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Spotlight | France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris's future hangs in the balance

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“The Ritz after Al-Fayed”

France, United Kingdom

The Ritz after Al-Fayed

The Ritz Paris has faced numerous challenges since the death of its long-standing owner, Egyptian business mogul, Mohamed Al-Fayed. The world's most famous luxury hotel has to live with the risk of seeing its reputation tarnished by the onslaught of sexual assault allegations levelled against Al-Fayed. What's more, the late owner's heirs do not have the same vision of the hotel's future, with some wanting to sell it and others keen to keep the jewel in the crown of Mohamed Al-Fayed's empire in family hands. [...]

The Ritz Paris, on the French capital's Place Vendôme. © Studio Pachamama

While the heirs to the iconic hotel on Paris's Place Vendôme debate its future following the death of owner Mohamed Al Fayed last year, would-be buyers are all ears. [...]

Published on 29/02/2024 at 06:00 GMT Reading time 4 minutes Philippe Vasset

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Families

Read this article in our running story

“The Ritz after Al-Fayed”

France, United Kingdom

The Ritz after Al-Fayed

Set up email notifications for these topics

Anna Wintour
Belmond
Bernard Arnault
Brunei Investment Agency
Camilla Al Fayed
Cheval Blanc
Constellation Hotels Holding
Dorchester
Frame
French Properties Management
Hamad bin Jassem Jabr Al Thani
Harrods
Hassanal Bolkiah
Heini Wathen-Fayed
Jasmine Al Fayed
Karim Al Fayed
Le Meurice
Louis Vuitton
LVMH
LVMH Hospitality Excellence
Maybourne Hotels Group
Mohamed Al Fayed
Nicolas Ghesquière
Omar Al Fayed
Plaza Athénée
Qatar Investment Authority
RH Paris 1
RH Paris 3
Ritz (Paris) Holding
Ritz Entreprise
Ritz Paris

Spotlight | France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris hit with first complaint from Al-Fayed victim

Since the BBC's September 2024 revelations that the Egyptian luxury mogul repeatedly abused women working for his companies, the department store Harrods, now in Qatari hands, has so far been the only one subject to legal complaints.

Subscribers only Families 13.03.2025

The world-renowned hotel is the first establishment directly controlled by the Al-Fayed family to be the target of a complaint.

France, Saudi Arabia
As Al Fayed abuse storm gathers strength, Ritz Paris gets a new chairman close to Riyadh

So far unaffected by complaints filed by victims of late former owner Mohamed Al Fayed's abuse, the Ritz Paris has replaced its chairman, financier Keith Lindsay, with a lawyer who used to manage the lucrative licensing of the Ritz brand.

Subscribers only Entourage 27.02.2025

Brunei, France
How the Sultan of Brunei got his hands on an ultra-rare Tiffany Nautilus watch

The Sultan of Brunei, one of the world's leading luxury watch collectors, was seen last month in China with a Tiffany Nautilus watch on his wrist. Only 170 models of the ultra-rare timepiece have been produced but the sultan was helped to get one by the Arnault family, which owns LVMH and Tiffany & Co.

Free access Families 13.02.2025

Qatar, United Kingdom
Property magnate McKillen's hotel war with Qatari royal intensifies

Irish businessman Patrick McKillen had several million euros seized from Hamad bin Jassim's French bank accounts last year and wants millions more from the hotels owned by the Qatari royal with whom he was formerly a partner.

Subscribers only Entourage 16.01.2025

Italy
Excelsior Hotel Gallia opens roof terrace war in Milan

The Excelsior Hotel Gallia will be renovating its roof terrace at great expense from January onwards. The aim is to compete with rival establishments in Italy's fashion capital that have recently moved into more prestigious areas.

Free access Entourage 12.12.2024

France
Headbutts and harassment: trouble at the Ritz

The Ritz Paris has been ordered to pay hefty compensation to one of its former employees in a lawsuit over workplace bullying. Meanwhile, lawyers representing women accusing the hotel's late owner, Mohamed Al Fayed, of sexual harassment have announced they intend to take the hotel to court.

Subscribers only Houses 14.11.2024

United Kingdom
Qatari hotel magnates battle it out in Mayfair

With the six-star Qatari Diar-owned Chancery Rosewood hotel due to open next year in Mayfair, former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassem Jabr Al Thani, himself a luxury hotel operator, is extending his holdings in that most exclusive of London neighbourhoods.

Subscribers only Families 17.10.2024

France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris provisioned for litigation long before sexual assault accusations against ex-owner Al Fayed

A decade before Mohamed Al Fayed's multiple alleged sexual assaults on women became the subject of a damning BBC documentary, the Ritz Paris started to set aside millions of euros in anticipation of legal proceedings from employees.

Subscribers only Entourage 26.09.2024

France
Anna Wintour gets special treatment at Ritz

Anna Wintour is a fan of the Ritz Paris, and everybody knows it. The feeling, judging by the evidence, is mutual.

