Lying just 13 mi (22 km) southwest of central Paris in the leafy suburb of Versailles is the ornate and baroque Château de Versailles. This royal interlude with iconic, manicured gardens and the majestic, 400-year-old Palace of Versailles was and still is the most famous and grandest château in France, and also one of the most visited. So, it’s not surprising that your visit could be crowded and maybe even border on chaotic, which makes staying around a great idea. The best hotels in Versailles, France, are a reflection of this emblematic monument, ranging from luxurious stays to more boutique, intimate, and magical ones. Here’s a guide to staying in Versailles to get the most out of a visit to the Château de Versailles, which is one of the top things to do in Paris.
Table of contents
- Novotel Chateau de Versailles
- Hotel Des Lys
- Royal Hotel Versailles
- Le Petit Pavillon de Versailles Apartment
- Le Versailles
- Dolce by Wyndham Versailles – Domaine du Montcel
- Hôtel Le Louis Versailles Château MGallery
- Waldorf Astoria Versailles Trianon Palace
- Hôtel Les Lumières
- A l’Hôtel Des Roys
- Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Versailles?
- What hotel is on the grounds of Versailles?
- Is it possible to stay at Versailles?
- What days to avoid Versailles?
Novotel Chateau de Versailles
11
We begin with a heavy hitter, the Novotel Chateau de Versailles. Sitting just a 10-minute walk from both the stunning Château de Versailles and central Versailles, it was the ideal luxurious base to explore the area very easily. The chicness of the public spaces extended to the spacious guest rooms, which were decked out in calming hues. What’s more, they all boasted free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and sleek bathrooms. Cloud-like beds, excellent room service, flatscreen TVs, and a bunch of other slick mod-cons ensured that our stay was very, very comfortable.
One of the best things about this Novotel outpost is that it’s very family-friendly and welcoming to children. The list of amenities is also long, starting with the superb and sought-after onsite restaurant that serves modern French cuisine, making it an excellent and convenient dining option when we didn’t want to step out. Moreover, there was even a bar where we could relax with a drink after an entire day of sightseeing. Are you renting a car? Fret not; there’s private parking on the property itself. Finally, a delicious and wonderful breakfast spread was available daily, which could even be delivered to our rooms.
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Hotel Des Lys
10
Best budget. Affordability, comfort, and convenience come together in the three-star Hotel Des Lys. It’s located 10 minutes from both the Palace of Versailles and the train station, making it the ideal hotel for budget-conscious travelers. In fact, the hotel sits almost right next to Versailles’ wonderful farmers’ market, the Place du Marché Notre Dame. So, we had gourmet food shops, cafes, and bistros right at our doorstep. Despite not having a restaurant on the property, we were served breakfast every day. They would be served either in the dining room or in the comfort of our rooms, which was a huge plus point for a budget hotel!
Even though the rooms were on the smaller side, they were spick and span and had comfortable beds and neat, private bathrooms. If you want more space and your budget permits, you could also pay a little extra for larger accommodations. However, all rooms offered telephones and flat-screen TVs, which is what made this hotel such a fantastic place to stay for us budget travelers.
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Royal Hotel Versailles
9
Best value for money. With just 31 rooms and suites, the Royal Hotel Versailles might be one of the smallest budget hotels on this list. However, the sheer range of options it offers is what makes it so amazing. Besides standard rooms, we even have the choice of family rooms that sleep four adults and studios with dining spaces and small kitchenettes. If that wasn’t enough, there’s even a “budget room” option for travelers, with a shared bathroom right down the hall. So, it catered to a wide variety of travelers as well.
“Finding a hotel within our budget and offering breakfast and within walking distance of the Palace of Versailles was an absolute dream!”
WOW Travel
What makes this hotel so excellent is that it’s a mere 15-minute walk to the Palace of Versailles and 2-3 blocks from the RER station. Hence, everything in Versailles was within walking distance, with the added advantage of Paris being a short train ride away. If that wasn’t enough, breakfast choices went above and beyond what we’d seen in other two-star establishments. Besides continental choices, it also included in-house jams made from seasonal fruits! Last but not least, the 20th-century 3-storied structure even includes an elevator!
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Le Petit Pavillon de Versailles Apartment
8
Best serviced apartment. If you’re in Versailles for a while or with a group of family and friends, then serviced apartments are a great idea. We loved the Le Petit Pavillon de Versailles Apartment, a small but lovely guesthouse/apartment that was equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable stay.
