After having been awarded our 5th star in June 2010, Hotel Le Bristol Paris - long-established as one of the leading luxury hotels - has now become the first French hotel to be officially granted ‘Palace’ status, at a ceremony held recently at the Pavilion Gabriel, in Paris. Frederic Lefebvre, Secretary of State for Trade, Crafts, Small Businesses, Tourism, Services, Liberal Professions and Consumption, presented the first ‘Palace’ plate personally, to Didier Le Calvez, Chairman and General Manager of Le Bristol.

Hotel Le Bristol Paris is the only European family-owned palace, having belonged to only two families since it opened in 1925. Le Bristol has been part of the ‘Oetker Collection’ since 1978, with the Brenner’s Park in Baden Baden, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, and the Chateau Saint Martin & Spa. Le Bristol represents the ultimate in French luxury and refinement, notably through its gastronomic restaurant, managed by top 3-star Chef Eric Frechon.

Didier Le Calvez, a reference in himself, has been active in the international luxury hotel industry for 35 years, 18 of which were with the prestige Four Seasons Group, in which he was Vice-President. Throughout his career, from the New York Plaza to the Singapore Regent, and including the Pierre in New-York and the Four Seasons George V in Paris, Didier Le Calvez has proved his ability to transform all the hotels he has managed into an example of excellence. This specialist in international luxury hotels has also received many awards. In 1995, he was voted ‘Hotel Manager of the Year’ by the American magazine Entry, and was also acknowledged by his peers as the ‘World’s Best Hotel Manager’ in 2006.

With exceptional financial support from the Oetker Group, in 2009, Le Bristol launched a large-scale renovation programme at a cost of more than 100 million euros. The Matignon wing was opened in September 2009, the renovation of the 36 rooms and suites in the garden-side wing was completed mid-2010, the total renovation of 45 rooms and suites will be completed by the end of May 2011, and the gastronomic restaurant, newly decorated under the supervision of Mrs Maja Oetker and Mr. Pierre Yves Rochon, and which opens out on to a 1200 m² French-style garden, will reopen in July 2011.

The Spa is being enlarged for July 2011 and is becoming multi-brand, with notably the highly awaited and exclusive presence in Le Bristol of a luxury brand whose name will soon be revealed, together with ‘By Terry’ cosmetics and ‘The Organic Pharmacy’ brand. A children’s space will also be created. Two Signature suites are being created for the month of June 2011: the Honeymoon suite, which will occupy the entire top floor of the hotel, with a superb panoramic view over Paris, and the Imperial suite of 300 m².

According to Didier Le Calvez, “In a highly competitive environment, this distinction will valorize exceptional hotels like Le Bristol on the international scene. This award wouldn’t have been possible without the confidence and the regular investments made by the Oetker Group since 1978, and Le Bristol’s staff, who work hard to be the best, every day.”

He added: “The ‘Palace’ status enhances French influence abroad and confirms Le Bristol’s position as an exceptional hotel. We are very proud to be the first to be awarded this distinction and I would like to thank Mr. Frederic Lefebvre, the members of the jury, who were extremely demanding, and also Atout France.”