Paris for Luxury Travel: The Ultimate Guide

Celebrated for its incredible contributions to fashion and design, intriguing culinary scene, and celebrated history, Paris is ga reat place to head to if you're interested in exploring somewhere truly luxurious.

With a range of great upscale attractions, five-star hotels ,and fine-dining restaurants, Paris is the perfect spot to visit for anyone interested in luxury travel!

Top Luxury Hotels in Paris

Known for its infamous art museums, and outstanding historical design and architecture, visitors are often impressed at the huge selection of up-scale, luxury hotels on offer in Paris. From those located just steps away from some of the city's most elite shopping boutiques and iconic landmarks to those with on-site facilities that go above and beyond, such as spacious spas and Michelin-star restaurants, you'll be able to experience the authentic luxury Paris has to offer from one of its many great hotels.

Whether you're visiting with family, with friends, or even with your partner, Paris' diverse luxury hotel scene ensures everyone can find the perfect place to relax. Let's take a look at some of the city's best luxury hotel options.

InterContinental Paris Le Grand, 9th Arrondissement, Paris

The Intercontinental Paris Le Grand boasts a prime location, just 100 ft across the avenue from the Palais Garnier, home to the Opéra, and the nearby Opera Metro Station. It is also less than a 5-minute walk from the famous department store Galeries Lafayette, making it an ideal location for those who enjoy luxury shopping too!

This ornate, Beaux-Arts framed hotel was initially created in 1862 as simply Le Grand Hotel. Since its creation, its reputation for opulence, luxury, and grandeur has made it a hit with royalty from across the world with the likes of Tsar Nicholas and Tsarina Alexandra, and King Edward VII of England having stayed here.

Home to an outstanding health club with sauna and massage treatments, there's plenty on offer here that promises an exceptionally luxurious stay, including the daily continental breakfast served at La Verriere. This isn't the only restaurant on site though, in fact even if you choose not to stay here, we recommend making a special trip not only to marvel at the grand architecture of this hotel but also to visit Cafe de la Paix. This ground-floor restaurant boasts mouth-watering dishes (including their famous foie gras), and a stunning terrace to enjoy your meal on. 

Each of the guest rooms is equally as stunning in design, and comes with satellite and cable TV and internet access, with some rooms even boasting gorgeous views of the Opera House.

Le Roch Hotel & Spa, 1st Arrondissement, Paris

Blending seamlessly into its surroundings thanks to its high design, yet unassuming vibe, it sits in the bustling 1st arrondissement of Paris. It is located near the likes of Tuileries Garden, Place Vendôme, and the iconic Colette boutique and is surrounded by a fabulous selection of bars and cafes, as well as residential buildings, neighborhood schools, and churches.

Le Roch Hotel & Spa features a great selection of facilities, including, you guessed it - a spa center! There's also an indoor swimming pool, a sunny terrace, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Guests are welcome to enjoy a drink at the hotel bar and typically find themselves dining at the irresistible Maison 28 restaurant at some point during their stay, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves up a tantalizing array of modern French cuisine.

All of the rooms boast a satellite flat-screen TV, an espresso machine, a mini-bar, a state-of-the-art multi-service tablet, and stunning city views.

La Reserve Paris, 8th Arrondissement, Paris

La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa is located on a quiet, tree-lined street, just moments from the Place de la Concorde, and in great proximity to other attractions, including Tuileries Garden Arc de Triomphe and Orsay Museum.

Originally designed by Baron Haussmann for Napoleon III’s half-brother the Duc de Morny all the way back in 1854, this stunning historic hotel boasts some of the most upscale yet timeless design choices you may ever lay eyes on. With silk wallpapers and velvet drapes in the most beautiful hues of emerald and ruby, the unique combinations of texture and color in this hotel's design make it truly one of the most remarkable.

