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by N. A. Ross.
Hotel Ritz
15 Place Vendôme
75041 Paris
(33-1) 43-16-3030
 The Ritz, is a name synonymous with opulence at the top tier of the hotelier’s art. Developed from an 18th century private residence by the famous César Ritz, the Swiss hotel manager responsible for the rise to fame of The Savoy and a number of other famous hostelries, the Ritz in Paris, was supposed to be the crown jewel of Mr. Ritz’s hotel empire and it is arguably the best and most exclusive European hotel today. The Ritz is not just any hotel, it is “the original” that most other luxury properties try to emulate.
Constantly refurbished and updated, the Ritz is a building where the past mingles with the present in an exquisite way. The physical plant is grand reminding of the palaces of French aristocracy. Classic haute architecture with gilded details, marbled public rooms and flower-filled courtyards make you expect one of of the Louis’ to appear just around the corner of a magnificent corridor with his entire retinue. Alas, there are no French Kings left, but the hotel is still the residence of visiting dignitaries, members of the royal houses of Europe, monarchs from the Arabian dessert and political leaders, captains of industry and finance and giants of the arts and entertainment from around the world.
 Ritz is also the home of L’ Espadon, a restaurant presided over, at its creation, by the other member of the famous hotel management team, the Master Chef Auguste Escoffier, the culinary creative genius who left his mark on both French and Interational cuisine and authored Le Guide Culinaire, the “Bible” of the culinary arts. In the late 80s the hotel kitchens, that serve not only L’ Espadon, but the dining room, room service and the other food requirements of the hotel, were totally renovated and updated by digging three or four stories below the property (since there is no other way for expansion, except below the structure or under the Place Vendôme). At the same time, space was created for a dazzling Roman style swimming pool surrounded by columns and murals, a squash court, a health club, a salon de beauté, the Ritz Culinary School (Ritz-Escoffier École de Gastronomie Française) that offers classes at a variety of levels, from half day demonstrations to a 30 week Grand Diplôme program, and other spaces.
 In the summer, afternoon tea, cocktails and light meals are served in the garden, to the accompaniment of a very gifted harpist.
A long corridor leads to Rue Cambon, where Coco Chanel had her shop. It is a great glittering way of illuminated store cases, from some of the most prestigious Parisian establishments. By the way, Coco Chanel was a permanent resident of the Ritz and her suite, now renovated, remains as a tribute to the fashion genius. My suite was a rococo marvel with brocaded walls, an extraordinary king-size bed, huge sitting room and a marble bathroom with gilded swan shaped faucets. Little panels and bedside buttons summon the valet, the waiter or the femme de chambre, bringing immediate attention. There is even a thermometer mounted outside the window to show the exterior temperature.
© October 2002 LuxuryWeb Magazine. All rights reserved.
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