THE PLAZA ATHENEE

LUXURY & STYLE

Luxury has a pure state. One of the most prestigious addresses in Paris is certainly 25 avenue Montaigne; the Plaza Athénée. This hotel, considered a mythical place, has moved with the times for almost a century already.

Renovated in 2000, it is constantly on the lookout for novelties pleasing the Parisians and tourists who stay in this luxury hotel.

In 1911, at n° 25 Avenue Montaigne; the Plaza Athénée was inaugurated not far from the Champs Elysées Theater. As a matter of course, it became the gathering place for great musical masters; composers and performers.

Christian Dior moved to Avenue Montaigne to be close to the Plaza Athénée. A new era began. Avenue Montaigne became the avenue of haute couture and the Plaza Athénée became the hotel of fashion and art. From Grace Kelly to Gary Cooper, from Jackie Kennedy to the Ford family, the Plaza Athénée is the inescapable reference!

In total, there are 5000 people divided between restaurant, bar, rooms, florist, laundry, etc, who contribute to the well-being of the clientele. Patrick Jouin’s decoration is one of the strong points of the establishment. He collaborated notably with Starck, redesigning part of the hotel’s restaurant combining innovation with tradition.

Another famous name at the Plaza Athénée is Alain Ducasse, whose name graces the restaurant. With his collaborator Christophe Moret, they always present a contemporary cuisine always leaving a portion of authenticity. Today, the Plaza Athénée has 145 rooms and 43 suites, all having splendid views.

From Joséphine Baker to Gary Cooper and then from Grace Kelly to Jackie Kennedy and now Paris Hilton, all of them have been wild about this hotel. A real luxurious house, the team puts everything in place to satisfy the guests: sumptuous rooms and suites, restaurants, bar and a skating rink… Let’s take a guided visit:

The hotel :

The 146 rooms and 45 suites have several views, for some, rows of chestnut trees along Avenue Montaigne, for others, the charming garden courtyard with its Virginia ivy and geraniums. Sometimes guests are lucky enough to have a view of the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and the roofs of Paris from the sunny terraces on the 6th floor.

The rooms and suites on the first six floors are decorated in the pure classical French style: Louis XV, XVI and Regency style furniture, reissued fabrics after the original from the XVIII century, mouldings, chimneys, splendour and harmony… The 7th and 8th floors are dedicated to the style Art Déco and for the elegance of this luxury hotel, great fashion designers’ sketches decorate the hallways and suites.

The absolute must … A Royal suite of 550 m² which looks onto avenue Montaigne. In fact, it is a duplex with a private fitness room and view of the Eiffel Tower or a private terrace with a superb view over the roofs of Paris. The Plaza Athénée is an exceptional hotel; a dream of luxury…

Elegance, charm and sophistication describe this luxuriously decorated little chateau perfectly.

RESTAURANT AND BAR

In the Plaza Athénée, the joys of the palace are celebrated, cultivated and savoured in six ways: six places, six ambiances and there are as many opportunities to combine the art of living and culinary arts at any hour and any season.

Alain Ducasse’s gourmet restaurant in the Plaza Athénée exalts the art of entertaining in a pure Louis XV style. A seasonal cuisine with pure and natural flavours. One can taste a summer cuisine from the Grand Sud here, safe from the Parisian whirlwind.

Pastry lovers meet at teatime in La Galerie des Gobelins for a fine gourmet visit with harp music in the air.

Situated facing one the most beautiful and luxurious avenues of Paris, The Terrace Montaigne is a place of greenery. Behind a box hedge, you can taste a light and refined cuisine.

Elegant, contemporary, innovating and charged with history, the Plaza Athénée bar proposes a selection of concept drinks created by Thierry Hernandez. It is the place to be… and to be seen. It is the most audacious bar in the capital, again the place to be, and be seen.

In a cordial atmosphere, out of time and so very elegant, the bar is divided into two parts in a progressive manner: the bar which recalls an immense iceberg and then a cosy part, with leather armchairs, painting and hand woven carpets.

Forever trying to surprise, the Plaza Athénée bar presents a «digital menu» which allows you choose your cocktail in an amusing way.

The bar is open every day from 6pm to 2am.

Tel: 01 53 67 66 00

The most: THE HOTEL PLAZA ATHENEE’s SKATING RINK

Big and small alike, they’ll all come to skate this winter in the Cour Jardin of the hotel Plaza Athénée!

That’s it, the rink is now part of the Christmas tradition at the Plaza Athénée,

The Cour Jardin will be transformed into ice, for the third year running, until January 31, 2008. Once again the hotel shows its pioneering spirit with a 100m² rink installed in the middle of the Cour Jardin. Guests will be able to enjoy skating with their children and take a tea or pastry in the Galerie des Gobelins. To improve your skills on ice, a skating instructor will be on hand to give you lessons.

www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

By Farouk CHEKOUFI