On 2 June, Atout France was pleased to unveil the 2026 collection of France’s Palace hotels, an exclusive selection of properties that embody the excellence of French expertise in hospitality. This prestigious distinction, above five star, was re-awarded for the first time in seven years. Recognized for the unique experiences they offer their guests, these flagship establishments of French hospitality now total 33, including six new additions for 2026.

In 2025, Atout France agreed the members of the Palace commission on several occasions to review the plications from establishments seeking renewal of their Palace distinction, valid for three years.

Earlier this year, the Commission also examined plications from new hotels that never previously obtained the distinction.

Following the various review sessions, and upon recommendation of the Commission, Serge Pin, Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Commerce, Craft Industries, Tourism and Consumer Affairs, officially awarded the Palace distinction.

As a result, 27 establishments have had their Palace distinction renewed, whilst six new establishments have joined the very exclusive circle of France’s Palace hotels for the first time.

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France now has 33 establishments officially designated as ‘Palaces’:

PARIS

Bvlgari Hotel Paris (new for 2026)
Cheval Blanc Paris (new for 2026)
Fouquet’s Paris (new for 2026)
Four Seasons Hotel George V
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
Hotel Plaza Athénée, Dorchester Collection Paris
La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa
The Bristol Paris
Le Meurice, Dorchester Collection Paris
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia Paris
Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
Shangri-La Paris
The Peninsula Paris
ALPS

Airelles Courchevel, Les Airelles – Courchevel
Cheval Blanc Courchevel – Courchevel
Fouquet’s Courchevel – Courchevel
Four Seasons Resort Megève – Megève (new for 2026)
Royal Hotel – Evian-Les-Bains
L’ogée Courchevel – Courchevel
The K2 Palace – Courchevel
FRENCH RIVIERA – SOUTH-EAST

Airelles Gordes, La Bastide – Gordes
Cranberries Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière – Saint-Tropez
Château Saint-Martin & Spa – Vence
Cheval Blanc St-Tropez – Saint-Tropez
Grand-Hôtel du C-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel – Saint-Jean-C-Ferrat
Hotel du C-Eden-Roc – Antibes
Hotel Martinez Cannes – Cannes (new for 2026)
La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa & Villas – Ramatuelle
Villa La Coste – Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
SOUTH-WEST

Eugénie’s Meadows – Eugénie-Les-Bains
The Sources of Caudalie – Martillac
EAST

Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa – Champillon (new for 2026)

FRENCH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES

Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France – Saint-Barthélemy

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Serge Pin, Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Commerce, Craft Industries, Tourism and Consumer Affairs, comments : If France is a must-visit tourist destination for everyone, it is also thanks to the excellence of French hospitality, a fact once again recognized this year by the Palace distinction. We can take pride in seeing our country shine through its expertise. Behind all these prestigious establishments are teams that do incredibly demanding work and whose attention to detail is truly remarkable: to these women and men, I want to say well done. You can be proud of yourselves!

KEY FACTS

The Palace distinction was created in 2010 to showcase France’s most exceptional hotels, a hallmark of the country’s unique hospitality offering. It recognizes, among five-star establishments, those whose outstanding location, historical, aesthetic and/or heritage value, as well as their excellence in service and amenities, place them among the finest properties in French hospitality.

The Palace distinction is an official category, recognized and regulated by the French State. Based on highly demanding and specific criteria, it forms an integral part of France’s proactive policy to promote excellence in tourism. The distinction is awarded for a period of three years following a rigorous assessment process: an initial review conducted by Atout France, followed by an evaluation phase—including site inspections and a hearing before a commission composed of leading figures from the hospitality and luxury sectors, pointed by the Minister responsible for Tourism.

The Palace distinction also provides an opportunity to promote these exceptional properties on the international stage, contributing to the global peal and prestige of Destination France.

Circus Circus Las Vegas, the iconic Las Vegas Strip resort and the city’s premier family-friendly destination, is welcoming in guests this summer to experience the Las Vegas that started it all: coin-operated slots, per bingo cards, mesquite-grilled steaks, circus acts, carnival midway, and a five-acre indoor theme park all under one roof.

With weekend hotel room rates starting at just $28.95 and a 25% discount on Adventuredome theme park tickets for hotel guests, and free Las Vegas Strip parking, the classic Las Vegas vacation is as alive and accessible as ever.

Las Vegas has always been a city built on big experiences and even bigger memories, and at Circus Circus we’re building upon what’s made Las Vegas the entertainment destination for generations, said Shana Gerety, general manager of Circus Circus Las Vegas. Families deserve a summer they’ll talk about for years. Las Vegas can be exciting and fun without the cost overshadowing the entire experience.

