Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris

Built in 1928, fully reimagined by Philippe Starck in 2010 and granted Palace classification in 2013, Le Royal Monceau is the only contemporary palace among the twelve, fewer brocades, more eclectic Starck moments (mismatched mirrors, oversized lampshades, art everywhere). 149 rooms and suites on avenue Hoche, three Presidential. Two restaurants worth the booking: Matsuhisa Paris (Nobu Matsuhisa's Paris outpost) and the Michelin-starred Il Carpaccio for Italian. The 99-seat Katara Cinema is rare in central Paris hospitality; the 1,500-square-metre Clarins-MyBlend spa runs a 23-meter pool and is one of the city's most reliable day-pass options.