Grand Hotel du Palais Royal

Tucked away on a quiet side street behind the Louvre, the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal blends in perfectly among its Haussmann neighbors. The hotel’s ornate 18th-century facade has tasteful block lettering at either side of its entrance marking its name. Guests cross under a glass fan-shaped awning into a sleek black lobby. It's here that modern sculpture, gold recessed ceiling, and a lovely display of white orchids at the front desk make a swish first impression. The tiny lobby gives way to a wide corridor, where guests will find the Clef d’Or concierge desk and alcoved seating areas. Busts, framed etchings, and other artwork help make this property feel more like a private club than a hotel. They're also a wink toward the property's famed neighbor. The atmosphere around the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal is quiet and refined without crossing into the pretentious. First-rate service is on offer at all hours, but it feels more relaxed than exclusive or stuffy, as is common with many other high-end "grand dame" properties in the City of Lights. All kinds of luxury travelers will feel at home here, from businessmen and women to vacationing couples. Even families with young children are welcome here, a bit of a rarity for a property at this pearl level.

Located on a quiet side street off the rue Saint Honore, the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal is set just behind the Louvre. In fact, many of the hotel’s rooms have stunning views of the famous art museum. Guests can reach the Louvre’s Passage Richelieu on foot in under two minutes, which is particularly helpful for travelers who anticipate spending a good deal of time at the museum. But apart from the Louvre, the hotel’s 1st Arrondissement location is still an excellent home base for sightseeing. The 1st Arrondissement is the true center of Paris, and most attractions can be quickly reached either on foot or by metro. The pretty greenery of Jardins des Tuileries is a 12-minute walk away, and the modern masterpieces at Centre Pompidou are a 16-minute walk away. Other attractions, are a quick metro ride away. The Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Opera, Les Halles, and Notre Dame are all within a 15-minute metro ride. The Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, and Luxembourg Gardens are farther afield -- about 30-minutes via metro. The two closest metro stations are Palais Royal Musee du Louvre (lines one and seven) and Pyramides (lines seven and nine); both are within a three-minute walk from the property. Charles de Gaulle Airport is 50 minutes by public transport, while Orly Airport is 54 minutes.

The 68 rooms and suites at Grand Hotel du Palais Royal range in size from one-room studios to two-story duplexes with private outdoor space and views of the Louvre. The hotel has six room categories, and each room looks and feels a bit different. Decor throughout is simple and high-end, with modern artwork, subtle floral drapery, and plush furnishings. Rooms feel classically French thanks to crown molding and white frame paneled walls, but black lacquered nightstands and armoires add contemporary flair. While tasteful, room decor is simple and lacks a bit of wow factor. Some travelers might take issue with the rooms’ simplicity, which doesn't necessarily reflect the hotel’s pricey nightly rates. In-room amenities include fully stocked minibars (for a fee), electric kettles, terrycloth robes, and electronic safes. Suites have the added bonus of Nespresso machines. Some rooms and suites have tiny outdoor balconies, while others have terraces large enough to fit table-and-chair sets. Rooms either overlook an interior courtyard or the street, and some offer spectacular views of the Louvre. Bathrooms are sleek spaces with chocolate-brown tile and floating vanities. They have glass enclosed shower/tub combos, while suites have separate soaking tubs and shower stalls. The hotel supplies guests with a thoughtful array of toiletries, including body wash, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, shower caps, vanity kits, and loofahs.  

Features and services at the Grand Hotel tend to reflect its pearl level, with a few small exceptions. Le Lulli is the hotel’s on-site restaurant and bar. The restaurant serves breakfast for guests only, but it's open to the public for lunch and dinner. It can also be rented for private events. Breakfast is served buffet style, but for an additional charge, cooked to order eggs are available. Guests can also order a la carte breakfast to their room. Lunch and dinner menus at Le Lulli change seasonally, but diners can expect French classics from the Bordeaux region. The chef regularly caters to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-intolerant, and dairy-intolerant guests. (Diners with allergies or sensitivities should notify their server.) The adjacent bar serves drinks from early afternoon until late evening. Unlike many of the hotel’s public spaces, its Carita Spa isn’t much to write home about. Its two treatment rooms -- one single and one double -- feel a tad clinical, and aren’t on par with the rest of the hotel’s luxurious common spaces. Nevertheless, the spa offers several treatment options including facials, massages, and reflexology sessions. Next to the spa, there’s a tiny hairdressing studio that also doubles as a kids playroom, which seems somewhat odd. However, the space is more frequently utilized by kids than salon-goers. While the spa and hair salon are located on the upper floors, the hotel's fitness center and hamman are located in the basement. The fitness center is tiny, but equipped with modern TechnoGym cardio machines and a few free weights. Adjacent to this is the hotel’s beautiful mosaic-tiled hamman, which guests can access for free. The hamman is large enough for a few people, and has shimmery twinkling lights that illuminate the white flower design on its feature wall. Grand Hotel du Palais Royal has a Clef d’Or concierge -- the hotel industry’s most prestigious distinction. This means the concierge is the best and most knowledgeable in his or her field, and can help guests with anything from restaurant reservations and city tours to booking exclusive Opera tickets and private museum viewings. Additionally, the hotel has free Wi-Fi with a strong signal that works well across the property. But it's worth noting that there are no public computers or business centers on the premises. 

Though it doesn’t have a kids' club or any kid-centric activities, the Grand Hotel du Palais Royal feels more family-friendly than many of its luxury competitors. The atmosphere isn’t whisper-quiet, which makes families with kids feel more at ease. We noticed plenty of families during our visit, and even encountered a few little ones playing with the toys in the hotel’s tiny playroom.