Shangri-La Hotel Paris

The building was originally the private residence of Prince Roland Bonaparte — Napoleon's grand-nephew — and the interiors still carry the aristocratic swagger of a man who clearly did not believe in understatement. The sweeping marble staircase, the gilded ballroom, and the Eiffel Tower views from the upper floors are all exactly as absurd and wonderful as they sound. Converted to a hotel in 2010, the Shangri-La is the newest of the Parisian palaces but occupies one of the oldest and most distinguished buildings. 101 rooms, Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant Shang Palace (the only one of its kind in France), and some of the best Eiffel Tower views in the city.