And then there were 11. Atout France, the French tourism development agency, announced today that the Hotel de Crillon has joined the elite club of “palace hotels” in Paris. First established in 2010, the “palace” distinction is a cut above the five-star hotel rating; it recognizes properties that are in a class of their own, checking all the boxes when it comes to luxury facilities, personalized service, design, architectural heritage, and geographic location. The label lasts for a period of five years, when it can then be renewed.
First opened in 1909, the Crillon has welcomed the great and the good to this prestigious corner of the Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris. (The building itself dates to 1758; King Louis XV commissioned architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel to design what today is listed as a national historic landmark.)
The grande dame underwent a major four-year restoration overseen by architect Richard Martinet, reopening in July 2017 as a Rosewood Hotel. Highlights include suites designed by Karl Lagerfeld; L’Ecrin, the hotel’s gastronomic restaurant helmed by Chef Christopher Hache; Sense, A Rosewood Spa; the Hair Salon by David Lucas; and, last but not least, Les Ambassadeurs—possibly our favorite hotel bar in Paris.
The total number of palace hotels in France is 25. In Paris, they include Four Seasons Hotel George V, the Crillon, Hotel Plaza Athénée, La Reserve, Le Bristol, Le Meurice, Mandarin Oriental, Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme, Le Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris, Shangri-La Hotel Paris, and The Peninsula Paris.
Now, what about the Ritz?
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