All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Paris never ceases to captivate. The City of Light is rich with art, history, and romance. And when it comes to the best hotels in Paris, the city’s top properties deliver all that—and more. Paris has something to suit every personality, budget, and interest. From opulent palace hotels that mirror the city’s grandeur, to design-forward boutique stays and historical gems that whisper tales of a bygone era, Paris is uniquely a city for most anyone.
In this user-friendly guide, we’ve scoured the city’s iconic arrondissements to make sure that you’re staying in areas that are both convenient and inspiring. Most of the properties are located on the classic Right Bank—not far from the Louvre and the Champs-Élysées—but we’ve also got finds in chic neighborhoods (like the Marais) and across the Seine on the cool Left Bank.
In short, it’s a compilation designed to excite and guide both the first-time visitor and the seasoned wanderer. Let this list remind you why Paris is a place that you can never stop exploring.
FOR ALL-OUT LUXURY: Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
The Crillon has a storied history. In 1758, King Louis XV commissioned the hottest architect of the day, Ange-Jacques Gabriel—who also designed the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles—to create a pair of structures overlooking the Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement. Behind the façades, a mansion was built where none other than Marie Antoinette used to take piano lessons. In 1909, the mansion was turned into a grand hotel that attracted a who’s who of society from Paris and around the globe. Today, the Hôtel de Crillon stands as a living testament to its captivating past, combining aristocratic heritage with contemporary allure. Step through its doors and you’ll discover Bar Les Ambassadeurs (a lounge that serves more than 100 types of Champagne), L’Écrin (a fine-dining restaurant), a wellness spa, and an indoor pool illuminated by 17,600 gold-tile scales. The 78 elegant rooms, 36 suites, and 10 signature suites (including two designed by Karl Lagerfeld) are outfitted with bespoke furnishings and marble bathrooms. And the location can’t be beat: It’s just a two-minute walk to the Jardin des Tuileries.
FOR EIFFEL TOWER VIEWS: Shangri-La Paris
Paris is known for its palace hotels, which signify a type of ultra-luxury accommodation. The Shangri-La Paris in the 16th arrondissement truly was a palace. In the late 19th century, Prince Roland Bonaparte, grandnephew of Napoleon, erected this architectural masterpiece filled with hand-carved marble, frescoes, vaulted ceilings, and a dramatic Stairway of Honor. In 2010, the property was transformed into the Shangri-la Paris with a design by Pierre-Yves Rochon, who fused Asian hospitality with French elegance. The 100 rooms and suites are filled with Empire-style furnishings and have stunning views of Paris; more than half have drop-dead views of the Eiffel Tower. Food takes a starring role at Shang Palace, the only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant in France. Don’t miss Le Bar Botaniste, where the interiors evoke Napoleon’s war tent, and the herb-spiked cocktails are inspired by Roland Bonaparte’s passion for botany.
FOR FOODIES: Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris
Paris, a well-known culinary haven, reaches its pinnacle at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. This icon, built in 1928, is set in the Golden Triangle, an 8th arrondissement neighborhood known for its glamorous boutiques and its stellar location—just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe. The five-star hotel is home to no less than three Michelin-starred restaurants. There’s the three-starred Le Cinq (where chef Christian Le Squer’s multi-course menus are served under a majestic chandelier), the one-starred L’Orangerie (where chef Alan Taudon celebrates seafood and plant-based cuisine), and the one-starred Le George (chef Simone Zanoni’s modern-Mediterranean restaurant). The epic wine cellar, hidden 45 feet underground, survived the bombings in World War II. The hotel also offers over-the-top excursions, like a trip to Versailles in a Porsche with chef Zanoni to pick seasonal produce from his kitchen garden, followed by a cooking class back in the city. Upstairs in the 159 guest rooms and 59 suites, designer Pierre-Yves Rochon embraced Louis XVI–era elegance with trompe l’oeil ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and silk furnishings.
FOR FASHIONISTAS: The Ritz Paris
In the 1st arrondissement on the legendary Place Vendôme, The Ritz is a timeless beacon of elegance and style that has been entwined with the city’s literary and fashion scene for more than a century. Coco Chanel resided here for decades, Ernest Hemingway savored spirits at Bar Hemingway (named in his honor), and F. Scott Fitzgerald found sanctuary within its walls. After a $450 million transformation overseen by architect Thierry Despont, the Ritz continues to captivate travelers with its sunlit rooms adorned in gilt-framed molding and a swimming pool that sits under a trompe l’oeil sky ceiling filled with clouds. You can indulge in Parisian pleasures in the hotel’s public spaces: Linger over tea in the Belle Époque–style Salon Proust or savor seafood delights at Bar Vendôme, a stylish brasserie. The rooms are spectacular—especially the suites. Some are named after former guests, including the Suite Coco Chanel (where she lived) and the Suite Marcel Proust (with stunning paneling), as well as landmarks like the Suite Opéra (overlooking the Palais Garnier). The hotel’s charm even extends to its youngest guests, with teddy bear mascots and École Ritz Escoffier cooking classes.
