The French government announced on May 5 the names of the eight hotels receiving its name " Palace ". For the winners, this is a truly important appointment but for the losers it is a very difficult blow to overcome. The Palace rating is an official designation that places hotels above five stars.
It is awarded by the French tourism authorities and helps travelers to identify the most ostentatious hotels in the country. A total of four properties are located in Paris: Bristol, Meurice, the Park Hyatt and Plaza Athenee. Another four are outside the capital: Palais in Biarritz; Airelles and Cheval Blanc in the Courchevel ski resort, and the Grand Hotel Cap Ferrat.
However, several luxury properties were not considered for this appointment . One of these hotels was the Four Seasons George V, an internationally renowned property that sits next to the Champs Elysees. This hotel was excluded, even though its restaurant has Michelin stars, its spa is considered the most luxurious in Paris, and it has 30 suites with private terraces.
They also left aside the Ritz in Paris , considered one of the most prestigious hotels in the world that has welcomed among its guests Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel and Princess Diana. The Hotel de Crillon, which was built in 1758, was also not included on the list, despite being one of the oldest luxury properties in the world.