The Ritz Paris – one of TPG’s favorite hotels – is not just a famous name … even if many famous people have passed through its revolving front door, especially during the fashion week, which is currently underway in Paris.
From Princess Diana to Madonna and many a fashion designer during Paris Fashion Week, the Ritz Paris team knows a thing or two about hosting high-class guests. But the iconic Paris hotel – which includes the Versailles-comes-to-Paris Suite Imperiale, listed as a national monument by the French government (it can be yours for a night starting at 40,000 euros or $41,227) – is more than flash cameras and fashionistas at the entrance (although it is opposed to Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista in a Vogue appearance).
Before its heyday as a Fashion Week church, the 142-room, 15-story property at Place Vendome opened in 1898 and quickly won over the likes of Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Charlie Chaplin (many of whom have suites named after them). But luxury these days is a lot like fashion: One day, you’re in, and the next, you’re out. In addition, there is always a new luxury hotel opening in the City of Light trying to capture the growing interest in one of the most visited cities in the world. After all, Americans aren’t the only ones flocking to Paris these days for the love of “Emily in Paris.”
So how do they proceed?
Expect service value
The Ritz Paris team goes out of their way to ensure that this hotel is always in style… just like the Hermes bag that many people are waiting in line for at the corner store.
Oh, but guests of the Ritz Paris are not meant to mingle with the hoi polloi in line at Chanel or Hermes (a sad reality these days of luxury shopping in Paris).
Let the hotel take care of that.
“If you are sitting at the Ritz, what other door can we open for you, because now, in front of each other [luxury] brand, you have a line,” said Laurent Herschbach, general manager of the Ritz Paris, during an interview with TPG at the International Luxury Travel Market conference in Cannes, France. “You need to contact the right person to open these doors for these guests because they don’t want to wait. They want to spend money. The service we provide is based on the needs of our guests.”
Time can be the ultimate luxury, and why waste anywhere just to get your foot in the door of a luxury boutique in Paris? What’s more, no time is wasted when you arrive and stay at the Ritz Paris. Crew members can meet guests on the arrivals runway and take them on a culturally significant route. In addition, guests of the Ritz Paris will not have to wait for a room to be emptied upon check-in.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for the best news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG experts
The hotel team plays an important role as a person on site to ensure that there is always a room available, no matter what time the guest arrives. In addition, the hotel’s floating check-in and check-out model means guests can stay as late as they like on their travel date.
Staying on trend in food and fashion
Of course, it’s more than just quality services that keep things fresh at the Ritz Paris. The hotel is relaunching menus in its rooftop bars and restaurants, including Bar Hemingway under the tutelage of head bartender Anne-Sophie Prestail.
Come for some history writing at this 25-seat bar, and stay close to Les Bulles Dorees, a cognac- and pear liqueur-forward cocktail. Or, splurge on the sidecar of the world-famous bar, created by former head brewer Frank Meier in 1923 and composed of prephylloxera Grande Champagne Cognac from 1834, Cointreau and fresh lemon juice – all yours for just 1 euro -3,000 ($3,086).
The Ritz Paris also gets experimental with its menus, including a biodynamic menu that explores the power of the stars and nature. Expect lots of floral, fruit, leaf and root influences on this menu to give a “clean” context to your food and drink, from lobster tartlets to corn whiskey and whiskey with dried corn and popcorn. Of course, the Ritz Paris still has ample opportunity for casual dining, fine dining and drinking all around at places like Espadon and Bar Vendome.
How to book
Future guests can always book directly through the Ritz Paris reservation channels, but the hotel is also listed on travel booking sites for major credit cards associated with American Express and Chase.
The Ritz-Amex partnership has gone on for 40 years, and the hotel was an early addition to The Edit by Chase Travel. Benefits vary slightly when you book accommodation using American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Edit.
Both platforms include breakfast, room upgrades (if available) and other benefits associated with staying at the Ritz Paris, such as floating check-in and check-out times. But while Chase cardholders can enjoy airline travel services, Amex cardholders get a $100 food and beverage credit to use during their stay.
“We are very happy to have these two programs,” said Herschbach.
Guest rooms at the Ritz Paris start at 2,100 euros ($2,160) per night.
Related reading:
Source link