Subscribers only Entourage 12.09.2024

Front Row | Italy
The Cipriani family, the Venice bar moguls making costly property bets

The family that owns the iconic Harry's Bar restaurant in Venice has undertaken four colossal property projects that are putting a strain on finances. Several big names in luxury are keeping a close eye on those ventures, ready to make offers in the event of a collapse.

Subscribers only Entourage 12.09.2024

Arrigo Cipriani (centre), his son Giuseppe (behind) and grandsons Maggio and Ignazio (in the background).

France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris rate hikes serve to repay Al Fayed loans

For the past year, guests have paid a lot more to stay at the luxury hotel on the Place Vendôme, allowing creditor shareholders to get some of their money back.

Subscribers only Families 29.08.2024

France, United Kingdom
Ritz at daggers drawn with ex-manager Frank Klein

The head of the iconic Paris hotel for 40 years, Frank Klein has won nearly half a million euros in damages from his former employer.

Subscribers only Houses 20.06.2024

France
Ritz Paris struggles to secure Covid-19 tax rebate

In an effort to stem its colossal debts, the iconic hotel on Paris's Place Vendôme has asked French tax authorities to reimburse part of its tax bill from the 2020 lockdown.

Subscribers only Houses 23.05.2024

Spotlight | France
The case of the giant Vuitton trunk on the Champs-Élysées

Hidden behind a gigantic monogrammed trunk, the forthcoming Vuitton flagship at 103 Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a major LVMH project. Floor by floor, from the shop to the gallery and even a hypothetical hotel, Glitz.paris can reveal the planned layout, complete with plans and virtual projections.

Subscribers only Houses 09.05.2024

What lies behind the giant trunk concealing the forthcoming Louis Vuitton building at 103 Avenue des Champs-Élysées?

France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris president relinquishes two directorships

While the Ritz Paris remains the subject of a tug-of-war among the heirs of former owner Mohamed Al Fayed, the hotel's president has just given up a pair of his director roles, hinting at possible changes to come.

Subscribers only Entourage 09.05.2024

Spotlight | United States
LVMH's mystery projects on Rodeo Drive

A year after the French luxury giant was forced to abandon plans for a Cheval Blanc hotel in Beverly Hills, LVMH has launched a new project, behind the facade of a holding company, to renovate the historic Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel's former premises.

Subscribers only Houses 02.05.2024

The former Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel is to become a gigantic Louis Vuitton shop.

France
Elusive Vuitton hotel propels palace intrigue

LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault openly cast doubt on plans for a Paris hotel within Louis Vuitton's forthcoming Champs-Élysées headquarters during the luxury giant's annual general shareholder meeting last week. Permission to build the hotel, requested last summer, is still awaiting municipal approval.

Subscribers only Houses 25.04.2024

United States
LVMH focuses lobbying efforts on alcohol

Having long poured funds into promoting Tiffany's interests in the US Congress, the luxury group is shifting its strategy and fighting restrictions on alcoholic beverages instead.

Subscribers only Houses 21.03.2024

France
Jeweller Damiani announces China expansion as work continues on Paris boutique

The Italian jeweller Damiani on 15 January announced that it would be opening two new shops in China, in Shanghai and in Sanya, on the tax-free island of Hainan.

Subscribers only Houses 08.02.2024

France
Cartier in tug-of-war with Qatari royal family

The Qatari royal family's real estate holding company, which owns the Place Vendôme building that houses Cartier's Paris flagship, tried to raise the jeweller's rent massively.

Subscribers only Houses 01.02.2024

France
What will become of the late Mohamed Al Fayed's Megève chalet and Saint-Tropez villa?

The Egyptian tycoon and proprietor of the Ritz, who died last week at 94, leaves behind a substantial real estate portfolio that includes two sumptuous French properties, in the Alps and on the Côte d'Azur.

Subscribers only Families 07.09.2023

Spotlight | Qatar, United States
Former Qatar PM works to grow ultra-luxury hotel empire in the US

After establishing five-star hotels in France and the United Kingdom, developer Constellation Hotels, owned by former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim, is gearing up to expand in the United States. The group is teaming up with the Arnault family for the ambitious project.

Subscribers only Families 22.06.2023

The former prime minister of Qatar, Hamad bin Jassim, known as HBJ.

Set up email notifications for these topics

Anna Wintour
Belmond
Bernard Arnault
Brunei Investment Agency
Camilla Al Fayed
Cheval Blanc
Constellation Hotels Holding
Dorchester
Frame
French Properties Management
Hamad bin Jassem Jabr Al Thani
Harrods
Hassanal Bolkiah
Heini Wathen-Fayed
Jasmine Al Fayed
Karim Al Fayed
Le Meurice
Louis Vuitton
LVMH
LVMH Hospitality Excellence
Maybourne Hotels Group
Mohamed Al Fayed
Nicolas Ghesquière
Omar Al Fayed
Plaza Athénée
Qatar Investment Authority
RH Paris 1
RH Paris 3
Ritz (Paris) Holding
Ritz Entreprise
Ritz Paris

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The geopolitics of fake goods

