Paris is still in the midst of recovery from the terror attacks. I have brought together the top General Managers of the most prestigious hotels in Paris to give insight into how the tourism industry has been affected and what security measures were taken.
They
were gracious enough to share their candid thoughts, how
they are moving forward and what some of
their favorite things in Paris are.
Their
resilience, grace and hospitality will resonate in years to come.
Following is an excerpt of the responses from the
esteemed panel I had the honor to interview:
Didier
Le Calvez, Le Bristol Paris (& COO of Oetker Collection)
Franka
Holtmann, Le Meurice Paris
Frédéric
Picard, La Réserve Paris
Philippe
Leboeuf, Mandarin Oriental Paris
Nicolas
Béliard, The
Peninsula Paris
Christian
Boyens, Ritz
Paris
JB: What security
measures did your hotel take for the guests and staff in the aftermath of the
attack?
Didier
Le Calvez (DLC): We have closed all annex doors and left only the main entrance
available for guests to come in. All bags were also systematically checked when
entering the hotel and the restaurants.
We
are quite fortunate to be located next to Place Bauveau and the Élysée Palace,
which makes us probably the most secure hotel in Paris. We benefit from all the
security procedures in place to protect the road. For this reason, we didn’t
put any extravagant security procedures in place.
Nicolas
Béliard (NB): The safety of our
guests and employees is our utmost priority and the hotel’s management team is
taking every possible precaution to ensure their security. Following the
attacks, a range of enhanced measures have been put in place including security
checks when entering the hotel and around the building.
Philippe Leboeuf (PL): We already had a
demanding security policy, but we needed to take extra measures like backpack
searches to all guests and staff coming inside the hotel, add security agents,
identifications of all luggage, etc.
Christian Boyens (CB): Paris was shaken up
by the attacks of November 13th but the culture of the Parisians can't be
changed. Today, the bistros and cafes are once again filled and the terraces
packed. There is clearly an immediate impact on the hotels and its staff
members as many visitors cancelled or delayed their trip into the City of
Lights. Security measures are being reviewed and staff properly trained.
Frédéric
Picard (FP): We have
increased the level of security by adding additional security guards. Having
said that, we are a stone’s throw from the Élysée Palace (our French White house) and, therefore, the
area is very well secured.
JB:
How is business now and, moving forward, what are you doing to give clients a
comfort level?
PL: The attacks were a shock
and we had immediate cancellations. Paris’s occupancy rate fell
by 20 percent on Saturday, November 14 from Friday and an additional 20 percent
on Sunday, November 15 the most recent days for which figures were
available.
COP
21(Paris Climate Conference) helped us to move forward with a good occupancy
rate. This international event has given a very positive sign and showed
how Paris was able to welcome an international event and hundreds of
statesmen without any security problem.
DLC: Of course, business
has been down since the terrible event for hotels in Paris which amount to a
loss of about 25% so far. However, the COP 21 summit that was held this month
has been a success in terms of security. Seeing the Head of States from all
around the world staying in Paris has sent a very positive message to the
entire world. The city is now back on its feet, Parisians are going out and
getting back to their daily routine, preparing for the festive season with
shopping and night outs in bars and bistros around town.
NB: Business is doing well
since Paris hosted the COP 21 conference and the festive season is starting.
We are fortunate to have sophisticated technology and CCTV features
and a very well trained team of security officers.
JB:
What is the current mood in Paris right now?
Franka
Holtmann(FH):
We still have the energy to fight and to do our utmost to take the best
care of those clients who are staying with us in order to make sure they have a
memorable visit.
NB: Christmas is just
around the corner and life goes on. As a matter of fact, you do not really feel
anything different; all stores and streets are brightened up with Christmas
decorations and lighting and Parisians do their Christmas shopping and prepare
to celebrate with their loved ones. Surveillance has been reinforced, but is
scarcely perceptible though omnipresent. You can feel that people are enjoying
the festive season. You can feel that everyone is full of anticipation and
there is a strong sense of community.
CB: Paris is Paris and will
also rebound after these most unfortunate incidents. There is a great sense of
community among the Parisians to weather the storm.
