Top News From Paris in 2014

Paris

This year has been an exciting time for one of Europe’s most popular cities, Paris. Paris’ luxury market has grown substantiality in 2014 with several hotel openings, including The Peninsula Paris.

Paris also saw some hotels change leadership when the W Paris-Opera named Christophe Mercier as its new director. And let’s not forget the W also opened a new restaurant, Coquette, and The Four Seasons Hotel George V hired Michelin-star rated Chef Christian Le Squer.

Here’s Luxury Travel Advisor’s round up of the most important luxury travel news that came out of Paris in 2014.

Recent and Upcoming Hotel Openings

Peninsula Paris

Steps away from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysée, the Peninsula Paris opened this past summer. The hotel is situated in a 100-year-old classic French building that was UNESCO’s headquarters in 1946. Twenty stonemasons worked to restore the building’s façade to its original appearance. 

This luxury hotel has 45 suites in addition to the regular guest rooms. It also houses six restaurants, four meeting rooms and a 72-foot indoor swimming pool. 

Peninsula Paris
Photo by Peninsula Paris 

 

Hilton Paris Opera

Set to open soon in early 2015, the Hilton Paris Opera will have 268 rooms and 29 suites. Previously known as the Concorde Paris Opera, the hotel will undergo a $50 million dollar renovation before reopening as the Hilton Paris Opera. 

The hotel will keep original touches from the late 19th century building, which was originally designed by Juste Lisch. The entrance's mosaic flooring and frescoes provide elegance to the luxury space.

Those looking for meetings spaces can choose from two separate function areas. Le Grand Salon is open most hours, and is perfect for small gatherings in an intimate setting. The Salon Baccarat is ideal for larger functions and meetings. There are six additional meeting rooms also available to guests.

The hotel is located in Paris’ Right Bank district and provides easy access to shopping at Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps Haussmann.

La Réserve Hotel, Spa and Apartments

Another luxury hotel is set to open in the City of Light. French hotelier Michel Reybier will debut La Réserve Hotel, Spa and Apartments this spring. Jacques Garcia is designing this boutique hotel, which has views of the Eiffel Tower, Grand Palais, Pantheon and Luxor Obelisk.

With 25 suites and only 15 other guestrooms, this hotel keeps things quaint with antique furniture and intimate lighting. The spa has three treatment rooms and an indoor pool.

The apartments—created for longer stays—opened in 2007 at Place du Trocadéro, but they are an extension of the new hotel. The main hotel is located at 42 Avenue Gabriel.  

Renovations and Recreations

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Hôtel Plaza Athénée, from The Dorchester Collection, reopened this year after a major expansion. The hotel purchased many nearby buildings and added six new guest rooms, eight new suites designed by Marie-José Pommereau, a ballroom and event spaces. 

Located at 25 avenue Montaigne, Plaza Athénée has views of the Eiffel Tower.

Plaza Athenee
Photo by Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Le Bristol

Another major renovation comes from Le Bristol. This popular Paris hotel has finished a six-year-long renovation. It now has a completely refurbished lobby and nineteen rooms and suites. The renovation also brought new Michelin-starred eateries and a spa.

Two of the suites were completely redone. The Panoramic Suite, as the name suggests, has a view of Paris’ rooftops. The Penthouse is located on the seventh and eighth floors of the main wing, and was designed by Hippolyte Jammet, the founder of Le Bristol.

Le Bristol is located at 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. 

Hotel Vernet

2014 brought Hotel Vernet a new look as well. In celebration of its 100th anniversary the hotel was given a makeover by designer François Champsaur.

The look brought a long-lasting vibe to the hotel using glass, brass and glossy marble. The popular Le V restaurant was also added during the renovation, which sits under a large glass-stained dome. 

The hotel is located at 25 Rue Vernet. 

Awards and Designations

Mandarian Oriental, Paris

Two more hotels snagged the coveted accolade of being named a Palace Hotel this year, including the Mandarian Oriental, Paris, and Shangri-La Paris.

The designation was developed in 2010, and it is given to luxury hotels that manage to create an atmosphere that is above the five-star rating. These hotels are in a category by themselves, and a total of 16 hotels hold the honor in France. 

Having just opened in 2011, the Mandarian is the youngest hotel to join this group. There are nine hotels in Paris with the Palace Hotel title.

Mandarian Oriental
Photo by Mandarian Oriental 

W Paris-Opera

The W Paris-Opera this year named Christophe Mercier as it new director and opened a new restaurant under his watch. The new restaurant, Coquette, serves classic French dishes with a bit of a twist, and it is open 24/7.

The W Paris-Opera is located at 4 rue Meyerbeer.

The Four Seasons Hotel George V

The Four Seasons Hotel George V hired a new executive chef this year, Chef Christian Le Squer. He has been awarded three Michelin stars over the past 12 years.

Le Squer creates traditional French cuisine at The Four Seasons Hotel George V, which is located at 31 avenue George V.

Attraction Updates

Paris Catacombs

One of Paris’ most popular historical attractions got a little easier to experience this year.

The Paris Catacombs, a series of tunnels under Paris lined with bones, is now open until 7 pm. The Catacombs orignally closed at 5 pm, but the later hours are cutting down on wait time to get into the site. 

Paris Catacomb
Paris Catacombs