Take me to Neverland

Take me to Neverland

Welcome

Dear Traveller;
Welcome to The Most Famous Hotels in the World, the keepers of the archives of the legendary icons of hospitality. 
Renowned historical hotels constitute a distinctive facet of our cultural legacy. The Most Famous Hotels in the World functions as both a research center and a publisher specializing in exquisite volumes dedicated to iconic hotels. We diligently contribute to preserving the past, thus ensuring the future remains secure.
So much more „About“ us

ABOUT THE HOUSES


 

 

LVIV, UKRAINE was one of the places of longing of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Capital of Galicia. Symbol of the anti-russian politics of Austria. Venue of the 1894 grand international exhibition. Right on time, the Grand Hotel opened in April 1894. More

 


hotel baur und johann baur in zurich

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, Every city in the world has a hotel legend. The Sacher in Vienna, the Ritz in Paris, Raffles in Singapore. The list is long. But Zurich has not one, but two hotels that still enjoy worldwide fame after nearly 200 years, both founded by the same hotelier and both bearing his name in their early years. HOTEL BAUR (today Savoy Mandarin Oriental) is Zurich's oldest grand hotel, followed by BAUR AU LAC. Austrian hotelier Johann Baur (inset) opened HOTEL BAUR as the first of his two world class hotels of the city on December 24, 1838. At that time, it marked a milestone in the history of the hotel industry. More ...


CAMBODIA — A Tale of Two Hotels: Raffles Le Royal and Grand Hotel d'Angkor


The Singing Butler is an oil-on-canvas painting by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano in 1992. More in Art in Hospitality


 


 

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA: Galle Face Hotel
In 1864, on 31 December, the name Galle Face was first mentioned in connection with a proposed hotel building in that location. We have researched the history of this splendid palatial hotel along the shores of the Indian Ocean, and found more than one gem of fabulous history telling. 


VIENNA, AUSTRIA: Hotel Imperial, 1873: To the left the former palace of the Prince of Wuertthemberg, transformed into the Hotel Imperial (right). Can you spot the difference? One storey had been added! Watch out for the new edition in 2024.


USA CHICAGO, Ambassador East hotel: Marilyn Monroe on the terrace of her suite. She was in town to promote her latest movie "Some Like It Hot".


Amazing Tales of the East Bangkok Thailand: The Oriental Bangkok - The Amazing Tale of Thailands most Famous Hote

Fascinating ExhibitionsPath of History — Walls TALK! - our exhibitions


 


News

It’s simple: HOTEL ARCHIVE Andreas Augustin

It’s simple: HOTEL ARCHIVE

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sustainability, ladies and gentlemen, pertains not just to environmental consciousness but also to your historical awareness. History is happening right now, as we sit here comfortably together. You are making history with your hotel. You produce menus, be they traditionally printed or digital. You create moments for your guests, for yourselves, and for your staff. But where are these moments recorded? What happens to them? Who will remember a price list from today tomorrow or in ten years? Who will be able to trace what you offered on your menus for special occasions? Which New Year's Eve menus or hotel brochures will still exist?

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The Peace of Zurich — a rolemodel for the Swiss Ukraine Peace Conference? Andreas Augustin

The Peace of Zurich — a rolemodel for the Swiss Ukraine Peace Conference?

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Switzerland, a neutral haven, is renowned for hosting international peace negotiations. In 1859, the Peace of Zurich, facilitated by hotelier Johann Bauer, led to the formation of modern Italy. Sardinia, France, and Austria were the key players, staying in Bauer's Zurich hotels during negotiations. His Hotels were fully booked: the Baur au Lac today run by legendary hotelier Andrea Kracht and Baur en Ville, todays Savoy Zurich of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group under Mark Samuel Bradford

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Davos 2024 Andreas Augustin

Davos 2024

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“The fifth season has begun,“ says Hans-Rudolf Rütti, General Manager, referring to the yearly WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM WEF. Following Davos summit, in spring 2024, Deutsche Hospitality (Former Steigenberger) is giving up its Swiss flagship Grand Hotel BELVÉDÈRE in Davos. The management contract is not renewed. A brief look into the history of this ICONIC SWISS hotel. In the 1870s, the Swiss mountain city of Davos seemingly transformed into one big globally renowned sanatorium. The Grandhotel Belvédère, established in 1875, diverged from this medical focus, evolving into a social hub of the residing society. Some of the leading lights of the world were confined to the tuberculosis based restrictions of the alpine village. A horror scenario for most of them. But those who were used to the limelights of the continental stages knew how to entertain themselves. After all, they were here to be healed — or to die.

