Legendary Paris hotel renovates and relaunches

Nov 02, 07 | 8:57 am

Sofitel, the French luxury hotel brand, is relaunching the historic Scribe hotel in the heart of Paris after the completion of a comprehensive two year programme of renovations, undertaken by renowned French interior designer, Jacques Grange.

Located a few steps from the Opéra Garnier and the Place Vendôme, the hotel was entirely renovated and offers new spaces ready to welcome the most discerning guests including an exclusive day spa, the "Le Café Lumière", the "La Maison de Thé" and a fitness center.

Opened in 1861, the hotel is inspired by the personalities who left a mark in its history, in particular the Lumière brothers who, in 1895 gave the first public projection of cinema in the Scribe's Salon Indienne. The history-making event involved a series of one-reel clips showing such mundane scenes as a mother playing with her child and workers leaving the Lumiere factory in Lyon. 111 years later, Scribe continued its close association with film when it was featured in the Hollywood smash hit, The Devil Wears Prada. 

This basement spot -- ground zero of movie history -- is now part of Le Café Lumière and is commemorated with portraits of the Lumières, stills from their films and a display of ancient movie equipment around the wall where the first screen was thought to have been.

Hallways on each floor celebrates an event or a distinguished guest in the Scribe's history: the Lumière brothers, the visits of singer Josephine Baker, founder of science-fiction Jules Verne, writer Marcel Proust, dancer Sergei Diaghilev and the Jockey Club, the original tenant of the building.

The hotel embodies French sophistication, combining contemporary luxury with the timeless charm of rare and precious decorative features.

Jacques Grange, French decorator of international repute and ambassador of Parisian elegance, exercises his talents around the world. He has decorated private residences and palaces of clients such as Yves Saint-Laurent and the Princess Caroline de Hanovre. Hotel Scribe is Grange's debut at showcasing his talents at a premiere French hotel.

Discover the New Scribe...
In the heart of the capital's neighborhood of business, luxury, culture, nightlife and shopping landmarks, the Scribe is a haven of serenity and timeless charm. The elegant façade of Second Empire architecture was entirely renovated and widened. The majestic entrance is enhanced with crystal chandeliers and a checker floor.

Room and Suites
Jacques Grange made the 200 rooms stylish and distinguished spaces, playing with subtle shades of blue, green, grey and brown.

The furniture blends simple lines and precious sycamore and white mahogany woods. Grange incorporated Art Deco style furniture in shapes that combine pure lines and supple curves, pyramidal volumes and a contrast between light and dark tones.

Four spacious and luminous duplex suites offer the allure of a private residence. They are decorated with pictures by famous photographers such as Lee Miller who stayed at the Hotel Scribe.

The Spa
A sanctuary of serenity in the midst of Parisian luxury, the Hotel Scribe spa welcomes guests into a world of lustrous, pearly white. Located on the first floor, the urban spa of 2,045 square feet is a place of pure indulgence. The signature treatments are an invitation to embrace the delights of essential oils, clays and vegetal essences.

The signature of-In the heart of the spa, the Lancôme Beauty Institute   boasts its exceptional "French touch." Lancôme's-French luxury and beauty commitment to the beauty of women and men is redefined with its expert treatments and unique savoir-faire. All senses are stimulated in the intimacy of the private cubicles, with rich multi-sensory experiences.

The hotel offers additional wellness opportunities at the Jacuzzi and the fitness center.

Restaurants

La Maison de Thé
Take a break from the bustling activity of the city in the tranquil intimacy of the hotel at "Maison de Thé." Evoking respite, the library-inspired tearoom is an ideal place for a delicious break between shopping sprees or for a business meeting. A variety of rare and exclusive teas from the prestigious Cha Yuan brand accompany the delicatessen prepared by the Patisserie Chef Pierre Prévost.

Le Café Lumière

The name pays tribute to the Lumière brothers with a glass roof, creating a winter garden effect. The talented Chef Franck Charpentier is at the head of the operation and is also the Chef at the Michelin-rated "Les Muses," the hotel's gourmet restaurant. In Parisian décor, inspired by the cinema spirit, Franck Charpentier offers a creative and modern cuisine.

The bar innovates with whimsical variations of classical cocktails like the "Purple Mojito" or creative cocktails with names dedicated to cinema: "Fiction," "Suspense," "Cartoon," and "Comedy."

About Sofitel: luxury hotels with the French touch:
Because no one country or city is the same, Sofitel has made each of its hotels around the world a truly unique establishment. Combining the spirit of each place with the values of modernity, refinement and absolute comfort, they are all imbued in their inimitable way with the French "art de vivre".

Whether their setting is a great business metropolis like Paris, New York or Bangkok, or nestling in the landscape in Indonesia, Polynesia or Brazil, each Sofitel hotel offers travelers a genuine haven of peace. So that each guest, for an overnight stay or longer, during a business trip or for a holiday, can enjoy the rich variety of these unique places in comfort and tranquility.

About Accor:
Accor, the European leader and a major global group in hotels, the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 170,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:

• Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, All Seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands, representing more than 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre.
• Services, with 23 million people in nearly 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in human resources, marketing services and expense management.