As 50 governors across the US continue to issue 50 unique and independent stay-at-home orders to us their citizenry, it seems fitting to take a look back at two makeovers of Paris's most iconic and luxurious hotels, the beloved Ritz Paris and Hôtel de Crillon.
During this historic healthcare crisis, it makes one wonder if the world will ever be the same, especially the world of travel. The owners of these two celebrated properties invested hundreds of millions to refurbish and modernize their properties to attract and host the world's richest, most demanding traveler … but, will they still come in this new milieu?
So, what do the ritziest hotels in the world do when they begin to lose their edge (and market share) like any other average luxe hotelier (proving themselves human)? They become even ritzier, embracing the new while preserving a sense of place.
Paris Ritz left nostalgia behind for the also-rans to cling to, and the results were spectacular and sui generis. The Ritz in Paris, the City of Lights, is shining even brighter than ever, thanks to a 4-year, $420 million dollar renovation, while retaining that understated sense of élan. Since 1898 it has served as the world’s who’s who and the richest of the rich.
Make no mistake, with the kids playing online games all hours of the night, wifie working overtime to keep it tight on the elliptical, and hubs re-reading the last six months of Cigar Aficionado, a reminder of monumental Paris Ritz reno couldn’t hurt (much like that hand sanitizer).
