The Ritz Paris Reopens Its Doors After Major Renovation to a Style That Blends a Beautiful Grand Classic with Modern Updates

As the message from the Ritz Paris clearly reads, ‘your room in this magnificent hotel is ready’ for you as the Ritz Paris reopened it grand doorway to opulence once again on June 6…..The Legend continues.

For those of you that have a passion for Paris, the magnificent City of Lights, you have certainly either stayed, dropped in, or stopped for lunch or drinks at the magnificent Ritz Paris at 15 Place Vendome. However, if you have visited Paris in the last four years, you will have noticed that its doors were closed for the major ($450 million) renovation that current owner, Egyptian businessman Mohamed Al Fayed ordered to be done to restore this historic Paris landmark to an even greater state than it had previously been. Its goal was to have remain all of the luxurious splendor that has been this hotel since it was opened 118 years ago in 1898 by Cesar Ritz, but to also take the necessary steps to update the technology and add a few of the modern amenities that would make it even more desirable to its guests.

It should be noted that this hotel was delayed almost three months later than had been previously intended when General Manager, Christian Boyens and Director of Communications, Anne Benichou hosted a luncheon for many of us here in Houston back in January. At that point March was the targeted timeline but unfortunately they returned to Paris to an electrical fire, January 19 on the roof of the Rue Cambon building that luckily did not destroy anything irreplaceable but did delay the opening until June 6.  Of the original plan to have 71 rooms and 71 suites, 50 rooms are still not useable due to the roof damage from the fire but the remainder of the rooms were totally booked for opening day and already reserved for Couture Fashion Week in July. Regulars are delighted to have their Ritz back….there are even Houstonians I know who had delayed trips to Paris, awaiting the reopening of this grand hotel.

After the Ritz majestic wrought-iron doors closed for the first time since 1898 on August 1, 2012, a concentrated effort has been put into place to find the finest specialists in historic restoration to ensure that the innovative spirit of Cesar Ritz would become in sync with the 21st century. The rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will be beyond compare in Paris.

Here are some firsts that were established for the new Ritz…..First ever, a tunnel has been created under the Place Vendome to allow its guest to enter discreetly into the hotel.

In the spirit of the Paris’ covered passages, a bright Gallerie will showcase the best of French luxury including the latest in fashion, jewelry and exclusive Ritz products.

A retractable roof will transfer the winter garden into a leafy year-round patio. On the Rue Cambon side of the hotel, guests can enjoy a drink or an informal meal at the new Ritz Bar in the ambiance of an elegant French cafe.

There will be 15 one-of-a-kind Prestige Suites that will provide for the most special guests of the Ritz Paris, through the refinement of the decorations, a spectacular stay.  These Suites will be named for many of the Ritz most famous inhabitants, Coco Chanel who lived there for 34 years, Marcel Proust, F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Duke of Windsor.

The new Executive Chef Nicolas Sale embodies the Ritz Paris culinary tradition of innovation and excellence

Newcomers and faithful Ritz patrons will be pleased to take note of the incomparable and unchanged style of the famed Bar Hemingway, whose favorite watering hole was named after the author in 1994. It remains, as always, the perfect place to savor aged spirits and the legendary cocktails of their world-renowned bar man, Colin Peter Field. Field was in Houston for a soiree at the home of Becca Cason Thrash in January.  We were lucky to have met him as part of the Ritz Paris entourage at lunch at Tony’s Restaurant here in Houston earlier that day.

A touch of home that touched me yesterday was this photo of Fady Armanius and Penne Weidig of Tootsies and Michelle Stein, close friend to all, who met up at the newly renovated bar area at the Hotel Ritz Paris for a toast to our town’s Mickey Rosmarin, their boss and friend, who passed away last week and was a great lover of all things Parisian.

For those of you that can sneak away a minute, actually a little over four, to treat yourself to this lovely, sexy, beautiful movie, directed by Zoe Cassavetes, daughter of the late film legend, John Cassavetes and glorious actress Gena Rowland.  It’s a very special film that will leave you wishing you could be there at this marvelous place, the Ritz Paris, right now…..please watch it, it’s lovely!

VIDEO

photos courtesy of the Ritz Paris