It doesn't just look amazing though - The exquisite level of service and outstanding amenities make it truly a step above the rest. Home to a 24-hour front desk, outstanding room service, a spa, a wellness center, an on-site bar, free Wi-Fi, and an amazing concierge service, La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa stops at nothing to ensure the best stay possible for all of their guests.

A hit with fashion editors, celebrities, and those simply looking for a unique place to stay, this hotel feels more like a private mansion, thanks to its selection of just 40 stunning rooms. Each of these is fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen satellite TV, a kettle, and a desk, with some rooms even boasting a beautiful outdoor terrace.

Ritz Paris, 1st Arrondissement, Paris

Opened by world-renowned hotelier César Ritz in 1898, this iconic hotel is situated in the ever-popular 1st arrondissement, just 1640 feet from Opéra Garnier. There's a grand selection of some of the city's best restaurants, cafés, and bars right on the doorstep, and other iconic landmarks, including the Tuileries Garden and Orsay Museum, are also in close proximity. 

Since its creation, Ritz Paris (alongside the Ritz name) has been a game-changer in the hotel industry. This location in particular was the first hotel in Paris with telephones, the first to offer private baths, and the first to install electricity throughout the property. It was also one of the first places in the city where women could go without a chaperone and meet with their friends for five o’clock tea. Today the Ritz Paris continues boasting traditional style, and modern, forward-thinking values.

There's a great range of on-site facilities and amenities, including a selection of bars and restaurants, a fitness center, a spa, a wellness center, a business center, a 24-hour front desk, a garden, shops, private parking, free Wi-Fi throughout, and an impeccable concierge service.

The on-site flagship restaurant, Espadon, is currently led by the hotel's first-ever female head chef, Eugénie Béziat. Born in Gabon to French parents, Chef Béziat grew up in Africa, and as such, she brings a unique culinary influence to the table here. Sample dishes such as such as chicken yassa (a Senegalese specialty), or barbecued lobster with cassava semolina, before heading down the hall to Bar Hemingway (aptly named after the American novelist who enjoyed many a cocktail here!)

All rooms at the Ritz Paris have a flat-screen TV, a seating area, and a mini-bar. Select rooms also feature an outdoor terrace or balcony.

Park Hyatt Vendome Hotel, 1st Arrondissement, Paris

Park Hyatt Paris - Vendômeis a luxury 5-star hotel that sits right next to the famous Place Vendôme and is located just a 2-minute walk from the Opera Garnier. Its convenient, upmarket location makes it one of the best hotels in the city for luxury, but in terms of appearance, this hotel is perhaps one of the most understated, with an unassuming entrance rather than a grandiose lobby.

That said, a recent 2017 update by the late American designer Ed Tuttle has invigorated the space with modern charisma through elegant, timeless touches, with wood paneling and gilded accent moldings. In terms of facilities is where this hotel really shines, with an 820 ft² spa, a gorgeous summer terrace, and two restaurants (one of which is a Michelin star!). 

The Michelin-star gastronomic restaurant PUR boasts an open kitchen sit at the Chef's Table, where diners can enjoy the unique experience of watching Chef Jean-François Rouquette cook up indulgent French and modern cuisine all day long. Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, or a selection of tasty tapas-style dishes over cocktails, be sure to book a table here when you book your room!

Speaking of the rooms, it's worth noting that these are each decorated in an elegant style, and boast stunning floor-to-ceiling windows with views of either the street or courtyard.

Top Luxury Restaurants in Paris

It goes without saying that Paris is one of the most well-known cities on earth when it comes to dining. Instead of compiling the most opulent of places for this list, we chose to focus on the luxury of exclusivity, compiling hidden gems, celebrity favorites, and imaginative creative bistros that stand out from the crowd.

Le Collier de la Reine, Porte-Saint-Denis, Paris

Le Collier de la Reine is one of the outstanding creations from the Savoir Vivre group (famous for their other establishments, Déviant and Vivant). This restaurant and seafood bar boasts a cool, yet unusual interior, with mirrors and stainless steel at the forefront of the design.

