A CONTEMPORARY AND INTIMATE DECOR FOR AN URBAN RESORT ON THE RIVIERA
François Champsaur, who set up his own consultancy in Paris in 1996, has been appointed to redesign Le Méridien Nice.
To create the new interiors of the hotel, he has kept to his tenet of perfectionism working with space in a uniquely rigorous and creative way. Using rich materials, he has designed a contemporary and intimate universe, using colours that are in perfect harmony with the Mediterranean.
Champsaur designed the interiors of the famous Maison Troisgros restaurant in Roanne, the Montalembert and Lancaster hotels in Paris - in association with Christian Liaigre - and the Nina Ricci boutiques in Paris and Hong-Kong. He brings to Le Méridien Nice a special attention to concept and detail: structural rigour, purity of lines, modulation and clever exposure to light. “For this urban resort located on the seafront, he explains, I wanted to bring the dynamics of a city combined with a home feeling, which is why I have created areas clearly defined so as to provide guests a feeling of well-being”.
The bedrooms are decorated in neutral tones enlivened by touches of red, light purple and blue to absorb the intensity of the light. Created exclusively for the hotel by Champsaur, the furniture includes an open Asian-style cupboard; a round table lit by a lamp, designed by Christian Delcourt, and on which the traveller can work or have breakfast, a white sofa with a high back to give an impression of height and space to the room, covered with dark brown and white embroidered cushions. By including individual pieces of furniture, rather than integrating them into the walls “as they usually are in modern hotel rooms”, Champsaur’s aim was to recreate a home-away-from-home.
The large bedheads are covered with dark brown upholstery and placed so as to offer a sea view upon waking. The deep red bedside tables are reminiscent of a drum hollowed out, therefore giving an impression of openness and lightness despite a heavy base. A plasma screen is set on a large oak panel, which can be directed either towards the bed or the sitting area. The windows are dressed with heavy white cotton curtains and a curtain can provide a complete blackout.
The layout of the suites has been completely redesigned to create a living area that opens out to the sea. The new glazed partition separates the room from the entrance, whilst offering a perspective of the outstanding view. The striped carpet brings dynamism to the décor and blends harmoniously with the colour-theme: dark brown, white and purple. To maximise the strong luminosity, the structure of the bathrooms has been completely redesigned in order to offer a sea view. Each bathroom will be equipped with a bathtub and a power “rain” shower.
Once the renovation has been completed, the public areas, the bar and the restaurant will bask in an incredible brightness, constantly playing with daylight and at night, with subtle lighting and candles.
In the lobby, rich materials have been chosen to create an elegant and warm atmosphere: the existing white marble has been reworked, stained walnut for the reception desk, white leather on the sofas and brown cotton which will cover the chairs. The decor will be enlivened by touches of red and purple as featured in the carpet and the wall facing the staircase will be painted in a deep-blue colour.
A glazed partition will separate the reception area from the lounge, creating a more intimate atmosphere and providing a setting where guests will be able to relax whilst enjoying a coffee.
On the corner where the bar and restaurant are located, the ceilings and the columns will be covered with stained walnut, creating a huge portico opening up onto the sea and offering wonderful views of the old town of Nice. François Champsaur describes: “I have created a frame of the outstanding view, which puts into perspective the light, particularly strong in this part of the hotel!”.
The restaurant will be laid out so that each customer will be able to enjoy the view whilst eating. For the furniture, Champsaur has chosen white leather benches, mocha-coloured leather for the chairs as well as for the stools along the “table d’hôte” where guests will be able to sample Head Chef Sébastien Giannini’s cuisine whilst facing the Promenade.
About Le Méridien Nice
Located in the heart of Nice, close to the old town and the luxury boutiques, the hotel offers 318 bedrooms overlooking the Mediterranean, the Albert 1st Gardens or the patio. A highlight of Le Méridien Nice is the recent arrival of Chef Sébastien Giannini whose contemporary style of cooking concentrates on Mediterranean products. The restaurant and its terrace, situated on the 9th floor, are open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For those in need of relaxation, the hotel boasts a heated swimming-pool, a solarium, a spa and a fitness room, also located on the top floor. Hotel guests can access the private beach from May to September.
Le Méridien Nice
1, Promenade des Anglais 060000 Nice France
Tel: +33 4 97 03 40 00
Fax: +33 4 97 03 44 46
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