chosun hotel seoul
Palmcourt at the Chosun Hotel, Seoul, Korea
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In 1910 a German architect named Geotheland was engaged, as the Japanese were much enamoured of Germany’s scientific skills as well as its military machine. The hotel would offer the first ‘vertical railroad’ (an elevator) of the country. At the opening in September 1914, the Japanese management (all staff was Japanese) were immaculately dressed in uniforms, wearing white gloves. The Palm Court (above) became the famous venue of the hotel.

 

LUXURY CAN BE BOUGHT, HISTORY MUST BE EARNED.
Welcome to the library of hospitality, the archives of historic hotels. 430 hotels in 311 cities and 85 countries have become Select Members of The Most Famous Hotels in the World®.

divider departure 1924, by Cunard, famous hotels Departing for the big journey (Cunard, 1924).
divider We look at famous historic hotels as unique testimonials of our cultural heritage. As the only organization dedicated to the history of hospitality, The Most Famous Hotels in the World researches, preserves and presents the past of professional hospitality and hotels in particular.
One by one we are researching their history, publishing it in an exclusive library of books. Here, on this website, we publish all our findings and the historic database of each hotel.
You find all HOTELS here.

divider Every year new books are added to the library. In cooperation with all famous hotels in the world we expand this unique collection, which has found its way into the bookshelves of over half a million people. Scientific research, entertaining writing and quality photography are all combined in our books. We trust that you will enjoy reading them as much as we enjoy making them. You find all BOOKS here.
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Inspirations:

Recently published stories from „Inspirations“

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Our new Catalogue

Download our latest catalogue. We are listing… [more]

Recently published in: INSPIRATIONS

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The Empress who arrived: Elisabeth at Reid’s

At Reid's Hotel on Madeira the arrival of one mysterious guests had remained a myth for the past century. The confirmation of… [more]

Recently published in: INSPIRATIONS

Publications:

Recently launched books

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Premier Palace Kiev - the book

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Recently published in: PUBLICATIONS

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Oriental Bangkok - The Making Of

Being invited to research the history of a great hotel is always a challenge, especially when the hotel in question is in… [more]

Recently published in: PUBLICATIONS

Documentations:

Around the world in 430 Hotels – Hotels lost in History

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The lost Bristol Hotel

The long lost Hotel Bristol in Paris seems to have inspired legends. Was it inspired by the Earl of Bristol, and did it inspire… [more]

Recently published in: DOCUMENTATIONS

Who Where When:

The chronicles of the hospitality industry – Classic menus, biographies and personalities

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Ritz, Cesar

Cesar Ritz, born in the Swiss village of Niederwald on 23 February 1850. He began his hotel career at the age… [more]

Recently published in: WHO WHERE WHEN

Series:

High Times at the Hotel Bristol by Roger Williams is a series of stories, playing at the Bristol Hotels of this world

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How did Bristol hotels get their name?

From 'High Times at the Hotel Bristol: Twenty bedside tales' by Roger Williams [more]

Recently published in: WHO WHERE WHEN

Breakfast Series:

with the general managers of the world

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Breakfast with Michele Frignani

Breakfast with Michele Frignani who is managing the Excelsior in Rome.

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Recently published in: BREAKFAST SERIES

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Metropole (Hanoi) (1901)

“I have returend to the Metropole many times. While researching its history I have - childishly - fallen in love with…more

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