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At the end of the last meeting of the Palace Commission, Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, awarded the Palace distinction to 6 new hotels for a period of 5 years.
By Luxus Plus
Created in 2010 to promote “exceptional” five-star hotels, this label is awarded for a period of five years, recalls Atout France, which supervises it.
Paris, Courchevel, Saint-Tropez
Among the new Palaces, only the Lutétia – an emblematic Parisian hotel on the left bank built in 1910 and renovated at a cost of 200 million euros by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte – is located in the capital.
Two are located in the ski resort of Courchevel (Savoie): the Barrière les Neiges hotel, owned by the Barrière group and L’Apogée, opened in December 2013. Operated by the company Oetker Collection, this establishment belongs to the Maisons Pariente family group and to Xavier Niel, the founder of Iliad-Free.
The others are in Saint-Tropez, for the hotel Le Cheval Blanc, formerly La Résidence de la Pinède, acquired by the LVMH group, which opened in May 2019, in Vence (Alpes maritimes) for the Château de Saint Martin et Spa, operated by Oetker Collection, and in Puy-Sainte-Réparade (Bouches-du-Rhône) for Villa La Coste, owned by Irish businessman Patrick McKillen.
In addition, the 3 establishments that were awarded the Palace award in 2014 were also renewed: Mandarin Oriental Paris, Shangri-La Paris and Hôtel K2 Palace in Courchevel.
These decisions now bring to 31 the number of establishments holding the Palace distinction.
Atout France, which is responsible for running the system and coordinating the application processes of the establishments, will organise a new session in 2020 to allow other hotels to compete. The Agency will also continue its operations to promote internationally distinguished establishments, under the signature “Palaces de France”, in order to promote all French know-how and excellence in hospitality.
Les Palaces, a very exclusive club
The Palace distinction was created in November 2010 to highlight an exceptional hotel industry that is one of France’s most distinctive features.
It makes it possible to distinguish, among the 5-star establishments, those whose exceptional geographical location, particular historical, aesthetic and/or heritage interest, and tailor-made service place them among the jewels of the French hotel industry.
The Palace distinction also facilitates the promotion of these establishments on the international scene and contributes to the influence of French culture and the attractiveness of the French destination.
The award is given for a period of 5 years, after a first phase of file examination conducted by Atout France and a second phase of examination (including visits and hearing of the establishment) carried out by a commission composed of personalities from the world of literature, arts, culture, media and business, appointed by the Minister in charge of tourism.
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