The Ritz Paris review: 142 rooms and suites on Place Vendôme after the 2012-2016 renovation cut the count from 159, the Hemingway Bar, named Prestige Suites, and who should book Place Vendôme over the Crillon's river-facing address.
The Ritz Paris sits at 15 Place Vendôme, opened in 1898 by César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier as the first Paris hotel with en-suite electricity and telephone in every room. A 2012-2016 renovation cut its room count from 159 to 142 (71 rooms, 71 suites, including 15 historic Prestige Suites) to enlarge suite space, and the on-site Hemingway Bar carries the hotel's literary history.
The verdict
The Ritz Paris holds 142 rooms and suites on Place Vendôme after a 2012-2016 renovation deliberately cut room count from 159 to enlarge suite space — the address is Place Vendôme, not the Crillon's river-facing Place de la Concorde position.
Who should book
In favour
- Travelers who want the Place Vendôme address and the post-2016-renovation palace standard, with the historic Hemingway Bar on-site
- Anyone booking one of the 71 suites, including the 15 historic Prestige Suites, several named for famous past guests such as Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway
- Guests who value the hotel's specific firsts — the first Paris hotel with en-suite electricity and telephone in 1898 — as part of the stay
Worth knowing
- Travelers set on the Crillon's specific Place de la Concorde, river-facing address — the Ritz sits on Place Vendôme, a different square with a different outlook; book the Crillon for that view
- Anyone expecting the pre-renovation room count — the 2012-2016 renovation deliberately cut rooms from 159 to 142 to enlarge suite space, so entry-category rooms are scarcer than before
- Confirmed current Prestige Suite availability before booking — each of the 15 historic suites is unique and books individually
History and location
The Ritz was created in 1898 by Swiss hotelier César Ritz in partnership with chef Auguste Escoffier, who acquired the former Hôtel de Gramont at 15 Place Vendôme and commissioned architect Charles Mewès to build behind its 18th-century façade. It opened June 1, 1898, as the first hotel in Paris to give every room en-suite electricity and a telephone. The Place Vendôme address is distinct from the Crillon's river-facing position on Place de la Concorde — travelers set on that specific outlook should book there instead.
Rooms and suites after the renovation
A 2012-2016 renovation deliberately reduced the hotel's room count from 159 to 142 in order to enlarge suite space. The hotel now carries 71 rooms and 71 suites, including 15 historic Prestige Suites — described as spaces where 18th-century panelling meets period ceilings, old masters, and antique furniture. Several suites are named for famous past guests, including Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway.
Photographs of this stay.
The Hemingway Bar
The on-site Hemingway Bar carries the hotel's literary history into a working bar program, and remains one of the property's signature draws for travelers who want the Ritz's specific character rather than only its room category.
Frequently asked
How many rooms does The Ritz Paris have?
142 in total: 71 rooms and 71 suites, including 15 historic Prestige Suites. The count was reduced from 159 during the hotel's 2012-2016 renovation specifically to enlarge suite space.
When did The Ritz Paris open?
June 1, 1898, created by Swiss hotelier César Ritz with chef Auguste Escoffier, in a building constructed behind the façade of an 18th-century townhouse on Place Vendôme designed by architect Charles Mewès. It was the first hotel in Paris to offer en-suite electricity and telephone in every room.
Where is The Ritz Paris located?
15 Place Vendôme, in the heart of the square — a different address from the Hôtel de Crillon's Place de la Concorde, river-facing position. Travelers set on that river-facing outlook should book the Crillon instead.