The Royal Palace in Évian Earns a Fifth Star

The Évian Royal Palace is enjoying its centenary celebrations this summer, but it looks like the luxury hotel now has another reason to celebrate. The resort has recently become one of the first hotels in France to earn the luxury five-star ranking.

Previously, since 1986, French hotels were ranked on a four-star scale, determined by the public tourist board. Only recently has the five-star system been introduced.

"The arrival of fifth star is very a good thing for the foreign customers of luxury hotels, who never understood what the four-star category meant" says Mark Watkins, president of the consultancy firm Coach Omnium, which specializes in hospitality.

Yannick Le Hec, managing director of the Évian Royal Palace, adds, "This fifth star puts us on the same level as the foreign hotels of our category. It is a recognition.”

The 153-room hotel is nestled in a 47-acre park on Lake Geneva at the foot of the French Alps. The resort features the renowned Évian Royal Spa, an 18-hole Masters Golf Course, 5 swimming pools, numerous fitness centers and themed gardens.

The Royal Palace is the first of many luxury hotels that will receive the additional star this year. Hervé Novelli, the Tourism Secretary of State, has revealed that approximately one hundred luxury hotels will be honored with the additional star. Other hotels already recognized include Le Mélézin in Courchevel, a hotel in Bordeaux and three others in Paris.

Visit www.evianroyalresort.com