Plaza Athénée
1867 saw the opening of the Grand Hôtel Athénée on Rue Scribe by Louis Raphaël Bischoffsheim to provide accommodation to the guests of the Athénée Theatre. On 20 April 1913 the "Plaza Athénée" opened at 25 Avenue Montaigne, designed by French architect Théophile Bradeau. In 2000, the world-famous Alain Ducasse chose the Plaza Athénée to establish his Haute Cuisine restaurant.
How the Stage was Set
1867 saw the opening of the Grand Hôtel Athénée on Rue Scribe by Louis Raphaël Bischoffsheim to provide accommodation to the guests of the Athénée Theatre.
In 1911, Jules Cadillat planned to open the Hôtel Plaza on Avenue Montaigne, close to the future Théâtre des Champs Elysées
On 1 April 1913 the planned opening was delayed because of a conflict of the suggested name. Athénée manager Emile Armbruster added the name ‘Athénée’, after the hotel had recently closed.
Finally, on 20 April 1913 the "Plaza Athénée" opened at 25 Avenue Montaigne, designed by the French architect Théophile Bradeau. Designed to spend the evening after a show, it became the meeting place of music composers and performers. The sixth floor was reserved for families.
Jules Cadillat contacted chef Jacques-Léon Colombier for the restaurant
1920s - The hotel doubled its size, stretching from 21 to 27 Avenue Montaigne
Opening of the Courtyard Garden, Le Régence and Marie-Antoinette lounges designed by Jules Lefèvre
1934 - Plaza Athénée closed its doors
La Séquanaise bought the building
1936 - François Dupré bought the name ‘Hotel Plaza Athénée’
Reopening of the hotel
Opening of Le Relais Plaza, an Art Decó ‘chic bistro’, designed by Constant
Lefranc
The rooms on the seventh floor were turned into studio apartments
1939 - The occupying German forces requisitioned the hotel
The staff secured the wine, linen, tapestries and silverware
1947 - Opening of Christian Dior boutique on Avenue Montaigne to be close to the Plaza Athénée, becoming his second home
1963 - A major programme of renovations took place
1968 - Protest against the sale of the hotel
The hotel was purchased by The Forte Group
1995 - Renovation of Le Régence, Le Relais Plaza, La Cour Jardin and La Galerie des Gobelins
1979 - Redecoration of the hotel, reflecting events and festivities in other countries
1996 - The Forte Group sold the hotel to Granada
1997 - The Plaza Athénée was purchased by the Sultanate of Brunei
2000 - Plaza Athénée´s full renovation
Opening of Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée
2001 - Dorchester Collection started to manage the hotel on the behalf of the Brunei Investment Agency
Opening of Le Bar du Plaza Athénée designed by Patrick Jouin, the first trendy bar in a luxurious hotel
2003 - Brunei Investment Agency purchased the hotel buildings. Redecoration of the bedrooms
Redecoration of Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée by Patrick Jouin in a modernized Louis XV style
2005 - Creation of the Royale Suite
2006 - Creation of the Terrasse Eiffel Suite
2008 - Opening of the Dior Institut at the Plaza Athénée on the third floor, the first one in France
Inauguration of two suites and a bedroom designed by Marie-José Pommereau. Renovation of La Galerie des Gobelins
May 2011 - The Plaza Athénée obtained the official distinction as a ‘palace’ hotel, at the first session
Famous guests who have stayed at the Athénée over the years include: Josephine Baker Rudolph Valentino Grace Kelly Gary Cooper Jackie Kennedy Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen Matt Lauer Oprah Winfrry Salma Hayak Penelope Cruz.
The final episodes of the American TV series “Sex and the City” were filmed at the hotel.
146 rooms and junior suites and 45 suites Rooms
45 suites: Superior, Deluxe, Prestige and Presidential Suites
Among the room features: High definition flat screen television in all rooms and plasma screens in all suites ------ Broadcast TV system : offering more than 120 channels in 18 different languages, 200 films on request, a juke box with 5000 titles, Internet access, 20 international radio channels and several video games ------ DVD player ------ High speed Internet ------ Telephone with two lines, including a direct-line with mailbox • Large safe • Fax in all suites
Restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée - Haute cuisine ------ Le Relais Plaza - classic French fare ------ La Cour Jardin - exciting summer dishes ------ Le Bar du Plaza Athénée = A Parisian meeting point ------ La Galerie des Gobelins ------ La Terrasse Montaigne - a splash of greenery on Avenue Montaigne
Alain Ducasse chose the hotel for his eponymous restaurant so gastronomy should be at the top of your to-do list. He is currently the only chef within the Michelin Guide to hold three stars (the top ranking) in three different countries. Moreover, this isn't called the 'Golden Triangle' for no reason. Luxury shopping abounds in the neighbourhood. On Avenue Montaigne alone there are 50 haute couture and fashion houses. Added to this wealth of choice are fabulous restaurants and bars in neighboring streets.
Fitness centre ------ Sauna and steam room