5 Star Hotel in Paris
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Accommodation
The "Palace" Distinction
The French government has a rating called "Palace" — a tier above five-star. There are only 31 Palace hotels in all of France. Paris has 12 of them.
Ritz Paris
Ritz Paris did not receive the Palace certification. The hotel was closed for renovation from 2012 to 2016, with a cost of $450 million. After the renovation was completed, they did not apply for the certification.
The Ritz was opened by César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier in 1898. It was the world's first hotel where every room had a telephone, electricity, and a private bathroom. The hotel has 142 rooms and 15 prestige suites.
Coco Chanel moved into the Ritz in 1937 and lived there for 34 years until her death in 1971. Today, there is a Coco Chanel Suite, measuring 188 square meters with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, priced at €18,000 to €28,000 per night. Karl Lagerfeld participated in the design. The color scheme is black and white. The screens are Chinese antiques.
Imperial Suite
The Imperial Suite is the Ritz's most expensive room. Starting at €28,000. 247 square meters. 6-meter high ceilings. The bedroom was designed after Marie Antoinette's bedroom at Versailles. It is listed as a French national historic monument.
Princess Diana
Princess Diana had her last dinner in 1997 at the Imperial Suite. She was with Dodi Fayed. Dodi's father, Mohamed Al-Fayed, is the owner of the Ritz, having purchased it in 1979.
Bar Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway "liberated" the Ritz bar with a gun during World War II. It is now called Bar Hemingway. The Ritz Sidecar cocktail costs €1,500 per glass and once held the Guinness World Record for the most expensive cocktail.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée
The hotel has 154 rooms and 54 suites. It received Palace certification in 2012. In 2014, €200 million was spent on renovation.
Room rates range from $1,254 to $20,000 per night. There are five restaurants. Jean Imbert heads the main restaurant. Alain Ducasse earned three Michelin stars here in 2001. The Dior Institut Spa is Europe's only Dior spa center.
Other Distinguished Palace Hotels
More legendary establishments in the City of Light
Le Bristol Paris
Located at 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Opened in 1925. Among the first to receive Palace certification in 2011. Part of Oetker Collection. 190 rooms and suites. One of the largest rooms in Paris. 1,200 square meter garden. Rooftop pool.
Le Meurice
Located at 228 Rue de Rivoli. Opened in 1835. Part of Dorchester Collection. Received Palace certification in 2011. Salvador Dalí stayed here for 30 years. Today there is a Salvador Dalí Suite.
Shangri-La Paris
Located at 10 Avenue d'Iéna. The former residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon's grandnephew. Opened in 2010. 101 rooms. Views of the Eiffel Tower. L'Oiseau Blanc restaurant has two Michelin stars, featuring an airplane model commemorating the 1927 transatlantic flight attempt.
Four Seasons George V
Located at 31 Avenue George V. Opened in 1928. 244 rooms. Le Cinq restaurant has two Michelin stars. Jeff Leatham handles the floral arrangements.
Newly Opened in 2023-2024
The latest additions to Paris luxury hospitality
Hotel Balzac
Near the Champs-Élysées. 58 rooms. Three Michelin star restaurant. Japanese spa. Member of Relais & Châteaux.
Le Grand Mazarin
11 minutes walk from Notre-Dame. 61 rooms. Features the Boubalé restaurant.
Hôtel Lutetia
Located at 45 Boulevard Raspail. The only Palace hotel on the Left Bank. Opened in 1910. Art Deco style. Features Spa Akasha. Room rates start at $1,570.
Booking Tips & Pricing
Best Time to Book
February and March are low season. Room prices are at their lowest during this period.
Price Range
On KAYAK, the cheapest five-star hotel is $236 per night. The most expensive is $9,726.
Best Day of the Week
Monday is cheaper. Tuesday is more expensive.
Research First
Check Tripadvisor for the complete list of 126 five-star hotels and compare prices across booking platforms.
Paris has 126 five-star hotels to choose from, but only 12 have earned the prestigious Palace distinction — the pinnacle of French luxury hospitality.