Hotel Plaza Athénée is the apex of Parisian luxury, seamlessly blending heritage design, sparkling gastronomy, and deeply immersive wellness.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée offers one of the world’s greatest luxury hotel experiences and it is the one hotel globally I return to again and again.
I just enjoyed a three night winter stay with my 18 year old daughter, and it was an experience we will remember forever. She agrees that breakfast at “The Plaza” is one of the world’s best in every sense; the magnificent, and incredibly stately dining room, the decadent pastries, the service, the hot chocolates and the people who filter in looking like they stepped off a catwalk.
With a newly refreshed interior and a world-class Dior Spa, this legendary address delivers a glamorous, multisensory experience that appeals to style seekers, gourmets, and wellness devotees alike.
Overall Rating ofHotel Plaza Athénée: 10/10
There are so many moments that distinguish his luxury hotel from the many others in Paris – one of ours was when my new Samsonite suitcase broke, and it was the first time I had used it. Without hesitation the concierge asked if I had the receipt – I did, and said they had a relationship with Samsonite and would have it repaired.
Within a few hours the case had been sent to Samsonite, completely fixed and returned to the hotel. Wow. This is the type of luxury five star service I thought no longer existed – what a surprise to discover it does.
Location and Parisian Prestige: 10/10
Set amid the affluent boutiques and ateliers of Avenue Montaigne, the hotel offers instant access to Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and legendary Parisian theatres and galleries.
Major sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Seine are just steps away, and the area transforms during Fashion Week, cementing Plaza Athénée’s reputation as a stage for both haute couture and unforgettable guest experiences.
Hotel Plaza Athénée is the epitome of Parisian luxury: a place where interiors exude couture sophistication, the spa is a temple to beauty and wellbeing, and every bite, scent, or touch feels deeply considered and sensorially rich
Sumptuous Interiors and Iconic Rooms at Hotel Plaza Athénée 10/10
The hotel’s renovations, led by famed designers Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille, created a suite of rooms and public spaces that feel like true Parisian apartments.
Each room is unique, featuring one of six new color palettes that bring a fresh, contemporary softness while honoring 18th-century elegance.
Luxurious materials are everywhere: silk headboards with leafy motifs, embroidered cushions, moiré silks, and custom-designed Louis XVI-style furniture. Mosaics and moldings reference the Virginia creeper plant that famously adorns the hotel’s façade, creating tangible connections between interior spaces and the iconic exterior courtyard.
Elegant lighting is a hallmark in the rooms at Hotel Plaza Athénée—bespoke lamps, hand-decorated glass, and iridescent chandeliers cast a golden glow that highlights heritage details and fine textures. Bathrooms are lined with Italian marble and soft mosaic accents, many offering picture-perfect Paris views and plush amenities.
The legendary Royal Suite offers 450m² of unparalleled grandeur, with four opulent bedrooms, Versailles parquet floors, a sauna, hammam, and balcony overlooking Avenue Montaigne and the Eiffel Tower.
Haute Cuisine and Gastronomic Excellence 10/10
Dining at Hotel Plaza Athénée is exceptional. The flagship restaurant dazzles with gilded mirrors, soaring ceilings, and creative reinterpretations of French classics and is where breakfast is served.
Not only is it one of the world’s greatest locations for instagram images, it oozes pure elegance and style. A huge marble table down the middle encourages guests to communicate and chat or they can select to sit on tables on the outside for more privacy.
Many describe breakfast at Hotel Plaza Athénée as the world’s best: elegantly presented viennoiserie, custom à la carte choices, and a showstopping hot chocolate that has achieved cult status among travellers and locals alike.
This thick, luxurious beverage, paired with panoramic views and attentive service, turns breakfast into a destination all its own.
Le Relais Plaza, the hotel’s Art Deco brasserie, radiates Parisian social life and legacy. It is a restaurant where a mix of guest gravitate from local Parisian business people to families, travellers and socialites.
Stepping into Le Relais Plaza is like walking into a gilded chapter of Parisian history. Opened on December 30, 1936, this Art Deco masterpiece was famously modelled after the first-class dining room of the legendary ocean liner SS Normandie.
The restaurant’s legacy is deeply intertwined with the world of haute couture; its proximity to the original Christian Dior boutique made it a second home for the designer himself, who considered it his “canteen.”
Over the decades, its plush banquettes have hosted a verified “who’s who” of the 20th century, from the enigmatic Marlene Dietrich—who famously had her own preferred table—to Jean Cocteau, Jackie Kennedy, and Yves Saint Laurent.
