
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, Megève
Zannier Le Chalet
(5 stars)With just 12 suites and a three-bedroom private cottage set across three chalets, Zannier Hotels Le Chalet creates an intimate environment for its residents. Each residence has its own balcony or terrace and suits longer stays – the hotel can be booked in its entirety for extra exclusivity. And with fewer guests, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy a little solitude in the sleek spa, or indulge in a quiet meal. It has ski-in and ski-out access and a dedicated ski concierge, with Patisserie Buffets, served every morning to set guests up for a day on the slopes. Apres-ski, those staying at the hotel can feast on French-style tapas, Alpine gastronomic creations and attend ‘Bistronomique’ evenings.
Aquitaine, Biarritz
Regina Experimental Biarritz
(5 stars)On Biarritz’s headland, sandwiched between a golf course and the sea, sits Le Régina. Opened in 1907, the architecture has an early Art Deco leaning, with classic modern interiors. A glamorous riviera terrace has a seasonal, heated pool, loungers and a chic restaurant, serving fine French cuisine with plenty of Basque specialities. Inside there’s a spa with steam and treatment rooms, 65 bedrooms and a lobby bar – hosting frequent live music – that’s just made for quaffing champagne. Valet parking and a shuttle to the aforementioned golf club (one of the nation’s oldest) are free and the MGallery property frequently features art exhibitions.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Nice
La Pérouse
(4 stars)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.
Ile de France, Paris, 8th arr.
La Réserve
(5 stars)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.
Rhône-Alps, Courchevel
Hotel Barrière Les Neiges
(5 stars)Taking its name from the surrounding snows, this mountain chalet gives direct access to the slopes. This Hotel Barrière has 20 guest rooms, 22 suites and a penthouse, all draped in sumptuous cream and silky white fabrics with strewn faux furs, offsetting the natural wood structure. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Les Neiges has two restaurants, a bar, a cigar lounge and a pretty terrace for exterior dining accompanied by the DJ’s beats. And in the Diane Barrière Spa, guests will find six treatment booths, a hammam, sauna, cold bath, swimming pool and aquatic course, all spread across 1,000 m2 of pampering space.
Ile de France, Paris, 1st arr.
Le Roch Hotel & Spa
(5 stars)For those who prefer elegant, contemporary styling, with a refined, casual, homely ambience, the 37 room, five-star boutique Le Roch Hotel and Spa, will meet all your requirements. Situated in a quiet part of old Paris, between the Opera, Louvre, and Place Vendôme, the hotel offers a unique Parisian atmosphere, combined with the technological needs of modern living. Rooms and suites are a good size, with pleasing, modern styling by native Parisian, Sarah Lavoine. Along with its innovative restaurant, the hotel also boasts an excellent, well-stocked bar, pool, spa facilities, and pleasant sun terrace to enjoy an early evening aperitif.
Ile de France, Paris, 7th arr.
Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain & Spa
(5 stars)Lying between the Seine and the Café de Flore, the Pavilion Faubourg offers guests a chance to experience traditional Parisian luxury with a contemporary flair. The hotel’s 47 rooms and suites are filled with soft colours which render the rooms exceedingly inviting and charming. The rooms are bathed in natural light and no expense has been spared to make them as comfortable as possible from luxurious beds to floor-to-ceiling windows which gaze out over Paris. The hotel’s Spa des Pres by Codage is home to a Hamman, fitness room, deep pool with water jets and massage cabins. The Faubourg’s restaurant, Les Parisiens brings guests and locals alike together to try exceptional food, wine and service all in a setting which pays homage to James Joyce’s iconic book the “Dubliners”. Similarly, the hotel’s bar, the James Joyce also pays homage to the eternal author as it serves exquisite cocktails in a bar which feels just like a classic English club.
Rhône-Alps, Annecy
les Tresoms
(4 stars)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.
Ile de France, Paris, 1st arr.
Nolinski Paris – Evok Collection
(5 stars)Just moments away from the Louvre and Comedie Francais, the Nolinski is the poster boy for excellence and luxury. Its interior designed by Jean-Louis Deniot skilfully plays with dark colours and light to create a refined and distinctly discreet environment, this makes the hotel the perfect place for guests who want a peaceful and tranquil environment. The Nolinski is home to 45 spacious and exclusive suites and rooms, they are each expertly designed with every detail being accounted for. The hotel’s spa, La Coline, is a masterpiece of tranquillity as its granite flooring, wood panelling and candles make it one of the most relaxing spas to be found anywhere. The hotel has two restaurants including the Palais Royal which has been awarded two Michelin stars and whose interior was designed by the acclaimed designer Christophe Tollemer. The hotel’s cocktail bar brings together guests and locals alike who marvel at its luxury and peace all whilst enjoying some of Paris’s best cocktails.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille
Le Petit Nice Passedat
(5 stars)Guests who choose to stay at this luxurious seaside establishment can be sure that they will receive plenty of pampering. The Le Petit Nice Passedat boasts a three Michelin-starred restaurant and no visit is complete without taking the opportunity to dine in style on the terrace while gazing out at the ocean. Those who demand nothing but the best will also want to secure one of the two secluded villas that overlook the Mediterranean Sea.
Ile de France, Paris, 8th arr.
Hôtel San Régis
(5 stars)A boutique hotel in a 19th-century mansion, the San Régis enjoys a secluded setting, on a quiet rue in the ‘Golden Triangle’ of the exclusive 8th arrondissement neighbourhood. Owned by the Georges family, its atmosphere is homely, yet opulent. 30 bedrooms and 12 suites have all been individually decorated; a selection of fine fabrics, oil paintings and antique furnishings have been painstakingly curated to create a unique impression. And its restaurant, Les Confidences, takes its cue from nature, with a garden-inspired dining room and a living wall. Hôtel San Régis’ discreet entrance, unique styling and personalised service combine to ensure it’s popular with celebrities and VIPs.
Rhône-Alps, Courchevel
Hotel La Sivoliere
(5 stars)Ski-in and ski-out of Hotel La Sivoliere. Accessible accommodation is available with all 35 rooms, suites and apartments having been refurbished by interior designer Sara Copeland. It has earned Family Plus certification with Mini Sivo Captains on hand to entertain young ones in the Mini Sivo Room, and magical mini handcrafted wooden bunks in some rooms. Here, you can book a dog-sitter to walk your pooch – canines received a basket to match the room and their own meal menu. The hotel dates back to 1950 and is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and Savoyard speciality cuisine.
