Heralded as the future most beautiful hotel in Paris, The Peninsula Paris, the first Peninsula hotel in Europe to be built by the Hong Kong-based chain, at a cost of nearly 430 million euros, is likely to be a real winner.
After 6 years of design and 4? years of construction, the hotel has risen from the ashes in a most refined version. This century-old classic has been meticulously renovated and modernized to become the ultimate benchmark of Peninsula excellence.
Tastefully renovated spaces feature contemporary works of art, modern furniture and technological equipment. The exceptional rooftop terraces and gardens offer views and a romantic atmosphere that make The Peninsula Paris a palace firmly rooted in the 21st century. The terrace of the Hotel Raphael will no longer be the only one to offer a direct view of the Arc de Triomphe and a panoramic view of the capital.
The Peninsula Paris has a dream location. Located at 19 avenue Kleber in the 16th arrondissement, the hotel is not only just a stone's throw from the Champs-Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe, but also rubs shoulders with some of the world's most famous monuments, museums and luxury districts.
The Peninsula Hotels is one of the world's oldest hotel brands, dating back to 1866. It has consistently combined tradition and innovation, while adding unique touches that have become its signature, including the traditional Peninsula Afternoon Tea served in the Lobby, bellboys, Chinese lions at the doors of the establishments, and the breathtaking fleet of Rolls-Royces, sublimated by the exceptional quality of service for which the Peninsula Hotels group is renowned - and Paris will be no exception.
For the record, The Peninsula Paris is housed in a former hotel, a late 19th-century French classical-style building that first opened its doors in 1908. One of the capital's landmarks, for 30 years this grand hotel played host to the rich and famous, noblemen and industrialists, and leaders of the arts, music and literature during the Belle Époque and the Années Folles, when Paris was at the height of its creativity and romanticism.
Following the occupation of Paris, the hotel became the headquarters of UNESCO in 1946, and in 1958 became the International Conference Center of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hosting major events until 2009.
George Gershwin composed "An American in Paris" during his stay in 1928, while the Paris Peace Accords, negotiated by Henry Kissinger and putting an end to the Vietnam War, were signed here in 1973.
With interior design by Henry Leung of Hong Kong's Chhada Siembieda & Associates Ltd, and architectural renovation masterfully supervised by Richard Martinet of the Affine architecture and interior design firm, the establishment has been meticulously renovated by teams of master French craftsmen using centuries-old traditional techniques.
In order to preserve the heritage, authenticity and spirit of the building, as well as the vast volumes of the rooms and public spaces of yesteryear, faded or badly deteriorated original elements were recreated after extensive research, and the 1908 décor was restored to its former glory.
The marble, stucco, mosaics, tiles and ceramics, woodwork, masonry, gold foliage, paintings and many other elements were lovingly preserved and restored by some of France's most reputable family-run businesses, whose many previous generations have worked to conserve France's heritage, notably at the Louvre and the Château de Versailles.
It took no less than 20 experienced Degaine stonemasons to complete the 10,000 m2 façade. Each cascade of flowers required three weeks' work by a stonemason, with the smallest knot taking 12 hours to complete.
At the same time, the wood restoration experts at Atelier Fancelli - a small family-run business with just 12 employees, practicing its talents for three generations - numbered and removed one by one the 370 and 130 original wood panels in the Lobby and Bar respectively. They were then sanded, repaired, restored and reinstalled.
Les Ateliers Gohard, another 20-employee, three-generation family business specializing in gilding and restoration, took care of the repairs, gold leaf gilding and manual restoration of the paintings. Their previous work in Paris includes the Dôme des Invalides and the Château de Versailles; in the USA, they have worked on the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington and the flame on the Statue of Liberty.
Although the architects were strictly forbidden to alter the building's historic exterior, the interior has been reconfigured and subtly modernized to create a contemporary hotel that will operate with the same unique hotel technology as The Peninsula Hotels' nine properties in Asia and the USA.
