What are the Best Luxurious Palace Hotels?

The palace designation — awarded in France to hotels that surpass even five-star standards — has become synonymous worldwide with the absolute pinnacle of hospitality. These are establishments where history, architecture, gastronomy, and service converge to create stays of extraordinary refinement. Our palace reviews cover the grandes dames of Paris, the legendary properties of Southeast Asia, and the new-generation palaces redefining grandeur around the globe.

Each review examines what makes a palace more than simply a very good hotel: the sense of grandeur upon arrival, the quality of the suites, the calibre of the restaurants (often Michelin-starred), the spa programmes, and the deeply personalised service that anticipates rather than merely responds. We share which room categories represent the best experience, seasonal rates and packages, and honest reflections on whether the palace mystique translates into a genuinely transformative stay. These are the hotels where heritage, craftsmanship, and the art of hospitality reach their highest and most refined expression.