Following an extensive four-year restoration and marking the debut of The Peninsula Hotels into Europe, the newest hotel in The Peninsula Hotels' portfolio, The Peninsula Paris, opened today and welcomed its first guests.
The Peninsula Paris (Photo: Business Wire)
The Peninsula celebrated its opening with a speech by guest of honour Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, followed by an early-afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony and traditional Chinese lion dance honouring The Peninsula Hotels' Asian heritage. Cutting the ribbon to launch the hotel was guest of honour Fleur Pellerin, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad, together with Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality, Clement Kwok, CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) and Nicolas Béliard, General Manager of The Peninsula Paris.
Mr Clement Kwok said, "I am excited and proud to announce the latest addition to The Peninsula Hotels' family, The Peninsula Paris. This will be our tenth Peninsula hotel but only our first hotel in Europe. Together with our partners Katara Hospitality, it has taken four years to design and build this magnificent contemporary hotel, with state-of-the-art facilities, within this beautiful historic building which as a result has been restored to its former glory. As a company, HSH is genuinely committed to the long term and focuses on developing, as an owner-operator, a small number of the highest quality Peninsula hotels in the most prime locations in key international gateway cities. After many years of searching for a suitable project in Europe, I am delighted that we are making our entry in one of the most magical cities in the world, Paris."
"We are thrilled to welcome our first guests today. My team and I have watched this project evolve, from a lifeless building to a worksite, and ultimately to the magnificent structure you see before you we have worked together to give this historic building a new life," added General Manager of The Peninsula Paris, Nicolas Béliard. "I am especially proud today to be surrounded by my team to announce the official opening of The Peninsula Paris hotel and see it brought to life with the arrival of our first guests."
Both Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, and Fleur Pellerin, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroads, highlighted how important these investments are to drive growth and create full-time employment, and to showcase the French savoir-faire and patrimony.
They stressed that the opening of this hotel has already created 530 full-time jobs, a figure due to increase to 600 by the end of the year, in addition to the 3,000 workers, master craftsmen, architects, etc. who have worked on the restoration of this Parisian architectural jewel.
They added that the choice of France and Paris for the first entry into Europe by this international group highlights this destination as the leading tourist destination in the world.
With 200 rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, expansive terraces - including one on the rooftop with a 360° view of Paris and its most beautiful monuments luxury boutiques, the Peninsula Spa and private reception rooms, The Peninsula Paris brings a new level of opulence and comfort to the luxury hospitality offerings in the City of Light. As a hotel group renowned for its sense of service, gastronomy, in-room technology and eclectic transportation offerings, The Peninsula Paris located at 19 Avenue Kléber in the heart of the elegant 16th arrondissement is proud to open its doors to Parisians and international guests visiting the city.
Meanwhile The Peninsula hotels around the world mark the opening of sister hotel The Peninsula Paris, French style and art de vivre with a celebration of all things French a collection of French-themed afternoon teas, patisseries, movies, spa promotions and more.
About The Peninsula Paris
The Peninsula Paris is a joint venture between Katara Hospitality and The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH).
About Katara Hospitality
Katara Hospitality is a global hotel owner, developer and operator, based in Qatar. With over 40 years' experience in the industry, Katara Hospitality actively pursues its strategic expansion plans by investing in peerless hotels in Qatar while growing its collection of iconic properties in key international markets. Katara Hospitality has set a target of owning and or managing 30 hotels by 2016 and 30 more over the following decade. Aiming to become one of the leading hospitality organisations in the world, the company is supporting Qatar's long term economic vision.
Katara Hospitality currently owns properties spread across three continents: Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand. While partnering with some of the finest hotel operators, Katara Hospitality also owns its own operator brands: The Bürgenstock Selection and Merweb Hotels.
www.katarahospitality.com
About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH)
Incorporated in 1866 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (00045), The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development, and management of prestigious hotels and commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, club management and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Bangkok, The Peninsula Manila, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, and The Peninsula Paris. Projects under development include The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Yangon. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower, The Peninsula Office Tower and St. John's Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 1-5 Grosvenor Place in London, UK, and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The clubs and services portfolio of the Group includes The Peak Tram in Hong Kong; Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand; Quail Lodge Golf Club in Carmel, California; Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.
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Contacts:
The Peninsula Paris
Ms Anne-Sophie Bonnisseau, +33-1-5812-6605
Director of Communications
annesophiebonnisseau@peninsula.com
Fax: +33-1-5812-9999
www.peninsula.com/paris
