The legendary hotel Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris has reopened in Paris following a two-year restoration by architect ERTIM and designers Pierre Yves-Rochon and Bruno Borrione, that has brought the hotel back to its original art deco splendour.
The restoration was led by ERTIM Architectes SA, in collaboration with acclaimed French designers, Pierre-Yves Rochon and Bruno Borrione, who together designed the interiors of Prince de Galles to set it apart as the art deco hotel, using a decorative style that has almost disappeared from the local hospitality scene in Paris.
This is part of a strategy by Starwood and its owners to invest over ¬150m to restore some of its most emblematic European hotels under its Luxury Collection brand.
Pierre-Yves Rochon transformed the layout of the lobby, the fitness centre, and the hotel’s 115 guest rooms and 44 suites. Adorned with black marble, Macassar ebony, 1920s armchairs and exquisite textiles, the lobby evokes the atmosphere of an intimate salon in a splendid mansion and the centrepiece is a handcrafted chandelier by Delisle, inspired by the hotel’s three-feathered emblem from 1928, which together with an exquisite tapestry by Parsua and elegant leather armchairs, add to the grandeur of the main hall.
Reimagined as individual rooms in a private mansion, the design of the guest accommodations is inspired by the striking 1930s art deco style and has been skilfully endowed with contemporary, luxurious amenities.
Cloaked in silken celadon fabric, the guest rooms feature distinctive art deco touches, such as the exuberant play on lights, mirrors and mosaics in the bathroom. Pierre Yves-Rochon selected local artisans to create bespoke art deco furniture and accent pieces for the hotel, using Macassar ebony wood and fine Saint Laurent marble in addition to intricate mosaic details and striking gold-leaf chandeliers. Some of the illustrious companies involved in the restoration include Mobil Project and Craman Lagarde (furniture), Collection Pierre and JNL (armchairs), Delisle (light fixtures), Pierre Frey and Zimmer & Rohde (textiles), Orient Impex and Parsua (woven carpets).
The expansive suites come with two rooms separated by a sliding wooden door – a typical design element in the 1930s – as well as unique furniture inspired by renowned art deco designers.
The hotel’s impressive two-storey, 245m2 L’Appartement Parisien on the eighth floor includes a private 85m2 terrace from which guests can enjoy panoramic views. A luxurious pied-a-terre in Paris, L’Appartement Parisien features contemporary design accents, an elegant spiral staircase, two bedrooms, two living rooms, one dining room and a kitchen.
Overseen by executive chef, Stéphanie Le Quellec, one of the most promising talents in the French culinary world, the hotel’s signature restaurant, La Scène and destination bar, Les Heures offer indelible and contemporary gastronomic moments. The restaurant, bar and mosaic patio were designed by Bruno Borrione, who worked with Le Quellec to bring his contemporary and imaginative touch to these epicurean venues.
The hotel’s exceptional warmth is a quality that Simon Rusconi, general manager, Prince de Galles wants to highlight following the restoration. He says: “My goal is to provide new and returning guests with a welcoming ambiance as if they are home, as well as invite them to discover the city’s hidden treasures and rich heritage, unveiling a mosaic of exceptional experiences in Paris.”
An esteemed establishment, Prince de Galles was originally designed by architect André Arfvidson and opened in 1928 at the peak of the art deco period.
Prince de Galles also features a wellness suite with a hammam, a fitness room, and an event space for celebrations hosting up to 90 people.
