11 Most Expensive Hotels in France

France — dubbed ‘l’hexagone’ for its six-sided shape — is home to what are some of the most glamorous and glitziest destinations on the planet. Fabulous European rivieras, luxe mountain towns in the snowy French Alps, the world’s fashion capital, and the most romantic city in the world — the country has it all. So, it’s not surprising that its stays are equally lavish. So much so, that France created a new official category for its 5-star hotels, “The Palace,” in 2010! The most expensive hotels in France range from palatial stunners on the French Riviera and history-drenched Versailles hideaways to Loire Valley culinary retreats and sun-kissed Provençal escapes. What’s more, these include some of the world’s most expensive hotels.

This geographical diversity will suit all types of travelers, but it’s the amenities that take the cake. Whether it’s the internationally acclaimed gourmet cuisine, the lavish stays, or the spas and infinity pools in the dreamiest settings, these hotels showcase the very best of the French art de vivre, combined with undeniably amazing French hospitality. Live the lavish life at these pricey getaways in La Republique Francaise.

Hôtel Du Palais Biarritz

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Sitting on the glamorous French Basque coast, the Hotel du Palais Biarritz is one of West Coast France’s most luxurious places. It is also the only hotel in the region to hold France’s coveted “Palace” status!

The opulent villa was once Napoleon III and his Empress Eugénie’s summer palace and is now part of the Hyatt group. So, it boasts some truly exceptional amenities, like the expansive sea-facing outdoor pool built on a peninsula of the Atlantic and the indoor colonnaded pool which is a blessing in winter. Bask in the decadent treatments at the Imperial Spa, a destination Guerlain spa with a bevy of treatment rooms, a hammam, a sauna, a solarium, a whirlpool, and a swan neck jet. Finally, all five restaurants and salons (read: bars) celebrate French gastronomy in different ways, but they all have one common view: the spectacular shoreline.

The imperial and regal Second Empire-style rooms are the very epitome of French high luxury. Moreover, they all boast gilded artwork, rich fabrics, plush carpets, marble bathrooms, and the piece de resistance — double-height windows — which are best in the sea-facing room. While the entry-level King Classic Deluxe rooms cost EUR 600/night, the Rooftop Suite (for 2) costs EUR 1,300/night. The priciest is the Ambassador Suite, which costs EUR 1,700/night.

Hotel Martinez, Cannes

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La Croisette, the road that curves along the Cannes coastline, is one of France’s most glamorous boulevards. The Art Deco grande dame that is the Hotel Martinez sits smack dab in the middle of all the glitz, with Bentleys, Porsches, and whatnots parked out front. It’s no surprise that this 1920s hotel, which underwent a massive costume change, has seen royalty and film stars. After all, this is the home of the Cannes Film Festival.

Expect to be treated like royalty here, whether you arrive in a Skoda or a Bentley, with a shoutout to the concierge team, which seeks to please guests. Five-star amenities abound here, right from the uber-chic private beach to the L’Oasis du Martinez Spa, the first flagship Carita spa outside Paris. Think a hammam, a hair salon, and even couples suites with calming salt walls. The standout is the residents-only landscaped garden L’Oasis du Martinez, which was formerly a parking area. Amidst the Mediterranean foliage, you’ll be thrilled to discover a massive 65-foot outdoor pool, accompanied by a glass-fronted fitness center. Finally, the hotel has even set the bar high for cuisine along La Croisette with three gastronomic venues.

This is not just one of France’s most expensive hotels, but even has one of the world’s most expensive hotel rooms! The entry-level rooms might cost EUR 750/night, with the Prestige Sea-view King Suite costing EUR 3,000/night, but that’s not all. We’re talking about the 7th-floor Penthouse Apartments measuring a whopping 13,450 sq ft (1,250 sq m)! With their USP being expansive and unobstructed views of the Côte d’Azur, the room costs EUR 53,000/night at its priciest. That’s why it’s considered the epitome of luxury and one of the best hotels in Cannes.

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes

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Since as far back as 1870, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes has been an emblem of sun-kissed Riviera grandeur and hyphenated hotel-world splendor. Blink and you might see the ghosts of Kirk Douglas or Greta Garbo; after all, this five-star chic celebrity hangout was the place for film stars to see and be seen.

