PARIS – We covered the grand re-opening of the Hôtel de Crillon at The Belgrave Journal in 2017, but in light of Karl Lagerfeld‘s recent passing away, thought it appropriate to have another look, as the late designer worked on the most extravagant suites on the property.
The historic luxury hotel, located at the foot of the Champs-Élysées, opened in 1909 in a building that dates back to 1758. The Crillon is one of two identical stone palaces on the Place de la Concorde and has been listed since 1900 as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture. Today it is a grand space with 78 guest rooms and 46 suites, along with three restaurants, a bar, outdoor terrace, gym and health club.
In March 2013, Hôtel de Crillon was closed for a series of renovations led by Aline Asmar d’Amman to modernize the space, adding modern styles and amenities to the hotel’s protected landmark features which included the 19th-century grand staircase and salons. During the renovations, a beautiful cloudscape was added to the landmarked ceiling of Les Ambassadeurs Bar, and the living room in the Duc de Crillon suite (above left), had its hand-painted walls restored.
Tristan Auer, Chahan Minassian, Cyril Vergniol and Karl Lagerfeld worked alongside d’Amman on this project, with Lagerfeld designing Les Grands Apartements, the most extravagant suites on the property. The 2013 renovations lasted until July 2017.
To illustrate Lagerfeld’s amazing attention to detail, the designer personally chose each piece of crystal in the chandelier in the dining room of one of the Rococo-style suites he designed (below left). The rug features a tie-dye effect created by metal hammered in by hand. The bath in one his suites at the Crillon (below right) was carved from a single block of rare Arabescato Fantastico marble, its shape inspired by fountains at the Vatican.
In September 2018, the Crillon was officially designated by Atout France as a Palace grade of hotel.
