Where to stay in Paris

The IT edit of the best hotels in Paris; from the bucket-list icons and fashionista hangouts, to the cheap and chic.

Plaza Athénée

25 avenue Montaigne Arr. 8

METRO: Alma-Marceau

Long one of the city’s ultimate five-star establishments, the red-awninged Plaza Athénée has just reopened after a lovely refresh.

Le Bristol Paris

28 Place des Vosges Arr. 3

METRO: Chemin Vert

Le Bristol Prestige Elysée Suite — No ordinary room at Le Bristol Paris, the Prestige Elysée Suite, when you absolutely positively have a limitless budget, or a special occasion.

A classic Right-Bank uber-luxurious hotel with an unquestionable pedigree, its positioning on the revered rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. A secret garden and – rare for Paris – a pool, make it a firm member of the elite Parisian hotels, and a member of our 100 Best Hotels and Resorts in the World 2013.

Le Bristol Garden Terrace — The garden terrace for an exquisite breakfast or lunch at Le Bristol

Hotel Washington Opéra

50 Rue De 50 Richelieu, Arr. 1

METRO: Pyramides

A former townhouse of Madame Pompidou, The Washington Opéra’s position just off the Place Vendôme puts it right in the thick of things.

Shangri-La Paris

10, avenue d’Léna Arr. 16

METRO: Léna

Housed in Napoleon III’s grand-nephew’s house, The Shangri-La Paris is a stunning proposition on a grand scale.

The Peninsula

19 Avenue Kléber Arr. 16

METRO: Kléber

The latest luxury opening in the city, The Peninsula is housed in a grand Hausmann building and is all that the name implies; gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant with the incredible views of the Eiffel Tower, cosy Le Bar Kleber and and the Lobby Lounge, the Peninsula is one of the finest palatial hotels in Paris.

Le Relais Madeleine

11BIS Rue Godot de Mauroy Arr. 9

METRO: Madeleine

Le Relais Madeleine is a charming three-star boutique establishment, centrally located with individually decorated rooms and charming staff. The chain has similar properties scattered across the city.

Hôtel Costes

239-241 Rue Saint-Honoré Arr. 1

METRO: Opéra / Concorde

If you are a dedicated follower of fashion then Hôtel Costes is for you – seriously chic and just plain cooler than cool. If you want to know that you have mixed with the hippest, coolest and most avant garde in Paris, this is your Parisian base.

Le Meurice

228 rue de Rivoli Arr. 1

METRO: Tuileries

Superior Suite Le Meurice — When you can splurge on a suite at Le Meurice, this is your living room.

Enjoying an unbeatable position opposite the Jardin des Tuileries, a Philippe Starck surrealist refurb mixed with its 18th century heritage, as well as Alain Ducasse overseeing the food and beverage offering, this is one of the grand dames of the Parisian hotels, particularly great for a special occasion. Little wonder it made our 100 Best Hotels and Resorts in the World 2013.

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Pavilion de la Reine

28 Place des Vosges Arr. 3

METRO: Chemin Vert

Discreetly tucked away behind the arch in the Place des Vosges, the ivy-drenched Pavilion de la Reine is a dream Parisian pied-à-terre.

Mama Shelter

109 Rue de Bagnolet Arr. 20

METRO: Rue Saint Maur

Deluxe Room Mama Shelter Paris — The deluxe room at the Philippe Starck designed yet affordable Mama Shelter Paris

Philippe Starck’s well-priced Mama Shelter Paris in the 20th arrondissement is fun and funky.

Generator Paris

9-11 Place du Colonel Fabien Arr. 10

METRO: Colone Fabien

Opening in early 2015, Generator Paris is much anticipated in a city with a dearth of chic yet cheap hostel accommodation.

Four Seasons Hotel George V

31 avenue George V Arr. 8

Hotel George V DeluxeRoom — A deluxe room at the Four Seasons Hotel George V

METRO: George V / Alma Marceau

Hotel George V Le Galerie — The Le Galerie lounge at Four Seasons Hotel George V, an opulent place for an afternoon drink.

An art deco legend with a two-Michelin-Star restaurant, no wonder it is one of our 100 Best Hotels and Resorts 2013.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.