Shangri-La Paris

"A 100-room hotel transformed from the residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte, featuring crystal chandeliers and Michelin-starred dining." - Mary Winston Nicklin

"In 1891, Prince Roland Bonaparte—grand-nephew to Napoleon—chose a prime setting near the Seine River to build an opulent palace, complete with an elaborate carved façade, a vaulted ceiling emblazoned with zodiac symbols, and a dramatic "Stairway of Honor" made from brass and forged steel. The cultured prince hosted many a lively gathering at his palace—a tradition of hospitality that was revived in 2010, with the opening of the Shangri-La Paris. Following a meticulous restoration, the landmark features a dome-topped marble entryway, original wood floors, stained glass windows, and hand-carved mahogany panels—plus that famous staircase. It's not just pretty, either: A favorite destination dining spot for locals, the hotel houses Shang Palace, the first Chinese restaurant in France to receive a Michelin star, and La Bauhinia, which serves an elegant East-meets-West menu (including a popular afternoon tea) under the central glass cupola." - Sandra Ramani, Lindsey Tramuta

"Place du Trocadéro Shangri-La is one of the most family-friendly hotel brands around, often partnering with charities like Make-A-Wish on fun initiatives for kids. At their Paris property—which was once home to Prince Roland Bonaparte and sits just across from the Eiffel Tower—the smallest of guests are brilliantly looked after by Bamboo the panda, the hotel’s mischievous mascot. At check-in, little ones are presented with their very own passport, which they can use to travel around the hotel and collect stamps at each checkpoint (at the Shang Palace restaurant or the spa, for example). In their room, they’ll discover a mountain of Bamboo-themed gifts, including a cotton backpack, a tiny umbrella for rainy days, a coloring book, slippers, and a panda-shaped cookie, as well as their own mini Bamboo stuffed toy to accompany them on their adventures around the city. He even makes an appearance in the restaurant, where kids can tuck into dishes using their very own panda chopsticks. A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller." - Luciana Bellini

"Though it’s a recent restoration, the Shangri-La plays the part of grande dame to a tee. There’s an outstanding Cantonese restaurant, and the Shangri-La’s two French restaurants serve upscale cuisine in theatrical settings, from the dining room at L’Abeille to the grand glass cupola of La Bauhinia." - The MICHELIN Guide

"In 1891, Prince Roland Bonaparte—grand-nephew to Napoleon—chose a prime setting near the Seine River to build an opulent palace, complete with an elaborate carved façade, a vaulted ceiling emblazoned with zodiac symbols, and a dramatic "Stairway of Honor" made from brass and forged steel. The cultured prince hosted many a lively gathering at his palace—a tradition of hospitality that was revived in 2010, with the opening of the Shangri-La Paris. Following a meticulous restoration, the landmark features a dome-topped marble entryway, original wood floors, stained glass windows, and hand-carved mahogany panels—plus that famous staircase. It's not just pretty, either: A favorite destination dining spot for locals, the hotel houses Shang Palace, the first Chinese restaurant in France to receive a Michelin star, and La Bauhinia, which serves an elegant East-meets-West menu (including a popular afternoon tea) under the central glass cupola." - Sandra Ramani, Lindsey Tramuta