Ibis, Europe’s leading economy hospitality brand, has opened the ibis Lille Centre Grand Palais in Lille, France. The new franchised hotel is the first to showcase every new concept that the brand is introducing. The hallmarks include the wide open areas, designer features and comfort-enhancing amenities to welcome business travelers and tourists.
The hotel opened on March 4, 2015, after 18 months under construction. It spans seven stories and was built to encapsulate the brand’s up-to-the-minute comfort spirit by Olivier Dolicque and Baptiste Plantet from APSIS, a Lille-based architect firm. Marie-Laure Ducrocq created the interior architecture alongside the ibis teams.
The natural raw materials and warm colors (woods and reds) in the reception areas add an unprecedented relaxed and inviting dimension to economy hotels. These areas are open and interconnected. The partitions in the lobby are gone so staff and guests now meet in an open, more laid-back area. An ultramodern projection screen in the background broadcasts a wealth of useful information (weather forecasts, pricing, deals, etc.) with an informal, intuitive slant. Around the reception area, guests can now have a seat in the TV lounge or Business Corner to catch the latest news, connect, work, read or drink their coffee.
This state-of-the-art, cozy hotel has 91 Sweet Rooms by ibis™, including nine suites and three rooms for mobility-impaired guests. Prices start at 73€ and these rooms will envelop travelers in a unique, original experience of economy hospitality amid printed decorative motifs, elegant and practical lighting, new headboards creating a four-poster effect, and snug flooring.
The rooms are 17 to 21 sq. m. and all have the Sweet Bed by ibis™, including the duvet and super-soft pillows, 22-inch flat-screen LCD TVs, generously-sized bathrooms, modular desks and free Wi-Fi. And a lot of work went into the soundproofing so guests can also sleep and work peacefully.
The hotel also offers ibis kitchen Lounge concept. To suit guests’ preferences, breakfast is served from 6:30 to 10:00 am and the buffet includes a choice of local specialties. The Lounge Bar welcomes patrons 24/7 and serves an assortment of snacks in laid-back, easygoing surroundings decorated with a sense of humor (bubbly visuals, rocking chairs, game-board tables and more).
Photo: © Marie-Laure Ducrocq