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New Palace Hotels

Four of The Luxury Travel Bible's favourite Parisian hotels - Hotel Le Bristol, Le Meurice, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome and the Plaza Athenee have been named in a select list of just eight official palace hotels in France by the French Government.The moniker of 'palace hotel' is one that many Paris hotels adopted over the years as a self-appointed and unofficial title but last year the government of France decided to make it an official category and laid out specific criteria for five-star properties who wanted the title of 'palace', and called it the "tourism version of the Pulitzer Prize". Outside of Paris the distinction was also given to the Palais in Biarritz, the Airelles and Cheval Blanc in Courchevel and the Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat.   The Luxury Travel Bible is always fond of a palace and these are definitely worthy of one of our Top Ten listings. Only eight hotels were chosen but we think a couple more should have been in the running, so weve added Hotel George V and Ritz Paris to the mix too.

Hilary Doling and Sarah Bryans, 17/5/11

Hotel George V, Paris

This definitive Parisian hotel wasn't actually awarded the title of Palace' by the French government recently - but we think it should have made the cut.

Cheval Blanc Hotel,Courchevel

As label aficionados will already know, Cheval Blanc is owned by Bernard Arnault, LVMH chairman, so it is no surprise that the hotel at Courchevel 1850 is a firm favourite with the fashion set.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris

The Plaza Athénée is famous for its geranium-red awnings and ivy covered courtyard, its bright flashes of red stand out amongst the chestnut trees and designer shops of the oh-so elegant avenue Montaigne.

Le Meurice, Paris

The designer-chic Le Meurice is slap bang opposite the Jardin des Tuileries. From its elegant entrance it is a stylish sashay to the Louvre and all its delights.

Hotel Le Bristol, Paris

The hotel is the unsung star of Woody Allen's just-released movie, Midnight in Paris, but that is just the latest in as long line of things that makes this hotel special.

Airelles, Courchevel

Perched on the edge of the slopes this hotel provides access to one of the biggest skiing areas in the world, Les 3 Vallees.

Hotel du Palais, Biarritz

Hotel du Palais is a hotel with a glittering history. The town of Biarritz first became known to high society when Napoleon III's wife, Empress Eugenie built the palace which would go on to become Hotel du Palais in 1983.

Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme

Located in the heart of Paris the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme has 178 guestrooms, including 35 suites.

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

This imposing white building has been welcoming guests since 1908. Guests can choose suites with stunning views either over the ocean or across the gardens.

The Ritz Hotel Paris

The Ritz Hotel Paris may not have been named on the official French government list of Palace Hotels, but it does make The Luxury Travel Bible's list.

I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.

Susan Sontag

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