Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal: Boutique Charm with a Personal Touch in Paris

Many Paris hotels promise luxurious trappings, impeccable hospitality and an enviable location, but few deliver all three with the grace and warmth of Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal. Set in the heart of the 1st arrondissement, so close to the Louvre you can almost count the statues on its façade, this intimate boutique property blends 5-star finesse with a relaxed atmosphere that puts guests instantly at ease. It’s rare that I’ve stayed at a posh hotel so comfortable in its own skin.

The true magic of Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal, though, lies in its service. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with genuine smiles; throughout our stay, the staff consistently went above and beyond, from the reception team and concierge desk to the servers at the café and bar. Their pride in creating memorable experiences is unmistakable, and we were genuinely cared for rather than simply attended to … a lovely feeling that lingered long past check-out.

Review and Highlights of Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal for Families

Housed in an 18th-century building, the hotel sits on Place de Valois, a pretty square that Emily in Paris fans will recognize right off the bat. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the Jardin du Palais Royal (a historic garden dating to the days when this part of the city was the domain of royalty) and the Jardin des Tuileries in addition to the Louvre. You can’t get much more central than this for sightseeing, and yet the square and surrounding streets are remarkably quiet. What street noise there is fades away as you step through the hotel doors into a sanctuary of calm sophistication.

Although the architecture maintains a layer of period detail, the hotel’s decor is sassy and stylish, orchestrated in partnership with some of Europe’s great design houses. Pale, polished surfaces and sleek furnishings mingle with velvet draperies, classical busts (of French cultural luminaries, naturally) and the occasional shot of bold lime or persimmon, while the walls display original works by both established and emerging artists. I wasn’t surprised to learn that each room has a unique look, which underscores the impeccable attention to visual details throughout.

Accommodations

With just 68 rooms and suites, Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal feels like an intimate retreat, perfect for soothing the senses after a day in one of the world’s busiest cities. We stayed in the Rooftop Suite on the uppermost floor, reachable via its own private elevator. Upon stepping over the threshold, my first impression was one of light and space — the generously sized rooms are awash in creamy neutrals, with sunshine flooding in and glinting off the mirrored panels, translucent glass chandeliers and hardwood floors. The open-plan core of the suite includes a living room with a sectional sofa bed, a dining area with a Saarinen-style tulip table and chairs, and a small desk tucked into a window niche; beyond are a cozy king bedroom and a marble-clad bath with both a soaking tub and a rain shower. The effect calls to mind a Parisian pied-à-terre rather than a hotel suite, as though you could easily settle in for weeks rather than days.

All that said, the true showstopper of the Rooftop Suite is the expansive deck off the living room, furnished with comfortable seating and a small dining set. A private outdoor space of this size right in the heart of Paris is a privilege that’s hard to come by, especially with this kind of view: In one direction lies the Eiffel Tower and in the opposite, you can see Montmartre crowned by the ivory façade of Sacre-Coeur Basilica. We were lucky to have clear skies during our stay, meaning we were able to catch a couple of spectacular sunsets toward the west.

Besides the Rooftop Suite and the similarly grand Eiffel Tower Suite, which has a spiral staircase connecting its two levels and a terrace that overlooks the Iron Lady, the hotel offers a range of other accommodations that work well for families. Superior and Deluxe Rooms come with king, queen or twin beds, while all of the Junior Suite and Suite categories have sofa beds. For larger groups, Suites can be connected with Superior Rooms and Prestige Suites with Deluxe Rooms to create an even more spacious arrangement. (If you need help deciding which configuration works best for your needs, our CB Travel Advisors can guide you through the possibilities.)

Dining

Bright yet cozy, the onsite Café 52 is a beautiful spot for a bite, its graphic contemporary notes paired with tactile fabrics and elevated bohemian accents. In pleasant weather, the café spills onto the square out front, with outdoor tables and chairs that invite you to dine alfresco under the sun. The restaurant serves continuously from 7 am until 9:30 pm, and the adjacent bar is open until 11 pm with cocktails and light bites.

We enjoyed starting our days with delicious cups of café crème and the full French breakfast buffet, laden with breads, pastries, charcuterie, cheeses, yogurts and fruit. There’s also an à la carte menu that offers egg dishes cooked to order (with various savory trimmings) and familiar favorites such as pancakes, French toast and avocado toast.

While the café menu is rooted in classic Continental cooking, it has a strong focus on health and incorporates a spectrum of global flavors — the menu includes dishes like spiced roasted cauliflower with harissa tofu and turmeric-ginger spinach salad; salmon with steamed vegetables and seaweed beurre blanc; and for dessert, a chestnut “cloud” lapped with chestnut cream and blackcurrant coulis. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dishes are no afterthought here; you’ll find ample choices among the starters, mains and sides. If your kids have pickier palates, they can opt for simple fare such as a croque-monsieur or pasta Bolognese.

Spa and Wellness

The basement-level wellness facilities at Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal provide an appealing spot to decompress after a full day of touring the city. At the center sits a hammam adorned with beautifully detailed botanical tilework; follow up a steam bath with a dip in the large whirlpool tub nearby. You’ll likely get all the exercise you need pounding the pavement, but a fully equipped fitness center makes it easy to keep up your daily workout routine if you want to.

Although the spa is on the small side, its menu includes a surprisingly varied selection of treatments using products from the holistic French beauty brand Holidermie. Pamper yourself with a facial, body treatment or massage; manicures, pedicures, waxing and makeup services are available as well. You can even reserve the wellness area all to yourself for a full hour (fortunately, the hotel offers on-request babysitting service to keep the little ones occupied while you indulge).

Ultimately, what charmed me most about Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal is how perfectly it captures what I look for in a home base: surroundings that feel just as memorable as the destination itself. To take a page from the French phrasebook … c’est un vrai coup de cœur!

Relevant Links:

Browse all destinations and accommodations in France on Ciao Bambino

52 tips for traveling in France with kids

Paris with kids: Guide to the 8 central arrondissements

Insider guide to visiting the Eiffel Tower with kids

72 hours in Paris with kids

Guide to visiting Paris with toddlers

72 hours in Paris with teens

Ciao Bambino received a media package in order to review Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal for families. As always, our opinions are our own. Photos courtesy of Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.