Home to the Louvre, the Place Vendôme and the Pont Neuf, the 1st arrondissement is the central – and quintessential – Paris arrondissement, from which all others spiral out. These seven hotels are among the most extravagant in the city, and, if you can afford it, will guarantee a stay you’ll never forget.
Hotel Regina Louvre
Hotel
The Hotel Regina Louvre exudes luxury | Courtesy of Hotel Regina Louvre / Hotels.com
Hotel Regina Louvre offers nothing short of opulence. With its high ceilings and chandeliers, entering feels like stepping into the Palace of Versailles. There are 99 lavish guest rooms, including 32 suites, and each one is immaculately furnished. The Prestige Room doesn’t struggle to live up to its name. Lovingly restored to its 19th-century splendour, complete with ornate furniture and fittings, the room has views over the Louvre and the hotel’s charming Venus Courtyard. Guests are encouraged to make the most of the recently renovated wellness area, by relaxing in the hammam or sauna or hitting the gym, all of which are bathed in natural light.
The Grand Hotel du Palais Royal is an architectural wonder, housed as it is in a magnificent 18th-century building, parts of which are officially protected as a historic monument. Designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has tastefully re-imagined the interior to merge the heritage of the hotel with a modern, chic style. Many of the 68 rooms and suites have balconies with spectacular views of Paris, and, as a tribute to the nearby Jardin du Palais Royal, plants are a theme throughout, from the delightful winter garden to a fondness for light-coloured wood and hints of lime green in the fabrics.
Maison Albar Hotel Paris Céline is a luxury boutique hotel that prides itself on being the “Headquarters of Parisian Chic”. Located a stone’s throw from the Pont Neuf, it treats its guests to a tailor-made experience of refined sophistication. The food at Odette, run by the celebrated Maison Rostang, is especially renowned. Serving sharing platters, the chef works with the best available seasonal products to create a menu that changes every day. Le Spa Céline offers the ultimate escape with signature relaxation sessions and experiences from Cinq Mondes.
Le Roch Hotel & Spa is a 37-room boutique hotel, and, as its name suggests, it specialises in rest and rejuvenation. Its unique pool is flooded by natural light and crafted from black lava rock, lending it a surreal feel. The hammam and fitness suite are just as splendid, allowing you to recharge in stylish surroundings. The rest of the hotel, which is overseen by renowned French designer Sarah Lavoine, doesn’t disappoint either. There’s a cosy vibe, with roaring open fireplaces, bookshelves and a preference for natural light that will have you feeling refreshed in no time.
Fully renovated for 2019, there are 164 guest rooms at the Hotel du Louvre, including 58 luxurious suites with unrivalled views over Parisian rooftops and monuments. The Opera Garnier Suite is highly coveted, sprawling out over 64 square metres (689 square feet). It’s the very suite where Camille Pissarro, the Danish-French Impressionist and Neo-Impressionist painter, lived and painted 11 of his masterpieces. In this suite, you can also admire the breathtaking view of Avenue de l’Opéra that Napoleon III dreamt about.
La Clef Louvre Paris is located opposite the Comédie-Française theatre and the Louvre, and only a few minutes from the Opéra. This five-star residence embodies Parisian class. When you arrive, an Art Nouveau-style facade plunges you back into a vibrant past, and, inside, paintings and artistic relics adorn the walls. The interiors are both classy and cosy, featuring plush furnishings, ornate mirrors and fancy marble bathtubs.
Le Meurice is a five-star hotel with a prime location, nestled between the Place de la Concorde, the Louvre and the Jardin des Tuileries. The history of the hotel stretches back to 1771 and its dreamy interior whisks you back to the Louis XVI era. Part of the esteemed Dorchester Group, the hotel is home to a two-Michelin-star restaurant and an on-site spa. The design also fuses classic-style elements with modern amenities – don’t be surprised to find huge plasma televisions hiding behind paintings.
