Detailed Review
The Hospes Lancaster Hotel is the most charming hotel on the Champs-Elysées unveils the magic of its past splendour brought up to date by the inspiration of Grace Leo Andrieu, that of a nineteenth century town house, a haven of peace and quiet where our guests may relax after a busy day in the city.
The renovation followed a long and detailed plan evolved round the central idea of keeping the essential soul of the place which gave it its charm. Research done on eighteenth and nineteenth century documents produced designs for wall hangings and curtains. A choice of 70 designs were selected from Braquenié and Pierre Frey. The antique furniture was completely restored by specialised master craftsmen.
The Hospes Lancaster Hotel is an exclusive hotel boutique built in 1889 and the high expression of refined Parisian culture. With only 60 rooms, including 11 suites situated around a zen-like courtyard garden, this mini-palace takes pride in the tranquillity and discretion it offers its guests. An exceptional collection of French antiques and paintings gives the feeling of the most elegant and exceptional environment. The Hospes Lancaster Hotel counts with one Michelin Star restaurant, La Table du Lancaster, run under the talent of French master chef, Michel Troisgros. His inspiration gives life to the most exquisite creative cuisine, a combination of traditional French cuisine with an oriental touch and a prominence of slightly sour notes.
Press Quotes
"A restored marble staircase and numerous clocks from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries give the public spaces character." Conde Nast Traveler 07
"Supremely elegant townhouse hotel, favoured by those wanting discreet luxury." Telegraph 06
"A beautiful townhouse just off the Champs-Elysées, the Hôtel Lancaster…is a feast for the senses." The Times 06
Independent Reviews
-
The Lancaster
By Jamie Dunford WoodThe Lancaster is one of the most charming and elegantly restored townhouse hotels in Paris. The Lancaster is a jewel, with a small chinese garden for outdoor dining, and exquisite meeting room, a small drawing room and 57 panelled and harmoniously decored guestrooms. Fabrics are well chosen and in muted colours - greys, pale yellows, creams and dusty pinks - with a smattering of chinoiserie, fine prints and pictures, antique faded mirrors, and good antique or repro furniture. Some have fireplaces, many have high ceilings.
The only problem is the immediate neighbourhood. This would be everbody's favourite hotel if it was in the Place des Vosges, or even just 300 metres further south, across the Champs Elysees in one of the grand avenues amongst its leafy cousins, the George V and the Plaza Athenee. In the wider scheme of things, of course, its position just metres from the Champs Elysees cannor be faulted. But the rue de Berri is a busy commercial street, full of straying tourists and club goers late into the night.
However, this is a small quibble. If you are someone who does not need extensive facilities or spacious public rooms to be seen in - this hideaway from the Champs Elysees hubbub has much to recommend it.© Travel Intelligence. All rights reserved
-
Hotel Lancaster
By Chloe LoydThe epitomy of elegance, art de vivre and tradition, this boutique luxury hotel is in a class of its own. It began as a private residence in 1889 and was first transformed into a hotel by Emile Wolf, a collector of art and antiques, from where it received many of its beautiful artefacts. Now managed by a Hong Kong native, the Lancasters 18th century French decor and Louis XV and XVI furniture have been tempered by an Oriental style. An Alice in Wonderland sitting room complete with chess tables and stylised chairs looks out onto a Japanese style garden. Next door, the newly opened 2 Michelin star restaurant, run by the legendry Michel Troisgros opens up the famously private Lancaster to a new clientele. The rooms are luxuriously furnished. Traditional in style, with plush carpets and heavy themed fabrics complementing period furniture. The marble bathrooms are mirrored and spacious. Fresh flowers and the hotels own line of scent Contemporel are small examples of the exacting attention to detail. The legendary suites are a major attraction, one named after Marlene Dietrich, who lived in it for three years, decorated to her taste in lilac with a huge sitting room sporting 2 marble fireplaces. A small rooftop gym is available as is a meeting room or private dining room. The feeling is that of a private home of a connoisseur, where every room takes on an individual identity. Unsurprisingly, this impeccable attention to detail and discrete service in such elegant and comfortable surroundings have led this hotel to become a favourite with the rich and famous, including Noel Coward, King Umberto, Ewan McGregor and Greta Garbo.
© Travel Intelligence. All rights reserved
-
"This lush and luxe townhouse conversion is filled with marble, artefacts and Louis XI furniture, with a calming Japanese garden.”
The Lancaster
By Kamin Mohammadi
Six years after extensive restoration, the Lancaster is still the chicest address in Paris, says Kamin Mohammadi...
The 1889 townhouse stands on Rue de Berri, off the north side of the Champs-Elyses, a stones throw from the exclusive shops of the Rue du Faubourg. This was the building that inspired legendary hotelier Emile Wolf to open a hotel in the ancienne regime style house in 1930.
When the Lancaster first threw open its doors, it became a by-word for discreet elegance. Wolf had personally overseen every detail of the hotels decor, filling it with art and antiques. Marlene Dietrich made it her home while in Paris and artist Boris Pastoukhoff gave the hotel over 80 works of art as payment for his many stays in the 1930s (they are still displayed in the hotel). Noel Coward, Greta Garbo, Grace Kelly and Sir Alec Guinness are some of the other names associated with the hotel.
In 1996, the hotel was acquired by Grace Leo-Andrieu, the woman behind the Montalembert, among many other distinctive hotels. In her inimitable style, she has combined contemporary and oriental touches with existing elements, and the whole feels more like the home of a connoisseur than a hotel. All the rooms are individually fabulous but the suites are the ones to go for. The Marlene Dietrich suite is a symphony of lilac, the actresss favourite colour, while the huge cinnamon and gold Emile Wolf suite next door features a grand piano. The gorgeous Suite 75 is bathed in light and overlooks the tranquil Zen garden in the inner courtyard. The Lancaster, still the chicest home away from home.
© Travel Intelligence. All rights reserved
Condé Nast Traveller 2008 & 2007 Gold List
