Best Luxury & 5-Star Hotels in Paris (By Experience & Area)
Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Kelly
Paris has no shortage of luxury hotels, but finding the perfect one will depend on what you’re looking for: Eiffel Tower views, historic palace hotels, a modern design, or a quiet boutique hotel in a trendy neighborhood.
We recently stayed at a 5-star hotel in Paris, and it was one of the highlights of our trip! That got me thinking about the other luxury hotels in Paris. This guide breaks down the best 5-star hotels in Paris by location, style, and experience to help you choose the right stay for your trip.
Our Experience Staying in a Luxury Hotel in Paris
We recently visited Paris and decided to splurge on a 5-star hotel. It was my fourth trip to Paris, and it was my husband’s first trip, so I wanted to make it extra special. I knew we would be super jet-lagged when we landed, so I wanted to make sure we had a comfortable place to stay as we acclimated to the time zone change. A luxury hotel was the perfect spot to recover!
We chose the Hotel du Louvre, which was located right next to the Musée du Louvre. The location was perfect for us… we were able to walk to almost every attraction! We didn’t even need to use the metro for our entire trip. You can read our full complete review of our stay at the Hotel du Louvre, where we include lots of photos.
I was especially impressed by the service from the staff. When we arrived jet-lagged and our daughter woke us up in the early hours of the morning, we went downstairs in search of an open cafe or restaurant. Upon learning that nothing was open near us, the front desk offered us a bag full of complimentary treats and snacks to hold us over until breakfast.
We are normally budget travelers, but I have to say, staying in a 5-star hotel was worth the splurge for this once-in-a-lifetime trip. We gave ourselves lots of time to budget for the extra expense, and I’m really glad we had the opportunity to stay at one of the best hotels in Paris. The location, service, and amenities at our hotel really helped make our stay memorable. If you can afford it, we think it’s worthwhile!
Tip: Next time, I would book this hotel using credit card points. I would use our Chase points and transfer to Hyatt… much more affordable!
| See our best tips for visiting Paris here! |
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. The cover photo was provided by Mandarin Oriental.
What “5-Star” Means in Paris…And Why Palace Status Matters
Hotels in Paris are officially classified by Atout France under a 1–5 star system. In addition to this classification, a small number of exceptional luxury hotels may be awarded the “Palace” distinction, which recognizes properties that go beyond standard 5-star requirements in areas such as service quality, historical significance, architecture, and overall guest experience.
While all Palace hotels are 5-star properties, not all 5-star hotels qualify for Palace status. The designation is reserved for a select group of hotels that represent the highest level of luxury hospitality in France.
Current (or widely recognized) Palace hotels include:
- Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
- Hotel de Crillon
- Hotel Lutetia
- La Réserve Hotel & Spa
- Le Bristol Paris
- Le Meurice
- Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
- Mandarin Oriental Paris
- Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme
- Peninsula Hotel
- Plaza Athénée Paris
- Shangri-La Paris
If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury experience, I’d recommend considering a hotel from this list!
Map of My Hotel Choices
See the map below for the locations of each of the hotels I mention in my review below!
Best Hotels With Views of the Eiffel Tower
What’s important to note about these hotels is that not every single hotel room suite or has an Eiffel Tower view! Many of them only have some select rooms or partial views. Be sure to carefully review your booking if you want to see the Eiffel Tower from your room. Views of the tower are often room-dependent and category-specific.
Shangri-La Paris
The Shangri-La Paris hotel was once home to Prince Roland Bonaparte. This hotel has some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. In addition to its Palace status, it’s also a Monument Historique. The hotel has over 100 guest rooms. The hotel’s unique name was inspired from the book Lost Horizon (1933).
The hotel is about a 15-minute walk away from the Eiffel Tower. It’s one of the closest luxury hotels to the Eiffel Tower. Many view this hotel as having one of the best places to reserve a room with a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Best for: Views of the Eiffel Tower! (Select rooms)
Skip this if: You want to be near the Louvre or Notre Dame
Plaza Athénée Paris
Plaza Athénée Paris first opened in 1913. The hotel has been an integral part of Paris’s fashion history. Christian Dior was a regular at the hotel, and he held numerous fashion shows at the hotel. One of the best amenities at this hotel is the Dior Spa. The Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée restaurant has one Michelin star. Guests can also dine at Le Relais Plaza, La Galerie, La Cour Jardin, La Terrasse Montaigne, and Le Bar.
