Mandarin Oriental to manage hotel in Paris

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is to manage the Hôtel Royal Monceau, long recognized as one of the grand palace hotels in Paris.

The property will undergo a significant renovation and repositioning later this year, and upon completion the hotel will be renamed Royal Monceau Mandarin Oriental, Paris.

Hôtel Royal Monceau enjoys a highly exclusive location in Paris, just a short distance from the Champs Elysées and the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the heart of the business, haute couture fashion and shopping districts of the city. Positioned on the south side of Avenue Hoche, it is a short stroll from the Arc de Triomphe and the Parc Monceau.

An elegant, highly-regarded historic building, which first opened its doors in 1928, enjoys a grand and spacious architectural style and features 203 classically appointed guestrooms including 45 suites. Services and facilities include two Michelin starred restaurants, a bar, over 600 square metres of conference and banqueting accommodation including a ballroom, as well as an indoor swimming pool and health centre.

A comprehensive renovation of the property has been designed to ensure its re-positioning as one of the leading palace hotels in Paris. Jacques Garcia, one of the world's most highly regarded hotel designers, has been appointed to restore and re-design the interiors of the hotel. The renovation, which will be completed in 2005, will incorporate all guestrooms, public spaces, restaurants, bar, banqueting facilities, spa and feature 180 luxurious and spacious guestrooms, including 52 suites. Hotel guests will be presented with exquisitely appointed furnishings and the very latest technology will provide sophisticated in-room entertainment and business services. At the same time, the exterior façade of the building will be restored to its original glory. The restoration will be carefully orchestrated to ensure that guests continue to enjoy the hotel's facilities during the renovation period.

Joining the hotel as General Manager will be Christoph Mares, a highly experienced hotel operator who has worked with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group since January 2000. A German national, who is fluent in French and English, Mr. Mares was General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Munich for the past two and a half years, prior to which he was resident manager of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Before joining the Group, Mr. Mares held a variety of managerial  positions in a number of world class hotels in Asia, America and the Middle East.

"We are delighted to welcome Mandarin Oriental to Paris and are tremendously pleased to be working with an operator who recognizes the extraordinary potential of this exclusive hotel. With the extensive renovation planned for the property, together with Mandarin Oriental's renowned attention to detail and their legendary service philosophy, we are confident that Royal Monceau Mandarin Oriental, Paris will become one of the city's most prestigious addresses," said Dr Osmane Aïdi President of the Group Royal Monceau and owner of the hotel.

"This is a significant step in our strategy to grow the Mandarin Oriental brand in strategic locations around the world, and operating such a palace hotel in Paris will fill an important gap in our European portfolio of properties," said Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. "We are delighted to be associated with this historic hotel and look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the Mandarin Oriental family," he added.