NEWSLETTER

Dear fellow Traveller;

A summer full of stories - they can all be found on www.famoushotels.org

• After the devastating storm, we help the employees and their families of the Strand Hotel in Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma). You find the link here on our website (http://www.famoushotels.org/article/787): Please help us to help!

Spain: Celebrate with us our first "Spanish" book! Spain: Celebrate with us our first "Spanish" book! And the 100th anniversary of The Ritz Madrid (The Ritz Hotel Development Company was founded on 28 June 1908. The legendary hotelier César Ritz had lent his name to the company, but was never personally involved in the Spanish enterprise).

The Ritz in Madrid was the first luxurious hotel in Spain's capital Madrid. Today it is a Select Member of The Most Famous Hotels in the World and the latest addition to our library (in Spanish and English; you can buy it from our website under BOOKS).

Did you know?

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is at 667m the highest capital of Europe.

The Ritz is the most famous historic hotel of Spain, the general manager of this revolving point of international high society is Swiss: Anton Küng.

From the Ritz you are at the Prado museum (Goya, ...) in 60 seconds. Rooms facing south overlook it. Need a ticket for Real Madrid? Ask the concierge at ...

Read more: a preview of some pages and our bullet list By the Way – At The Ritz Go here to be prepared.

• Select Member Hotels can post their smiling doorman (head concierge, etc...) on our homepage free of charge. On the page of the hotel's entry the portrait of the hotel's doorman should not be missing. Send it to us and we place it there. In addition all historical photographs you want to place can be submitted as a service to our readers, researchers and historians.

• US hotel&tourism expert Stan Turkel has joined our team of specialists, authors and researchers. Stan is one of the most widely- published hotel consultants in the United States. Stan Turkel is present on our site with his column Nobody Asked Me, But ..., an insider's wise and hilarious comments on everyday hospitality business. You find them on our site.

• Attention, Famous Hotels, opened in 1958! We welcome two new members, both opened for business in 1958: the Cipriani (Venice) and the Armenia (Yerevan, a Marriott Hotel); - they all can be found on our website and are now officially part of the selection.

• Quiz: Let me see how good you are in using Google Earth to find out what you can enjoy at 32°38'26.33" N, 16°55'25.32" W ? It is synonymous for that particular hotel - and, yes, this hotel is the subject of one of my next books! Where on Earth have you landed? The first three correct answers receive our new book about the Hotel Ritz, Madrid.
  

• Terms of Business: Are you 100% sure where the term "Spa" stems from? Or why is a hotel hall called a "Lobby"? With "Terms of Business" we are launching a new weblog, explaining the various terms frequently used in our business. We've got the answers - and we welcome your questions!

• Sri Lanka, Galle Face Hotel: If you ever wonder why I prefer to take the stairs - please visit the haunt of every discerning traveller; the legend of Sri Lanka: the Galle Face Hotel. And have a good look at the signboard ('taking the stairs').
• USA. Denver - The Brown Palace offers Spa-sensational summer treats. Go
• Famous Employees: we honour them - the longest serving staff in the world. Visit

Enjoy your journeys! Don't forget to visit your "famous hotel" in town. When did you last lunch or dine there?

Andreas Augustin