During fashion weeks designers and the social elite dine there, who come for its old-world glamour, live music, and brasserie classics reimagined with contemporary flair.
La Cour Jardin, a verdant oasis, transforms from an enchanting summer terrace to a magical winter ice rink, offering seasonal cuisine beneath a canopy of greenery. Watching children skate on it is pure joy.
Le Bar at Hotel Plaza Athénée is a vibrant hub, where guests sip signature cocktails under a sculptural ceiling of hanging crystal drops. The night we were there they had a closed party there and gorgeous models and glamorous Parisians sauntered in the hotel creating a super upscale buzz.
The mixology matches the setting: inventive, artful drinks draw inspiration from both classic Parisian aperitifs and the city’s forward-thinking culinary scene. The bar’s chic ambiance and warm lighting create a perfect spot for glamorous evenings or pre-dinner gatherings.
Dior Spa: Next-Level Wellness 10/10
The Dior Spa, recently unveiled after a multi-million euro renovation, is a sanctuary devoted to beauty, recovery, and sensory pleasure. During my stay, I tried it by default.
I went downstairs to the plush white decoder spa area to use the sauna before a long flight, but it was out of order. The staff promptly offered a complimentary treatment of my choice at no charge as an apology for the inconvenience – wow.
I chose a facial, which tuned out to be the best facial I have ever had in France and possibly Europe. The treatment included multiple long facial and scalp massages which were so relaxing, yet stimulating to the skin, it was absolutely incredible. Wrapped in Dior towels, robe with my jeans hanging on a Dior hanger, it really was absolute luxury.
As I left I was govern a Dior chocolate to enjoy. How perfect.
Reimagined by Dior’s wellness visionaries, the spa features a chic, cream-toned Grand Salon, private treatment rooms echoing the comfort of couture salons, and a distinctive “Light Suite”—a healing space employing LED therapy to combat jetlag and fatigue.
Therapy programs such as D-Stress, D-Tox, and D-Bloat are available alongside classic facials and massages.
Spa therapists are intensively trained “Well-Being Experts,” many certified in advanced massage techniques, aromatherapy, and Dior’s proprietary skincare protocols.
Click here for a review of the spa
Their intuitive, highly personalised approach means treatments are expertly calibrated for each guest—pressure, technique, and product all tailored on the spot. The spa experience is further enhanced by exclusive Dior products and rituals, using scents and serums to deliver results and profound relaxation.
The gym is also excellent and well and truly sufficient – with Dior mats and fitness balls great for instagram or just to stay on trend!
Service and Atmosphere 10/10
Plaza Athénée’s service excels in warmth, anticipation, and personal detail. Staff often address regular guests by name and every time I turn up at reception the concierge come out with a welcoming smile and know all of my favourite local bars, restaurants and hiardressers.
They are renowned for their ability to customise experiences, from personalised amenities to arranging Paris’s most coveted reservations.
I adore the hotel’s signature fragrance, which is somewhat addictive and developed for public spaces, combines precious florals and citruses, subtly evoking Dior’s lineage and adding to the sense of sensory immersion each time you cross the threshold.
Commitment to Art, Fashion, and Sustainability 10/10
Art and haute couture are embedded in the hotel’s DNA, reflected in rotating contemporary art installations (some in partnership with major Parisian maisons) and ever-changing displays—especially during Paris Fashion Week, when the hotel becomes a base for major designers and celebrities.
The property’s sustainability initiatives include eco-friendly insulation, automated lighting and climate controls, and a preference for upcycled or responsibly sourced amenities, especially in newly renovated spaces.
Hotel Plaza Athénée. What Renae says:
Who Is Behind It: The Dorchester Group of luxury hotels. One of the most exclusive and luxurious hotel groups in the world.
Insider Knowledge: The interior stair cases are magical for photos and just to soak up the history and luxurious energy of this majestic hotel.
Renae says: I absolutely adore this hotel, and rate it as one of the world’s best having stayed there multiple times over 20 years.
Who should Stay at Hotel Plaza Athénée: Anyone looking for absolutely luxury, service and an experience you will remember and treasure for life..
Who shouldn’t stay here: Hotel Plaza Athénée is a property that would work for anyone.
Location: In the heart of the upscale Parisian fashion district.
Best culinary delight: I love the egg white omelette for breakfast.
The Highlight: Hot chocolate in the decadent lobby area under the chandeliers.
Most Instagrammable location at Hotel Plaza Athénée: The balconies on the front rooms.
