STORIES AND NEWS
Hotel Plaza Athénée celebrates its 110th anniversary
This year, the Hotel Plaza Athénée is celebrating its 110th anniversary – an opportunity to revisit the key moments of a now emblematic destination on Avenue Montaigne
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The hotel and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées were inaugurated in 1913 on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne – just a few steps from the banks of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. The Hotel Plaza Athénée quickly became one of the most sought-after addresses in the French capital. Nestled among the avenue’s fashion houses, the hotel offered bespoke services to guests, carving out a Haute Couture positioning, and in 2011 it received the distinction of “Palace.”
HISTORY:
The hotel chose the motto “Once upon a time, the palace of tomorrow” to reflect the last 110 years. With over 100 years of history that have shaped its identity, the Hotel Plaza Athénée has hosted the world’s most famous people, from singers to actors, designers, and celebrities at this Parisian haute couture address.
Christian Dior always had a close relationship with the Hotel Plaza Athénée, which was further strengthened in 2008 with the opening of the Dior Spa. Dreaming of an elegant and cosmopolitan clientele, many of whom were staying at the hotel, he acquired a building at 30 Avenue Montaigne. Since then, these two prominent addresses have stood face to face on this elegant Parisian avenue.
In the 1950s, Marlene Dietrich, a regular guest at the hotel, met Jean Gabin at a dinner at the Relais du Plaza. She bought an apartment on Avenue Montaigne, across from the hotel and, in memory of their meeting, Jean Gabin asked the concierge to decorate the balcony with hundreds of red roses, visible from Marlene Dietrich’s apartment. Since then, all balconies have been adorned with red geraniums and red has become the hotel’s emblematic color.
DINING:
The Hotel Plaza Athénée offers a unique and special atmosphere in each of its restaurants. Since September 2021, chef Jean Imbert has overseen all the hotel’s restaurants. Founded in 1936, the elegant brasserie Le Relais Plaza has become a key address in the capital. The original Art Deco design has been preserved, including the original mural of Diana the Huntress, a large chandelier, and tiles adorned with the signs of the zodiac. Inspired by his grandmother and by the values he cherishes, Jean Imbert offers a cuisine composed of iconic dishes and new creations of Parisian brasserie cooking.
In January 2022, the hotel opened the doors to a new gastronomic restaurant, Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée. The cuisine revives the splendor of French culinary art, inspired by the classical repertoire and the recipes that marked great gastronomic moments around the world. The décor was conceived by award-winning French interior designer Rémi Téssier. Just nine weeks after opening, the restaurant received its first Michelin star.
Combining nature and light, La Galerie is an ideal place to dine at any time of the day – with the latest seasonal gourmet creations from pastry chefs Angelo Musa (Best Craftsman of France and world champion) and Elisabeth Hot. La Cour Jardin – the courtyard garden – transforms into a pop-up restaurant in the summer. On the menu, Jean Imbert showcases products that respect the seasons and pay tribute to the partners he has worked with for many years, such as horticulturists, fishermen, and growers.
In winter, La Cour Jardin is covered in ice to host a children’s skating rink of nearly 100 m2. Last year, Le Chalet du Plaza Athénée offered a menu crafted by chef Jean Imbert featuring various types of fondue – a classic of the Savoyard winter. With its dreamlike décor, the hotel bar immerses guests in an unparalleled atmosphere. The bar sits beneath a ceiling of irregular fabric panels, reminiscent of the curtains of a haute couture gown. Since October 2018, it has also housed an exceptional wine cellar with nearly sixty rare bottles of Dom Pérignon, including Vintage, P2, P3, Magnum, Jeroboam, and Methuselah, both white and rosé.
ROOMS AND SUITES:
With 154 rooms and 54 suites, all 208 accommodations are individually and exclusively designed in elegant tones with delicate embroidery and lush silk for the curtains, armchairs, and beds. The Eiffel Haute Couture Suite offers stunning views of the Eiffel Tower, like a framed work of art. Harmonious grays and pinks, refined moldings, embroidered cushions, and rich fabrics give this suite a unique style and timeless elegance.
The first six floors are immersed in a classic Haussmannian universe, while the seventh was recently redecorated by Moinard-Bétaille. The Parisian duo Bruno Moinard and Claire Bétaille took on the challenge of combining existing elements with innovative design to provide guests with a new visual experience.
Over the past 110 years, many films and series have been shot at the hotel, from Sex and the City to Emily in Paris: Sex and the City (2004) – directed by Timothy Van Patten and starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall; The Devil Wears Prada (2006) – directed by David Frankel and starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway; Emily in Paris (seasons 1 and 2) – (2020/2021) – created by Darren Star and starring Lily Collins.
FESTIVITIES PROGRAM:
Throughout the year, the hotel offers visual and gastronomic surprises to its guests.
In April: a celebration throughout the hotel marking the 110th anniversary since the hotel’s inauguration on April 20, 1913. It will be a day of festivities in all of the hotel’s food and beverage spaces, with special menus and entertainment during dinner. There will be musical performances throughout the hotel as guests enter the lobby. The hotel will be decorated with a temporary festive scenography and an artwork will be installed in the entrance hall, in partnership with a paper designer.
In May: the Red Week will be dedicated to the iconic color of the Hotel Plaza Athénée. Our florists will use their creativity to create red floral arrangements and decorate all areas of the hotel. The emblematic red carpet will be laid out from the hotel entrance and run through the lobby to the entrance of La Galerie. The team will be dressed in elegant red dresses or wearing floral brooches in the hue of the hotel’s famous geranium. This will also be an opportunity to celebrate the reinstallation of geraniums on the hotel’s façade.
In July and during Fashion Week: an urban scenography will be installed in front of the hotel, representing a fashion show runway during Fashion Week. Life-size silhouettes of models, showcasing haute couture outfits, will adorn the hotel’s façade. Inside, custom-made haute couture dresses by designers will be on display. The Hotel Plaza Athénée collaborated with an association of artisans and designers to create 6 bespoke haute couture dresses for the hotel. These dresses will be exhibited in the common areas during Fashion Week, highlighting the hotel’s close connection to fashion and supporting French artisans and know-how.
