Atout France announces the results of its new hotel classifications and has just awarded the Palace distinction to the Mandarin Oriental and the Shangri-La in Paris for 5 years. These are the two most recent major luxury hotel openings in Paris. There is also the Hotel K2 in Courchevel.
I invite you to discover below the presentation video of the Mandarin Oriental. This very modern hotel was designed in part by Sybille de Margerie (read the interview with Sybille de Margerie).
Who Is “Atout France”?
It is the French tourism development agency responsible for contributing to the growth of the tourism industry. This branch of the French state also handles hotel classification in France. It has set up a jury to award the Palace distinction. The jury must study the application file, carry out a visit, and listen to the motivations of the candidate hotels.
The jury bases its opinion on a set of assessment criteria: location, aesthetics, the history of the place, the establishment's personality, the teams' commitment to the pursuit of excellence, a gastronomic restaurant, personalization, speed, precision and consistency of service, environmental policy, room size, the services offered...
The jury also analyzes the hotel's results: its average price, its occupancy rate, and its accommodation revenue over several years.
Is the Palace Label Necessary?
Some hotels chase prizes and awards, mobilizing their communications team to win them (I invite you to read this article on hotel rankings again). It is somewhat the same subject in the top business schools, except that the ranking is called into question every year. The Palace distinction is granted for 5 years.
Do You Need the Palace Distinction to Be a Palace?
No, and no again. The George V, which had not been distinguished when the Palace distinction was introduced, offers a service recognized worldwide as one of the best hotels. It was a palace, and recognized as such by its guests and by its peers. That is surely the finest recognition a hotel can receive. Some hotels, such as the Groupe Lucien Barrière, refuse to apply. For now, the Fouquet's Barrière in Paris is not a Palace, and yet many believe it is. It certainly has everything needed to be one. The same was true for the Ritz and the Crillon before their closures. Given the renovation budgets of these hotels, it is clear they will reach Palace level very quickly (once the staff are fully trained). Nevertheless, if they apply, they will have to wait several years before obtaining this distinction.
These hotels welcome an international clientele, offer personalized service, and rely on international standards. I am not sure a Brazilian or Indian guest will attach much importance to this rather French distinction. Room rates will in any case be on par with the Parisian Palaces.
What Is the Relevance of the Label?
Personally, I am a little surprised that very beautiful hotels obtain the Palace distinction when these establishments close for several months. For me, excellence of service is maintained every day and continually refined. It does not seem reasonable to me to disrupt the staff's habits and the workings of a hotel for its proper functioning.
There are also hotels that have obtained this label and yet have rooms that are worn out, with corridors in disrepair. The history of the building and a magnificent location cannot make up for all the inconveniences linked to the building's wear and tear.
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The Other Palaces in France
Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, Hôtel Les Airelles in Courchevel, Hôtel Le Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, Hôtel Le Bristol in Paris, Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, Hôtel Le Meurice in Paris, Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme in Paris, Hôtel Le Plaza Athénée in Paris, Hôtel Royal Monceau, Raffles, in Paris, Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, Hôtel La Réserve in Ramatuelle, Hôtel Le Byblos in Saint Tropez, Château de la Messardière in Saint Tropez.
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