If Marie Antoinette was still alive she would certainly choose this hotel for a getaway in Paris. The W Hotel Paris-Opéra is where the elegance of the city and the energy from New York meet: located inside an 1870 building facing the Opéra Garnier, it opened the doors in 2012. The renovation of the facility into a hotel was designed by Rockwell Group Europe, led by the Group’s art director Diego Gronda.

The project is based on two core principles: the play between old and new, and the amazing light that sparks from the W Hotel. An accomplished mission, as proved by the dialogue between contemporary and retro elements, enhanced by spectacular light effects such as The Spark. Heart of the entire space, it consists in a bright wavy XL wall, sort of an installation where light and design meet and change based on the season and the time of the day, creating many different atmospheres which enhance the majesty of the Haussmann building.

The spark concept recurs all over the hotel. Pieces of furniture, decoration, design items, even stairs and elevators, feature the leitmotiv of the red color. Panels, posters, LED chandeliers turn the space on, whilst sculptures, tapestries and backlit black metal bridges with bright sparkles warm it up. On top of that, the space is also enriched by pillows and custom blankets with sparkle-shaped logos. Sparkles take over the 91 rooms of the W Paris Hotel, unrolling a path that runs through the restaurants and the common areas to get to The Spark, adding a strong modern touch to a perfectly preserved old building.

Majestic pillars, 3 meter tall vault ceilings, mosaic flooring, glass walls and doors decorated with late 19th century patterns have been conserved and refurbished, then paired to modern, bright design items. This makes the W Hotel Paris shine day and night in Paris’ most famous district, adding a further refined touch to the lights of the Opéra and the boutiques located in Place Vendome and Galeries Lafayette. 

INFO: www.rockwellgroup.com

PHOTO COURTESY: Starwood Hotels and Resorts Please