Many of the rooms here have excellent views of the Eiffel Tower.
Best for: Paris fashion
Skip this if: You’re looking for understated or modern luxury
Peninsula Paris
The Peninsula Paris is inspired by Haute Couture and contains 200 rooms. (93 of those rooms are suites!) It’s located just steps away from the Arc de Triomphe. A standout about this hotel is the swimming pool: It’s flanked by a floor-to-ceiling water cascade!
One of the best parts of this hotel is L’Oiseau Blanc, which is a rooftop restaurant encased in glass with views of the Eiffel Tower.
Best for: Modern luxury stays
Skip this if: You prefer historic charm
Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
Beautiful red glass covers the entrance to Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. The hotel features a more modern and contemporary design. The hotel is located steps away from the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Il Carpaccio serves Italian food and has a Michelin star.
Some of the rooms here have views of the Eiffel Tower. It’s helpful to book a room with a balcony or a high-floor suite.
Best for: Art-focused luxury
Skip this if: You prefer a more central location
Luxury Hotels in the Cultural Core (Louvre & Vendôme)
This area spans from the Louvre and Place Vendôme to the Golden Triangle. It’s one of the best places to stay in Paris for sightseeing and luxury shopping!
Le Meurice
Le Meurice first opened in the 1800s. It’s been called the “Hotel des Rois” (Hotel of Kings) because many members of royalty have stayed there over the years. Even Picasso celebrated his wedding at Le Meurice. One of the best aspects of this hotel is its location. It’s situated right in front of the Tuileries Garden. The hotel is just steps away from the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. I rank this as one of the best hotel locations in this list.
Restaurant Le Dalí serves local French cuisine, and was named after the artist Salvador Dali (who was a frequent visitor to the hotel). The hotel’s primary restaurant, Restaurant le Meurice Alaine Ducasse, has received 2 Michelin stars.
Best for: Walking to museums
Skip this if: You want Eiffel Tower views
Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme
The Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme has classic architecture and is located in the heart of the city by Place Vendôme.
The Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme has a spa with a whirlpool, hammam, and a hair salon.
Guests can dine at Café Jeanne, La Terrasse du Café Jeanne (a beautiful terrace), or Pur’ – Jean-François Rouquette (which has a Michelin star).
Best for: Quiet, understated luxury
Skip this if: You want historic elegance
Mandarin Oriental Paris
The rooms at the Mandarin Oriental Paris are in an art deco style with a contemporary feel. It’s located across from the Jardin des Tuileries, which is adjacent to the Louvre.
An inner garden is a quiet oasis from the city. The spa has been awarded Best Unique Spa Experience and Best Luxury Hotel Spa at the World Luxury Spa Awards.
The hotel is home to Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, which has 2 Michelin stars. Guests can also dine at Camélia or grab a drink at Bar 8.
Best for: Modern luxury in a central location
Skip this if: You want traditional Parisian architecture
Best Hotels in the Golden Triangle & Concorde (Luxury Axis)
Hotel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
In 1758, King Louis XV commissioned the creation of this palace. Before it became a hotel in 1909, it was the private residence of the Duke of Crillon. As one of Paris’s most legendary hotels, it has hosted numerous members of royalty, heads of state, and celebrities. (Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez recently stayed there on their honeymoon!) The hotel recently completed a 4-year renovation that had an estimated cost of $300 million. The Hotel de Crillon has been rated as one of the top 21 Most Iconic Hotels in the World by National Geographic.
Hotel de Crillon is located directly across from Place de la Concorde, which is one of Paris’s largest public squares.
This hotel has numerous amenities, which include a 24-hour personal butler service. The bathrooms have heated flooring and televisions inset in the mirrors. One of the most beautiful aspects of this hotel is its swimming pool, which consists of thousands of gold tiles. The hotel also has a spa: Sense, a Rosewood Spa.
The hotel is home to one of the most decadent bars in Paris: Bar Les Ambassadeurs. At this bar, you can enjoy craft cocktails while being surrounded in opulence. The restaurant L’Ecrin has a Michelin star. You can also enjoy the purple hues at Jardin d’Hiver.
Best for: Iconic, French elegance
Skip this if: You want Eiffel Tower views
Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
The Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris is perfectly located in Paris’s Golden Triangle. (The Golden Triangle is an illustrious area of Paris that is framed by the following avenues: Montaigne, Champs-Elysées, and George V.)
