights on offer in the cosy dining room or garden. The hotel offers a heated, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, lined with loungers, inviting you to soak up the summer sun in peace and in style. The hotel’s idyllic location provides easy access to the lake and the surrounding mountains, allowing you to make the most of your stay and see all that there is to see without having to go far.

The stunning Imperial Palace is ideally located in the heart of Annecy and offers guests from all over the world unbeatable views over lake Annecy. Set in a divine Edwardian building, the hotel can be found in the verdant Charles Bosson public park and is close to the idyllic Plage d’Annecy. There are 90 deluxe guestrooms and 14 spacious suites on offer at the hotel, each boasting stunning lake, mountain or park views. Multiple dining options include La Brasserie and Le Riva, overlooking Lake Annecy’s dazzling waters and guests can enjoy a cocktail and the lively atmosphere in Hip Bar. The hotel offers rejuvenating spa and wellness facilities at Cristal Spa including a range of treatments to help you unwind. The on-site Casino Imperial is equipped with traditional games and machines including roulette and table games. The hotel also makes for an exceptional wedding and events venue with the ability to accommodate up to 600 people.

Overlooking Lake Annecy, nestled in the verdant mountains, the Palace de Menthon offers unique and sophisticated 5-star accommodation in a scenic setting. This one-of-a-kind hotel boasts 66 well-appointed rooms and spacious suites as well as a private waterfront villa. There is an on-site restaurant serving gourmet cuisine in a stunning Art Deco style setting with panoramic lake views from the bay window. The restaurant offers an exceptional wine selection to enhance your luxurious experience while you can opt to reserve this location for an unforgettable private dining experience. There is a cocktail bar for guests to enjoy and the seasonal La Plage area for alfresco enjoyment. The relaxing spa and wellness facilities feature a Hammam, swimming pool and waterfront solarium while there is also a fitness centre. There is a host of sophisticated event spaces on offer to host any type of gathering, be it for a professional seminar or an extravagant wedding celebration.