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.