Debbie and I first stayed at Paris’ Hotel Lutetia back in 2010. After many other stays, the Lutetia closed for three years for a top-down needed makeover. It is now back, and it has reclaimed its rightful spot as the #1 grand hotel on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche).
I would be shocked if within a year or so Hotel Lutetia does not receive a Palace Hotel designation, awarded to only the grandest of the grand. Our top-to-bottom detailed ratings of Paris Palace Hotels continue to place Le Hotel Bristol clearly in our number one slot as our favorite.
All the Palace Hotels are currently on the Right Bank (Rive Droit). We also enjoy La Shangri-La, and eat often at Le Crillon, and we have stayed with pleasure at The Reserve and the Paris Ritz. There is some dispute as to whether the Ritz shares a Palace distinction or not. To us, any such dispute is silly, except perhaps for dining. If the Paris Ritz is not a Palace Hotel, then no such designation is warranted.