Firstly, the mainsonette’s living room was airy, spacious, and bright, complete with tasteful French Provincial-style decor; think harmonious hues of taupe, cream, and white. Right next to it was a small but well-equipped kitchen where we could whip up light meals and coffee whenever we were in the mood. It was also useful when we didn’t feel like eating out, saving us money that we put towards sightseeing instead! Free Wi-Fi aside, the private bedroom had a comfy bed and wardrobe space, while the private bathroom was immaculate and well-stocked with bespoke bath products.
The best bit of all was that the maisonette was tucked into a quiet side street, but was a mere five-minute walk from the entrance to the Château de Versailles.
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Le Versailles
7
Everything about four-star Le Versailles links the historic past with the contemporary present — and the future. Right from the lobby to the digs, we admired everything we laid our eyes on, including the gilded elements, touches of black, yellow, and purple, and printed carpets. We loved the rooms, some of whose walls are adorned with lovely images of the Château de Versailles. Not only were all the rooms spacious, but they also had all sorts of mod-cons for every kind of traveler. Think plush beds, sleek work desks, hairdryers, lovely bathrooms with rain showers, and more.
Despite there being no on-site restaurant, the hotel offered full buffet breakfasts either in the dining room or on the tree-lined terrace. What’s more, it even had a fantastic bar where we could enjoy drinks and nibbles. And since we were a mere two-minute walk from the Palace, we could walk everywhere, including the three train stations, which made getting into central Paris super convenient. Did we mention the private garage if you’re renting a car? Yes!
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Dolce by Wyndham Versailles – Domaine du Montcel
6
Sitting in the 14-hectare wooded park grounds of the Domaine du Montcel, the Dolce by Wyndham Versailles is enriched by its nearly 300 years of history. Between the characterful establishment and the serene setting, this luxury Wyndham outpost is the very definition of a bucolic getaway. We loved the touches like the English gardens with the 200-year-old cedar tree. The digs draw on the verdant setting and are woody and delicate to the T, with touches like lovely floral headboards. At the same time, it has modern touches like free Wi-Fi, plush beds, and bathrooms awash in marble, making them the very height of luxury.
The amenities at this Wyndham property are no less amazing. For instance, Brasserie La Toile’s decor brings 300-year-old Toiles de Jouy back to life. Moreover, the views over the gardens only make it all the better. If a historic, lush setting is what you prefer, the La Manufacture restaurant in the château’s historic wing is ideal. A sprawling wellness area, complete with a treatment menu, a water jet course, and swimming pools, completes the place.
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Hôtel Le Louis Versailles Château MGallery
5
Oscillating between old-world and modernity is Hôtel Le Louis Versailles Château MGallery. Despite being a four-star hotel, it is quite affordable but no less charming. The catch is that this hotel is so attractive in terms of location, price, and amenities that it books up quickly, so book it as soon as you can. We had the choice of some 150 rooms and suites, all of which feature classic chandeliers, antique mirrors, designer furniture, and every mod-con under the sun.
That said, the real treasure here is the long list of amenities. Our days would begin with huge breakfast spreads, after which we’d spend the day exploring. Evenings were first reserved for a drink at the L’Alcôve bar, after which we’d head to the attractive Mediterranean-themed terrace for dinner. The recreation facilities were especially top-notch, with the hammam, spa, and fitness room. But the best bit of all? The hotel was a mere five-minute walk to the Palace Gardens and the surrounding parks.
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Waldorf Astoria Versailles Trianon Palace
4
Most luxurious. Staying at the majestic Waldorf Astoria Versailles Trianon Palace put us right within the beautifully landscaped Palace of Versailles estate. In fact, the rates here are extremely competitive as compared to many similar accommodations in Paris. The added icing on the cake is the spectacular views of the château from many of the nearly 200 rooms and suites. What’s more, they’re divided across two sections, the more modern, four-star Pavillon du Trianon and the historical, five-star Trianon Palace building.
Notwithstanding your room type, all guests enjoy access to the same exhaustive and amazing resort-worthy amenities. These include a Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay restaurant and even a lovely pool in the Guerlain Spa for relaxation, floating, and swimming. Moreover, there are tennis courts, a sauna, and a fitness center, as well as rose gardens to explore. P.S.: Ask the concierge about the secret shortcut path to the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. While we couldn’t always enter through it, we were usually able to use it to exit, which made it very handy to cut across for time-bound activities.
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Hôtel Les Lumières
3
The newest Relais & Châteaux property on the block is Hôtel Les Lumières, which sits in the immediate vicinity of the château. It’s actually the reunification of the former 17th-century Gramont and Villacerf pavilions, both of which together feature 30 rooms. So, staying here is a historic yet exclusive experience, especially since the digs blend modernity and historic heritage. Named after emblematic 18th-century explorers, writers, philosophers, and scientists, they are the epitome of five-star comfort and luxury living in this small but royal city.
