The legendary Prince de Galles hotel in Paris
has reopened following a meticulous two-year restoration.
Situated in
one of the city's most desirable
quarters, Prince de Galles
has been an iconic jewel on Avenue George V since its opening in
1928.
Originally designed by architect André Arfvidson, the
extensive two-year restoration project was led by internationally
acclaimed French designers, Pierre-Yves Rochon and Bruno Borrione.
In collaboration with ERTIM Architectes SA, the designers
reimagined the hotel to harken back to the whimsically opulent era of the Parisian Art Deco 1930s.
"Prince de Galles has
enchanted guests for generations, so it was essential that we
involved local artisans, architects and craftsmen to reinvigorate
its romantic allure," said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The
Luxury Collection, St. Regis and W Hotels Worldwide. "After two
years, we are thrilled to reintroduce this landmark - synonymous
with Parisian style - to unlock exceptional experiences for our
most discerning guests, as only The Luxury Collection can."
Prince de Galles offers
discreet residential luxury in each of the 115 guestrooms and 44
suites as well as in the hotel's public spaces, which Pierre-Yves Rochon designed to be reminiscent of an intimate salon: adorned
with black marble, Macassar ebony, armchairs and exquisite
textiles inspired by the 1920s and a handcrafted chandelier by
Delisle as the lobby's centerpiece.
Cloaked in silken
celadon fabric, the luxuriously appointed guest rooms celebrate
the hotel's distinct personality while preserving its authentic
elegance and rich heritage. Rochon selected custom-designed Art
Deco furniture and elegant furnishings in Macassar ebony wood to
contrast the Saint Laurent marble floors with intricate mosaics
created by Italian artisans.
The 23 Mosaic and 18 Macassar
suites feature plush chairs and chaises longues set against
geometrically-patterned black Saint Laurent marble. The fine
arabesques on the carpet are inspired by the mosaic scrolls
surrounding the hotel's famous courtyard, visible from the
windows. A grand Macassar work desk and a spacious sycamore
dressing room will complete the residential ambience of the
suites.
The two royal suites located on the hotel's
seventh floor juxtapose traditional Parisian elegance with exotic
accents in black and gold, dark marble and rich leather,
leopard-print armchairs and lacquered furniture. The sophisticated
Suite d'Or (Gold Suite) features an exquisite gold-leaf mural over
the headboard created by French artist Manuela Paul-Cavallier and
a boudoir inspired by some of the hotel's most glamorous guests,
while the Suite Saphir (Sapphire Suite), finished with beige and
blue detailing, features an intimate living room with Persian
tailor-made rugs.
The hotel's extravagant L'Appartement
Parisien two-storey suite features a nearly 1000 square foot
terrace, on which guests can enjoy panoramic city views. The
duplex spans more than 2600 square feet and features two bedrooms,
two living rooms, a dining room and kitchen - all with
one-of-a-kind design accents and an Art Deco inspired spiral
staircase.
Executive Chef Stéphanie Le Quellec, a rising star on the
French culinary scene, collaborated with renowned interior designer Bruno Borrione to bring the hotel's culinary experiences
to life: offering indelible gastronomic moments in the signature
restaurant, La Scène, destination bar, Les Heures and the famous
Patio with its Art Deco mosaics.
Also designed by Pierre-Yves
Rochon, the hotel features a fitness center, a Wellness Suite by
Olivier Lecocq with a hammam, and an event space for celebrations
hosting up to 70 people.
The restoration, which has brought the hotel
back to its original Art Deco splendour, is part of a larger
strategy to invest more than $200 million in some of Starwood's
most celebrated Luxury Collection hotels throughout Europe: Hotel
Alfonso XIII in Seville and Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian,
which reopened in 2012, and most recently, The Gritti Palace in
Venice, which was unveiled in February 2013.
"As Starwood continues to strengthen The Luxury Collection
brand portfolio, together with our partners we have made major
investments to restore some of our most iconic European hotels
together with our owner partners," commented Michael Wale,
President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle
East. "The restoration of the art deco Parisian, Prince de Galles
hotel, reinforces our commitment to welcoming global explorers to
discover or rediscover the City of Light, its hidden treasures and
its rich heritage."
Starwood,
Paris,
France
|