Van der Valk: a renaissance at the heart of Grand Roissy

Meet Madame Lucie Legrand, Director of Sales & Marketing of Van der Valk Hotel Paris CDG Airport, who shares his vision of a business hotel that is elegant, welcoming and resolutely focused on events.

Partner's Word – A reinvented MICE address in the heart of Roissy

In this exclusive interview, discover how Van der Valk Hotel Paris CDG Airport reinvents the art of hospitality in the Grand Roissy destination, with 388 rooms and suites, 2,000 m² of event space, a refined dining experience and a concrete CSR approachThrough a vast renovation program, Mrs. Lucie Legrand returns to the ambitions of the Dutch family brand to become a new must-see MICE destination Greater Roissy, while offering its customers a premium, friendly and inspiring experience.

1. You have extensive experience in marketing several well-known hotel brands, what made you want to move towards business development in the hotel industry?

I have always been passionate about the hotel industry. I find it fascinating how much goes on behind the scenes to make a guest's stay unique and memorable.The harmony between all departments, the attention to detail and the final result after hours of collective work are, in my opinion, what makes this profession so beautiful.

The sales department also brings together many aspects that I particularly like, starting with the human side and customer relations. I am fortunate to meet very different personalities, to experience unique situations, to discover new places and to participate in events that are sometimes very exclusive.

Otherwise, Sales in the hotel industry is an extremely comprehensive profession.Between negotiation, event organization, prospecting, pricing strategy, and marketing and communication, every day is different and offers numerous opportunities to promote an establishment.

Finally The true strength of a hotel remains its teamsboth operational and commercial aspects. It is this collective work, this constant attention to detail and this team dynamic that I love most about the hotel industry.

2. Van der Valk is a well-known Dutch family brand; why, in your opinion, does it have a rightful place at the heart of the Grand Roissy destination?

Van der Valk is a brand that deserves to be better known today in the Roissy-CDG area and more broadly in France. The group is also continuing its development in France. with several establishments already open and new projects to come.

In my opinion, the brand brings a truly unique character to the Grand Roissy destinationVan der Valk stands out both for the quality of service offered, and for its very refined and welcoming identity, which is rarely found in the airport area today.

The goal is to create a “home-like” atmosphere. thanks to the care taken with the decoration, the materials used and the many details designed for the comfort of the customers. Many visitors discovering the brand are also captivated by the hotel's atmosphere and regularly ask us for the references of our furniture or our decoration!

We are also fortunate to have owners who are very present on site who have a thorough understanding of the market and the challenges involved in renovating an establishment of this size. This allows for great responsiveness and a real capacity for daily adaptation.

3. Your hotel is currently undergoing a major renovation program; what are the ambitions of this project for the customer experience, and how will it strengthen your MICE positioning?

Van der Valk has made a major investment to renovate the entire establishment. This is not simply a refresh, but a thorough renovation designed to to sustainably improve customer comfort and ensure the building's longevity. For example, the entire air conditioning system has been completely redesigned to offer greater flexibility and improved thermal comfort, regardless of the season.

The hotel also boasts exceptional event capabilities. We can host a wide variety of events, ranging from car launches to shows or entertainment both indoors and outdoors. Our spaces are modular and allow us to offer tailor-made experiences, adapted to the needs of each client.

Van der Valk's ambition is clear: to become an essential reference in business tourism and the new MICE destination of the Roissy-CDG platform.

4. Can you tell us about your CSR actions, and how they are integrated into the daily operations of the hotel as well as into event planning?

Today, the hotel is certified by both Green Key et EcolabelThis reflects our concrete commitment to sustainable development. On a daily basis, this translates into several actions implemented for both accommodation and events: Installation of water fountains, visible waste sorting in all seminar spaces, highlighting the origin of products during meals, and the development of seasonal menus..

We also offer a “Green Stay” in-room program When a customer chooses not to have their bed made up, a tree is planted. The goal is to integrate these practices naturally into the customer experience and event organization, without compromising comfort or service quality.

5. What is your view on the future of business tourism in Greater Roissy?

I think that business tourism in Grand Roissy has a very promising future. The destination benefits from major advantages with Paris-CDG airport, constantly evolving infrastructures and excellent international accessibility.

Today, companies are looking for more than just meeting rooms: they want to have real experiences. Grand Roissy has precisely this ability to offer a complete range of services blending business, hospitality, gastronomy and leisure. It is a destination that continues to transform and which, in my opinion, has strong development potential in the years to come.

6. To conclude, after a seminar in your Atelier and Studio spaces, with a lunch break at Plume, what place or activity would you recommend to discover the Grand Roissy area?

I would recommend a discovery of village of Roissy-en-France, which has a lot of charm and allows you to discover another facet of the territory, more authentic and friendly.

For a slightly more original activity after a seminar, the region also offers numerous experiences centered around aeronautics, golf or immersive and team building activities that are very popular with companies.