les ambassadeurs

The World's First Watch Butler

Filed under: Gadgets, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches

Connoisseurs of luxury timepieces have long flocked to Geneva for their purchases. The Swiss city is home to the finest watch manufacturers in the world, including Patek Philippe, Rolex and more. The Rocco Forte Collection's Le Richemond Hotel has capitalized on the desires of their discerning clientele and instituted the world's first "Watch Butler" service, a part buying and part educational concierge benefit available at no charge for hotel guests.

Pierre Jacques, the hotels' on-call Watch Butler, heads the luxury watch boutique Les Ambassadeurs, located on Geneva's prime shopping street, the rue du Rhone. He is the previous editor of the industry leading luxury publication, GMT Magazine, and specializes in "Haute Horlongerie." Jacques possesses unprecedented access to 24 elite luxury brands, most Swiss-made, and also rare collector's timepieces.

The service itself is tailored to the guest's desires and can take place at the hotel or by specially-arranged limousine visit to Les Ambassadeurs. Consults begin by inviting the prospective buyers to peruse a brand list so that they may narrow down their preferred brands. If desired, private tours of manufacturing sites are also available.

Tags: geneva, Le Richemond, les ambassadeurs, pierre jacques, switzerland, watch butler, watches

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Hotel de Crillon: Refined Luxury in an Intimate Atmosphere

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Hôtel de Crillon, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best City Hotel, is among the most beautiful and elegant hotels in the world.

Originally a family residence, the building was designed by eminent architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel, who was commissioned in 1758 by Louis XV to design the columned palace. History says that Marie-Antoinette came here to take her music lessons. The palace was initially home to the Duc d'Aumont, who decorated it sumptuously in the typical French style of the period. In 1788, the Comte de Crillon acquired it and gave it his name. The Crillon remained a family home until 1907, before being turned into a hotel in 1909. While the hotel offers a wide range of accommodation, it still retains the intimate atmosphere of a private residence.

The hotel has hosted Kings, Queens and presidents alike. Crillon guests include Emperor Hirohito of Japan, King
George V of England, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophie of Spain, Sir Winston Churchill, Presidents Herbert Hoover, Theodore Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton and George Bush and the Dalai Lama.

The Hôtel de Crillon is ideally situated across the street from the Place de la Concorde and next to the American Embassy. It is situated next to the elegant Rue du Faubourg St Honoré. Its set of three reception rooms are classified as historical monuments and its ceilings are six meters high. The hotel is home to one of Paris's finest restaurants, Les Ambassadeurs, which is located in the former ballroom of the Dukes de Crillon. The hotel's Winter Garden is one of the most romantic spots at the Crillon. Coffee and croissants are served in the morning, followed by light meals and drinks throughout the day.

Each of the hotel's rooms are generously sized and elegantly decorated. It offers 103 rooms, 39 suites and five luxury apartments. Each room, suite and apartment has its own decor and color scheme. Among the hotel's suites are the "Duc de Crillon", which was formerly the private chapel of the Crillon family. Its Leonard Bernstein Suite, which was frequently visited by the famous composer it is named for, is situated on the fifth floor of the hotel. The suite has the finest decor and is luxury without ostentation. It has an exceptional view of Paris and the Eiffel Tower from two large terraces.

Rates during the low season range from 770 euros a night for a superior double room to 1,620 euros for a superior suite. Rates include all applicable taxes.

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