Three of the Grandest Luxury Hotels in France

There are few countries that can accommodate a luxury lifestyle as well as France. From the world-renowned cuisine to the quality of the luxury hotels in France, it is a nation that understands the finer things in life.

If you want to travel in style on a holiday to France you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting your accommodation. There are plenty of superb boutique hotels throughout the country, but if you are looking to stay in the most prestigious French luxury hotels, there are a few that stand out from the crowd...

Royal Resort Evian

Perfect for...a luxury retreat in the countryside

Most of the largest luxury hotels in France are concentrated in the cities, but if you long to combine five star grandeur with the relaxation of a rural retreat, the Royal Resort Evian is the perfect choice. Located at the foot of the French Alps and on the banks of Lake Geneva, it is set in its 47 acres of ground - few luxury hotels in France can boast of so enviable a location. Inside, it is a marvel of baroque architecture and hand-crafted wood furnishings. As soon as you walk through the front door, there's no doubt that you are in one of the finest European hotels, and with 11 restaurants, a spa, casino, theatre and its own golf course, you'll never lack luxury experiences to keep you entertained. And neither will the children as any one aged between three months and 16 are looked after and entertained on a Royal scale throughout the year.

Plaza Athenee

Perfect for...Living the high life in Paris

There are plenty of great luxury hotels in the French capital, but there are few that can match the Plaza Athenee for prestige, location, and quality of service. Located just off the prestigious Champs Elysees and close to the Eiffel Tower, the Plaza Athenee has played host to the rich and famous for almost a century since its opening in 1911. Amongst its many excellent rooms and suites, the Eiffel Penthouse Suite offers guests stunning views out across the city and the Royal Suite, with almost 5000 square feet of floor space, is one of most prestigious rooms in Paris.

The quality doesn't stop at the rooms, however - the resident Chef, Alain Ducasse, is the country's finest and most famous, and his three-Michelin star restaurant in the Plaza Athenee offers a fantastic gastronomic experience. Other facilities include a new spa, three other eateries and Le Bar du Plaza - one of the most chic nightspots in town. There may be smaller, more intimate hotels in Paris, but for prestige and grandeur, it is hard to beat the Plaza Athenee.

Carlton Intercontinental Cannes

Perfect for...socialising with the jet-set

Every year in May, Cannes becomes the centre of the film world as the Cannes Film Festival rewards the best films of the previous year. The Carlton Intercontinental Cannes is one of the few hotels that the stars choose to stay in, and the hotel has a long association with the film industry - the 1950's Cary Grant's classic "To Catch a Thief" was set and filmed in the hotel. This is simply one of the finest luxury hotels in France, offering an exclusive beach front location and private beach, a chic piano bar, and much more besides - if you want to feel like a movie star on your holiday in France, the Carlton Intercontinental is the place to stay.