Fauchon joins latest trend in lifestyle and gourmet brands opening hotels
French food brand branches out onto the hotel scene.
In recent years, followers of the lifestyle and hotel scenes will have noticed a trend emerging — lifestyle brands staking claims in the hospitality business by opening hotels of their own. As Travel + Leisure stated back in 2016 when brands such as West Elm, Equinox, and Shinola opened hotels, and then in 2018 with Japanese brand Muji, this transition is hardly surprising. Labels like these are more aware of their consumer profiles, as they are able to use data and in-store retail experience to really understand what people want.
The latest to add to this list may not be a lifestyle brand, but one that certainly knows its customers with a history of exceptional service dating back over 200 years. As purveyors of gourmet French food, renowned delicatessen company FAUCHON is no stranger to the finer things in life and is widely considered a major reference in contemporary French high-end foods. The brand, founded in 1886 in Paris, has over 75 outlets around the world and is famed for its service excellence, decadent cuisine and authentic Parisian style.
Now, the company has branched out into hotels with its first branded property — FAUCHON L’Hôtel Paris which opened last weekend on 1 September 2018. The new hotel is aptly located just a stone’s throw from the company’s first boutique on the Place de Madeline, and is already a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Like it’s F&B counterparts it has been designed with a vibrant epicurean ambiance in mind, combining eclectic style with a glamorous edge to set the scene for an onslaught of consummate pleasures.
Jérôme Montantème, the hotels new GM, says the property builds upon the brand’s legacy as innovators of fine Parisian gastronomy. He says this is “to create a distinctive domain of service excellence,” combined with “decadent gourmet cuisine, luxurious five-star hospitality, and tailor-made Parisian experiences.”
The hotel will feature 54 rooms and 11 suites and as expected from a gourmet gastronomy company, the focus will be on just that — food. And of course let’s not forget the brand’s famed service excellence to accompany all that.
At any time of the day and night, the hotel’s chefs are on call to help guests discover French refinement and good taste through FAUCHON’s iconic creations. Standard minibars won’t be found here. Instead you’ll find customisable gourmet bars in each room with FAUCHON delicacies from pastries and foie gras to fruit infused teas and champagne. Additionally, a selection of tailor-made experiences are also offered including private dinners prepared by one of the FAUCHON chefs in room and private shopping tours.
Topping it off is the hotels own cafe — Café FAUCHON — with a terrace overlooking the Church of the Madeleine. The best of French gastronomy is offered here, in continuous service from breakfast to dinner including tea-time and refined after work “Glam’Hours.” A team of experts and enthusiasts will help diners selects the flavours and products to indulge their palate as only a brand like FAUCHON can do.
On the running side of things the FAUCHON L’Hôtel Paris is operated by FAUCHON Hospitality along with Parisian experts, Esprit de France. In an earlier interview with Luxuo, Olivier Chauvin, President and CEO of FAUCHON Hospitality, explained that their strategy is “to establish a portfolio of FAUCHON L’Hôtel branded properties, with a goal of 20 hotels over the next decade.” The Paris property will also act as the inspiration of all future developments and an academy to train all teams worldwide.
He concluded by saying “with FAUCHON’s legacy in all aspects of the culinary industry, it is a natural next step to open our own hotels. It has been essential for us to define a concept that truly sets us apart, so we are not just another hotel brand.”
As the FAUCHON L’Hôtel story unfolds, stay tuned for more from their team with us here on The Hotel Stories.
