Five of the most legendary hotels in the world
After four long years of no-expenses spared refurbishment, the glamorous Hôtel de Crillon in Paris has opened its doors.
The hotel is steeped with regal history. It was once host to the pre-revolution French queen Marie Antoinette, who took music lessons in the salon that now bears her name. King Louis XV commissioned the façade as a backdrop to a statue of himself and in 1778 the French-American treaty recognising the Declaration of Independence was signed in its Salon des Aigles.
In 1909, architect Walter-André Destailleur turned the impressive building into a hotel and it still welcomes guests today.
To mark the reopening of Hôtel de Crillon, we have come up with a list of some of the most legendary hotels in the world, home to glamour, scandal and famous guests.
The Ritz, Paris
The Ritz is known all over the world as the epitome of French glamour, a reputation that was encouraged by its famous house guest Coco Chanel. The hotel has drawn in a diverse crowd over the years ranging from movie starts, Audrey Hepburn and Gary Cooper filmed Love in the Afternoon here, to literary geniuses, Marcel Proust lived here for a stint. Ernest Hemingway famously wrote about the hotel: “When I dream of afterlife in heaven, the action always takes place in the Paris Ritz.”
The Plaza, New York
Who can forget the mischievous antics of Eloise, long term resident of The Plaza in the children’s book written by Kay Thompson? Eloise became such an iconic part of The Plaza that the hotel named a suite after her inspired by her room in the book. Real life guests include F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald who famously ‘burned the candle at both ends’ as evidenced when they jumped in the hotels fountain. Continuing down the literary vein, Truman Capote hosted his famous Black and White Ball here.
Chateau Marmont, Hollywood
Since opening its doors in 1929, the Chateau Marmont has barely seen a night go by without a celebrity guest gracing its corridors. During the 50s July garland could be found tinkering away on the Piano. The dark narrow hallways echo European architectural design and have provided some much needed privacy for the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Howard Hughes and Sofia Coppola. The winding corridors lead to suites that provide some of the most breath taking views in all of Hollywood.
The Raffles hotel, Singapore
The famous and delicious Singapore Sling cocktail was invented at The Raffles. The hotel was designed by Regent Alfred John Bidwel and has been described by guests as resembling a wedding cake. Famous guests include Rudyard Kipling. Legend has it that Singapore’s last surviving tiger snuck into the hotel and was chased and sadly shot in the Bar and Billiard room. I think we now know where Kipling got his inspiration for The Jungle Book.
Claridge’s, England
Claridge’s is a feast for the eyes. Its Art deco décor helped cement its reputation as one of the most glamorous hotels in London. Alongside it’s beautiful interior; Claridge’s was made famous due its high calibre of guests. Rumour has it that in July 1945, Winston Churchill briefly made room 212 Yugoslavia territory, so that Crown Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia - part of the exiled royal family - could be born on home territory.