Beat the Heat at The Adventuredome: Las Vegas’ Only Indoor Theme Park

Spanning five acres under a climate-controlled glass dome, the Adventuredome at Circus Circus Las Vegas is the largest indoor theme park in the United States and a must-visit Las Vegas attraction for families with kids of all ages. For millions of visitors, it’s where the magic of Las Vegas first clicked, and where summer vacation stories are still being written today. Rides and attractions include:

Canyon Blaster – America’s largest indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster
El Loco – A high-intensity coaster featuring a beyond-vertical drop
NebulaZ, Sand Pirate, Inverter, and Twistin’ Tea Cups – Thrills for all ages
Go-Karts and Rock-Climbing Wall – Active adventures for older kids and teens
SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride – Created by Sally Dark Rides and inspired by Nickelodeon’s beloved animated series, this immersive dark ride transports guests to Bikini Bottom through vivid sets, animatronics, special effects, and projections. Riders join Mr. Krabs’ wacky carnival games while Plankton schemes to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula, a hilarious, sensory adventure that little ones will be talking about long after the trip is over
Arcade, carnival-style games, virtual reality experiences, and an 18-hole miniature golf course
More Family Fun at Circus Circus Las Vegas

Beyond the Adventuredome, Circus Circus delivers a full roster of family entertainment across the entire resort — the kind that pulls everyone away from their screens and into moments worth remembering:

The Midway — One of the most nostalgic spaces on the Las Vegas Strip, the legendary Circus Circus Carnival Midway has been sparking joy for families since 1968. Featuring more than 200 arcade games — from retro classics that parents and grandparents will recognize to the latest in modern gaming — the free-to-explore Midway is one of the rare places where multiple generations can share the same excitement at the same time. At the heart of the Midway, guests can watch free world-class circus acts performed daily on the dedicated circus stage, a signature Circus Circus tradition that has been stopping people in their tracks for more than 50 years.
The Garage — A fully immersive entertainment space featuring Birdly virtual reality (VR) flight simulation, neon-lit mini-bowling lanes, and Full Swing Golf Simulators with multi-sport modes including golf, soccer, baseball, dodgeball, and more.
Splash Zone — The resort’s expansive outdoor pool complex is the perfect Las Vegas summer esce for families looking to create a few hours of pure, unscripted fun. The water park features two pools, whirlpools, a Splash Pad with interactive water cannons, spill buckets, and rain trees, plus a 50-foot slide tower with three slides — the Mat Racer, Aqua Tube, and Speed Slide. Private cabana rentals and poolside bites from the Splash Snacks food truck round out the experience.
Affordable Las Vegas Hotel Rooms for Families

With nearly 4,000 guest rooms — including lodge rooms, tower rooms, suites, and an RV Park — Circus Circus Las Vegas offers some of the most accessible hotel accommodations on the Las Vegas Strip. Weekend rates starting at $28.95, combined with the 25% Adventuredome discount for hotel guests, make it easy to build a full family vacation around a few days of genuine, screen-free, memory-making fun on the Strip.
Classic Las Vegas Lives Here: A Nostalgic Vegas Experience Unlike Any Other on the Strip

For guests who remember Las Vegas before the resorts and celebrity chef restaurants, Circus Circus has preserved something rare: the authentic, unpretentious spirit of the original Las Vegas. A stroll through the resort this summer is a reminder that some of the city’s best experiences have always been the simplest ones, and that the Vegas that made people fall in love with this city in the first place is still very much alive.

THE Steakhouse — In a city where restaurants open and close with the seasons, THE Steakhouse at Circus Circus Las Vegas has earned something almost unheard of on the Strip: generational loyalty both from our guests and our long-standing teammates. A longtime Las Vegas favorite, THE Steakhouse has been part of the Circus Circus story for decades, drawing generations of guests for celebrations, quiet dinners, and the kind of memorable evenings that don’t require a celebrity name above the door. Steaks are grilled center-of-the-room and served with classic pairings in a warm, intimate setting that reflects an era when dining was an experience meant to be savored. Open Monday through Friday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. – 10 p.m., and Sunday 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Reservations available via OpenTable.
Slots-A-Fun — In an era when Las Vegas gaming has gone increasingly digital, Slots-A-Fun stands art as the only coin-operated casino experience on the Las Vegas Strip. A throwback to classic Vegas gaming since 1968, Slots-A-Fun features 100 coin-operated slot machines ranging from $0.25 to $5, with the retro sounds of clinking coins and flashing lights that feel like a time csule from the city’s golden era. The experience is made complete with bar stles priced the way Vegas used to price them, $2 draft beer, $2 hot dog, $2 shrimp cocktail, and $2 popcorn. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and just steps off the Las Vegas Strip.
Bingo — Circus Circus is home to the only bingo room on the Las Vegas Strip, a purely analog, per and dauber-in-hand experience that has all but dispeared from the modern casino landsce. Sessions run Friday at 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m.; and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Cards start at $30 per session.