That said, the amenities take the cake here. Besides an exceptional gourmet restaurant, the hotel is even home to a Pierre Hermé tearoom. With its high ceilings, it offers a sweeping view of the Place d’Armes, complete with wood panels, moldings, and gilded touches. We loved the exceptional spa, which not only has fitness and treatment rooms, but also a sauna, a hammam, and a herbal tea room. However, it’s the detail of the decor everywhere we loved, right from the period bookcases to the magnificent 1907 staircase. Did you know that the signature restaurant is currently working to obtain France’s first sustainable catering label, Écotable? Yep.
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A l’Hôtel Des Roys
2
Best location. With a location right in front of the Palace of Versailles, on Av. de Paris, staying in Versailles can’t get better than this. We’re talking about the A l’Hôtel Des Roys, a charming, three-star boutique hotel sitting in an 18th-century structure. What’s more, it was a mere five-minute walk from the RER station, making it extremely convenient to stay here and explore both Versailles and Paris. Choose from 37 affordable but uniquely decorated rooms, which tend to add a lovely touch to your stay. What’s more, they come in a variety of sizes, including quadruple family rooms for up to four people.
All mornings began with wonderful breakfast spreads, which would set us up perfectly for the day ahead. Additionally, we had the choice of many great restaurants for lunch and dinner. Not only were there games and books available, but there was also an outdoor terrace perfect for soaking up the sun. However, one of the nicest perks was that tickets for the Palace of Versailles were available right at the reception.
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Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
1
Best overall. Sitting at the top of the list is Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, one of the most expensive hotels in France. Staying here is like getting after-hours access to the Palace of Versailles, as this hotel sits in former homes of the Duke de Beauvilliers, followed by that of the treasurer of Louis XVI’s. Recreated 18th-century furnishings are peppered everywhere, such as mirrors, chandeliers, portraits, and even embellished gilded wall panels, and grand, marble fireplaces. Imagine a modern-day palace bursting with old-world charm; that’s Airelles for you.
Service here is excellent, with the staff donning outfits from an era long gone, lining up as we arrived and departed, and taking care of our every need. Besides complimentary after-hours tours of the château, we could even board electric buggies to explore the grounds. In terms of amenities, there’s a massive and lush pool area, the amazing onsite signature restaurant, and a luxurious subterranean Valmont spa.
Choose from just 14 rooms and suites — we told you staying here felt like modern-day royalty! While some have spacious terraces, others have views of the orangery. But they’re all similarly decked out with plush mod-cons, lovely antiques, and every five-star comfort imaginable, including iPads in every room. For a truly Parisian and Versailles experience, choose the Madame de Fouquet.
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Our Verdict!
While we loved all the hotels on this list, here’s a specialized list to help you choose one.
- Best overall: Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
- Best location: A l’Hôtel Des Roys
- Most luxurious: Waldorf Astoria Versailles Trianon Palace
- Best serviced apartment: Le Petit Pavillon de Versailles Apartment
- Best value for money: Royal Hotel Versailles
- Best budget: Hotel Des Lys
Where to Stay in Versailles?
Versailles is more of a very large neighborhood rather than a very small town. It mainly comprises four major neighborhoods: Quartier St Louis, Montreuil, the southeastern Porchefontaine, and the main Les Mortemets, which is where the Palace of Versailles sits. We begin with the lush green Les Mortemets, the chief neighborhood in the city where the main attraction, the Château de Versailles, sits. It’s also home to the huge 17th-century ornamental palace gardens of Versailles, the lovely Mirror Basin, and many fountains, statues, canals, and more.
Next, there’s Quartier St Louis, a beautiful central neighborhood that’s just minutes away from the palace. It’s home to many of the other top attractions, as well as some of its top hotels. Montreuil, which is further east, is helmed by the Saint-Symphorien Church and tons of charming and pretty village shops. Last but not least, there’s Porchefontaine, a largely residential neighborhood in the southeast with a tiny downtown, green spaces, schools, a sports complex, and a few hotels.
What hotel is on the grounds of Versailles?
That would be Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle. It’s the closest to the Palace and the Gardens of Versailles, almost sitting on the grounds.
Is it possible to stay at Versailles?
In order to stay at the Palace of Versailles, you need to book a room in the Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle. It draws on the Palace of Versailles in terms of designs, detail, and decor, and is spectacular.
What days to avoid Versailles?
Since the Palace is closed on Mondays and the Louvre in Paris is shut on Tuesdays, Tuesdays are particularly chaotic as everyone comes to Versailles.
