Opened in 1892, the Viennese Hotel Bristol’s story is full of exciting events, famous guests and lovely anecdotes. This book puts an end to all speculation around the name Bristol and a certain Earl of Bristol. You also meet Andreas Kührer, who opened the hotel, and the Wolf family, who saved it. César Ritz personally recommended 'this perfect and new hotel' to his friend and guest at the Savoy in London, Australian singer Dame Nelly Melba.
Peace Nobel Prize winner Bertha von Suttner met her political rival Theodore Roosevelt, George Gershwin was an American in Vienna, while working on “An American in Paris” at the Bristol.
Famous artists and crowned heads have walked through the doors of this hotel and through the pages of this book. Here you meet them again: from Rubinstein to Puccini, from the Khedive of Egypt to the Prince of Wales, who secretly arrived with his great love, Wallis Simpson. Today, the Prince of Wales Suite bears witness to this wonderful romance.
We meet the Generals of the US forces during the occupation after the Second World War, and the conductors of the most famous orchestras in the world, among them Herbert von Karajan and Leonhard Bernstein. Last but not least we enter the world of the finest chefs of Europe, including Reinhard Gerer, who perform their art here at the Bristol.
The cover painting shows a detail from the painting 'Dinner at the Bristol' (1910), showing Archduke Franz Salvator and a circle of officers, Baroness and Baron Thyssen-Bornemissza, Sir Fred Duncan, Bristol hotelier Arthur Wolf and many others.

Over 200 historical and contemporary photographs, drawings and illustrations.