Starwood Hotels & Resorts Reopens an Art Deco Icon: Prince De Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris Following a Two Year Restoration
PARIS – The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today reopens the doors to the legendary Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, following a meticulous two-year restoration. The restoration, which has brought the hotel back to its original Art Deco splendour, is part of a larger strategy to invest more than $200 million in some of Starwood’s most celebrated Luxury Collection hotels throughout Europe: Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville and Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastian, which reopened in 2012, and most recently, The Gritti Palace in Venice, which was unveiled in February 2013.
“As Starwood continues to strengthen The Luxury Collection brand portfolio, together with our partners we have made major investments to restore some of our most iconic European hotels together with our owner partners,” commented Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The restoration of the art deco Parisian, Prince de Galles hotel, reinforces our commitment to welcoming global explorers to discover or rediscover the City of Light, its hidden treasures and its rich heritage.”
Situated in the city’s most desirable quarter, the Golden Triangle by Champs-Elysées, Prince de Galles has been an iconic jewel on Avenue George V since its opening in 1928. Originally designed by architect André Arfvidson, the extensive two-year restoration project was led by internationally acclaimed French designers, Pierre-Yves Rochon and Bruno Borrione. In collaboration with ERTIM Architectes SA, the designers reimagined the hotel to harken back to the whimsically opulent era of the Parisian Art Deco 1930s.
“Prince de Galles has enchanted guests for generations, so it was essential that we involved local artisans, architects and craftsmen to reinvigorate its romantic allure,” said Paul James, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis and W Hotels Worldwide. “After two years, we are thrilled to reintroduce this landmark - synonymous with Parisian style - to unlock exceptional experiences for our most discerning guests, as only The Luxury Collection can.”
Luxurious Accommodations
Prince de Galles offers discreet residential luxury in each of the 115 guestrooms and 44 suites as well as in the hotel’s public spaces, which Pierre-Yves Rochon designed to be reminiscent of an intimate salon: adorned with black marble, Macassar ebony, armchairs and exquisite textiles inspired by the 1920s and a handcrafted chandelier by Delisle as the lobby’s centerpiece.
Cloaked in silken celadon fabric, the luxuriously appointed guest rooms celebrate the hotel’s distinct personality while preserving its authentic elegance and rich heritage. Rochon selected custom-designed Art Deco furniture and elegant furnishings in Macassar ebony wood to contrast the Saint Laurent marble floors with intricate mosaics created by Italian artisans.
The 23 Mosaic and 18 Macassar suites feature plush chairs and chaises longues set against geometrically-patterned black Saint Laurent marble. The fine arabesques on the carpet are inspired by the mosaic scrolls surrounding the hotel’s famous courtyard, visible from the windows. A grand Macassar work desk and a spacious sycamore dressing room will complete the residential ambience of the suites.
The two royal suites located on the hotel’s seventh floor juxtapose traditional Parisian elegance with exotic accents in black and gold, dark marble and rich leather, leopard-print armchairs and lacquered furniture. The sophisticated Suite d’Or (Gold Suite) features an exquisite gold-leaf mural over the headboard created by French artist Manuela Paul-Cavallier and a boudoir inspired by some of the hotel’s most glamorous guests, while the Suite Saphir (Sapphire Suite), finished with beige and blue detailing, features an intimate living room with Persian tailor-made rugs.
The hotel’s extravagant L’Appartement Parisien two-storey suite features a nearly 1000 square foot terrace, on which guests can enjoy breath-taking panoramic city views. The duplex spans more than 2600 square feet and features two bedrooms, two living rooms, a dining room and kitchen – all with one-of-a-kind design accents and an Art Deco inspired spiral staircase. Like each of the rooms and suites at Prince de Galles, L’Appartement Parisien offers the ultimate getaway in the City of Light with the sophistication and comfort of a luxurious pied-à-terre.
Epicurean Experiences and Luxury Facilities
Executive Chef Stéphanie Le Quellec, a rising star on the French culinary scene, collaborated with renowned interior designer Bruno Borrione to bring the hotel’s culinary experiences to life: offering indelible gastronomic moments in the signature restaurant, La Scène, destination bar, Les Heures and the famous Patio with its Art Deco mosaics.
“Balancing the design, function and heritage of these spaces, I wanted to recreate a welcoming and convivial ambience, where the ground floor is an open, lively and luminous space in which guests will once again be immersed in the vivacious Parisian life,” comments Bruno Borrione.
A novelty in Paris, Le Quellec will showcase her talents at La Scène amid a dramatically-designed open kitchen and chef’s table. Ethereal white marble juxtaposes palissandre ebony to create a unique dining ambience. The cocktail menu in Les Heures pays homage to the carefree spirit of the roaring twenties, featuring signatures such as the Paris Mule, Champs Elysées and the Princesses de Galles.
Also designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the hotel features a fitness center, a Wellness Suite by Olivier Lecocq with a hammam, and an event space for celebrations hosting up to 70 people. For more information on Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, please visit .
Starwood Hotels & Resorts in France
Starwood currently operates six hotels and resorts in France under five of its nine distinct lifestyle brands. In addition to Prince de Galles, these hotels include The Westin Paris Vendome, Le Méridien Etoile, The Sheraton Paris Airport Hotel and W Paris - Opéra, which opened last year, all in the French capital, as well as Le Méridien Nice in the south for France.
About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection® is an ensemble of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination's indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent decor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA brand as a collection of Europe's most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 85 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world. The Luxury Collection includes award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel's distinctive heritage and unique character. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world's finest. For more information, please visit .
