After 28 years of serving as the evening concierge at Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, Patrick Becquet is preparing to turn in for good on May 19.
Becquet joined the hotel staff as a doorman in 1987, and the place made a lasting impression on him. “What I remember most is being struck by the hotel — the architecture, the cozy atmosphere and the fresco in the bar,” he says, recalling his first day at the Paris property. “There was something magical about the Lutetia. I was 23 and had no idea I would end up spending nearly 40 years here.”
Like Becquet, Mandarin Oriental Lutetia holds many stories. The hotel, which opened in 1910 during Paris’ Belle Époque, was designed to accommodate the affluent clients of nearby luxury department store Le Bon Marché. It became a favorite haunt of the Left Bank intelligentsia, frequented by luminaries like Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce, who completed Ulysses during a stay. This all cemented the hotel’s stylish and sophisticated reputation during the 20th century.
The property entered a new chapter in 2018 with renovations led by renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who restored the only luxury palace hotel on the Left Bank to its former glory. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group then acquired the historic Hôtel Lutetia and rebranded it as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris.
Becquet, of course, was there for this new chapter as he had been for so many previous ones. Forbes Travel Guide recently sat down with him to hear his tales of famous guests, eccentric requests and the art of recommending the perfect restaurant.
What makes Mandarin Oriental Lutetia so special?
The Mandarin Oriental Lutetia has a special soul. It is a place steeped in history at the heart of Parisian life, which has always attracted artists, writers and travelers from all over the world. Even after all these years and all its transformations, it has retained that Parisian elegance and unique atmosphere.
What are your favorite memories from your time at the hotel?
What I remember most are the human encounters. The nights when [French singer-songwriter] Bernard Lavilliers would come chat and play us his new songs remain very precious memories. I also remember [controversial musician] Serge Gainsbourg, who would sometimes come for a drink at the bar in the middle of the night before heading home, accompanied by the police.
These were rather surreal moments, but they were part and parcel of life at the Lutetia back then. And then there were all those film shoots and photo shoots in the hotel, which sometimes turned the Lutetia into a veritable film set.
What is the most unexpected request you have received from a hotel guest?
One night, a Saudi guest told me he’d just bought himself a Bugatti Chiron for his birthday. A few minutes later, the car arrived by lorry outside the hotel, escorted by two Mercedes and bodyguards…And he handed me the keys. A surreal moment that captures the magic of our profession.
I’m quite proud of always having managed to find solutions, even for the most unlikely requests, such as a monk’s habit found on short notice for a famous writer and literary critic [who was] a guest at the hotel heading to a party.
Do you have a restaurant that has consistently impressed guests whenever you recommended it?
Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to discover many places thanks to Les Clefs d’Or and exchanges with other concierges. I particularly liked recommending places with a true Parisian soul, where guests could enjoy an authentic experience — not just a good meal.
How have you seen the hotel and the hospitality industry change over the years?
When I started, everything was still done by hand — messages, bookings and guest interactions. Today, IT and new technologies play a huge role in our industry. The Lutetia has also changed a great deal, especially following its refurbishment. The hotel has become even more luxurious, with a new clientele and a different way of working.
What advice would you give to someone starting as a night concierge?
I’d say that, above all, you need to like people and know how to listen. Technical skills can be learned, but a sense of service and attention to others make all the difference. You also need to be calm, discreet and always ready to find a solution, even in the middle of the night.
What will you miss most about working at Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris?
What I’ll miss most are the interactions with guests and the unique atmosphere of nights at the Lutetia. After 39 years here, the hotel has become a real part of my life.
What are you most excited to do once you retire?
I want to spend my time differently, at a more leisurely pace. And I fully intend to do a lot of cycling on the bike the team gave me as a leaving present. It’s a gift that means a great deal to me.
After spending so many years planning the ideal day for your guests, what does your ideal off day look like?
My ideal day will be much simpler than before: taking the time to stroll around Paris, enjoying the terraces, catching up with friends and discovering the city in a different way than between night shifts. I also want to spend more time in the neighborhoods I’ve always loved, around Saint-Germain-des-Prés, but this time without watching the clock.
