Katara Hospitality, the global owner, developer and operator of iconic hotels based in Qatar, announced the opening of The Peninsula Paris, following an extensive four-year restoration.

The Peninsula Paris now becomes the 18th operational hotel in Katara Hospitality’s portfolio of 28 properties around the world.

Jointly owned by Katara Hospitality and The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH), The Peninsula Paris celebrated its opening on Friday with speeches by guest of honour Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development; Fleur Pellerin, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroad; His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality; Clement Kwok, CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH) and Nicolas Béliard, General Manager of The Peninsula Paris.
Speeches were followed by an early-afternoon ribbon-cutting ceremony and traditional Chinese lion dance as part of The Peninsula Hotels’ Asian heritage.

His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality said: “The Peninsula Paris represents a true hospitality gem in our portfolio of iconic hotels. After today’s soft opening, we are confident the property will bring new levels of distinction to the Parisian luxury hotels market.

“On behalf of Katara Hospitality, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to the French and Paris authorities for their continuous support. I would also like to thank Mr Kwok and The HongKong and Shanghai Hotels for this ambitious and successful partnership.

“At Katara Hospitality, our goal is to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations. We use our resources and expertise to invest in heritage properties such as The Peninsula Paris, which represent both a legacy and a future. We take immense pride and pleasure in rejuvenating these iconic hotels, restoring them to their former glory and ensuring their hospitality heritage is secured.”

Mr Clement Kwok said, “I am excited and proud to announce the latest addition to The Peninsula Hotels’ family, The Peninsula Paris. This will be our tenth Peninsula hotel but only our first hotel in Europe. Together with our partners Katara Hospitality, it has taken four years to design and build this magnificent contemporary hotel, with state-of-the-art facilities, within this beautiful historic building which as a result has been restored to its former glory. As a company, HSH is genuinely committed to the long term and focuses on developing, as an owner-operator, a small number of the highest quality Peninsula hotels in the most prime locations in key international gateway cities. After many years of searching for a suitable project in Europe, I am delighted that we are making our entry in one of the most magical cities in the world, Paris.”

“We are thrilled to welcome our first guests today. My team and I have watched this project evolve, from a lifeless building to a worksite, and ultimately to the magnificent structure you see before you – we have worked together to give this historic building a new life,” added General Manager of The Peninsula Paris, Nicolas Béliard. “I am especially proud today to be surrounded by my team to announce the official opening of The Peninsula Paris hotel and see it brought to life with the arrival of our first guests.”

Both Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development, and Fleur Pellerin, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, the Promotion of Tourism and French Nationals Abroads, highlighted how important these investments are to drive growth and create full-time employment, and to showcase the French savoir-faire and patrimony.

They stressed that the opening of this hotel has already created 530 full-time jobs, a figure due to increase to 600 by the end of the year, in addition to the 3000 workers, master craftsmen, architects, etc. who have worked on the restoration of this Parisian architectural jewel.

They added that the choice of France and Paris for the first entry into Europe by this international group highlights this destination as the leading tourist destination in the world.

With 200 rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, expansive terraces – including one on the rooftop with a 360° view of Paris and its most beautiful monuments – luxury boutiques, the Peninsula Spa and private reception rooms, The Peninsula Paris brings a new level of opulence and comfort to the luxury hospitality offerings in the City of Light. As a hotel group renowned for its sense of service, gastronomy, in-room technology and eclectic transportation offerings, The Peninsula Paris – located at 19 Avenue Kléber in the heart of the elegant 16th arrondissement – is proud to open its doors to Parisians and international guests visiting the city.

Katara Hospitality’s 18 operational properties are in Qatar, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Egypt, Singapore and Thailand. It has another 10 properties under renovation or in development, in seven countries, including Qatar, Switzerland, Italy and Morocco. Its goal is to have 30 properties in its portfolio by 2016, with another 30 by 2030.

About The Peninsula Paris
The Peninsula Paris is a joint venture between Katara Hospitality and The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH).

About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH)
Incorporated in 1866 and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (00045), The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development, and management of prestigious hotels and commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, club management and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Paris, The Peninsula Bangkok, and The Peninsula Manila. Projects under development include The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Yangon. The property portfolio of the group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower, The Peak Tramways and St. John’s Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; the Thai Country Club in Bangkok, Thailand, and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France.