Ce Verde’s growing visibility on the international football stage, including recent success and qualification for the FIFA World Cup, is driving fresh interest in the Atlantic nation as a year-round holiday choice, according to UK specialist operator Ce Verde Experience.

With increased global attention on the islands the operator says more travellers are looking beyond Ce Verde’s well-known beach offering and discover its wider peal, including volcanic landsces, Creole culture, live music, hiking and island-hopping experiences.

Ce Verde Experience Product Manager Suzanne Brown said the destination’s profile is shifting among UK holidaymakers.

Ce Verde has always had a unique identity, shed by African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences, alongside warm hospitality and striking natural scenery, she said. What we are seeing now is growing curiosity that goes beyond the beaches, with customers increasingly interested in the culture, music and island experiences.

The increased attention is also being reflected in local life during major football fixtures, where matches are widely screened in bars and cafés across the islands, creating lively social atmospheres that bring communities and visitors together.

On Sal, Resort Manager Tracey Hall said match days often become a focal point for social interaction.

When there’s a big game on, you really feel the islands come alive, she said. People gather in cafés and beachfront bars, share food, talk football and enjoy the atmosphere in a very relaxed, welcoming way. It’s easy for visitors to join in and feel part of it.

On São Vicente, local representative Edson Oliveira said football sits alongside a wider cultural identity that continues to define the islands.

Football is part of everyday life here, but it sits alongside music, festivals and tradition, he said. Visitors are often surprised by the depth of culture, from morna music and Carnival in Mindelo to hiking in Santiago, Santo Antão and the volcanic landsces of Fogo.

Interest in Ce Verde has broadened in recent months, with increased demand for multi-island itineraries that combine beaches, culture and adventure. Holidays often centre on island-hopping experiences that showcase the diversity of the archipelago, from volcanic landsces and mountain hiking trails to colourful towns and golden-sand beaches.

The operator offers ATOL-protected holidays and tailor-made itineraries across eight of the ten islands.

Holiday features include:

My first Caribbean Week in New York came with a degree of curiosity. Over the past year, I have covered many of the defining gatherings in global travel, from the WTTC Global Summit in Rome, the UN Tourism General Assembly and TOURISE in Riyadh, FITUR in Madrid and ITB Berlin, to ILTM Africa and WTM Africa in Ce Town, ITB China in Shanghai, Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua & Barbuda and the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Against that backdrop, I arrived wanting to understand why Caribbean Week continues to hold such an important place in the region’s tourism calendar.

What I discovered over four days of meetings, ministerial discussions, industry briefings and more than twenty one-to-one interviews was an event that feels increasingly unlike a traditional tourism conference. Caribbean Week remains an important platform for destination promotion, relationship building and market engagement. Yet it is also becoming something more significant, a forum where the region’s leaders are beginning to debate the future she of Caribbean tourism itself.

That evolution reflects the growing maturity of the Caribbean tourism sector. For decades, the region’s tourism strategy has understandably focused on attracting visitors, building air connectivity, expanding accommodation cacity and strengthening one of the most recognisable destination brands in global travel. Those efforts have been remarkably successful. Tourism today underpins economic activity across much of the region and remains one of the most powerful drivers of employment, investment and foreign exchange earnings.

Yet throughout Caribbean Week there was a clear sense that many leaders believe the next stage of development will require a broader conversation.

The Caribbean’s challenge is no longer simply how to attract visitors. It is how to maximise the value that tourism creates, how to retain more of that value within local economies and how to ensure tourism serves as a catalyst for broader economic development.

That distinction may pear subtle. Its implications are profound.

The importance of the United States remains beyond question. New York continues to serve as the Caribbean’s most important tourism marketplace and the United States remains the region’s largest customer. American travellers account for proximately half of all stayover arrivals to the Caribbean and generate tens of billions of dollars in annual visitor expenditure each year. For many destinations, no other source market comes close in either volume or economic contribution.

What was notable, however, was that the conversation no longer ended there.

While the United States remains the foundation of Caribbean tourism, discussions throughout the week increasingly focused on where future growth may emerge. Latin America featured prominently in conversations with tourism boards, airlines and hotel groups. Several destinations reported encouraging growth from Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and other South American markets, particularly within higher-spending segments. Improved connectivity and growing regional awareness are beginning to create opportunities that were largely absent a decade ago.

Beyond Latin America, there was also considerable discussion around longer-term opportunities in the Gulf, Africa and China. No one suggested these markets would replace North America, nor was that the objective. Rather, there was recognition that future resilience will depend upon diversification. Tourism leaders increasingly view aviation strategy, trade relationships and international partnerships as central components of destination development. The Caribbean’s future growth story will not be written solely in tourism board marketing plans. It will be shed through connectivity, investment and the ability to position the region within emerging global travel flows.

Alongside these discussions was a noticeable shift in the role being played by the Caribbean Tourism Organization itself.