When it comes to the menu, icy shellfish platters are most popular here, and while their offerings change seasonally the crab, langoustines, oysters, clams ,and sea urchins are all of the highest quality. For those looking to feast on something a little more indulgent, the veal schnitzel and côte de boeuf are excellent options. 

The restaurant also boasts an extensive menu of natural wines, and a surprisingly good cocktail list, so be sure to order the oysters alongside a dry martini while you're here!

Racines, 2nd Arrondissement, Paris

Tucked away in a corner inside one of Paris' 19th-century arcades, Racines is a truly outstanding influential néo-bistro and champion of natural wines. With seasonal dishes, sporting Southern flavors and complementary juicy wines.

Lunch and dinner are served here seven days a week, and the offerings greet you from the chalkboard as soon as you step through the door. We recommend starting with a first course of the finocchiona, homemade cured sausage with fennel seeds, Vitello tonnato, or a creamy burrata. Moving onto the main course, the one thing constantly rated highly here is the giant veal chop alla Milanese, but we believe that the seafood and pasta options are also just as good!

Despite being known for its great wines, there's no wine list as such, instead, their sommelier and head of front of house, Stephanie Crockford, pours interesting regional Italian wines by the glass.

Gramme 11, Folie-Méricourt, Paris

Marine Gora initially opened a popular brunch spot in the Marais before the creation of Gramme 11. The bistro sister spot to the aforementioned brunch place, Gramme 11 soon became a notable food spot in the Parisian culinary scene. 

Boasting a seasonal menu and a gorgeous selection of natural wines, it's nothing unusual in the neighborhood, but the exceptional quality of the ingredients used in every dish, and the outstanding skill put into the dishes truly sets it apart from the rest.

Some dishes we recommend sampling are the chicken with sauce vierge and capers, or, for vegetarians, the handmade artichoke ravioli served in a fermented milk sauce with hazelnuts is a truly unique best-seller. When it comes to desserts, their eclairs are simply not to be missed.

It's worth noting that reservations are required, so if you intend to visit, be sure to plan well in advance.

Le Servan, Roquette, Paris

Opened in 2014 by sisters Tatiana and Katia Levha, who were both born in the Philippines and raised in Paris, Le Servan is still just as outstandingly popular as it was when it first opened. 

Trained in the Michelin-starred kitchens of l'Astrance and l'Arpège, Tatiana focuses on refined small plates, combining sustainable French ingredients with the flavors of her Southeast Asian home country, resulting in a creative, ever-changing menu that centers around mouth-watering seafood options. 

Tantalizing combinations of pan-fried scallops with spinach, bone marrow, smoked vinegar, or raw langoustines with a vin jaune cream are some of the most unusual concoctions on offer here, but what La Servan is really known for is their veal brain. Yes, you read that correctly, veal brain. This is often served up, again, with even more unexpected flavor combinations, such as chili, Tahitian lime, or a fragrantly spicy gochujang butter.

Once you've indulged in one of the creative meals here, there's a great selection of desserts to finish off with. That said, we more than recommend the French cheese platter as a little additional cultural touch to your trip.

Early June, Porte-Saint-Martin, Paris

Situated next to the Canal Saint-Martin is this adorable wine bar and shop. Although it may seem unassuming, it is anything but! In the words of the young owners, it boasts a light and joyful atmosphere, with wines on offer that compete highly with even their most distinguished neighbors.

Camille Machet and Victor Vautier host traveling chefs for several weeks or months at a time, so you can expect a different meal every visit, without the quality ever dropping! From a two-month residency from Swedish chef Joel Aronsson to imaginative cuisine served up by Vietnamese-born Túbo Logier, this truly unique restaurant is one of the most artistic spots in the culinary world today. Sometimes serving as a staging ground for new projects, and sometimes allowing a place for popular chefs to let their creativity run wild, you never know what you're going to get!

