Name: Christophe Laure
Title: Area general manager Paris, IHG/general manager, InterContinental Paris – Le Grand
Company, city: IHG; Paris, France
Number of employees: 580
Recent project: The opening of the first Indigo Hotel in France last September, the Hôtel Indigo Paris Opéra, just next to the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand
First job: Valet at a car park in Monaco
Little-known fact about you: I am a member of the Harley Owners Group.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: To quote Paulo Coelho, “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It is lethal.”
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Be ahead of your customers’ expectations.
Yardstick of success: Dedication!
Christopher Laure as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? My running shoes
How do you spend your time on board? Reading
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? The Café de la Paix, of course!
What is your favorite destination in the world? Madrid
About InterContinental Paris – Le Grand
The InterContinental Paris – Le Grand is located near the Opera House and other Paris icons like the Louvre. What are some of your favorite sites in Paris and near the hotel?
I truly love the Opera House, the Madeleine Church and the Tuileries Gardens, a real haven of peace.
Tell our readers about the history of the hotel and the building.
This “travelers’ hotel” built more than 150 years ago has lost nothing of its original splendor. The blond stone of its façades, the deep purple drapes, the mirrored reflections, the gilding in fine gold all have preserved the magnificence of an era when, to attract foreign guests, a Parisian hotel was duty bound to resemble a veritable palace.
During the spectacular grand opening on May 5, 1862, the Empress Eugenie did not exaggerate when she exclaimed, “This reminds me of home! I feel like I am in Compiègne or Fontainebleau.”
Today, with 470 guestrooms and suites and 19 event rooms surrounding the majestic atrium La Verrière, the Grand Hôtel de la Paix, now the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand, has ever remained a place of welcome, exchange and encounters. We can imagine the hotel being a theater with its backstage and front of the house, a décor that changes over time, its public and actors, each in place and ready to play their well-rehearsed part when the curtain goes up.
What amenities are available for business travelers?
And what can travelers expect in the future from the property? Business travelers appreciate the club lounge, our “hotel within the hotel”; the iPad concierge; and the free Internet. Guests can expect new experiences — that they were not expecting, experiences which will fulfill their inner needs.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jul 26, 2024Accor Unveils Its First Handwritten Collection Brand in the United States
San Francisco, a city renowned for its commercial hubs and cultural sites, will become the first destination in the United States for one of Accor's newest brands, Handwritten Collection. The city’s Hotel Stratford San Francisco, Handwritten Collection is a European-style boutique property located near Union Square on the famous Powell Street cable car line. The area will now have the Handwritten Collection name behind it. The property becomes Accor's third hotel in San Francisco, joining the Fairmont properties atop Nob Hill and at Ghirardelli Square.
Global City Guidebook 2024
Jul 26, 2024Bask in Nature’s Tranquility at The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo
When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
Daily
Jul 26, 20244 Boutique Hotels with Exclusive Wedding Buyout Offerings
Couples looking for an over-the-top wedding, consider one of these properties around the world, offering total property buyouts to say your “I do’s.”
Sponsored Content
Paradisus by Meliá Redefines the All-Inclusive Experience
Paradisus by Meliá, a leading luxury all-inclusive resort brand, is taking the hospitality world by storm with its latest developments. With a slew of exciting developments, including a fresh property in Punta Cana, an adults-only resort in Los Cabos, an enticing chef partnership, revamped suites and much more, the brand is setting new standards for all-inclusive excellence. Each property maintains the essence of all-inclusive luxury while immersing guests in the rich tapestry of its destination, offering bespoke experiences that celebrate local culture and heritage. Paradisus is on a mission to redefine the all-inclusive paradigm, moving beyond conventional expectations to deliver personalized, lavish experiences tailored to every guest.
Airlines
Jul 26, 2024BermudAir Maximizes Choices for Travelers with New Options
BermudAir announced an expanded fare structure, allowing customers to choose from five fare types across economy and business class, up from the previous three options. Travelers can now select fares based on their preferences for lounge access, checked baggage, change fees, refunds and priority boarding.
Discover Hvar, Croatia’s, Best-Kept Secrets
Daily
Jul 25, 2024Daily
Jul 24, 2024SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites Introduces Custom Wine Itineraries
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites offers guests personalized journeys to Mendoza’s finest wineries from Susana Balbo’s family. Immerse yourself in bespoke wine itineraries recommended by Balbo, Argentina’s first female winemaker; her son and third-generation winemaker, José Lovaglio Balbo; and her daughter, hotelier and wine tourism marketer, Ana Lovaglio Balbo.
Sponsored Content
Colombia: A Different Kind of Beauty
Colombia’s beauty defies description — it’s that unique, that special, that different — and travelers are taking notice as 2023 marked the country’s best year for tourism, welcoming more than 6 million international travelers. The Country of Beauty looks to continue growing and enhancing its regions and communities in 2024 and beyond.
eFlyer Reviews
Jul 24, 2024Althoff Grand Hotel Schloss Bensberg Review
After a long drive from our previous destination, it was a relief to see Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg in our view. When we pulled into the hotel court, I felt like we were pulling up to a royal palace. Considering the hotel was originally built as a castle for Prince Elector Johann Wilhelm II of Duesseldorf and his wife, Maria-Luisa of the Medici family, my thought wasn’t that far off.
ShareThis