The French government has announced that the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome has been awarded a five-star classification of the highest honor–It has been crowned one of eight official palace hotels in France. A “palace hotel” is a nickname that many Paris hotels have used over the years as a self-awarded title, making it unofficial. But last year, France decided to make this category official, while laying out specific criteria for five-star hotels to compete for a rating of Palace distinction.

Called the new “tourism version of the Pulitzer Prize,” this award is given to those who are the utmost deserving of it. The jury, made up of ten respected people from the worlds of hospitality, architecture and design, literature, film, television, science, and business.

Since opening in 2002, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, has challenged the idea of what really makes a hotel five stars. This hotel not only has an exceptional location in the center of Paris, its historical pedigree, world-class spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, and Ed Tuttle-designed suites redefine style. Equal care and consideration of developing a new standard of hospitality has been successful for the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome.

The interior designer, Ed Tuttle, explains that their idea was to make a “very French statement, sensual without being too ornate.” He also says that he wanted to “strip down classicism, making it strong and timeless.” This hotel has since been recognized worldwide, receiving countless awards, including the Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and 500 list. According to The New York Times, “It lacks nothing in luxury.”