Victoria Palace Hôtel ★★★★★

You will feel immersed in classic Parisian style from the moment you step inside the grand marble-lined lobby of the Hotel Victoria Palace. The hotel’s welcome includes a guide to the neighbourhood’s best street markets, boutiques and artisan food hotspots. Take a spare suitcase, as some of the city’s best chocolatiers, boulangeries and fromageries are close by and the unique boutiques of the Rue de Cherche-Midi and Rue de Sèvres offer all sorts of tempting items.

Once you’ve unpacked in your spacious room and are ready to explore, seek out the hotel’s advice on where to dine that night. There’s a dizzying array of restaurants, brasseries and bistros on the doorstep and the front desk staff are happy to make recommendations and reservations. They can also provide maps, advise you on the best routes to visit the sights and offer tips on how to avoid queues at famous museums. The Louvre, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River are all just a few kilometres from the hotel and it’s a short stroll to the magnificent Luxembourg Gardens.

Back at the hotel, let the barman mix up a special cocktail or nightcap while you settle down with a classic text from a literary great, such as James Joyce, who once took tea there. The hotel’s more recent residents include Pelé and Neil Armstrong, so you might well spot a celebrity or two. When you retire for the night, your cosy room away from the bustling streets ensures a refreshing sleep.