In 2016, France has 3 additional palaces!
France now has 19 palaces! Atout France has indeed published the 2016 winners, announcing the distinction awarded to the Peninsula Paris, but also to the Cheval Blanc Saint-Barth Isle de France, in Saint-Barthélémy, and to the Cap Eden Roc, in Antibes.
A 5-star hotel is not necessarily a palace
Used in everyday language to designate ultra-luxury hotel establishments, the term “palace” has only officially distinguished them since 2009, when the distinction was created, during the reform of hotel classification. Only five-star hotels can claim it, and on condition that they present exceptional characteristics. Reference Parisian addresses such as Bristol or Meurice were quickly praised from the start.
However, this list is far from fixed. And Atout France, an organization dedicated to promoting France as a tourist destination, closed a new call for applications in February 2016 to enrich the list.
The Peninsula, a new temple of luxury in Paris
Located on Avenue Kléber, a stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe, the Peninsula Paris now enters this very closed circle. The first European address of the Hong Kong luxury hotel group will therefore have waited two years after its opening to be able to boast of its prestigious status.
The palace has 200 rooms, including 34 suites, which can give private access to the Parisian rooftops. The French capital thus brings together nine palaces.
In the regions, the palaces are a little more numerous thanks to the recent distinction of Cheval Blanc Saint-Barth Isle de France, in Saint-Barthélémy, and Cap Eden Roc in Antibes.
Atout specifies that a new call for candidates will be launched shortly. The most informed fans will wait to know if the Ritz Paris, brand new since June, will win the title ...
The 19 French palaces in 2016
While waiting for the 2017 vintage, here is the complete list of French palaces in 2016:
- Hotel du Palais - Biarritz
- Hotel Les Airelles - Courchevel
- Hotel Le Cheval Blanc - Courchevel
- Hotel Le K2 - Courchevel
- Four Seasons Hotel George V - Paris
- Hotel Le Bristol - Paris
- Hotel Le Mandarin Oriental - Paris
- Hotel Le Meurice - Paris
- Hotel Le Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme - Paris
- Hotel Le Plaza Athénée - Paris
- Hotel Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris - Paris
- Hotel Le Shangri-La - Paris
- Hotel Le Peninsula - Paris
- Hotel La Réserve - Ramatuelle
- Hotel Le Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat - Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- Hotel Le Cap Eden Roc - Antibes
- Hotel Le Byblos - Saint-Tropez
- The Château de la Messardière - Saint-Tropez
- Hotel Le Cheval Blanc Saint-Barth Isle de France - Saint-Barthélemy