This 5-star hotel is also home to some of the best restaurants in Paris. Le Cinq by Christian Le Squer, which focuses on classic French cuisine, has continuously been awarded 3 Michelin stars. You can find excellent Mediterranean dishes as Le George, which has 1 Michelin star. Finally, you can find excellent plant-based dishes at L’Orangerie, which also has 1 Michelin star.
Best for: Prestigious, high-end luxury
Skip this if: You’re looking for a boutique experience
Le Bristol Paris
Le Bristol Paris is located on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, near many of Paris’s most luxurious shops. While many of the hotels listed here have below-ground swimming pools, Le Bristol Paris stands apart by offering a completely enclosed rooftop pool. The hotel has a spa (Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie), a large courtyard garden, and its own chocolate factory.
The hotel’s primary restaurant, Epicure, has been awarded 3 Michelin stars. The restaurant 114 Faubourg also hold a Michelin star. You can also have tea at Café Antonia or a cocktail at Le Bar du Bristol.
Best for: Fine dining in the heart of the city
Skip this if: You want to see the Eiffel Tower from your room
Best Luxury Hotel Near the Latin Quarter
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia has a grand exterior that glitters with gold details. The guest rooms have a light, more contemporary design with neutral colors. The hotel has 176 guest rooms and suites, and 8 signature suites. It’s the only Palace-designated hotel that is located on the Left Bank.
The hotel has several dining options, including Brasserie Lutetia, Le Saint-Germain, Bar Josephine, and Bar Aristide.
Best for: Historic Parisian atmosphere
Skip this if: You want to stay near the Champs-Élysées
| See our post: How to Spend One Day in Paris |
Best 5-Star Hotels for the First-Time Visitor
If you’re planning your first trip ever to Paris, congratulations! You’re about to see one of my most favorite cities in the world.
Choosing the right location matters just as much as the hotel itself. Staying central can save you time, make sightseeing easier, and help you experience more of the city on foot. Navigating the metro or sitting in traffic can be stressful, so I personally prefer to choose a hotel where I can walk to my primary sightseeing destinations.
Here’s my choices for the best hotels for first-time visitors depending on location:
- Louvre/Tuileries (1st Arrondissement): This area is the most central and walkable. It’s close to the major museums, Latin Quarter, and Notre Dame. This is where I stayed, and the only time I used a taxi was to go to the Eiffel Tower. I walked to everything else! I’d recommend Le Meurice.
- Golden Triangle (8th Arrondissement): If you want to be close to luxury shopping, stay in this area. I’d personally book the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris because it’s just off the Champs-Élysées. If you want to be close to luxury shopping, this is one of the most prestigious areas to stay.
- Near Eiffel Tower: The views of the Eiffel Tower from some of the rooms at Shangri-La Paris are truly spectacular. I’d choose this hotel if you want the experience of waking up to Eiffel Tower views and staying in a quieter, more residential-feeling part of Paris.
Best Hotel Near the Louvre: Choosing Between Le Meurice or Hotel du Louvre
If you plan to spend a lot of time at the Louvre Museum, staying nearby makes things much easier.
One of the closest hotels to the museum is the Hôtel du Louvre. We stayed here and found it extremely convenient. It took only a few minutes to walk to the museum entrance. Staying nearby also made it easier for us to arrive early before peak crowds. However, the Hôtel du Louvre does not carry the Palace designation.
If you want an even more luxurious hotel, I’d recommend Le Meurice. Located on Rue de Rivoli facing the Tuileries Garden, it offers a more refined palace-style stay while still being only about an 8–10 minute walk from the Louvre. (I actually enjoyed this walk quite a bit, so it was a bonus for me and I wouldn’t view it as a detriment.)
Summary
Because there are so many 5-star hotels in Paris, it’s best to choose a hotel by experience/location rather than luxury alone.
Here are my intentional picks for best experiences and amenities:
- Best Eiffel Tower views: Shangri-La Paris
- Best for overall luxury: Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris
- Best historic palace experience: Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
- Best central sightseeing base: Le Meurice
- Best for museums: Hotel du Louvre
In the end, the best stay in Paris depends on your priorities. I personally thought my money was well-spent on a high-quality hotel in Paris.
