Paris, the City of Lights, has always captivated travelers with its charm and beauty. It’s also a city known for its luxurious and stylish hotels, from grand historical properties to trendy boutique stays. Whether you’re seeking elegance in the heart of the city or a charming hideaway in a quieter neighborhood, Paris has a hotel for every taste and budget.
This guide highlights some of the most memorable and captivating hotels in Paris, featuring unique details and experiences that will make your stay truly special. From iconic restaurants to breathtaking views, these hotels are more than just places to sleep; they’re destinations in themselves.
Historic Elegance and Artistic Flair: Le Meurice
The Le Meurice has a history as rich and illustrious as the city it calls home. This iconic hotel, over two centuries old, has welcomed some of the most glamorous figures in history, from Elizabeth Taylor to Mata Hari. But Le Meurice is also renowned for its artistic heritage, serving as a meeting place for some of the 20th century’s most influential artists and thinkers. Salvador Dalí spent a month each year for three decades at this hotel. The corridors have echoed with the footsteps of Émile Zola, Andy Warhol, and Bob Dylan, and even Picasso held his wedding reception here.
This legacy of creativity continues to infuse the hotel today. The playful, iconoclastic interiors, designed by Philippe Starck in 2007, feature a surreal sculpture in the lobby and a breathtaking ceiling painting by Starck’s daughter, Ara, in the central dining space. Despite its artistic flair, Le Meurice maintains its classic charm, with elegant rooms decorated in soothing creams and powder blues.
Don’t miss the hotel’s flagship two-Michelin-starred restaurant by Alain Ducasse, offering a whimsical approach to fine dining that perfectly complements the hotel’s playful spirit.
Enchanted Forest: La Fantaisie
Step into the La Fantaisie, a new hotel in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, and you’ll be greeted with the phrase “Enchanté” etched into the pavement. This enchanting haven lives up to its name. The lobby ceiling is covered in a tapestry resembling a tree canopy, petal-shaped table legs resemble delicate blossoms, and the foliage-themed wallpaper in the corridors evokes the magical world of Where The Wild Things Are.
The visionary interior designer behind this masterpiece is Martin Brudnizki, renowned for his maximalist style, evident in projects like Annabel’s in London and Hotel Fouquet’s in New York.
La Fantaisie boasts a restaurant by the three-Michelin-starred chef, Dominique Crenn, and a rooftop bar offering stunning views of the city’s Haussmann facades.
Fashion and Glamour: Hotel Costes
The Hotel Costes is the ultimate “see-and-be-seen” destination during Paris Fashion Week. Its courtyard restaurant is a popular gathering place for fashion’s elite, and it’s within walking distance of the prestigious Place Vendome.
Beyond its fashionable appeal, Hotel Costes is a haven of luxurious design. Owners Jean-Louis and Gilbert Costes commissioned two of the world’s top interior designers, Jacques Garcia and Christian Liagre, to create its three guest wings.
Choose between Garcia’s theatrical, cabaret-inspired spaces or Liaigre’s minimalist temples of modern design.
Avenue Montaigne Opulence: Hôtel Plaza Athénée
For shoppers seeking to indulge in the world of luxury along the Avenue Montaigne and Rue Saint-Honoré, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée is the ultimate destination. This iconic hotel occupies a prime position on the Avenue Montaigne itself, offering some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower in the city.
The Hôtel Plaza Athénée has a long-standing connection to the world of fashion. Christian Dior, whose couture salon was just up the street, was a frequent guest, and the hotel’s cocktail bar is said to have inspired his iconic Bar jacket. The hotel remains a favorite among the editors and buyers who flock to Paris during fashion week.
The hotel offers unabashed opulence, from its gilded all-day eatery Le Relais Plaza to the Space Age glamour of its Alain Ducasse flagship restaurant.
The rooms and suites feature classic Gallic interior stylings, reinterpreted in vibrant shades of gray and pink. The top floors offer sleeker, Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites with breathtaking rooftop views.
Don’t miss the world-class spa, recently refurbished by Dior. Here, you’ll find luxurious treatments featuring Dior blankets and cushions and the best hydrafacial in the city.
Artistic Haven: Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
The Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris might be a few blocks from the grand hotels of the city’s 8th arrondissement, tucked away on a boulevard radiating out from the Arc de Triomphe, but its out-of-the-way location is a welcome surprise. It’s close to all the major sights yet feels tranquil and removed from the tourist crowds.
The hotel’s grand entryway hints at the haven that lies within. The interiors, the product of a top-to-toe refurbishment by Philippe Starck in the late 2000s, evoke the glamorous heyday of its origins in the 1930s.
Creativity is at the heart of Le Royal Monceau. The hotel offers a pioneering art concierge who can arrange private guided tours of the city’s museums and galleries. The rooms feature custom pieces of art and even the desks are inlaid with a custom map of Paris created by Starck himself, highlighting his favorite spots in the city.
Culinary excellence is also a hallmark of Le Royal Monceau. The hotel boasts the first Nobu Matsuhisa restaurant in Paris, serving Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes in a dramatic dining room. The Michelin-starred Il Carpaccio, created in partnership with the famous Da Vittorio restaurant in Bergamo, offers decadent Italian classics.
Parisian Garret: Chateau des Fleurs
Nestled on a quiet side street off the Champs Elysées, the Chateau des Fleurs, named after a former nightlife venue, offers a calmer and more intimate experience. This elegant boutique hotel, built in 1910, exudes a charm with its overflowing window boxes and a cozy, immaculate feel.
The hotel is a symphony of gentle colors – pinks, beiges, creams, terracottas, and rusts, reminiscent of an old-fashioned candy store. A rare burst of violet-colored glass fixtures adds a touch of intrigue to the otherwise cohesive aesthetic.
The rooms are thoughtfully designed, with duplex layouts, skylights, and bathtubs positioned near the bed. The hotel offers the perfect soundtrack to a Parisian rainy day, with the sound of rain falling on the roof. For sunny days, a clever remote-controlled window shade ensures restful sleep.
The downstairs bar and lobby area are charming, with rattan screens, bobbin tables, and long tassels creating a sense of cozy elegance. The hotel also features a small spa, a gym, and a friendly bar where guests can enjoy a café au lait or an aperitif.
The Chateau des Fleurs is a small and cozy hotel with a unique charm that will make you feel like you’ve discovered your own private Parisian garret.
