At the helm of the iconic Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris, Philippe Clarinval brings a contemporary, people-centric vision to luxury hospitality. With more than two decades of international experience, the Swiss-born hotelier has led distinguished properties including the Carlton Hotel St. Moritz and Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel. He holds a doctorate from the University of Liverpool and is a Teaching Fellow at the École Hôtelière de Lausanne.

At the Prince de Galles, Philippe is honoring the hotel’s legendary Art Deco heritage while shaping its future with elegance, innovation, and authenticity. Guided by the belief that true luxury is rooted in time, beauty, and genuine attention, he shares his perspective on creating exceptional experiences, meaningful connections, and lasting memories.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE PRINCE DE GALLES IN JUST THREE WORDS?

Elegance, Heritage, Discretion

WHAT MAKES PRINCE DE GALLES UNIQUELY PARISIAN?

Prince de Galles has a wonderful sense of place. Our Art Deco heritage, our location on Avenue George V and the intimacy of the hotel give it a very distinctive Parisian personality. It is elegant without being ostentatious. There is history here, but also a very contemporary energy. For me, that balance between heritage and modernity is quintessentially Parisian.

WHICH ROOM AND SUITE OFFER THE MOST MEMORABLE PARIS EXPERIENCE?

Our most exceptional suites offer a wonderful sense of residential Parisian living. But what makes the experience memorable is not simply the size of the suite or the view. It is waking up on Avenue George V, stepping onto a terrace, and feeling that Paris is quite literally at your doorstep. That sense of belonging to the city, even for a few days, is what we want our guests to remember.

WHAT IS THE RESTAURANT AND BAR EXPERIENCE LIKE AT PRINCE DE GALLES AND WHICH DISH AND COCKTAIL WOULD YOU RECOMMEND GUEST’S TRY?

Our food and beverage experience reflects the personality of the hotel: sophisticated, convivial and distinctly Parisian. I particularly enjoy the atmosphere of our Patio. It is one of those places where you can almost forget that you are in the heart of one of the busiest cities in the world. As for a dish and cocktail, I would encourage guests to ask our teams for their current favorites. I believe the best recommendations should be personal — and sometimes a little unexpected.

WHERE IS THE MOST INSTAGRAM ABLE SHOT ON PROPERTY?

Without hesitation, the Patio. Its Art Deco mosaic, architecture and natural light make it one of the signatures of Prince de Galles. But I would say: take the photograph and then put the phone away. Some of the best moments in Paris deserve simply to be experienced.

WHICH WELLNESS EXPERIENCE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND AT THE NEW WELLNESS SUITE BY CALMA PARIS?

I would recommend allowing our CALMA Paris team to personalize the experience rather than simply choosing a treatment from a menu. Wellness today is very personal. After a long flight, an intense business trip or several days exploring Paris, people need different things. True luxury begins when we recognize that.

WHAT ARE THE SMALL TOUCHES THAT MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON A GUEST’S STAY AT PRINCE DE GALLES?

Recognition. Remembering a name, a preference, a favorite table, or simply why someone has come to Paris. These gestures may appear small, but emotionally they are enormous. Luxury hospitality is ultimately not about how much we give; it is about how well we pay attention.

WHICH OF PARIS’ UPCOMING EVENTS WILL GENERATE THE MOST EXCITEMENT?

Paris never really has an “off season” culturally. Fashion Week always brings an extraordinary energy to the city, but I am equally excited by the exhibitions, gastronomy, music and cultural events that continually reinvent Paris. What I love is helping our guests discover not only the Paris everyone knows, but also the Paris they might never have found on their own.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT AT PRINCE DE GALLES IN THE YEAR AHEAD?

Our people and our potential. We are entering an exciting new chapter for Prince de Galles. My ambition is to build on the extraordinary heritage of the hotel while making the guest experience increasingly personal, seamless and emotionally engaging. Buildings create beautiful hotels. People create memorable ones.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE FOUR HUNDRED MEMBER TO KNOW ABOUT PRINCE DE GALLES?

I would like them to know that we understand the privilege — and responsibility — of looking after them. Prince de Galles combines the heritage and elegance of a great Parisian hotel with the intimacy of a place where people can genuinely be known. We want to understand not simply what a guest has booked, but why they are travelling. Because ultimately, the greatest luxury we can offer is not perfection for its own sake. It is the feeling that someone was paying attention.