The Hilton Paris Opera Hotel Inception and History
Located at the center of the city the Hilton Paris Opera at 108 Rue Saint Lazare is in the heart of the historic Opera quarter. guests at the hotel will find cultural sites and attractions located nearby. The Opéra Garnier, the Louvre Museum, Rue de Rivoli and famous department stores Galeries Lafayette and Le Printemps are all within a short walk of the front door of the iconic historic building that has been transformed into a jewel of the Hilton brand.
Preceding Hilton’s Grand Opening in January 2015 after a $50 million renovation of this architecturally nuanced building it was the Hotel Concorde Saint Lazare. Its roots rival the Eiffel Tower.
The original Hotel for which this building was designed, The Grand Hotel Terminus was opened on May 7, 1889 to accommodate foreign visitors to the Paris Great Exhibition of 1889. Its opening was announced by Gustave Eiffel from his tower which was built for the same exhibition.
Although designed and built to accommodate visitors to the Paris Great Exhibition of 1889, the Hotel was not officially a part of the event. Its mission was to provide guests with a luxurious experience while visiting Paris. Originally housing 500 rooms along with three restaurants, the Hotel Terminus lived up to its mission of providing luxury to the traveler for over a century.
Pauline Bresson, Marketing & Communications Manager and Morgane Uzio, Sales & Marketing Coordinator.
Story board history of the Hilton Brand
The first renovation of the Hotel Terminus occurred during the economic downturn of the 1930s. While other hotels were suffering, the renovation of the Hotel Terminus continued to focus on innovative luxury. The new salon of the Hotel Terminus with a jazz orchestra playing the Charleston provided the guests with a sense of a perpetual party. The main addition to the public spaces was the addition of the Norman Steakhouse. Built in the shape of a Norman Steamship with unique lighting along with a central aisle, this air conditioned dining experience was unforgettable for guests and Parisians alike.
Replica of the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel in Lego Bricks by Dirk Denoyelle
Only the Second World War interrupted the luxury that has been provided in this building since 1889. The 1944 acquisition of the Hotel by the Americans saw this stoic building turned into a hostel that provided shelter for refugees and Allied Soldiers alike. It was renamed “The Grand Club Central” by Allied Forces. In just 1 year it provided safe shelter for more than 182,000 men as well as serving over 625,000 meals. In 1946 the Hotel returned to civilian service.
In the early 1970s new owners, members of the prestigious Maison Champagne Taittinger family began a restorative period of management. In 1989, the renamed Hotel Concorde Saint-Lazare underwent a meticulous restoration of the foyer which is classified as an historic monument.
Reinvented in 2015 as the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel.
After undergoing an historically detailed renovation of the public spaces coupled with a complete modern renovation of the guest’s rooms, Hilton operates this iconic building in adherence to its original mission statement of providing luxury accommodations to the guests of Paris.
Baccarat Ballroom
Executive Lounge
Today the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel provides guests with 268 modernized rooms with luxury amenities as well as 29 suites, a gym, executive lounge, bars and restaurants. Guests at the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel are only a ten-minute train ride from the Paris business district as well as being in the heart of the city. Clefs d’Or concierge is ready and able to make your stay pleasant and trouble free.
Andrea Herrmann
Commercial Director
Maria Callas Suite
Guest rooms have undergone a modern renovation as most of the historical flavor and designs were beyond recapturing. As a guest at the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel you will enjoy luxuriously appointed rooms with historic accents, pictures and art work that adds a reminder of the past to your luxury modern stay. The room décor features pallets of gray, with a splash of bright colors.
Guest room choices include Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Twin Deluxe Room, Executive Room as well as a selection of suites. Suite sizes offered include King Suite, Queen Master Suite, Queen two room suite.
Le Grand Salon taken from above through the "secret window"
Le Grand Salon
Le 1889 Cocktail
Tomato Burrata
Caesar Chicken Salad
Goat Cheese and Watermelon
Shrimp and Guacamole
Sea Bass
Conchigliette Pasta
Black Current Ice Cream with Macaroons
Pierre Galea
Bar Manager
Le Grand Salon is in the historic foyer which features an elegant cocktail bar. The dining area of Le Grand Salon is highlighted by an international menu throughout the day. Weekday hours are 7:30 AM – 1:00AM. Saturdays and Sunday hours are 10:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Guests and Parisians can also enjoy Le Pain Quotidien Saint-Lazare located on Rue Saint-Lazare. It features organic and fresh recipes including take away from 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM. There is also a selection of their spreads, jams, cooking oils, salt & pepper, cook books, coffees and teas to take home and remember the Paris experience.
Le Petit Bar offers an exclusive ultra-modern space for events, team meetings or private socials.
Thank you so much to Pauline, Andrea, Morgane and Pierre for making our stay at the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel very special.
Story by Daniel Dachille and Laine Page
Video Voice over by Jim Reynolds
Some photos courtesy of the Hilton Paris Opera Hotel