This sophisticated laidback movie-star retreat is the Riviera’s most mythical and luxurious mansion, and for a good reason. The highlight is the saltwater infinity pool above the bay, which was dynamited out of basalt rock in 1914 and cut into the cliff’s edge! What’s more, this paparazzi-free zone also has 2 terraces overhanging the sea, with as many as 10 bars and restaurants serving every cuisine under the sun. However, it’s the hyper-personalized service that’ll blow you away: celebrity stylist makeup, tennis classes with a top coach, personal training with pilates, just ask. Besides a new watersports center and the Spa Eden-Roc, the fragrant parkland will take your breath away, with the place completely clad in carobs, cedars, cypresses, Aleppo pines, and wisteria-clad pergolas.

Styled with classic coastal decor, the rooms and suites here are spacious, with many offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean. While classic rooms/suites for 2 people cost EUR 1,300-2,500/night, the Eden Roc Suite is the priciest in the house. While starting rates are around EUR 7,000/night, it’ll cost you EUR 16,000/night at its priciest best.

Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, Côte d’Azur

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The Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel perfectly balances old-school glamour with relaxed and unpretentious elegance. This opulent seaside palace sits right at the tip of a lush peninsula and is a one-of-a-kind Riviera remnant of the serene days gone by.

After a seamless check-in on the lobby sofas, complete with a welcome drink and hot towel, it’s time to see the magnum opus of the property: the beach club. Climb aboard a James Bond-esque funicular that descends the mountain towards the clifftop beach club and infinity pool, which is the best spot on the French Riviera. You could even wander down to the pontoon for a dip in the Mediterranean Sea if you wanted or book a beach pavilion for the ultimate in luxury and privacy. Besides the outdoor fitness classes and a spa with open-air treatments, four amazing restaurants and bars, complete with in-room dining service, round up the facilities.

This is one of the world’s few places where a one-bedroom suite is larger than your home! Besides all rooms and suites being generously sized, they have glorious marble bathrooms with Hermes bath products. Meanwhile, the best rooms have sea views, so snag one if you can. The Superior Rooms/Four Seasons Sea-View Suites cost EUR 1,300-3,800/night, all of which are for 2 guests. However, the priciest is the recently debuted Villa Beauchamp, which costs anywhere between EUR 17,000-35,000/night. Phew.

The Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin

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The 2021-opened Maybourne Riviera is the first French hotel from the group. We loved the cliffside location of this splashy luxury hotel, which offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean, Monte Carlo, and the Italian coastline up ahead. So, no matter where you see — the suite terraces, the infinity pool, or the glass-enclosed restaurants — the visuals are stunning.

On the inside, the hotel is a hedonistic modernist hangout with head-turning artwork, six restaurants/bars, including a Michelin-starred one, and a seasonal Cap Martin beach club. The friendly staff dish out a polished service, setting the tone here. Besides that, there’s also an impressive spa with Augustinus Bader and La-Eva products, with signature experiences such as The Flying Cloud. There’s even a shuttle that’ll take you to the beach, where beach service and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean promise a wonderful beach day. 

With just 69 guest rooms and suites, staying here is as intimate and exclusive as it gets, with the suites featuring furnished balconies that seem to float between the sky and the sea. Some even have plunge pools, making them worth the splurge. While the entry-level Seaview Studios cost EUR 1,500/night, the largest room for 2 people, the Grand Infinity Pool Duplex Suite, costs EUR 3,600/night. The most expensive room, though, is The Maybourne Suite, which costs EUR 9,000/night!

The Ritz Paris

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How would you like to stay at a hotel preferred by Coco Chanel and Hemingway? We’re talking about the grande dame of Paris, The Ritz Paris, which has been one of the world’s priciest hotels since it opened in 1898. So, it’s not surprising that the hotel has a long list of luxurious offerings, starting with the palatial decor. Think furnishings spanning every era from Baroque to the Belle Époque, complete with warm and genuine service, which is rare!

The crown jewel of the amenities is the subterranean Ritz Club, which has the world’s first and only Chanel spa, which now employs Biologique Recherche products for a divine spa experience in the heart of Paris. Besides a mesmerizing azure-tiled pool and a fitness center, there’s also the onsite cookery school, École Ritz Escoffier, and as many as seven restaurants. The most popular seems to be the always-packed Bar Hemingway, where you can do what Hemingway did so many years back: sip cocktails and watch people go by.

