About this book: In 1894 Cesar Ritz opened the Grand Hotel as the most elegant hotel of Rome.
Auguste Escoffier was his first chef. Diplomats, heads of state and royalty shared tables at lavish banquets and occupied its splendidly appointed suites and rooms. Lina Cavalieri, a flower girl working there, became one of the greatest opera stars of her days. The King of Spain spent the last years of his life in his suite there.
In 1945, the seeds of modern Italy were sown at the Grand Hotel.
Hollywood enjoys it as its preferred retreat in the eternal city.
In short: the St Regis is the cultural, social and political revolving point of Italy.
This is its story.