
The iconic Parisian hotel will close next summer for 27 months to undergo an entire renovation
Owner Mohammed Al Fayed has been thinking about taking this decision for a long time. The landmark establishment was already given a construction authorization many years ago, and it was about to expire. The hotel is now scheduled to close in summer 2012 for a period exceeding two years.Furthermore, 470 of the 500 employees will be made redundant due to the closure of the establishment. The Hotel's President, Franck Klein assured that they will take care of their employees during the period that the hotel is closed, but he didn't give further explanations.The famous Ritz Paris first opened in 1889 by the Swiss hotelier César Ritz. The 160 guestrooms have not been renovated since 1979. This makeover is imperative is the famed hotel would like to one day be granted the "Palace" label in France, and if it would like to compete with a luxury market that is getting tighter with he arrival of new competitors from Asia.Furthermore, 470 of the 500 employees will be made redundant due to the closure of the establishment. The Hotel's President, Franck Klein assured that they will take care of their employees during the period that the hotel is closed, but he didn't give further explanations.