The rooms and suites, complete with Empire-styled furnishings, will make you feel like you’re in the heart of Versailles. Wntry-level Superior Rooms cost EUR 1,800/night, but the 15 prestige suites are the priciest in the house. Suite Chopin is the most expensive suite for 2 people, costing EUR 11,000/night, but it’s still not the most expensive room! That would be Suite Impériale, which costs a jaw-dropping EUR 42,000/night!

Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, Paris

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Imagine getting after-hours access to the Palace of Versailles; that’s why there’s no place quite like Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle. This hotel occupies the former home of the Duke de Beauvilliers and later Louis XVI’s treasurer’s mansion, sitting just steps from the Château de Versailles on the grounds. Everywhere you see, you’ll see meticulously sourced, recreated 18th-century furniture, like portraits, chandeliers, and mirrors, along with grand, marble fireplaces and embellished gilded wall panels. It’s like living in a modern-day palace brimming with old-world charm.

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It’s not just the furnishings that are in sync with the era. Even the staff don stockings, breeches, and long jackets, or low necklines and full skirts, bowing as you arrive and lining up as you depart, à la Downton Abbey. In the meantime, they are unfailingly attentive and warm. There are electric buggies to explore the grounds and daily after-hours tours of the château (included in the room rate). Aside from the amazing onsite restaurant, there’s also a Valmont spa with a massive pool area.

With just 14 rooms and suites, you’ll certainly feel like royalty staying here. While some have views of the orangery (the Rose Bertin Room), others have two bathrooms and a spacious terrace (Madame de Fouquet). Even though there are no TVs, there are iPads in every room. While Deluxe Rooms (for 2 people) begin at EUR 2,000/night, the Suite Necker is interestingly the priciest room, also for 2 people, costing EUR 12,000/night!

Le Meurice, Paris

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Le Meurice is Paris’s original palace hotel, sitting just minutes away from the Louvre on the Rue de Rivoli. This unstuffy yet grand hotel was once the haunt of Salvador Dali, who stayed there with his ocelots. That’s why the hotel has the repute of tolerating even the most eclectic and whimsiest quirks of the guests, a good sign in today’s times!

On the inside, it’s all about Versailles-style opulence in the form of 19th-century ornate grandeur, like hung portraits, chandeliers, and elegant floor-to-ceiling windows. Superb hospitality complements this jewelry box-like glitz, with a superb concierge staff. The amenities are to match too; two amazing restaurants serve everything from Mediterranean fare to French classics. Finally, there’s the Spa Valmont with its serene courtyard sanctuary, which boasts a bevy of high-end massages and body treatments.

The rooms and suites look like they’re straight out of Versailles, especially since it’s one of the best Paris hotels with gorgeous Eiffel Tower views! While the Classic Rooms start at EUR 1,950/night, the Presidential Apartment costs a whopping EUR 10,500/night. However, the priciest room is the 7th-floor Belle Etoile suite, which has a private elevator, a massive terrace with 360-degree views, and a marble bathroom with a three-windowed wall. And, it costs a whopping EUR 19,500/night!

La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa and Villas, St. Tropez

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There’s something to be said about La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa, and Villas, which is one of the most luxurious hotels in the ultra-high-luxury Saint-Tropez. In a highly glitzy town, this discreet little oasis with its minimalist zen vibe and uber-luxurious amenities feels a world away. The setting features a main hotel as well as private villas for a more romantic, tranquil, and private stay. The winning feature? The sweeping views over the Mediterranean Sea. As its website declares, it puts you “face to face with the Mediterranean” — and how.

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Amenities

While the coveted Ramatuelle Beach is just a hop, skip, and jump away, there are shuttle buses to both Pampelonne Beach and St. Tropez. there are lots of other ultra-bespoke services and amenities here. The onsite spa has treatments from Nescens and Creme de la Mer, complete with a steam room and indoor and outdoor pools. Finally, gourmands will love the food experiences that await them here at all the five restaurants and bars, including a pool restaurant from where you can order drinks and snacks.

