Shangri-La Asia acquires Historic Palais in Prime Paris location

Shangri-La Asia, parent company of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has acquired the historic palais of Prince Roland Bonaparte with plans to convert it to the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris in late 2008, marking the group's European debut. The Bonaparte family mansion in Paris' 16th arrondissement will be converted into the capital's first luxury hotel fully owned and operated by an Asian hotel group.

Located at 10, avenue d'Iena, near the Trocadero, the building offers some of the city's finest views of the River Seine and the Eiffel Tower, which is a 15-minute walk away. The Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe are also within walking distance. The mansion is located next to the Iena metro station and set amidst a mix of residences, businesses, museums and embassies.

The 110 year-old mansion was designed and owned by Prince Roland Bonaparte, grand nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. The historic and architectural integrity of the building exterior will be maintained and Shangri-La will work with top interior designers to renew and enhance the inner spaces.

Guests will arrive at the hotel's own porte cochere which fronts a facade with ornate grillwork. Interiors will feature original grand staircase, fireplaces, parquet and marble flooring, seven-metre high doorways and ceilings, chandeliers, mirrors, ceiling frescoes, gold-leaf accents and molding enhanced with the Bonaparte insignia. Historic paintings and statuary will remain focal points.

Accommodations in the seven-storey building will consist of 140 deluxe guestrooms and suites, ranging from 40 to 160 square metres (430 to 1,720 square feet), some to include private balconies.

Gustave Eiffel lived nearby and obtained a neighborhood building height restriction so that his tower was always easily visible from his home. Consequently, 10, avenue d'Iena affords close-up views of the Paris icon, to be showcased from the future hotel's rooftop terrace, lobby lounge and suites.

Two restaurants will include a fine Chinese restaurant in addition to a rooftop terrace with a "reach out and touch" outlook on the Eiffel Tower and river.

Meeting facilities will include a Grand and Petit Salon and Salon Bleu Boardroom, with a combined balcony overlooking Place d'Iena. Also included will be an indoor swimming pool, health club, retail space and business lounge.

"This exquisite property is the culmination of a long search to find the perfect location to launch Shangri-La in France," said Giovanni Angelini, chief executive officer and managing director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. "We aim to combine Shangri-La's renowned Asian hospitality, accommodations and dining, with the site's romantic history, privileged location and structural attributes, to create another gem in Paris' crown."

Shangri-La Hotel, Paris will be joined by the group's second European hotel in 2010 with the opening of Shangri-La Hotel at London Bridge Tower, situated in the 310-metre (1,016 feet) high, Renzo Piano-designed London Bridge Tower, projected to be the tallest building in Europe.

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