Fodor's Expert Review Hôtel Le Meurice

Since 1835, Paris's first palace hotel has welcomed royalty and celebrities from the Duchess of Windsor to Salvador Dalí and continues to enchant with service, style, and views. Le Meurice also appeals to art-history aficionados: contemporary sculpture, antiques, and attractive murals adorn rooms, corridors, and sumptuous dining areas. Classic rooms have a gilded Napoleonic Empire style, with antique furnishings covered in elegant French and Italian brocades. The modern spa includes Swiss Valmont facials, Thermes Marins de St-Malo body treatments, and "By Terry" makeovers. Expect children to be pampered with their own Meurice teddy bear called Pistache, tot-size slippers and bathrobe, and sweet treats. There's even a premium pet service that provides a VIP welcome for furry family members. The three-star Michelin restaurant run by chef Amaury Bouhours at the behest of Alain Ducasse serves gastronomic menus in one of the most beautiful grand siècle settings in the city, with a design by Philippe Starck and pastries from superstar pâtissier Cédric Grolet.