We are thoroughly trained to expect backgrounds and historic context. This hotel presents one of the rare exceptions in the list of The Most Famous Hotels in the World. Here, the brain doesn’t immediately reach the right conclusion. When we se...
Whenever I am in Frankfurt, I have always been seeking a chat with head concierge and legend-of-the-house Juergen CARL, who is one of the most interesting personalities of the trade. Later I find myself sitting on the terrace in the charming courty...
"Jingle your golden room keys and for one blissful moment you’ll feel as if time has stood still. For six centuries the thick walls of this house have been breathing in history. In every silent corner you feel the heart of this unique hotel. It...
The magnificent Ball Room A perfect network of overnight sleeper trains connects major Central European cities with Florence. When my train pulled into Florence station, the first rays of the sun created this stunning silho...
"The privileged among us experience a special feeling of ‘coming home’ when checking into a hotel, just as lovers of fine art are struck with profound admiration when confronted with a particularly beautiful piece on a gallery wall. The...
The Mena House presented us with a remarkable challenge — we had to verify its opening date which appeard to be wrong (1865?). We unearthed its true opening date, had to alter the published date from 1865 to 1896, and came across some...
One of the grand palatial hotels of the European Alps. Best known for being the heart of affairs during the World Economic Forum, it boasts a rich history, starting in 1875. A well researched book commemorates the history of this l...
At the Binnenalster, Hamburgs "city-lake", the second prestigious hotel of the city, one of the most enjoyable retreats of the country. It was here that we launched the third book in the series THE MOST FAMOUS HOTELS IN THE WORLD (1989).
Johannes Baur, born in Austria in 1795, was a visionary entrepreneur who profoundly shaped Zurich’s hospitality industry. In 1837, at the age...Read More
The historic building (top, slide to the right): The "new" Raffles main building in 1899. It opened on 18 November 1899, featuring the all new...Read More
Since decades “The Oriental”, as it is affectionately known by travellers from all over the globe, leads the lists of most...Read More
In 1952, a group of wealthy individuals including Donald Deskey, the fabled designer (among his works the Radio City Music Hall); Harvey Firestone,...Read More
You don your safari gear during the day, but you always dress for dinner. Because Mount Kenya Safari Club Nanyuki is an exclusive retreat. High on...Read More
