Maison Villeroy

Not every hôtel is a hotel in the English sense, of course — the word can denote a private residence as well — but as you may correctly infer from its presence in these pages, the Maison Villeroy is indeed in the business of hosting paying guests. And if the rapturous reception from Paris’s well-heeled travelers is any indication, it’s extraordinarily well suited to the job.

Normally the palace hotels are held up as the standard for Parisian hospitality, but a hotel that’s as luxurious as any of them, while containing a mere eleven rooms and suites, is operating on a whole different level. Any one of the suites is of virtually presidential status, and the rooms, while measurably smaller, lack for nothing in terms of comfort — at all levels you’ll find stunning marble baths, custom-made furniture by Promemoria, and handmade mattresses from Vispring.

In addition to the physical comforts you’ll have round-the-clock butler service, not to mention the run of the rest of the house; the common spaces are even more ornate and atmospheric than the accommodations. Despite its small size the Villeroy has a full-service spa by L’Officine Universelle Buly 1803. And the restaurant and bar are no less impressive than anything else about the hotel —  Trente-Trois is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Sebastien Sanjou, and the Bar Jean Goujon retains the gold leaf molding of the original mansion, and possesses an unparalleled selection of Japanese whiskies.