La Réserve Paris

Named best hotel in Paris for the second year in succession by TripAdvisor, this wonderfully elegant offering enjoys a truly prestigious location in a quiet corner just off the Champs-Elysées overlooking icons of Paris and France; the Grand Palais, Eiffel Tower, Pantheon and Concorde Obelisk. From the outside, it’s everything you’d expect from a central Paris hotel, a grand old mansion resplendent in 19th-century stonework that in turn leads to an interior of rich fabrics, marble fireplaces, gilded coving and floor-to-ceiling mirrors. And, there’s a spa, an indoor pool and two fine-dining restaurants, one of which boasts two Michelin-stars.

The hotel’s butler-served rooms and suites are equally grand, with silk-hung walls, velvet drapes and herringbone oak parquet flooring and antique furnishings. But it’s not all old-world grandeur, as state-of-the-art amenities include an interactive tablet to control everything from the lighting and temperature to the TV. Then, as you move up to the signature suites, the facilities become more impressive still, with the likes of private bars and balconies, and in the Elysées Suite, a grand piano and a wine cellar.

Expect culinary excellence at the Réserve’s two restaurants – La Pagode de Cos and Restaurant Le Gabriel. The latter is of particular note, offering a two-Michelin-starred menu of French classics infused with a subtle Japanese influence, stemming from head chef Jérôme Banctel’s many visits to the country. And after dinner, the elegant Le Bar offers an extensive wine list and classic and improvised cocktails; regulars can even enjoy a personalised cocktail each time they visit.

And lastly to the spa. A stylish retreat to escape the bustle of the city, it features a stunning, 16-metre indoor pool, a fitness centre and a full spread of treatments from facials to full-body massages.