Hotel Lutetia reopens in Paris after stunning $234M makeover

CNN  — 

For the past century the Art Nouveau Hotel Lutetia has been a Paris icon, known as much for its popularity with artists as its unusual Left Bank location.

Now, after closing its doors for a four-year, €200 million (roughly $234 million) refurbishment, the Lutetia is back, adding to the ranks of fashionable luxury hotels in the French capital, just in time for the peak summer season.

Sensitively renovated under the attentive eye of architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the spirit of the historic building remains intact with desirable contemporary features incorporated into its classic Art Deco interior.

Don’t expect any last-minute travel bargains though. Room rates start at €850-a-night – with the swanky Presidential suite costing €19,000.

The hotel opened in 1910, built by the founders of famous Parisian department store Le Bon Marché and was an instant hit with the city’s creatives. Irish author James Joyce is even said to have written part of his seminal novel “Ulysses” while staying here.