With long-haul travel still at half-mast and business travel at a moderato tempo, the Pullman Paris Montparnasse would no doubt have been satisfied with a more favourable context for its return to business. However, the management of this 900-room hotel, which caters for international customers and corporate events, does not seem to be complaining about its MICE business. " Since reopening on 27 December, we have welcomed more than 90 eventsFrom board meetings and product launches to gala dinners and trophy presentations, and welcoming back athletes from the Beijing Winter Olympics." says Leïla Salhi, the hotel's sales manager.
" Although the start of the year was unsettled, with events cancelled or postponed, the second quarter - traditionally a strong one for our sector - is showing signs of momentum." says Jérôme Cherpin, the hotel's general manager. While the Asian clientele is still absent, the hotel is recording strong demand in the French and North American markets for the months ahead. "For example, we only have one week left to sell in September, the other three having already been booked." says the hotelier.
In addition, whereas up until now, the events hosted have ranged from 50 to 100 rooms, the establishment expects to have a gradual increase in the number of participants. " We had a very fine event from the United States in May and another on the French market in June, both in the 300 to 400 room range. And from September onwards, we'll be able to cater for more than 400 people." says Jérôme Cherpin.
Pullman Paris Montparnasse begins to regain its pre-eminent position in the Paris MICE market after four years of closure for works. More than a renovation, a complete transformation, almost opening a new hotelentirely redesigned by CUT Architectures. Everything has changed, apart from the number of keys, which is still set at 957 rooms. And yet. This stability conceals an underlying change, with two-thirds of rooms in the Deluxe category rather than Standard, symbolising a 'premiumisation' of the offering.
The new flagship of the Pullman brand - and the Accor group's largest hotel in Europe - has rethought its positioning. Previously focused on Franco-French corporate events, the hotel is now turning its attention to the French market. towards major international conventionswhich should account for more than half of its events business. " We are no longer competing on a Parisian scale, but with other MICE destinations." confirms Jérôme Cherpin. To establish itself as a benchmark on the international scene, the Pullman Paris Montparnasse has drawn inspiration for its metamorphosis from the jumbo jets in Dubai and the United States, which offer customers a top-of-the-range experience, in an idea for an urban resort in the heart of Paris.
To revitalise its F&B offering, the hotel has gone in search of promising concepts originally developed by the American group SBE, one of Accor's main acquisitions in the lifestyle segment. These include Umami, a top-of-the-range burger restaurant, and Fil'ia, an authentic, modern Italian restaurant due to open in the spring. But above all, from the top of its 32 floors, the Pullman Montparnasse is distinguished by the capital's highest rooftop bar115 m high, with a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. Open in the evenings, it is also based on the Skybar concept launched by SBE in Miami and Los Angeles, featuring Asian fusion cuisine, original cocktails and music by DJ Fred Viktor.
This will give event-goers the opportunity to extend their stay or bring forward their arrival date. Because the hotel, which will also be offering a spa from next year, remains above all a place of relaxation. tailor-made for major corporate events. The customer flow has been designed to accommodate groups seamlessly, with three reception areas: the entrance to the hotel for MICE and leisure groups, the lobby on the second floor for the main reception area and the reception area on the third floor. a new area, also on the 2nd floor, to welcome members of the ALL programme Elite level and suite guests, as well as VIP event participants.
As for the meeting rooms, here too everything has changed with the transformation of the hotel. " They used to be on the ground floor, with no natural light, describes Leïla Salhi. The space has been enhanced with three floors dedicated to events" . The Event Center - so named because the venue is not just for conferences, but for all kinds of events such as fashion shows and concerts - offers a multitude of options for organisers, from its studios on the 3rd floor to the Green Rooms on the 4th floor. While their name reflects the hotel's strong commitment to CSR, it also distinguishes a green environment, with an 800 m2 terrace laid out as urban gardens, ideal for relaxing between meetings.
But the highlight of the Pullman Paris Montparnasse's events offering is without doubt its Large 742 m2 ballroom with a ceiling height of 8m. It can accommodate up to 735 people in its entirety, but can also be divided into several rooms. "our main asset, a venue that has few equivalents in Paris" says Jérôme Cherpin.
And while the MICE dimension of the hotel is already substantial, it is not yet fully complete, since a new 1500 m2 space will be launched on the market in September. Designed in partnership with the Canadian agency C2specialising in immersive events and content creation, this playful, modular venue will have a street entrance. Divided into three zones, the space will be able to host creative workshops, product launches, gala dinners and team-building events, as well as serving as an adjoining plenary room for major conventions. Also in September, the Pullman Paris Montparnasse will begin marketing the large meeting rooms in the coworking centre. Wojo next door, now nearing completion.
The establishment is also part of a wider project, Ateliers Gaîté. In other words, the revitalisation of the area adjacent to the TGV station, which is being carried out by Unibal Rodamco at a cost of €470 million. " It is one of the three most important projects in Paris in the last 20 years, along with Chatelet-Les Halles and the Samaritaine." says Jérôme Cherpin. A redesigned neighbourhood that will include a hotel and a Wojo coworking space. with more than 1,000 workstations, as well as a library, a new shopping centre with around sixty boutiques and, finally, a food hall managed by the Moma Group, billed as the largest in Europe with more than 25 restaurants. The hall will be connected to the hotel and can accommodate up to 1,200 people.
