The Ritz Paris is located at the prestigious 15, Place Vendôme, in the 1st Arrondissement of Paris, one of the world’s most vibrant cities.
The world of luxury hospitality must thank César Ritz, a Swiss hotelier from a modest background, for creating the Ritz Paris, the world’s most iconic hotel. César Ritz was nicknamed “The King of Hoteliers and the Hoteliers of Kings,” in partnership with one of the most extraordinary culinary figures, Auguste Escoffier. Ritz, who was credited with the phrase, “The customer is always right,” wowed so many with this property that it eventually gave us the word “ritzy” for all things glamorous.
César Ritz and Chef Escoffier commissioned architects Mewès & Davis to create the stunning hotel out of a ducal mansion on the Place Vendôme by Louis XIV favourite’s architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The Ritz Paris opened in 1898, and hosted heads of state, royalty and celebrities for well over a century. It was then closed in 2012 for almost four years to undertake a multi-million euros renovation by famed architect Thierry Despont, employing roughly a thousand workers and craftsmen.
The number of suites was increased, and the hotel now has 71 suites and 71 rooms. The 15 finest “Prestige Suites” are named for loyal guests over the decades: Marcel Proust, Ernest Hemingway, Coco Chanel, the Duke of Windsor, Charlie Chaplin, the Prince of Wales, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Maria Callas. Thierry Despont’s design philosophy revolved around elevating the Ritz Paris with more light and flourish, while maintaining the hotel’s historical essence. The renovation preserved most of the original classical and Empire furniture, period paintings, glass chandeliers, damask curtains, and embroidered bedheads. The signature gold-and-blue palette remained, but subtle tweaks to the limestone landmark brought a newfound sparkle to the Ritz Paris. The hotel’s famed cooking school, Ecole Ritz Escoffier, with day classes for guests, got a new state of the art demonstration kitchen. The Ritz Club & Spa was expanded. The fine dining 1 Michelin star restaurant Espadon was redone, as was the popular Bar Vendôme, a typically Parisian brasserie. It’s the perfect all-day meeting place for a stylish meal, a glass of champagne or a cup of tea. A stunning retractable glass roof now allows terrace dining in any weather.
The hotel employs a total of 620 team members, with around 40 different nationalities.
Since its opening, the Ritz Paris has lived a thousand lives, reinventing itself day after day to continue to seduce, surprise and enchant the world.
We sat down with Laurent Herschbach, the General Manager.
Laurent, can we start by talking about the soul of the Ritz and what makes this hotel so unique?
The Ritz Paris has built its legend over the years and has succeeded in winning the hearts of our guests.
Our guests feel at home at the Ritz Paris. They know our team members, who welcome them during every stay with personalized service. Passing on values, discreet luxury, and expertise is integral to the spirit and soul of the Ritz Paris.
I have always been very proud to work at the Ritz Paris. When you mention the word Ritz during an encounter, an event outside, or simply at a dinner with friends, your interlocutors’ eyes light up! That’s the magic of the Ritz Paris. The power of the name Ritz is exceptional.
The Maison is stronger than anything: its legend, its location on Place Vendôme, its famous guests like Proust, Hemingway, Chanel…
You have been at the Ritz Paris for over 28 years. Nowadays, it is extremely rare to see people stay more than two or four years within one property so needless to say you have built an impressive career at the Ritz. What major changes have you noticed over the years in terms of the industry in general, employees and guests?
28 years, and I haven’t seen the years go by: I’ve had the opportunity to evolve over time and to discover practically all the professions within hospitality. People placed their trust in me, and thanks to my passion and unwavering commitment to this establishment, I seized the opportunities presented to me. Today, as General Manager, I wish for the employees of the Ritz Paris to benefit from this same chance, helping them grow and develop so they remain loyal to our Maison. We offer them access to numerous training programs so they can continually learn and become more motivated each day to come to work. The soul of the Ritz Paris is, above all, its employees. Our goal is for them to stay with the Ritz Paris for a long time!
Our clientele has, of course, evolved over the past 28 years: they now expect exceptional responsiveness in communication and use all the necessary technologies for this—emails, instant messaging platforms, social media… So, we have revised our communication systems to adapt to the new generations especially.
We must constantly reinvent ourselves, adapt, and anticipate the needs of tomorrow’s clientele. We must be creative while maintaining the traditions and values of the Maison.
What achievements are you most proud of?
The reopening of the hotel in 2016, where the heritage of the property was preserved: our guests feared that the soul of the Ritz Paris would be lost during the four years of closure. As soon as they learned the reopening date, they immediately booked their stay. Upon their arrival, they discovered the new Ritz Paris and felt immediate relief, along with true enchantment: we had preserved our identity and powerful DNA while integrating the latest technologies and restoring the brilliance of this legendary Maison.
What is your vision and plans for your Food & Beverage operation? What do you feel is key for your guests, the brand and your employees within this very important department?
The Ritz Paris embodies, still and always, the tradition of excellence.
Today’s and tomorrow’s guests are looking for tradition, and the Ritz Paris must remain the undisputed global benchmark for hotel savoir-faire and luxury à la française.
How important is Sustainability to the Ritz and how do you make sustainability practices a key aspect of the brand’s strategy and ethos?
Sustainability lies at the heart of the Ritz Paris, in line with our enduring mission of excellence and legacy. Our commitment is structured around three core pillars: environmental preservation, heritage protection, and social responsibility.
As the first hotel in France to be certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), by the United Nations and the World Tourism Organization, the Ritz Paris embraces the highest international standards to embody a conscious, exemplary, and forward-looking vision of luxury.
As a leader, how do you view employee well-being and overall wellness at work? What initiatives do you have in place to ensure the company’s culture influences positive mental, physical, emotional, and economic health of employees?
The well-being of our employees is a top priority: a healthy and fulfilling environment is key to the success of our Maison.
At the Ritz Paris, we are committed to building a work organization that promotes both individual well-being and company performance. Throughout the year, various initiatives are implemented around themes related to Quality of Life and Working Conditions. For example:
- A 100% score on the Gender Equality Index
- On-site osteopathy and podiatry consultations
- Access to a social worker
- A social policy that fosters team cohesion and close management through various initiatives
- Skills development through tailored training programs
- The right to disconnect
- Regular employee surveys to better understand their needs regarding work-life balance and overall quality of work life
What advice would you give the new generations entering our industry?
This is an exceptional profession that will endure over time, as more and more people will travel.
We have remarkable opportunities for career growth in our fields, where human interaction is fundamental. It’s about listening to our clients, being genuinely interested in them, and offering personalised service to touch them emotionally so they create unforgettable memories.
