If you decide to travel to France, you will need to search for your accommodation.
But do you know hotels are working in France ?
Hotels are classified in France with a star ranking (from 5 stars to non classified).
First important point is to choose if you prefer hotels chains or independent hotels.
Here are examples of hotels chains
Louvre Hotels : Campanile, Kyriad and Premiere Classe
Accor Hotels : the leader group in France, that includes a lot of hotels chains with different categories of standings. (Fairmont, 5 stars, Novotel, Mercure, 3/4 stars to Formule 1, low standing hotels with easy access to high way)
If you really want to experience France and its hospitality, I can only highly recommend independent hotels.
Did you know that 83% of the hotels in France are independent ? Most of them are a family business. They are also ranking all the categories, from very cheap to high level amenities.
Of course, in hotel chains, you will find an international decoration, facilities and welcome.
With independent hotels, you will feel the French touch with a personalized decoration, a different atmosphere depending the region you are travelling to.
A lot of them are run for a long time, but nowadays, it is quite common to buy and restore a place with a homely atmosphere.
Your stay will be comfortable since hotels rooms are equipped with all the amenities you need : wifi, air conditionning, safe, coffee machine, minibar,....
Do not hesitate to ask your travel planner !
Hotel Villa Victoria, Nice Hotel Villa Marie, St Tropez Hotel La Bastide de St Tropez
Credit Les petits voyages d'Azur
Official ranking in France is from 1 to 5 stars hotels.
They are classified depending more on the amenities rather than on the quality of the amenities.
Furthermore, asking for stars is an additional cost.
That's why you can find very nice 3 stars hotels which prefer not to pay for an additional star, and 4 stars with a low and old quality but offering all the amenities required for a 4 stars hotel.
The ranking can however gives you an idea of the quality of the hotel where you will stay.
1 star and 2 stars are the lowest category. They are either near the highway, in suburban places, some of them in city centres.
3 stars is a regular standing. You will find a lot of 3 stars hotels in city centres, but also in nice and touristic places. Rooms have a minimum of 13 m2 and staff should speak at least French and English.
4 stars and 5 stars hotels have larger rooms. You also have more services such as valet parking, concierge service, room service,...
Of course, as already explained, you can also book a 3 or 4 stars hotels with these services. Hotels just did not ask for the extra star.
Some 5 stars hotels are also palaces.
These hotels have specific attractivités, such as a particular history, a search for excellence, environment friendly, gastronomic restaurant,...
There are 31 palaces in France (source Atout France)
12 are situated in Paris,
The south of France has 9 palaces.
Saint Tropez, Le Byblos
Saint Tropez, Le Chateau de la Messardière
Saint Tropez, Le Cheval Blanc
Ramatuelle, La Réserve
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrrat
Antibes, Hotel du Cap Eden Roc
Vence, Chateau Saint Martin et Spa
Gordes, La Bastide de Gordes
Le Puy Sainte Reparade, Villa La Coste
Paris
Four Seasons Hotel George V
Hotel de Crillon
Hotel Lutetia
Hotel Plaza Athénée
La Réserve Paris
Le Bristol
Le Meurice
Mandarin Oriental
Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme
Royal Monceau Raffles Paris
Shangri La Hotel Paris
The Peninsula
It is also important to mention Boutique Hotels
They do not take part in the official ranking and don't have any star.
But the concept is known worldwide.
Boutique hotels are usually small hotels.
Between 10 and 20 rooms, to feel like you are at your friends' home.
The decoration is unique, and reflects the spirit and atmosphere of the owners.
Passion animates the mood of the place. Art, ecology, design,.... many subjects can be the highlight of the atmosphere of a boutique hotel.
The service will be personalized. You don't have big amenities like in 5 stars hotels, but if you ask, you can be sure that the hotel will provide you with all the services you may need.
The staff is friendly and welcomes you as a friend.
These are the most important points of a boutique hotel.
If you look for big places with many services, this is not the correct accommodation for you.
But if you want to stay in a cosy place and feel comfortable as if you were at home, welcome to boutique hotels.
Credit Pastis Hotel, St Tropez Credit Hotel Amour, Nice Hotel Villa Cosy, St Tropez
A new category is growing up. If you can't choose between hotels and apartments, why not decide for both ?
Hotels are offering more and more a wide range of services, and serviced apartments are now a big request.
You can have all the level of a hotel (concierge service, valet service, ...) and benefit from the amenities of an apartment (kitchen, bedrooms, washing machine,....) If you travel with children or if you like "do it yourself", this option is one of my favorite.
Kids Friendly Hotels / Family resorts in France
If you decide to travel with your family, France has plenty of hotels Kids Friendly !
4 or 5 stars Hotels would be perfect for a relaxing stay with your children.
Some places offer a kids club, slides, playgrounds, activities like games, treasures hunting, escape games, handcraft, cooking lessons,...
They are still hotels, since the word "resort" is not really used in France.
Whatever option suits you most, your travel planner can help you finding the best place for you.
Your reservation is an important part your trip and it is important to us.
If you look for a human service with local knowledge, do not hesitate !
Hotel Windsor, Nice Arome Hotel, Nice Hotel de France, Nice
Credit Les petits voyages d'Azur