The Ritz after Al-Fayed

Karl Lagerfeld's long-time mansion, a luxury playground in Paris

Spotlight | France, United Kingdom Ritz Paris's future hangs in the balance

The Ritz after Al-Fayed

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The Ritz after Al-Fayed

Set up email notifications for these topics

Spotlight | France, United Kingdom Ritz Paris hit with first complaint from Al-Fayed victim

France, Saudi Arabia As Al Fayed abuse storm gathers strength, Ritz Paris gets a new chairman close to Riyadh

Brunei, France How the Sultan of Brunei got his hands on an ultra-rare Tiffany Nautilus watch

Qatar, United Kingdom Property magnate McKillen's hotel war with Qatari royal intensifies

Italy Excelsior Hotel Gallia opens roof terrace war in Milan

France Headbutts and harassment: trouble at the Ritz

United Kingdom Qatari hotel magnates battle it out in Mayfair

France, United Kingdom Ritz Paris provisioned for litigation long before sexual assault accusations against ex-owner Al Fayed

France Anna Wintour gets special treatment at Ritz

Front Row | Italy The Cipriani family, the Venice bar moguls making costly property bets

France, United Kingdom Ritz Paris rate hikes serve to repay Al Fayed loans

France, United Kingdom Ritz at daggers drawn with ex-manager Frank Klein

France Ritz Paris struggles to secure Covid-19 tax rebate

Spotlight | France The case of the giant Vuitton trunk on the Champs-Élysées

France, United Kingdom Ritz Paris president relinquishes two directorships

Spotlight | United States LVMH's mystery projects on Rodeo Drive

France Elusive Vuitton hotel propels palace intrigue

United States LVMH focuses lobbying efforts on alcohol

France Jeweller Damiani announces China expansion as work continues on Paris boutique

France Cartier in tug-of-war with Qatari royal family

France What will become of the late Mohamed Al Fayed's Megève chalet and Saint-Tropez villa?

Spotlight | Qatar, United States Former Qatar PM works to grow ultra-luxury hotel empire in the US

France, Qatar Former Qatari PM selects Ritz Paris architect for Left Bank luxury hotel project

France Launderer for Paris's Royal Monceau, Crillon and George V luxury hotels suspended for playing dirty

France Ritz Paris lures manager of Marrakesh's La Mamounia onto its board

France Natalie Bader Messian, formerly of Clarins and Prada, exits Ritz board

France Expedia's former number two joins Ritz Paris board

Qatar Ritz Paris set to open its first boutique, in Doha, as it expands into franchising

United Kingdom [Family Affairs] Mohamed Al Fayed struggles to shield his heirs from Ritz Paris's debts

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Spotlight | France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris's future hangs in the balance

Spotlight | France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris hit with first complaint from Al-Fayed victim

France, Saudi Arabia
As Al Fayed abuse storm gathers strength, Ritz Paris gets a new chairman close to Riyadh

Brunei, France
How the Sultan of Brunei got his hands on an ultra-rare Tiffany Nautilus watch

Qatar, United Kingdom
Property magnate McKillen's hotel war with Qatari royal intensifies

Italy
Excelsior Hotel Gallia opens roof terrace war in Milan

France
Headbutts and harassment: trouble at the Ritz

United Kingdom
Qatari hotel magnates battle it out in Mayfair

France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris provisioned for litigation long before sexual assault accusations against ex-owner Al Fayed

France
Anna Wintour gets special treatment at Ritz

Front Row | Italy
The Cipriani family, the Venice bar moguls making costly property bets

France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris rate hikes serve to repay Al Fayed loans

France, United Kingdom
Ritz at daggers drawn with ex-manager Frank Klein

France
Ritz Paris struggles to secure Covid-19 tax rebate

Spotlight | France
The case of the giant Vuitton trunk on the Champs-Élysées

France, United Kingdom
Ritz Paris president relinquishes two directorships

Spotlight | United States
LVMH's mystery projects on Rodeo Drive

France
Elusive Vuitton hotel propels palace intrigue

United States
LVMH focuses lobbying efforts on alcohol

France
Jeweller Damiani announces China expansion as work continues on Paris boutique

France
Cartier in tug-of-war with Qatari royal family

France
What will become of the late Mohamed Al Fayed's Megève chalet and Saint-Tropez villa?

Spotlight | Qatar, United States
Former Qatar PM works to grow ultra-luxury hotel empire in the US

France, Qatar
Former Qatari PM selects Ritz Paris architect for Left Bank luxury hotel project

France
Launderer for Paris's Royal Monceau, Crillon and George V luxury hotels suspended for playing dirty

France
Ritz Paris lures manager of Marrakesh's La Mamounia onto its board

France
Natalie Bader Messian, formerly of Clarins and Prada, exits Ritz board

France
Expedia's former number two joins Ritz Paris board

Qatar
Ritz Paris set to open its first boutique, in Doha, as it expands into franchising

United Kingdom
[Family Affairs] Mohamed Al Fayed struggles to shield his heirs from Ritz Paris's debts