New Upscale Hotel to Open in Paris’ Pigalle Quarter [1]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2015 Gone is the seedier Pigalle where visitors to the Paris quarter would have inevitably stumbled upon sex shops and risqué theatres. Today, the popular area of the ninth arrondissement is ushering in a new potpourri of concept bars, eateries, and boutique lodging options. But the arrival of refinement does not constitute a loss of character for the neighborhood. To that end, this March will see Grand Pigalle Hotel [2] open its doors, creating an upgraded lodging option for well-heeled travelers to Paris’ South Pigalle, or what locals affectionately refer to as SoPi. The hotel exemplifies whimsical, contemporary décor, which has been masterfully brought to life by RISD-grad and designer, Dorothée Meilichzon, of Chzon design [3] (a firm that has been lauded by Elle, The Wall Street Journal *and *Architectural Digest for projects in Paris, New York, London and Ibiza).
“We sought to create a new kind of locale, one that is rich, cultivated, comfortable, and casual, and destined for the contemporary traveler for whom the hotel represents the first step of immersion into the local culture,” explained a statement from The Experimental Group, the trio of childhood friends behind the Grand Pigalle composed of Romée de Goriainoff, Olivier Bon, and Pierre-Charles Cros. Their almost decade-long experience in hospitality just might pay off.
The intimate hotel, situated in Villa Frochot, once the private residence of Toulouse-Lautrec, features 37 handsomely appointed rooms and suites. Its unique wooden façade looks onto the tree-lined street and boast unique furnishings and sophisticated touches. Meilichzon and her team have worked to playfully showcase the spirit of bohemian Pigalle. In the Parisian Roof Rooms this translates to city views of Sacré Coeur through oeil-de-boeuf and velux windows. Other décor highlights include tasteful geometric motif wallpaper, bathtubs, wooden accents, brass triptych mirrors, and splashes of marble, gold and dark blues. Once open, each room will be stocked with beauty amenities by Ramdame Touhami of L'Officine Universelle Bul [4]y and guests’ needs will be looked after by an attentive staff, uniformed in custom attire by French Trotters. [5] Familiar necessities such as speedy Wi-Fi, entertainment consoles, room service and mini-bars are also available.
Naturally, the hotel will serve as an inviting refuge for both guests and non-guests alike. The space of the rez-de-chaussée has been designed as a hybrid of the lounge-lobby concept with cozy black leather chairs, upholstered sofas, octagonal tables with brass inlay that complement a mix of raw materials and colors. To round off the interior decoration, The Experimental Group has dreamt up an inventive cocktail menu as well as tapas, and the brand’s sommelier, Nicolas Smith, has curated an impressive wine list of some 200 varietals.