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1890: Arrival at the Grand Hotel Belvedere in Davos, Switzerland by A.L.Henderson

In 1890, Queen Vitoria's court photographer A.L.Henderson recorded this wonderful scene at the Grand Hotel Belvedere in Davos, Switzerland. A true treasure of photography and hospitality. 

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Grand Hotel Belvedere Davos Switzerland

At the WEF World Economic Forum, former soccer president Joseph "Sepp" Blatter meets UN Secretary General Kofi Anan at the Grand Hotel Belvedere Davos Switzerland.
Photograph by Marcel Giger, 2015 > More

Richard Nixon and Zhou En Lai at Peoples Grand Hotel Xian, China (1972)
1932: Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy at the Caledonian Edinburgh
Paris: Best dressed American Barry Wall and Frank of the Ritz
People’s Grand Hotel Xian

During the research for his new book People's Grand Hotel Xi'an (China) Andreas Augustin explores a secret underground tunnel, which served as a path between the People's Grand Hotel and the next "Building No 2". The hotel was built in 1953, and this tunnel is today closed. More

The Corinthia London — the good old Metropole Adrian Mourby

The Corinthia London — the good old Metropole

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Our UK based correspondent Adrian Mourby has decided to concentrate on BREXIT conform local fare and to temporarily end his international career as a globetrotter. In London, he discovers a glamorous five-star hotel opened near Trafalgar Square in 2012. Unlike many of today's central London hotels, it was not sited in a former bank or newspaper office. The angular building in which the Corinthia, London sits today was actually opened in 1885 as the Metropole Hotel.

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THE NEXT STEP — IMPERIAL HOTEL NEW DELHI Andreas Augustin

THE NEXT STEP — IMPERIAL HOTEL NEW DELHI

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Collectively, we have to promote tourism and keep spreading the message of safe and secure environment in the hotels. The management of THE IMPERIAL, the social hub of the Indian capital, developed the ‘I Care’ Program and is focusing on Ultra High Net Worth clientele.

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Terror Attack spurs Vienna’s Talent for Hospitality Andreas Augustin

Terror Attack spurs Vienna’s Talent for Hospitality

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After an IS sympathizer shot four people in downtown Vienna, Austria, on Monday 2 November 2020 evening before the police could neutralize him, there was panic in the streets. But the Viennese hotel scene immediately demonstrated humanity. A short report from the capital of Austria.

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THE NEXT STEP — PARIS — PRINCE DE GALLES HOTELS

THE NEXT STEP — PARIS — PRINCE DE GALLES

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Is there an alternative to shut-up-shop? Corona is again at the doorsteps of our industry. Today we look at Paris. Surviving stock market crashes and one world war, the pandemic had forced the jewel of art-deco of Paris, Hotel Prince de Galles, to close from mid-March until mid-September, for the first time in its 91 years of history.

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THE NEXT STEP — PREMIERE PALACE KIEW, UKRAINE Andreas Augustin

THE NEXT STEP — PREMIERE PALACE KIEW, UKRAINE

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"I need to admit, Premier Palace was one of a few hotels, which never closed. We became a safe shelter for international and domestic travelers, who appeared in Kyiv these days. It was crucial especially last days before lockdown as guest were worried about getting home and no one knew whether this trip will be safe. ...

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THE NEXT STEP Andreas Augustin

THE NEXT STEP

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How do our hotels survive the current crises? I want you to meet the innovative managers and to learn how they cope with this unprecedented situation. I will introduce you to the ideas of the hoteliers of The Most Famous Hotels in the World. And we start with Claridge's in London. General Manager Paul Jackson sent me these lines.

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Metropole Hanoi: bunker discovered HOTELS

Metropole Hanoi: bunker discovered

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Kai Speth, the general manager of the Hotel Metropole in Hanoi was all excited. Many years ago I had written a book about the history of the Hotel Metropole in Hanoi. There were rumours about a bunker in the courtyard, a relic from the American War.

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5 Rooms 5 Acts Andreas Augustin

5 Rooms 5 Acts

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5 Rooms 5 Acts is a strong signal from an European city hotel. The classic Viennese Hotel Regina entertains – Corona-adjusted – a limited audience to an evening full of dance, music and storytelling.

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Table Setting Style Book

Table Setting

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FamousHotels Stylebook looks at how various hotels present themselves, how do you correctly lay a table in continental style, etc.

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The Reopenings: Athens — Grand Bretagne Adrian Mourby

The Reopenings: Athens — Grand Bretagne

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ADRIAN MOURBY sheds tears of joy. On Wednesday, 15 July 2020, one of the most important buildings in Athens reopens to the public. It’s not the Acropolis, nor is it the Hellenic Parliament (although that building, originally the palace of King Otto I, is its next-door neighbour). The building I’m talking about is,  of course the Hotel de la Grande-Bretagne … more

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Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan Stan Turkel

Grand Hotel (1887) Mackinac Island, Michigan

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Located on Mackinac Island in the straits between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, the Grand Hotel stands proud and truly grand since 1887. It is – of course – a Select Member of The Most Famous Hotels in the World.

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From India in Style (7): Residing Abroad L. Aruna Dhir

From India in Style (7): Residing Abroad

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Not just travel, Indian royalty were also creating second homes in the international playfields of the rich and famous or in the exclusively secluded places that kept them away from the public eye.

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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

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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

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

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