Reservations are only taken for groups of four or more, so it's best to arrive early for the first service at 6pm or after 8pm for the second.

Top Luxury Activities in Paris

If you're planning on a luxury visit to Paris, then it's likely you'll want to visit some of the city's most iconic attractions in style! Whether it's a cruise along the iconic River Seine over a fine-dining meal, a unique wine tasting experience, or of course, an exclusive peek inside the world-famous Eiffel Tower, there's something for everyone in this gorgeous city.

No matter what you'd like to spend your time doing, let's look at some of the top luxury attractions and activities Paris has to offer.

Take a Seine River Cruise

Head to the pier, located in the center of Paris, near the Pont de l'Alma, where you will be greeted by attentive staff who will help you board this stunning riverboat.

Once aboard, a Maître d'Hôtel will escort you to your own table, and give you an introduction to the evening before the boat begins to leave the quay to set out on its excursion across the water. During this time, an aperitif will be served for you to enjoy as the boat sets sail towards the Ile de la Cité.

Select from a variety of delicious options from the à la carte menu, and your food will be brought out to you as you enjoy the stunning views of Paris' iconic monuments, bridges, quays, and stunning historical architecture. Dinner will be served alongside onboard musicians, playing classical music live from the onboard piano and a violin, which helps create a truly upscale experience, before the evening rounds out with a return to the dock with dessert and coffee.

Guests are permitted on the upper deck to enjoy romantic and breathtaking views between courses, making it a great time to snap a couple of pictures as you pass by the Eiffel Tower.

Wine Tasting & Tour, 1st Arrondissement, Paris

Located right by the Louvre in the heart of Paris, this unique French wine-tasting experience guides you through stunning historical 18th-century wine cellars, once owned and used by the King of France.

Take the opportunity to discover the various steps involved in the wine-making process, and learn about the creation of wine through a sensory experience that takes you from grape to bottle! With a selection of games, videos, and other innovative and unique surprises along the way, this is a truly one-of-a-kind wine-tasting experience that's not to be missed!

Once the tour of the cellars is finished, you'll be able to choose and sample three different wines from their collection. The sommelier will teach those who may be unfamiliar with wine tasting different tasting techniques, and walk the more experienced amongst you through the nuances of French Grapes.

Galeries Lafayette, 9th Arrondissmenet, Paris

Galeries Lafayette is one of Paris' most popular luxury shopping destinations and is often hailed as the best shopping mall in all of Paris. With stunning stores from the likes of Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Dior, there are plenty of luxury goods on offer.

Galeries Lafayette is also a truly stunning architectural masterpiece and is often noted as being one of the most beautiful shopping malls in the world. If you truly want to soak up the luxury here, why not opt for a personal shopper experience, during which a personal stylist will help guide you through the store's finest selections. 

Chateau de Versaille, Versaille

The Château of Versailles is a truly unmissable spot on any visit to France. Located just a short distance from the center of the capital city over in the neighboring Versaille, this wonder of French baroque architecture is one of the top things to do on a luxury getaway to Paris, especially for those with a keen interest in design, architecture, and history.

During your visit, you'll be able to see the fabulous rooms and halls inside the Château, which was once home to three French kings and their courts. You can also take a romantic stroll around the jaw-dropping French gardens, admiring the beautiful fountains and flora as you go.

Go to the Top of the Eiffel Tower, 7th Arrondissement, Paris

Although not the most luxurious experience in the city, a visit to the Eiffel Tower is something you simply cannot miss during a trip to Paris. If you're looking to splash the cash on a unique experience most don't get to enjoy, then why not book exclusive access to the summit?

Not only can you enjoy an unlimited amount of time admiring the breath-taking views from the selected floor of one of the world's most iconic man-made structures, but you can also explore the different levels at your own leisure, after heading up to the highest point at the summit of the tower!