With six terraces offering a 360 degree view of Paris and 160 square metres (1,630 square feet) of pure luxury, this new Penthouse confirms the landmark Hotel’s intention not to rest on its laurels but on the contrary, to pursue its search for excellence by constantly reinventing itself. Designed as a real Parisian pied-à-terre, The Penthouse offers a romantic hideaway among the city’s rooftops. The understated, light and airy interior architecture designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon places an emphasis on open and elegant spaces. The soft tones of the travertine flooring are reflected in the walls decorated with sycamore and majilite, while the beautiful floral arrangements created by Jeff Leatham, the Hotel’s Artistic Director, create a sense of home the moment one opens the door.
Among the great surprises of The Penthouse is the elegant winter garden, decorated in floral fabric and separated from the living room by a wrought iron door. At any time of the day or night it is the perfect place to enjoy a meal or drink while overlooking the Invalides, the American Cathedral and Eiffel Tower. The terrace, shaped like the bow of a ship, provides an even wider view of the City of Light: the roofs of the Madeleine, the Opera and the Pantheon are at one’s feet, while the Eiffel Tower seems so close one could almost touch it. From the terrace, steps lead to an intimate upper balcony perched even higher on the roof, where guests can enjoy a last glass of Champagne and savour the shimmering city views. The bedroom with its own terrace features an elegant four-poster daybed perfect for taking in the hustle and bustle of Paris from above.
Another gem in this suite is the spectacular beige marble bathroom, designed to be as luxurious as a lounge. Next to the huge walk-in shower stands a grand overflow bath fitted with jets and a chromotherapy system. Elegant white orchids give the impression that the outdoor extends right into the bathroom while a large dressing room bathed in natural light is decorated like a boudoir.
The brain behind this spectacular apartment is Pierre-Yves Rochon. He worked with the biggest luxury houses such as Baccarat, Lalique, Lelièvre, Edmond Petit, Veraseta and Bobic (a Slovenian company specialising in yachting) for the furnishings and fittings, demonstrating the importance he attaches to precision, aesthetics and high standards.
“The aim was to redefine the idea of a hotel suite by creating a refined and inviting apartment,” explains Regional Vice President and General Manager Christopher Norton. “For this haute couture work of art, I gave Mr. Rochon complete creative freedom to design a unique, infinitely sophisticated place where the boundaries between the inside and the outside would be blurred, so that nature is part of the interior and vice versa. With this in mind, we placed mirrors on certain walls of the balconies to create perspective, change the way we see common landmarks, and see Paris even when we are facing the other way. Inside, we created warm, inviting and friendly spaces on a human scale, to recreate the feel of a cosy Parisian apartment.”