DLC: There is definitely
a sense of defiance; Parisians are committed to not let themselves get
intimidated. Terror and terrorists are everywhere in the world and can be
anywhere. What we notice since the attack is a great sense of nationalism with
people buying the French flags more and singing La Marseillaise at any
public event and gatherings. They pride themselves to be the keeper of
Western customs and lifestyle.
PL: People are moving
forward. The festive season will, hopefully, help people to forget their fears.
FP: We have to face the
challenging time and we all stand up and return to business. Paris is a great
city and all efforts from all of us in the hospitality business is to reinforce
our position.
JB:
What is your favorite thing to do in Paris?
DLC: I love spending
time with my children and strolling around Paris’ gardens. I do think that
Paris is a very child-friendly city with many public and open spaces for kids
to discover. I like to discover museums and exhibitions that come to the
capital and, of course, sitting in a bistro with my family.
NB: The simplest things are
often the nicest. I very much like going for a Sunday family walk in Paris
enjoying the Seine River and the beautiful Parisian monuments. Going for an
early morning run when the city is still sleeping is something I am very much
taking delight in, feeling privileged to have Paris to myself.
PL: A long walk taking
in the Tuileries gardens, and the grounds of the Louvre which are a few steps
away from the Mandarin Oriental Paris. I then like to walk along the
Seine to Notre Dame and then up the Left Bank and across Pont Alexandre III.
Walking along the river is the best way to take in the beauty of Paris. Even if
it rains, it is still romantic. Paris is all about romance!
FP: Going to the
Christmas market on the Champs-Élysées, running on the Seine
Bank in the evening and enjoying the City of Lights.
CB: Musée Jacquemart-André (8ieme) is one of the most underrated museum in Paris and one
that I enjoy visiting.
JB:
What is one of your favorite restaurants in Paris?
FP: My favorite
restaurant? Difficult to answer because there are plenty of them from bistros
to 3 star Michelin. I would recommend the brunch at Mama Shelter with the
family because the atmosphere is great and the food is casual, but exactly what
you need during family time.
CB: Soma, Septime and Verjus
are 3 of my favorites.
NB: Atelier Vivanda for
its traditional French bistro atmosphere.
JB:
Anything new and exciting in the hotel?
DLC: In 2016, we will
entirely refurbish the lobby bar, Le Jardin Francais, into a lovely tea
room and lounge for the guests to enjoy a peaceful and refined moment with
us. For gastronomy and wine aficionados, Wine Mondays will be held at the
1 Michelin star brasserie 114 Faubourg offering guests the exclusivity
to discover a French winemaker recommended by Le Bristol’s head
sommelier, Marco Pelletier.
FP: We have created
with Patrick Roger (the best chocolate maker in France) our Christmas
log based on the Christmas baubles at La Réserve
Paris. This coming year, we are going to provide a
fantastic calendar of events called ACE based on Art, Culture and Emotion
and every month we will bring together events based on these 3 elements.
PL: The Cake Shop at
the Mandarin Oriental Paris has been redesigned by French artist, Mambo.
The new visual identity was revealed last September together with
limited-edition pastry boxes, bags and cups created by the artist. In
March 2016, Guerlain will redesign one of our 7 spa suites and we also
plan to install a kitchen garden on the roof offering dining experiences.
CB: As you know, we are
taking reservations now at the Ritz Paris for the March 14, 2016 opening.
We will have heated terraces, the first ever Chanel au Ritz Paris Spa,
the Ritz Escoffier cooking school with 3 training kitchens and
retractable roofs for our outdoor restaurants.
FH:
Since
Le Meurice Paris is very much into the arts, we have taken advantage of
the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Musée
d’Art Moderne and created a ‘Pope of Pop’ special
pop art menu in honor of this U.S. artist. On the menu is the traditional hamburger
with new ‘energy’ and choux pastries in a range of disco colors.
JB:
What Christmas gift would you like to receive?
PL: Books! I love books
(literature, biographies, etc.).
FP: A cruise in Antarctica
with my family.
To
my extraordinary partners, merci beaucoup!
Please
contact Jody Bear for exclusive promotions and activities at these iconic
hotels.
Vive
le France!
 |
Top row: Didier Le Calvez and Steven Bear (co-president of Bear & Bear Travel), Franka Holtmann and Jody, Frederic Picard and Jody.
Bottom row: Phillipe Leboeuf and Jody, Nicolas Beliard and Jody, Christian Boyens and Jody.
|
