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Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris: The Palace Of The Future
Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris: The Palace Of The Future – The hotel’s tagline, ‘Once upon a time, the palace of the future,’ emphasizes two important aspects. LUXXU Blog invites you to know more about this gorgeous hotel and the meaning behind its tagline in today’s article!
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Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris Is A Luxury Like You’ve Never Seen Before!
To begin, ‘Once upon a time’ recalls the beginning of the Hotel’s story, focusing first and foremost on honoring its past and identifying the Hotel’s core. The front, lobby, and wood paneling of Le Bar, La Galerie, the “haut de cuisine” restaurant, La Cour Jardin, and Le Relais Plaza are all listed as historic sites in Paris.
Furthermore, the Hotel‘s relationship with its guests, as well as its connection with its employees, some of whom have worked at the Hotel for over thirty years, contribute to the essence of the Hotel. The second part of the Hotel’s motto, ‘the palace of tomorrow,’ considers how to best integrate the iconic palace into the modern world without betraying the property’s heritage. The challenge here was to subtly improve the Hotel’s homey atmosphere for current guests while also considering a style that would appeal to future generations.
The Hotel has commissioned internationally acclaimed interior designer Bruno Moinard to design the lobby, La Galerie, La Cour Jardin, the Salon Organza, and the new Salon Haute Couture. Bruno Moinard has emphasized a subtle silver color scheme complementing the existing Hotel features highlighted by light effects, whether natural or electric, to create a spectacular yet discreet atmosphere without changing the Hotel’s concept.
“Today, luxury is found in detail, in the seam, the lining, in what remains unseen, in surprises. Not in extravagance or overtly opulent decor.”
– Bruno Moinard
Have You Fallen In Love With Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris Already?
When guests enter the lobby, they will be immediately immersed in Haute Couture. Floral displays, which are changed weekly, add to the welcoming atmosphere. Furniture in bronze, marble, and brushed oak has been designed, as has wall paneling in wood. The mosaic floor is adorned with a rug inspired by a crystalline motif, which mirrors the large chandelier.
Le Relais Plaza, which opened in 1936, is a chic brasserie that has become one of the capital’s go-to destinations over the years. The refurbishment of Le Relais Plaza in 2014, directed by Bruno Moinard, primarily consisted of redecorating a few elements of the restaurant. The lampshade, crafted in folds of fibrous plaster, as well as the furnishings and the newly extended bar area, received special attention. Following the arrival of Chef Jean Imbert as director of all kitchens in September 2021, the Relais Plaza will be his first project revealed at the Plaza Athénée.
For this project, the chef wanted to offer cuisine inspired by his grandmother, with iconic dishes as well as many new products from Parisian brasserie cuisine. With silver tones, chandeliers, and the shaded patterns of the rugs that adorn the mosaic floor, light is a key element in La Galerie. The design details evoke nature, taking inspiration from La Cour Jardin, which La Galerie overlooks, with branch-shaped chandeliers, acanthus leaves surrounding lamp and sofa stands, and hand-embroidered floral patterns on cushions. La Galerie offers an elegant and comfortable setting for guests to unwind at any time of day, particularly during tea time, when Angelo Musa and pastry chef Elisabeth Hot reveal their latest creations.
La Cour Jardin, designed by garden designer and architect Olivier Riols and embellished by Bruno Moinard, is an ideal setting for guests to enjoy at any time of year. In the summer, with its geraniums and Virginia creepers, crape myrtle, and red camellias, it transforms into a tranquil setting where Chef Mathieu Emeraud serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes topped with a sweet touch with one of Angelo Musa’s seasonal fruit-based desserts. In the winter, the courtyard is covered in ice, forming a nearly 100-square-meter rink! With a dedicated instructor on hand, the ice rink provides a safe place for children to skate while their parents can watch from the Galerie’s indoor comfort.
Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku have taken a daring and creative approach to Le Bar, immersing guests in a distinct and dreamlike environment. Le Bar, one of Paris’s top evening destinations, has been designed to create an innovative setting. The space is decorated in a contemporary style with a mix of blue and brown tones. The ceiling is hidden beneath a fabric wreath installation resembling the drapes of a Haute Couture gown, while the oversized bar in transparent resin levitates within the space. The saddler topstitching on the chairs and sofas is inspired by some of the world’s finest vintage cars. In the evenings, the glass disk-shaped lamps, which resemble a pearl on a neckless, cast a dim and discreet light, creating an intimate ambiance.
Since October 2018, the bar has featured a truly exceptional collection of Dom Pérignon white and rosé champagne, including Vintage, P2, P3 and Magnum, Jeroboam, and Mathusalem. This one-of-a-kind selection, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world, can be enjoyed on-site or added to the private cellar of a fine wine collector. Hotel Plaza Athénée provides versatile spaces for a variety of events, from corporate meetings to grand social occasions: a spacious ballroom (Salon Haute Couture), a warm space for “breaks,” (Salon Organza), and two adjoining meeting rooms (Création rooms A & B) located on the Hotel’s upper floors.
The Salon Organza celebrates the entire spirit of Haute Couture through light. A rug in the center of the room is printed with a pattern that matches the wing chairs in La Galerie and the sofas in La Cour Jardin. The 85 square meter room can seat up to 120 people.
Marie-José Pommereau was entrusted with the restoration of some of the guestrooms and suites, and she chose a range of warm tones for the walls, including peony, sun-infused yellow, and silver, as well as materials such as damask, embroideries, and plain silks from top couture houses to adorn the windows, armchairs, and beds. As private apartments, the 208 rooms and suites each have their own distinct style. The first six floors are immersed in a classical Haussmanien universe, complete with authentic furniture and high ceilings, while the seventh – recently redesigned by the agency Moinard and Bétaille – and eighth floors in Art Deco style pay homage to geometrics. The 52 rooms offer a breathtaking view of the elegant Avenue Montaigne.
Dior has had a close relationship with the Hotel Plaza Athénée since its inception in 1946. Christian Dior was enthusiastic about the hotel, which led to the establishment of the Dior Spa in 2008. Dior Spa, which exudes a modern and elegant atmosphere, is made up of six treatment rooms, one of which is double, and takes on Dior’s Haute Couture spirit on 30 avenue Montaigne to provide guests with high quality and bespoke service.
The Dior Spa’s philosophy is “the ultimate luxury experience for pure beauty,” emphasizing the exclusive experience similar to Haute Couture. The Dior Spa treatments are created, structured, and redefined for each guest, step by step, for instant and long-lasting rejuvenating results, a fantastical and deluxe experience that LUXXU cannot ignore.
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