Paris is already one of the world’s most popular destinations, attracting nearly 37 million tourists in 2023. The Summer Olympics—when the "City of Light" served as a stage, its historic landmarks morphing into sports venues—inspired serious wanderlust among millions of international TV viewers. The “Olympics effect” is expected to boost tourism in 2025 and beyond. Planning a trip to Paris? The French capital is home to luxury hotels that are destinations in themselves. Here we’ve scouted some of the most stylish suites.
Breakdancing (“breaking”) made its Olympic debut as a sport in Paris this year. The competitions were staged in a temporary “urban sports park” erected in the Place de la Concorde. One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, this elegant public square is flanked by centuries-old neoclassical palaces. It’s here that the Hotel de Crillon, part of the Rosewood portfolio after a dramatic, four-year restoration unveiled in 2017—has reigned as a legendary address near the American embassy since 1909.
It’s not just the international jetset who congregate here; The Crillon draws local devotees to Butterfly Pâtisserie (the flan and millefeuille are bestsellers among the bijou-like pastries), Nonos & Comestibles (a duo dining concept by top chef Paul Pairet) and Les Ambassadeurs (soaring marble walls and ceiling frescos make it one of the prettiest cocktail bars in town). During the Olympics, the Crillon celebrated its setting next to the urban park with a collaboration with the Skateroom. Renowned international artists like Cindy Sherman and Jeff Koons designed skateboards now displayed at the hotel until September 14; insiders tell us that the limited-edition pieces by Inès Longevial sold out in one week.
Needless to say, The Crillon’s 10 signature suites are fully booked when Fashion Week rolls around. The two Grands Appartements conceived by designer Karl Lagerfeld are the most requested. These individual one-bedroom suites can be combined together as a spacious fourth-floor residence; an additional third bedroom, called the Chambre Choupette after the late designer’s beloved cat, can be added to create a space for staff. (For a peek inside these palatial digs, check out the “In the Bag” videos by Vogue France featuring the fearless feline.) Nice Touches: The original photography by Lagerfeld, carpets with Choupette motifs, and the remote control-operated library that conceals a large dressing room.
The Bernstein Suite, named for the celebrated composer who frequented the Crillon, is another favorite because of its magnificent terrace overlooking Parisian monuments (the Eiffel Tower, The Grand Palais, Les Invalides) from its sixth-floor perch. Note that the Bernstein Suite can connect to the Louis XV Suite to create a two-bedroom apartment encompassing 3,768 square feet. Nice Touch: Personal butlers are assigned to each room. For luxury travel advisors making bookings for VIP clients, reach out to Rebecca Bosshard Gruyer (rebecca.bosshard@rosewoodhotels.com), the director of sales.
Rosewood’s “sense of place” philosophy is inherent in The Crillon’s experiential programming. The concierge team aims to offer local experiences to show off the destination, whether it be private museum tours or exclusive wine tastings with head sommelier Xavier Thuizat (appointed Air France’s head sommelier in May 2024). Overseen by head concierge Pierre Donel (pierre.donel@rosewoodhotels.com), also the vice president of Les Clefs d’Or France, the concierge team performs feats that are worthy of a curtain call. Once a client asked for a last-minute dinner party atop the Arc de Triomphe with enough champagne for 20 guests. When the client climbed the monument and found freezing November temperatures, he changed the menu and the hotel’s pastry team managed to prepare gourmet hot chocolate for the party instead.
One of the most thrilling recent hotel debuts in Paris is also the most discreet. The Scheufele family, owners of Chopard, quietly opened a residential-style hotel above the Swiss luxury brand’s flagship on the Place Vendôme in late 2023. This is remarkable when you consider the real estate: the monumental square is home to The Ritz Paris and high-end shops like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Called 1 Place Vendôme, the 15-room hotel was decorated by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the design darling of luxury hospitality groups like Four Seasons, with careful oversight by the Scheufele family.
The vibe feels more like an elegant home than a hotel; the antiques-accented spaces—including a library, bar, and cigar lounge— are an invitation to unwind. A standout is the winter garden with a wall mosaic of the colorful menagerie of the “Animal World Collection” created for Chopard’s 150th anniversary.
1 Place Vendôme is not a temple to Chopard; there are no overt brand references, but rather subtle nods in coffee-table books and artwork in each room. France’s finest artisans were commissioned to work on the four-year project (Les Ateliers de la Chapelle for the wood paneling, Pierre Frey for the fabrics, Maison Baguès for the chandeliers). The mansion itself, built in 1723 by Pierre Perrin, secretary to the Sun King, was restructured to return it to its original architectural state, removing floors and returning the original ceiling height.
The best room in the house is the 1,340-square-foot Appartement Chopard, which opens onto the Place Vendôme. There’s a Versailles-style opulence in the decor that’s only fitting considering the architectural connection to the Sun King. Think sumptuous marble, double-height ceilings, precious antiques, and Versailles parquet flooring. What’s more, this one-bedroom suite comes with a steam room and a private kitchen. For VIP requests, reach out to Amélie Allardon (amelie.allardon@1-placevendome.com), the hotel director.
Across the Place Vendôme, The Ritz Paris celebrated its 125th birthday last year in a big way. With a celebrity-studded guest list numbering 800 people, the Gold Gala was a glam affair complete with wow-worthy entertainment by a symphonic orchestra and dancers from the Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris. Our favorite act? The pianist—covered head to toe in a glittering bodysuit—playing a rotating piano at the entrance.
A beloved crash pad of the fashion crowd, The Ritz Paris doesn’t rest on its laurels (ritzy is an adjective, after all!). Instead, the luxury hotel keeps innovating with new offerings: Pastry chef François Perret pioneers to-go treats at Le Comptoir pastry shop; The Ritz Club and Spa is the world’s first Chanel-branded spa; and Eugénie Béziat won a Michelin star for her African-inflected cuisine after taking the helm at Espadon restaurant last year.
When it comes to the top suites, there’s a timeless quality that’s appreciated by repeat guests, many of whom book the same accommodations year after year. Chief among these is the Coco Chanel Suite, named for the icon who lived at The Ritz Paris for more than two decades. (Did you know that the windows on Place Vendôme were said to have inspired the stoppers in the bottles for Chanel N°5 perfume?) Relocated from the second floor (where Chanel lived) to the third, the two-bedroom suite has lovely views over the square. Luxury travel advisors can make bookings and specific requests through the reservations department at reservations@ritzparis.com. Names to know: The head concierge is Austen Spooner, and the director of sales and marketing is Sébastien Legrand.
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