Le Méridien Etoile has just unveiled a multi-million-euro renovation, and Luxury Travel Advisor was there to attend the exclusive launch celebrations last night. This is the flagship for Le Méridien, the very first property when the brand was created in 1972 by Air France. And with 1,025 rooms and suites, Le Méridien Etoile is the biggest hotel in central Paris-- located next to the Palais des Congrès convention center at Porte Maillot in the 17th arrondissement.
Le Méridien Etoile’s rooms have been given a tasteful makeover by rock star interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel, celebrated for this work on hotels like the Molitor and the Le Cinq Codet in Paris. London-based firm Michaelis Boyd decorated all the public areas. The new look is anchored in Le Méridien’s mid-century modern aesthetic, with accents and details paying homage to Parisian culture (like tiled walls reminiscent of the Paris metro).
Le Méridien Etoile rolled out the red carpet for the Champagne-infused soirée; tasting stations included make-your-own eclairs, foie gras-duck sandwiches, and a buffet of the Parisian signature, the “jambon-beurre” (a baguette sandwich slathered in butter and piled high with ham). French bossa nova band Nouvelle Vague, Le Méridien’s exclusive music partner, played in the legendary jazz club, also newly renovated in a mid-century modern style.
Note that the meeting and conference rooms (over 2500 square meters of event space) have also been entirely renovated with modular furniture and custom photography; some of these Parisian scenes were shot by one of France’s most influential Instagrammers, Vutheara Kham.
Le Méridien joined Starwood Hotels & Resorts a decade ago, and over 50% of the brand’s hotels in Europe and the Middle East have been upgraded over the last three years. Starwood’s goal has been to transform Le Méridien into a “contemporary lifestyle brand focused on unlocking the destination through culture, the arts, and cuisine.”
