The Ritz Paris' facade.

On June 6, the magnificent Ritz Paris reopened following a four-year, $220-million refurbishment. Established in 1898 by the Swiss businessman César Ritz, the legendary hotel is known for its quintessential Parisian elegance and roster of famous guests. Located on the stunning Place Vendôme in the city’s First Arrondissement, the Ritz Paris has welcomed such luminaries as Marcel Proust, Maria Callas, Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Ernest Hemingway, who, as the story goes, liberated the hotel’s bar after World War II.

The Ritz Paris' lobby. Photo by Vincent Leroux.

L'Espadon. Photo by Adrien Dirand. The French-born, New York-based architect Thierry Despont helmed the comprehensive interior renovation, returning the Ritz to its Belle Époque glory. Throughout the hotel, classical and Empire furniture, period paintings, and dazzling glass chandeliers mingle with modern amenities, including plasma screen televisions—some cleverly hidden behind mirrors to preserve the Ritz’s refined ambiance—updated sound systems, high-speed Wi-Fi, and touch-screen temperature controls.

The Coco Chanel Suite.

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Suite.

To free up space for larger bathrooms, the Ritz reduced the number of guest rooms from 159 to 142. The bedrooms have been re-painted using a serene, cream-colored palette and the damask curtains and embroidered headboards have been carefully restored. The Ritz Paris also boasts seventy-one opulent suites, including the Coco Chanel Suite—an exceedingly refined two-bedroom suite that pays homage to the icon of French elegance—and the lavish Opera Suite, which offers stunning views of the gilded statues of the nearby Opera Garnier and the Capital of the Arts.

Salon Proust. Photo by Adrien Dirand.

The César Ritz Suite.

Other updates include a newly glazed courtyard outfitted with a retractable glass roof and a revamped lobby that has been renovated to feel lighter and airier. The Ritz has added the Salon Proust to its dining lineup, which includes the handsome Bar Hemingway and elegant L’Espadon. Featuring wood-clad walls, rows of books, and sumptuous armchairs, Salon Proust was designed as the ideal space to enjoy a cup of afternoon tea. Despont also enlisted the landscape designer Jean Mus to redesign the Ritz’s spectacular garden.

For more information about the Ritz Paris, click here.