The Ritz-Carlton, together with the Manz family, today announced the completion of the renovation of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva, the legendary luxury hotel brand’s debut in Switzerland. Formerly known as Hotel de la Paix, Geneva, the 152-year-old hotel underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, extensive re-design and refurbishment, marking a new era in the evolving story of one of Geneva’s most elegant and historic hotels.
“With its storied past and legacy of outstanding service, rich culture, and culinary discoveries, Hotel de la Paix is an ideal fit for The Ritz-Carlton brand, which continues to grow and provide exceptional service and genuine care to our guests across the globe,” said Hervé Humler, President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton, Bulgari and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “I am delighted to bring the brand and our renowned service to Switzerland – the country where the legendary hotelier Cesar Ritz was born.”
Positioned on the shore of Lake Geneva, with exceptional views of the city’s famous Jet d’Eau and Mont Blanc as a timeless backdrop, Hotel de la Paix has defined luxury in Geneva since its inception in 1865. It has also stood at the crossroads of history, inspiring many memorable gatherings including the International Congress of Peace, and has welcomed high-profile guests from across the globe, such as the Monaco Royal Family and notable American actor Orson Welles.
“We are very excited about the reopening of the Hotel de la Paix under The Ritz-Carlton brand,” said the Manz family. “We chose The Ritz-Carlton as operator because we are convinced that the expertise of The Ritz-Carlton in luxury hospitality is going to help this unique property to maintain its position as one of the leading luxury hotels in Geneva in years to come.”
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva has been thoughtfully renovated to seamlessly blend modern design, functionality and the hotel’s heritage. The newly restored public areas reflect a design concept created around art, time and nature, representing the hotel’s lakeside setting and the city of Geneva. In the hallways of the hotel’s atrium, guests will find an exhibition of tapestries that feature historical figures who played a role in attaining peace, from Giuseppe Garibaldi to Victor Hugo. Its 74 guestrooms, including 14 elegant suites, have been re-styled with a sleek and modern design. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill each room with natural light and are further enhanced by stunning views across Mont Blanc Square, Lake Geneva and the Jet d’Eau. The Grace Kelly Suite, named after the Princess of Monaco who was a regular guest at the hotel, is the hotel’s Presidential Suite, offering sophisticated art deco design and gold leaf gilding, creating an elegant sanctuary.
Paying homage to Geneva’s gastronomic scene, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva captures the cosmopolitan nature of the destination with two new culinary experiences. Inspired by Executive Chef Alessio Corda’s respect for organic, regional dishes, Fiskebar introduces a new Nordic-fusion concept, a first-of-its-kind in Geneva. Spread across four interconnecting spaces, including a fresh fish counter with communal seating, the restaurant’s styling is reminiscent of a traditional Scandinavian fish market, where minimalist interiors are set off by natural materials such as wood and leather to create a Nordic ambience. Living Room Bar & Kitchen offers all-day dining, serving regional dishes and global flavors with a thoughtfully crafted menu that showcases fresh, local and seasonal produce. The inviting, lounge-style setting is embellished with elements of the building’s historic details and original features, such as the 150-year old parquet and walnut floor. Additionally, the Philippe Pascoët chocolate shop offers authentic sweet confections, handmade by legendary Swiss Master Chocolatier, Philippe Pascoët. Guests can savor a complimentary chocolate upon arrival, indulge in the menu of uniquely-blended hot drinks or pick up a box of artisanal chocolate as a memento.
Building on its reputation for hosting historical gatherings and events, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva will be able to host meetings and conferences in an elegant, flexible space that can accommodate up to 100 guests in an inspiring lakefront setting. The space can be divided into two separate rooms, each offering a garden view and natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows.
“It is an honor to bring The Ritz-Carlton experience to Switzerland, here with an iconic luxury hotel that has borne witness to a multitude of historic world events,” said Jenni Benzaquen, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe for Marriott International. “The Ritz-Carlton is proud to embark on a new chapter in Geneva, infusing the brand’s legendary service standards into this beautifully renovated hotel.”
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, MD., part of Marriott International, Inc., currently operates more than 90 hotels and 40 residential properties in more than 30 countries and territories. The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®. Members can now link accounts with Starwood Preferred Guest® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,200 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 125 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®.