Bulgari Hotels, known for their exquisite craftsmanship and dedication to luxury, have unveiled their latest jewel: the Bulgari Hotel Paris. This seventh addition to their global network of opulent hotels promises an unforgettable experience for even the most discerning traveler, seamlessly blending the timeless elegance of Paris with the captivating charm of Italy.
A Taste of Italy in the City of Lights
Bulgari, the renowned Italian jewelry house, has been expanding into the world of high-end hotels for almost two decades. Paris, a city boasting the highest concentration of luxury hotels globally, presented a unique challenge for Bulgari. They rose to the occasion with the Bulgari Hotel Paris, showcasing a captivating taste of Italy in the heart of the Golden Triangle, directly across from the iconic George V hotel.
A Necklace of Hospitality
Bulgari stands apart from other luxury brands with its expansive hotel network. With 12 existing outposts and five more under construction in Los Angeles, the company aims to create a “necklace of hospitality” encircling the globe by 2025. Just as Bulgari’s exquisite jewelry is a testament to rarity and artistry, their hotels are meticulously designed to immerse guests in the brand’s captivating universe. This latest venture contrasts with the Cheval Blanc Paris, another luxury hotel recently opened by LVMH on the banks of the Seine.
Italian Refinement Meets Parisian Craftsmanship
The Bulgari Hotel Paris boasts 76 rooms and suites, each showcasing the brand’s signature “Italianness” inspired by Roman art and architecture. The interiors, masterminded by renowned Milanese architecture and interior design firm ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, are the hotel’s most captivating feature. Stepping into the hotel feels like stepping into a luminous Italian masterpiece, a ruby adorning the neck of the City of Lights. The hotel is adorned with artistic nods to Italy, including a portrait of Monica Vitti, a famed Italian actress, by Franco-Chinese artist Yan Pei-Ming, a black-and-white photograph of Sophia Loren, and a signature eight-pointed star in black Zimbabwean granite on the floor, echoing the one found in Bulgari’s historic boutique on Via Condotti in Rome.
A Harmony of Two Worlds
Throughout history, Rome and Paris have competed in the arenas of creativity, history, gastronomy, fashion, and art. But at the Bulgari Hotel Paris, the two cities have called a truce, creating a harmonious blend of “la dolce vita” and “la vie en rose”. Italian hospitality seamlessly merges with French craftsmanship. “We aimed to achieve a synthesis between this particular Parisian identity and the Roman spirit and meticulous craftsmanship of Bulgari,” explains Patricia Viel. “The taste for colors, the tone of voice and the aesthetics that distinguish the Bulgari brand are translated in the hotels.”
A Symphony of Luxury and Art
The hotel’s design is a testament to the collaboration between Italian and French artisans. Tall, varnished eucalyptus doors crafted by skilled cabinetmakers and straw marquetry decoration by Ateliers Lison de Caunes stand side-by-side with Dedar fabrics in garnet, amethyst, and gilded topaz, rare Gio Ponti ceramics, Pinecone lamps by Paola Navone for Fontana Arte, and sleek Antonio Citterio-designed furniture by B&B Italia, Flexform, Flos, and Maxalto.
A Journey of Sensory Delight
“The selection of all design elements was geared towards evoking mystery, intimacy, and surprise,” explains Viel. Warm hues, hazelnut, chocolate, beige, and saffron bathe the public spaces and guestrooms. Italian refinement is evident in every detail, like the bookmatched Arabescato marble in the bathroom, a technical marvel showcasing symmetrical veins. The Parisian art of living is reflected in the carpets’ chevron pattern, a subtle nod to French herringbone parquet, and a glass art piece engraved with the Bulgari Serpenti Constellation motif, crafted using the same historic technique as renowned French glassmaker René Lalique.
A Parisian Façade with Italian Roots
The hotel’s exterior embodies the spirit of Paris, with ashlar masonry reminiscent of the capital’s iconic monuments, from the Louvre to the Trocadéro. The facade, dating back to the 1970s, has been meticulously renovated while maintaining its original character. Viel notes, “The exterior lines were pared back to subtly reference Italian Renaissance architecture by creating elongated window openings that cover two floors, which is an element that recalls aristocratic palaces designed by Andrea Palladio.”
A Sanctuary of Wellness
The hotel’s basement features a 25-meter-long swimming pool and spa with treatment rooms clad in Vicenza stone, immersing guests in a world of emerald, jade, and gold. As a Roman company, Bulgari understands the importance of water and thermal baths, which are deeply rooted in Roman history. The vitality pool, adorned with a mosaic identical to the Roman baths of Caracalla, reflects this legacy. This architectural detail also inspired the Bulgari Divas’ Dream jewelry collection.
An Experience of Italian Culinary Delights
Before dinner, guests can enjoy an “aperitivo” at the bar, featuring a stunning backlit ivory onyx counter, paired with cracked lacquer walls by Parisian studio Midavaine and vintage-effect mirrors. The hotel restaurant, Il Ristorante, is helmed by Italian chef Niko Romito, renowned for his three Michelin-star restaurant Reale in Abruzzo. Romito oversees the F&B of all Bulgari hotels worldwide, and at the Bulgari Hotel Paris, he creates an exquisite dining experience using Ginori 1735 porcelain tableware, Salviati glassware, and Bulgari silverware.
A Legacy of Design and Culture
Viel concludes, “In terms of what you might take away from our projects and buildings, I have to say that each of them represents values that make sense in their specific surroundings by considering what people need at that specific location. Our projects are, in fact, responses that we give with attention and sensitivity to the surrounding urban, natural, and social contexts.”
The Bulgari Hotel Paris is not just a hotel; it’s a captivating blend of Italian artistry and Parisian chic. It’s a testament to the power of design to bridge cultures and create unforgettable experiences. The hotel is a place where guests can immerse themselves in the world of Bulgari, surrounded by exquisite details, captivating art, and an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury.
