The only true constant is change and when the hotel world around is abuzz offering greater luxuries, pristine accommodations and highly personalized customer service, it’s hard to imagine that a hotel founded in the 1800’s could still command the respect from all its peers.
Such is the case with the Ritz Paris. Undoubtedly its location in central Paris and unmistakable architecture have made it a big draw for movie settings, photographs and other big events, but it’s the massive investment that made to renovate the entire facility over a four year period beginning in 2012 that helped it cement its top standing for many more years to come.
The hotel is owned by Mohamed al-Fayed, an Egyptian businessman who bought the property in 1979. Regarding the 2012 shut down for renovations, he stated, “Closing down the hotel was not an easy decision to make, but it was necessary to maintain the pre-eminent position of the Ritz Paris.”
The hotel’s manager Christian Boyends further added, “The hotel had a good run for 114 years nonstop, but you can’t deny that technology has changed so much.” He continued, “We needed to upgrade everything from the water pressure to our air-conditioning system.”
Hotel Ritz was originally opened on June 1, 1898. Then Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz bough the property with visions of opening the most luxurious hotel in the world.
