As times evolve, this Parisian hotel stays true to its historic charms while treading into themes of modernity and sustainability with new inclusions
Photo: Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
Long before the advent of futuristic hotels with their shimmering lights and electronic leanings, in the 1900s, historic hotels vibrant with Parisian allure stood as the most iconic spots in France. A tribute to the Parisian culture of yesteryear, Le Bristol Paris is a revolutionary hotel placed in the beating heart of the French city; its spirit and décor merge Louis XV and XVI styles. Leah Marshall, general manager at Le Bristol, expresses how the hotel is garnering attention worldwide with its unconventional approach. “Our guests tell us that the hotel feels very welcoming, almost in the manner of a cozy boutique hotel,” she says. As she channels her decade-long experience in hospitality, the hotel is headed towards its 100th anniversary, reiterating its historical relevance with appearances in the Woody Allen movie Midnight in Paris, and proudly standing as a timeless pillar of Parisian heritage. “It is important to keep this strong French spirit, whether in the decoration of our rooms and suites or in the art de vivre details,” she says. “Being on the floor, interacting with as many guests as possible is my priority,” she comments on her daily routine. “The personalized experience is what it’s all about.”
Photo: Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
Since its unveiling in 1925, the hotel has undergone many style transitions. One that remains is its historic allure and intimate feel. With 120 housekeepers and florists diligently working through the days, the hotel warrants the marque of a home away from home. And as fashion houses and luxury hotels worldwide steer toward sustainable goals, Le Bristol has collaborated with organic skincare brand Kos Paris to cultivate a series of pillow sprays scented with the vibrant smells of lavender, freesia, sandalwood, and white musk. These flowery fragrances, alongside the Italian weavers who make the bedding linens, bring a sense of familiar comfort that many guests return for. “We like to serve as a precursor for new trends in the hospitality business,” says Marshall. “Our upcoming projects have the same vision: keep our precious DNA by adding touches of modernity.” As the hotel furthers its commitment toward sustainability, this Parisian palace is setting sky-high standards for luxury hotels across the city by adopting practices to make the world a better place.
Photo: Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
An ode to arts and cinema, Le Bristol inaugurated the Suite 1925 as a tribute to French dancer Josephine Baker. The sky apartment spans 117 square meters. While treading into cultural themes with their suites, Le Bristol takes large strides alongside fashion, becoming the first hotel to host a pop-up store of designer Gabriel Hearst in the French capital. With the ground floor lobby soon to be reimagined in the glittering spirit of Hearst, the oak shelves will echo the store’s designs, featuring a curated selection of handbags, accessories, and ready-to-wear outfits. Le Bristol was chosen as the destination for this auspicious pop-up store given the Uruguayan designer’s close ties to the hotel as she imagines it as her Parisian home.
Photo: Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
While Marshall carries the hotel’s historic appeal with pride, she believes that as times change it’s essential to evolve with them, as Le Bristol launches its evening bar adorned with contemporary decor and leopard print stools. Marshall is now bringing that edgy modernity through the hotel’s future projects, including room renovations under the watchful eye of well-known designer Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyld. “To reinvent itself, to dare to create and advance our era, those are the essential things in the life of a palace, even a historic one,” says Marshall. “Changing the rules, surprising our guests, and bringing a subversive and offbeat touch to spice up the most refined stays.”
Photo: Courtesy Le Bristol Paris
From €1060. Oetkercollection.com/hotels/le-bristol-paris