Rooms

With just 27 rooms and suites here, along with 14 huge, private villas, staying is intimate and very, very exclusive. What’s more, all the digs have sprawling private terraces with sea views. The Deluxe Junior Sea-view Suites cost EUR 2,600, and the Talliat Suite costs EUR 6,500/night, both categories for 2 guests. What’s more, the categories of suites above don’t even have prices listed on the website, as you have to enquire about them first! While the smallest 4-bedroom villa, which has a minimum 4-night stay, costs EUR 10,000, the others cost even more. Oof!

Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris

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Sitting right next to the Champs-Elysées is the historic Four Seasons Hotel George V, a heady blend of palatial comfort, exquisite old-world sophistication, and some of the most extravagant floral arrangements in Paris. This 1928-built Four Seasons outpost has some of the most dramatic lobby installations we’ve ever seen, right from tumbling floral spring displays to giant plexiglass reindeer during Christmas time. Meanwhile, you can still see remnants of its iconic past in the form of the opulent bourgeois period interiors, spectacular artwork, and 17th-century Flanders tapestries. Do note: The floral theme alters with the season, and you might even see the expert florist’s team in action, arranging freshly cut blooms now and then.  

Amenities

The flawless service here is complemented beautifully by the luxurious amenities and facilities. For instance, pamper yourselves to the hilt at the Four Seasons designer spa, with a pool, a jetted whirlpool, a sauna, a steam hammam, and high-end Swiss skincare treatments. That’s why the huge indoor pool is one of the best hotel pools in Paris, and rightfully so. We men, come on, look at this beauty below.

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However, that’s not all, as the hotel’s most winning feature is its drinking and dining scene. This is not just the first hotel in France, but rather Europe, to feature five Michelin stars under one roof (across three restaurants)! Six restaurants and bars serve everything from modern Gallic cuisine to Mediterranean fare to reinterpreted French classics. Don’t miss going to the legendary cellar, which lies 45 ft underground and has nearly 50,000 bottles; it fact, its location helped it survive the WWII bombings!

Rooms

The rooms and suites boast fabulous levels of sumptuous luxury and are also amongst the most expensive in the city. What’s more, they all have marble bathrooms, Bulgari bath products, exquisite vintage decor, marble bathrooms, Bulgari products, and a thoughtfully curated collection of tempting gourmandizes. One of the highest-priced suites is the Penthouse, which costs a cool EUR 28,000. The most intriguing bit is that the highest category of suites, the Signature ones, can only be booked on request.

K2 Palace Courchevel

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It’s only fitting that the most expensive hotel in France sits in the French Alps! Welcome to K2 Palace Courchevel, a veritable haven for deep-pocketed snow sports and skiing enthusiasts across the world. This ultra-luxurious yet warm five-star Alps stay is one of only three hotels in the prestigious winter resort town of Courchevel to have the “Palace” status, and given its opulence, it’s not a surprise. With just 29 rooms and 5 chalets on the Courchevel’s Cospillot Piste, this is France’s ultimate upscale winter getaway.

Amenities

Like a prestigious hamlet, this luxury hotel-village stretches all along the Cospillot slope, offering incomparable vistas of the mountain and the valley. Likewise, the facilities are nothing less than fabulous. Two restaurants — the two-Michelin-starred Le Kintessence and Le Black Pyramid — serve innovative gourmet fare, complemented by a magnificent wine cellar. Besides a bar and a cigar lounge, you’ll love the spacious, two-storied Goji Spa, which also has a wonderful hammam. While the fitness center will appeal to fitness fanatics, the winner is the indoor infinity pool with some of the most majestic views of the valley.

Rooms

All rooms and chalets boast excellent views of the Cospillot slope and have plush beds, swish mod-cons, and huge private terraces or balconies. While the entry-level Deluxe Rooms cost EUR 3,150/night, the Prestige Rooms, which are slightly higher, cost EUR 3,500/night. The priciest is the Suite-Chalet K4, which houses 8 people and costs anywhere between EUR 11,850 and 12,450/night!

Where do celebrities stay in Cannes?

Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt is considered a celeb-favorite destination and has seen guests like Robert Pattinson, Bruce Willis, and Rihanna.

Where do celebrities stay in Paris?

While Le Meurice is very popular with celebrities, film stars, and even royalty, other hotels like Ritz Paris and the Four Seasons Hotel George V are also equally popular.

What is the richest part of the French Riviera?

There’s only one answer to that: Saint-Tropez.