The Lobby is at the heart of every Peninsula hotel. Entering the hotel from Avenue Kléber leads into the traditional Peninsula Lobby, with its carefully restored high arched ceilings, dazzling drapes, marble floors and contemporary furnishings, where guests can dine throughout the day and enjoy the famous Peninsula Afternoon Tea.
Meanwhile, the hotel's main entrance on Avenue des Portugais is designed for arrivals by car, with direct access to the hotel's underground parking lot. An exceptional hand-blown Lasvit chandelier representing a cascade of 800 crystal "leaves" - a modern nod to the plane trees lining Avenue Kléber - offers guests a luxurious welcome in this second lobby.
In terms of rooms, the hotel offers 200 luxurious rooms from €795 per night, and 34 sumptuous suites from €2090 to €3500 per night, five with private terraced gardens and exceptional views over Paris. Among the most exceptional rooms in the capital,five suites offer spectacular 360° views of Paris from their private terraced gardens.
In keeping with the demands of modern luxury tourism, the rooms at The Peninsula Paris are the most spacious in the capital and the most technologically advanced in the world. In addition to a sleeping area, living room and bathroom, each room features an independent dressing room and boudoir, dressing table, Peninsula valet box for the drop-off and return of polished shoes and laundry, large electronic safe, luggage rack for two suitcases, Internet radio, weather station and nail dryer.
Bathed in shades of pearl grey and cream, enhanced by perfectly designed lacquered architectural elements in the purest Parisian style, with the functionality and ceiling height for which Peninsula hotels are renowned, all rooms and suites are embellished with carefully selected works of art, elegant furnishings, superb lighting, marble bathrooms and cutting-edge technology that sets new standards for personalizing spaces.
Interactive digital bedside and desktablets are available in 11 languages, and all in-room services can be accessed at the touch of a button (access to restaurant menus, hotel services and TV channels); digital LED wall screens provide access to the valet box service, check the weather, adjust the heating and set language and privacy options. Rooms are designed so that every control can be accessed at the desired location without guests having to search for them.
The venue also unveils a unique collection of contemporary artworks by Hong Kong gallery Sabrina Fung Fine Art, including two major works by internationally renowned artists, Ben Jakober and Xavier Corberó - widely recognized as Spain's greatest living sculptor.
When it comes to dining, The Peninsula Paris is home to six dining spaces that combine the best of France and Peninsula:
The Peninsula Paris is also home to some of the capital's most distinguished banqueting and reception rooms, including a salon in the purest Parisian style that can accommodate up to 100 people, and three other rooms for smaller meetings and events. With their immense ceiling heights, contemporary decor, state-of-the-art technological equipment and meticulous attention to detail, these romantic spaces are sure to make an impact.
The renovation of this historic building involved the creation of three basement levels to accommodate a number of facilities. One of these is dedicated to the well-being and pampering of the establishment's guests, with a spa that spans 1,800 m². With six private cabins and two double cabins for couples, the Spa Peninsula offers body and facial products and treatments by ESPA and Biologique Recherche. The 20-metre heated indoor pool is accompanied by separate whirlpools, while the two fitness rooms feature the very latest in sports equipment technology, making the Spa Peninsula a space dedicated to luxury and relaxation.
The Peninsula Paris offers a limousine service for transfers to and from airports, sightseeing tours and excursions around Paris. Continuing the partnership The Peninsula Hotels has enjoyed with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since 1970, a long-wheelbase Rolls-Royce Phantom and a meticulously restored 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II will grace the premises, along with two Peninsula Special Edition MINI Cooper Clubmans - dressed in Peninsula's signature green - and a fleet of 10 BMW 7 Series limousines. And to park your car, the hotel also has its own private parking lot with space for 57 vehicles.
In short, a magnificent work of art that's a must-see!
Location
The Peninsula Paris
19 Avenue Kléber
75116 Paris 16
Official website
www.peninsula.com
