This year's World's Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year's honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.
For Travel + Leisure readers, the right bank — or Rive Droite — is the superior side of the Seine when it comes to the best hotels in Paris. In fact, their location preferences are even more focused than that: every one of the 10 World’s Best Awards hotels in Paris can be found in the First, Eighth, and 16th Arrondissements of the city.
In other words, T+L readers prefer to stay near the river, the Louvre, the Jardins des Tuileries, and the Arc de Triomphe on some of the city’s ritziest streets, such as Rue Saint-Honoré, the home of our No. 2 hotel, Mandarin Oriental, Paris. This property lays claim to one of the most romantic courtyards (at its indoor-outdoor restaurant, Camélia) as well as a selection of posh suites, including the four-bedroom, Haussman-style Parisian Apartment.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.
Also in the First Arrondissement, parallel to Rue Saint-Honoré, is Rue de Rivoli, where you'll find another winner: Le Meurice (No. 7). One respondent loved the hotel's location because it offers views of the Tuileries. Multiple readers also touted the staff's willingness to go above and beyond for guests. The Eighth Arrondissement made a strong showing this year — it's even home to our reader-selected No. 1 hotel, which has a coveted address off the Champs-Élysées. And a block away, between some of the city's best shopping and hottest reservations, is Le Bristol Paris, which one reader insisted you "simply cannot beat."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Champs-Élysées, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée (No. 3), an iconic Haussmann-style property steps from the Seine, just added 25 newly renovated suites to what one reader called its “stunning facilities.” And at the Peninsula Paris (No. 6), the personalized service is “attentive without being overbearing,” as described by one reader. Another highlight: guests can enjoy the impeccable food of chef David Bizet at the Secret Table, perched at the hotel’s highest point, while looking out toward the Eiffel Tower.
Each one of these winners epitomizes French elegance and savoir faire, but there's only one that scored an impressive 98.60. Read on to see the full list and, of course, what makes La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa our readers' favorite Paris hotel.
From myriad responses touting the staff's meticulous attention to detail, it's clear that impeccable service is the most memorable characteristic of this 40-room urban mansion, which boasts 19th century-inspired interiors by Jacques Garcia. A frequent traveler to Paris raved about its "personalized customer service beyond anything I've experienced," while another respondent praised it as their "favorite hotel in Paris" and "top three anywhere in the world." A different fan defined its spa, which has a hammam and a fitness studio and offers anti-aging rituals, as "world-class." The reader also classified La Réserve's culinary offerings, including the Michelin two-starred Le Gabriel restaurant, as "exceptional," which seems to be an adjective that could describe every part of the experience.
Score: 98.60
More information: lareserve-paris.com
Score: 97.50
More information: mandarinoriental.com
Score: 97.18
More information: dorchestercollection.com
Score: 97.00
More information: lebristolparis.com
Score: 95.68
More information: ritzparis.com
Score: 95.50
More information: peninsula.com/en/paris
Score: 94.33
More information: dorchestercollection.com
Score: 94.07
More information: fourseasons.com/paris
Score: 94.06
More information: rosewoodhotels.com
Score: 94.00
More information: saint-james-paris.com
See all of our readers’ favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World’s Best Awards for 2021.
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