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A Christmas Carol Andreas Augustin

A Christmas Carol

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Mark Bradford, born Swiss, the offspring of Scottish immigrants, stands poised upon the rooftop terrace of the Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich. His gaze sweeps across the urban sprawl towards Lake Zurich, capturing the Alps draped in snow, glistening like crystalline marvels under the sunlight.

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Swiss Hospitality PERSONALITIES

Swiss Hospitality

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The Fine Traditions of Swiss Hospitality
Swiss hospitality in the 19th century
(This article had been written in 1927)



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The First “Grand” Hotel Andreas Augustin

The First “Grand” Hotel

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London: In January 1774 David Low opened the first so called 'Grand Hotel' in the world. He invited the Duke of Bedford's chief agent to the opening. The hotel was intended for residence by a wealthy clientèle, with a top price of 15s. a night for a suite of two rooms. Best seat in church included!

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Lviv - Ukraine - The Grand Hotel Andreas Augustin

Lviv - Ukraine - The Grand Hotel

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Despite this pointless war, we embarked on a journey to Lviv to delve into the history of the Grand Hotel. This iconic establishment, opened in 1894, holds the distinction of being the oldest luxury hotel in Ukraine. Augustin's exploration encompassed various fascinating narratives, including the evolution of travel during the monarchy, the development of railway systems, and the captivating history of Ukraine and Lviv, formerly known as Lemberg.

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Hanoi: The Opening Riddle Andreas Augustin

Hanoi: The Opening Riddle

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The (Sofitel Legend) Metropole in Hanoi confronted us with the most challenging project. The research material was scattered all over the world, from London to Paris, from Washington to Aix-en-Provence in the heart of France. It was basically everywhere but neither at the hotel nor in Vietnam itself.

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Frankfurter Hof — A German Hotelstory The Making Of Books

Frankfurter Hof — A German Hotelstory

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Since 1876 the Frankfurter Hof ranks among the most famous hotels in the world. Its façade is a reminiscence of glorious days, of splendid festivities and heydays of a young empire.

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The Charles Chaplin Journeys Feuilleton

The Charles Chaplin Journeys

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Charles Chaplin was the most popular movie actor, producer, director and composer of the 20th century. He was also a connaisseur of fine hotels. PICTORIAL

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Hotel Bristol Vienna TV Documentary Andreas Augustin

Hotel Bristol Vienna TV Documentary

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The Hotel Bristol in Vienna is at the crossroads of the most important thoroughfares of the Austrian capital as well as of events of today and history. The TV documentary is narrated by Andreas Augustin (in German only).

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Women steal more often than men Andreas Augustin

Women steal more often than men

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It is not all dead dry facts and serious history. The hotel world is full of good laughs.

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Most Popular

Savoy (Baur en Ville)

Savoy (Baur en Ville)

This is Zurich's oldest grand hotel. When it opened on December 24, 1838, it marked a milestone in the history of the hotel industry. In...Read More

Grand Hotel Lviv (Lemberg)

Grand Hotel Lviv (Lemberg)

Grand Hotel Lviv in 1894 Lviv or Lemberg can be metaphorically described as the westernmost city in Eastern Europe or the easternmost city in...Read More

Bergues, Des

Bergues, Des

In our world, it is no longer a given that simple restraint represents true elegance. To be recognized as one of the oldest purpose-built Grand...Read More

Le Royal

Le Royal

In 1923/24, the construction of a 55-room hotel in Phnom Penh was proposed. Architect Ernest Hébrard, who was largely responsible for...Read More

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Since decades “The Oriental”, as it is affectionately known by travellers from all over the globe, leads the lists of all...Read More

Your Next Trip

Bergues, Des
(1834)

In our world, it is no longer a given that simple restraint represents true elegance. To be recognized as one of the... Read more

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