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Why is ‘Europe’s best hotel’, La Réserve Paris – built for a relative of Napoleon – called a palace?

The private library at the luxurious La Réserve Paris, which is one of only 25 five-star French hotels to be awarded France’s tourist agency’s highest distinction – palace status. Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa is the best hotel in Europe – according to U.S. News & World Report magazine.

The luxury hotel also previously received accolades from Condé Nast Traveller, including being named the top hotel in Paris and awarded Gold List status, along with a TripAdvisor five-star rating and Certificate of Excellence.

Located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, the hotel, featuring 26 suites and 14 rooms, exudes old elegance but is barely four years old.

While it is furnished with antique decor, modern amenities make the grand hotel a state-of-the-art stay.

As many travellers remain interested in boutique hotels, La Réserve Paris offers luxury resort perks in a small setting.

The hotel offers a spa, a pool, and many impressive dining options: two luxury restaurants, a wine cellar, and à la carte service.

There’s also a hidden smoking room with a cigar chest, contributing to recent trends of hotels’ secret luxuries.

La Réserve Paris is one of multiple properties of the French hotelier Michel Reybier’s group, including La Réserve Genève in Switzerland and La Réserve Ramatuelle, also in France.

To create the Paris hotel and spa, Reybier once again enlisted the help of star designer Jacques Garcia.

The hotel, located in a renovated, historic Parisian mansion originally built for a relative of Napoleon III, has also achieved “palace” distinction – a status introduced by Atout France, otherwise known as the France Tourism Development Agency.

The agency said that certain five-star hotels deserve additional recognition. La Réserve Paris is the smallest of the current 25 palace hotels.

La Réserve Paris is situated in the heart of France’s capital city.

Photo: Facebook/La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

It is located in a prime location in the 8th arrondissement, one of Paris’ most prominent neighbourhoods.

The hotel is within walking distance from Jardins des Champs-Élysées, a short, 10-minute drive from the Arc De Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées and just across the River Seine from the iconic Eiffel Tower.

Photo: Reuters

Although it is barely four years old, La Réserve Paris has worked hard to quickly establish its status as a grand hotel.

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

When guests first enter the hotel, they are greeted by the Louis XV lounge ...

Photo: Facebook/La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

... which is located near the private library, or bibliotheque, which has an impressive collection of books accessible only to guests of the hotel.

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

La Réserve Paris boasts a beautiful stairway with black-and-white tiled floors, royal purple carpeting, and carefully curated art along the hallway walls.

Photo: Facebook/La Réserve Paris

The spiral structure makes for especially artful photographs ...

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

... as you climb the stairs to your room in the top-tier Presidential Suite.

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

There, televisions are hidden in mirrors to maintain a polished, antique look.

Aside from using keys instead of key cards for entry, rooms are up-to-date with modern amenities.

All rooms at the hotel feature an iPad control centre for temperature, lighting and entertainment. Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

Every room includes an antique desk ...

Photo: Facebook/La Réserve Paris

... and many offer beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower from their private terraces.

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

Paris' top tourist attraction is also visible from many suite bathrooms ...

The bathroom in the Imperial Suite. Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

... which are built from Carrara and Turquin blue marble. Carrara marble was used to build grand structures such as St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome.

Linens are monogrammed with guests' initials.

Carrara marble, which was used to construct the hotel’s bathrooms, was also used to build St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Rome. Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

Suites, no matter the style, include glamorous, velvet-covered lounges ...

The spacious lounge in the Imperial Suite, one of 26 suites and 14 rooms in the hotel. Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

... or living rooms for larger accommodation.

Art decorates the walls inside La Réserve Paris. Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

Other rooms offer fireplaces for cosy gatherings ...

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

... along with bars for entertaining guests or enjoying a nightcap.

The hotel, while small, still includes a pool. Other spa amenities include three treatment rooms and a fitness area with a sports coach.

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

La Réserve Paris boasts two restaurants.

La Pagode de Cos, which offers more intimate seating with silk-upholstered armchairs ...

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

... while Restaurant Le Gabriel features more traditional dining seating.

Chef Jérome Banctel oversees both restaurants, and other offerings include afternoon tea, a full-service bar, and a wine cellar with more than 1,500 different bottles from which to choose.

Restaurant Le Gabriel at La Réserve Paris. Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

After sampling wine from the hotel’s collection, guests have the option to fly by private helicopter or plane for a 24-hour stay at La Reserve’s sister property, Chateau Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux.

Back in Paris, guests can order à la carte from their personal butler.

Along with dining help, butlers can also leave a book by your favourite author on your nightstand or secure tickets to a sold-out show.

Butlers can help to provide customised food requests prepared by the hotel’s chefs. Photo: Facebook/La Réserve Paris

During the warmer weather, outdoor seating is available, and breakfast is served on the patio in the summer months.

Photo: La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

While undeniably luxurious, a stay at La Réserve Paris doesn’t come cheap.

Prices for the hotel range from US$1,200 per night for a starting room rate, to almost US$8,000 per night for a presidential suite.

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This article originally appeared on  Business Insider .
  • Rooms at French boutique hotel, ranked No 1 in Europe in a new report, cost from US$1,200 up to almost US$8,000 per night