FOR ART LOVERS: Le Meurice and Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
In the heart of the 1st arrondissement on the Rue de Rivoli, Le Meurice Paris opened in 1835 as one of the world’s first luxury hotels. But stuffy it is not. The classic yet eccentric property has long attracted creative types like Salvador Dalí (who spent a month here every year), Pablo Picasso (who chose to have his wedding dinner there), and Andy Warhol (who frequented the hotel on his trips to Paris). Le Meurice’s rich artistic spirit is woven into every facet of its design. Contemporary art installations adorn its ornate interiors. Rooms have a mix of classic and modern touches, like the Maison Lucien Gau chandeliers and Ateliers Jouffre sofas in the recently redone Pompadour Suite. The gourmet restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse marries culinary and visual artistry in a setting that combines Versailles-inspired opulence with Philippe Starck’s trailblazing vision.
At one time home to such luminaries as Picasso, Manet, and Degas, Paris has remained among the leading capitals of the art world. As such, it makes sense that the City of Lights has more than just one art lovers hotel. The second option, which is equally as good as the first, would have to be Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris. On top of being one of Paris's premier luxury hotels (Lionel Messi did, after all, sign his contract to play for Paris Saint-Germain at the hotel in August 2021), Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris features an exquisite art collection on their property. In fact, the hotel is so dedicated to the arts that it has their own art concierge, Julie Eugène, who not only shows the hotels personal collection, but can also take guests on private tours of many Paris museums, including the Louis Vuitton Foundation before the doors open to the public.
FOR HISTORY BUFFS: La Réserve Paris Hôtel & Spa
Set in a mansion facing the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower, La Réserve Paris was originally designed by Baron Haussmann in 1854 for Napoleon III’s half brother, the Duc de Morny. The discreet exterior belies the decadent interiors, a world of Second Empire glamour that’s been reimagined by designer Jacques Garcia. Inspired by the paintings of artist James Tissot, Garcia used a simple palette—black, red, green, and vivid gold—punctuated with design details like doors with Cordoba leather trims, antique armoires, and velvet-upholstered armchairs. Some of the suites have views of the Eiffel Tower. Every guest is assigned an on-call butler to help with duties big and small, from packing and unpacking to finding tickets for sold-out shows. La Réserve’s location is hard to beat: Some of the city’s best shopping boulevards, including Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigne (home to stores like Dior and Chanel) are within walking distance.
FOR ROMANTICS: Relais Christine
An enchanting Latin Quarter find, Relais Christine is hidden away on a tranquil side street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Stepping into this 17th-century town house—built atop a 13th-century abbey—is like entering a secret sanctuary. Inside, interior designer Laura Gonzalez weaves her magic throughout the 48 guest rooms, with a whimsical mix of chandeliers from Dedar for Hermès, Pierre Frey fabrics, and vintage treasures from local flea markets. Breakfast is served in the hotel’s vaulted cellar, while the leafy inner courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon aperitif. For sybarites, there’s an intimate spa run by Maison Guerlain. Want to explore? They offer free bicycles (even tandems) that you can take to nearby landmarks like Notre Dame and the Musée d’Orsay. A Fiat 500 S convertible can also be rented for an extra fee if you want to venture farther afield.
FOR DESIGN LOVERS: J.K. Place Paris
The hotel brand J.K. has a cult following with the design set in its native Italy. It’s the brainchild of Italian Israeli hotelier Ori Kafri, who worked with Florentine architect Michele Bönan to create a series of hotels that feel more like private members’ clubs. Their first foray in Europe beyond Italy is J.K. Place Paris, and the result is nothing short of extraordinary. Carved out of a former embassy, the hotel is located in the alluring Saint-Germain district, not far from landmarks like the Musée d’Orsay and the Tuileries Garden just across the Seine. Bönan’s touch is evident throughout, with an assortment of African chairs, vintage Hermès sketches, and geometric rugs. Casa Tua restaurant, with its glass-roof space, serves up Northern Italian cuisine, while the subterranean spa beckons with a heated pool lined with glittering Bisazza mosaic tiles.
FOR A BOUTIQUE STAY: Le Pavillon de la Reine
Like a country retreat dropped into the bustling and chic Marais neighborhood, the family-owned Pavilion de la Reine offers a haven of tranquility on the breathtaking Place des Vosges. Fitting squarely in the best hotels of Paris, the boutique property’s ivy-clad, 17th-century façade seamlessly blends into the square itself, while the private garden courtyard looks like something out of a Provençal fairytale. Step inside to discover a harmonious blend of antiques, marble fireplace mantles, and modern furnishings. All of the 56 rooms and suites tell their own story, with Missoni-style throws, velvet settees, and exposed wood beams. Wellness seekers can rejuvenate at Spa de la Reine by Codage, where a small hammam is just the respite you need after a busy day of exploring.
FOR TRENDSETTERS: Le Pigalle
Want to explore the trendy Pigalle neighborhood and hilltop Montmartre, home to the iconic Sacré-Coeur? Base yourself at Le Pigalle, an innovative retreat that marries retro aesthetics with cutting-edge design. Each of the 40 rooms is adorned with art deco furnishings, thoughtfully curated photo displays, and a minibar stocked with pre-mixed cocktails. The hotel embraces its neighborhood’s history as a red-light district, with playful nods like a velvet-curtained lobby, a neon sign, and even a stripper pole. The area surrounding the hotel is undeniably edgy but cool, close to hotspots like the buzzy bistro Le Mansart. Want to see more of Paris? You’re not far from the Pigalle metro station, which will easily connect you to popular spots like Place de la Concorde and the Left Bank.
