Hôtel Le Bristol Paris

Hôtel Le Bristol Paris is a luxury hotel, located on 112 Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré in Paris.

History

* 1758: The history of Le Bristol begins with the construction of the Place de la Concorde (known as Place Louis XV at the time) and the embellishment of the Champs Elysées. These two efforts combined provide a new Prestige to the Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

* The Duke of Noailles sells the grounds on which Le Bristol is built today to one of King Louis XV's entrepreneurs. At the time of the sale, the lands in question were vast but deserted.

* A private hotel is built on these lands some years later. The Countess of Damas acquires the property and leaves it to her daughter, widow of Count Charles de Vogüé.

* 1829: The Vogüé Hotel is sold to an emblematic figure of the second empire, the Count of Castellane who redecorates the interior in the most luxurious and fairy tail way.

* Patron of dramatic arts, Jules de Castellane builds his own private theatre (today, the hotel's Winter Restaurant). The spectacular parties organized by the eccentric owner make this theatre a meeting place for high society members.

* 1923: After the First World War Hippolyte Jammet, the son of the owners of the famous "le Boeuf à La Mode" restaurant, acquires the hotel left abandoned by Jules de Castellane.

* 1925: The official opening of the Hotel Le Bristol takes place in April of 1925, during the Roaring 20s. The hotel is named after the Count of Bristol, a grand British traveler infatuated with luxury and famous for his demands for all kind of refined things in life.

* 1940: The world enters into the Second World War. Le Bristol, being the only hotel with an anti-gas shelter, signs an agreement with the United States Embassy and becomes the official residence for all American citizens in Paris at the time.

* During the conflict, Hippolyte Jammet protects many clients, some of which helped persecuted people to escape from their country.

* 1942: Beginning of 1942 the architect Mr Leman is illegally housed and hidden in one of the hotel's rooms. The information concerning his stay is mysteriously lost by the concierge's registry. During his stay Mr Leman supervises the embellishment of the hotel from his room.

* 1963: The well known American "Fielding's Travel Guide to Europe" ranks Le Bristol as being at the top of his favorite Parisian hotels... this marks another step in the history between the United States and the Bristol.

* 1974: Pierre Jammet, son and successor of Hippolyte decides to re-vamp the image of the palace's gastronomy.This operation proves to be a success when the hotel receives various prizes and is later awarded a famous trophy, the Kleber Colombes.

* 1975: Josephine Baker celebrates her 50th birthday at Le Bristol where she receives over 250 guests. This memorable night marked the last big party of the Jammet Era.

* 1978: Rudolf August Oetker, a German businessman becomes Le Bristol's owner. At the time he already possessed the Brenner's Park Hotel in Baden Baden and the Cap Eden Roc in Antibes. Later, he acquires the Park Hotel in Vitznau and the Château du Domaine Saint-Martin in Vence. These last hotels completed what is known today as the "Oetker Hotel Collection".

* 1979: The hotel expands with the construction of the Residence, which was previously the "Petites Soeurs of the Bonne Esperance" convent. This property was bought by Hippolyte Jammet in 1955. In the meantime two other Bristol symbols come to life: the pool and the vast French garden.

* 2004: Le Bristol works on valorizing their positioning and image. In order to do so, they create a new and original Graphic Chart. Green becomes the new color of the hotel to symbolize the hotel's garden. The hotel claims new values: an esthetic, generous, living, and stunning palace.

Characteristics

* 161 rooms including 73 suites, some with private terraces or balconies.
* 26 additional rooms by mid 2009
* A gastronomic restaurant supervised by Chef Eric Frechon nominated “Three Stars Espoir” in the Michelin Guide 2008 and who received the world renowned “Legion d’Honneur“ by the President of the French Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy, in March 2008.
* The garden (12,917 sq.ft), the biggest amongst the Parisian palaces.
* A swimming pool offers views on the Sacré Coeur and Paris’ rooftops.
* 5 air-conditioned modular meeting rooms, 4 of which overlook the garden.
* Fitness Center, massage parlour and a fully equipped gym.
* Anne Sémonin Spa.

Awards

* Hôtel Le Bristol won the coveted title of "Europe’s leading hotel" during the World Travel Awards 2007. [ [http://www.worldtravelawards.com/winners2007-8 World Travel Awards - Europe 2007 ] ]
* Member of the Leading Hotels of the world and of the "Comité Colbert".

References

External links

* [http://www.lebristolparis.com Hôtel Le Bristol Paris Official Website]
* [http://www.oetkerhotels.com Oetker Hotel Collection Official Website]
* [http://www.bookfinder.com/dir/i/Le_Bristol-Un_Palace_Dans_Son_Siecle/2842300572/ Le Bristol:"A palace hotel in its century" by Pierre Jammet]