Kiwi Curated
If These Hotel Walls Could Talk
by Eva ZhuHotels occupy some of the world’s most historic buildings, the walls of which have decades and centuries of stories to tell. We find in them capsules of our shared history, and now more than ever, look to them as testaments that art and culture endure.
If These Hotel Walls Could Talk
In 1758, King Louis XV commissioned the greatest architect of his time, Ange-Jacques Gabriel to build twin palaces on the Place de la Concorde, to host world ambassadors. Later owned by the Counts of Crillon, it was transformed into a hotel in 1909. It stood through the reign of two French kings, French Revolution, rise and fall of the Napoleonic Empire and birth of the League of Nations. Following years of renovations, the Hôtel de Crillon reopened in 2017 to much anticipation, now an iconic Rosewood hotel.
VIEW HOTELSIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
New York has seen many changes in its time, but one thing that hasn’t changed is The Pierre hotel, which has stood on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park since 1930. Coco Channel, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor have all passed through its doors. It became the center of the fashion world, with Valentino hosting shows here and Karl Lagerfeld remarking, “I discovered New York from The Pierre.” Later acquired by Taj, it is now the brand’s US flagship following an astonishing $100 million renovation.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
Opened in 1901 at the turn of the century, Sofitel Legend Metropole’s long list of famous guests include names such as Charlie Chaplin, Graham Green and Somerset Maugham. In 2009, it became the world’s first Sofitel Legend hotel. During the American War, a bunker was built underneath the building, protecting visitors including Joan Baez and Jane Fonda. Rediscovered during renovations in 2011, historian-led tours are now exclusively available to hotel guests wishing to go down and explore.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is the oldest known hotel in Italy. Its first reference dates back to 1386, in a letter mentioning the “Locanda Porta Rossa.” In the 16th century, a new building was erected in its place, incorporating the original 13th-century tower. From 1559 onwards, it was owned by the Torrigiani family, who lived here for two centuries before renting it out to hoteliers. Many of the rooms today still feature ancient frescoes, skillfully restored, and the medieval tower now houses the Panoramic Suite.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
Riggs Washington DC occupies a landmark building that has been an anchor in the Penn Quarter for over half a century. Constructed in 1891 as the headquarters of Riggs National Bank, also known as the Bank of Presidents, it’s not only a legacy of Richardson Romanesque architecture but also holds a place in American history. The golden age of banking can still be seen throughout the hotel, such as in the original Corinthian columns or the cocktail bar located inside the former bank vault.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
Comprised of 13 Georgian townhouses, Flemings Mayfair is located on one of the most literary streets in London. Apartments on Half Moon Street were home to writers, including James Boswell, Wilfred Owen and Henry James. By Victorian times, it was a bohemian place, where Oscar Wilde found inspiration for The Importance of Being Earnest. When the Great Exhibition of 1851 drew millions of visitors to London, Richard Flemings opened a small hotel here, which expanded over the years to what it is today.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
Just outside Paris, hidden in the Chantilly forest, is a princely castle straight out of fairy tale books. At the beginning of the last century, composer Fernand Halphen commissioned architect Guillaume Tronchet to build a country residence on the highest hill of his estate. It was to celebrate music on the inside, and hunting on the outside. The current Tiara Château Hotel remains true to this original vision, with drawing rooms dedicated to music, and bas-reliefs on the façade depicting hunting scenes.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
An ornate building in the Mudejar style, Hotel Alfonso XIII was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII to host dignitaries during the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. It was inaugurated on the same day as Her Royal Highness Infant Isabel’s wedding. Later remodeled for the Universal Exhibition of 1992, it was again renovated in 2012 in time for its 83rd anniversary. Nowadays, the hotel counts many royalty and celebrities as former guests, including Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Prince Rainier and Grace of Monaco, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
The ancient hilltops of the Chianti Classico region may no longer be occupied by residents, but live on in tourism. Borgo San Felice was converted from a medieval stone village. A lengthy conservation project transformed this slice of the Tuscan countryside into a unique hotel, spread across many buildings. Like a step back in time, the wine cellars still use the San Felice Method, the spa is located inside the old olive press and the herb garden is the same one grown by villagers long ago.
VIEW HOTELIf These Hotel Walls Could Talk
On the threat of war in 1482, a wall was constructed around Amsterdam with towers on each corner. In 1638, long after the fortress was no longer needed, an inn was built on the side of the Rondeel Tower, partially on the same foundation. Through many owners, the hotel grew, adding a Renaissance façade, another floor and merging with adjoining buildings. Almost 125 years old today, De L’Europe, now adorned with priceless art and a Michelin restaurant, still welcomes guests to its rooms on the Amstel River.
VIEW HOTELIn 1758, King Louis XV commissioned the greatest architect of his time, Ange-Jacques Gabriel to build twin palaces on the Place de la Concorde, to host world ambassadors. Later owned by the Counts of Crillon, it was transformed into a hotel in 1909. It stood through the reign of two French kings, French Revolution, rise and fall of the Napoleonic Empire and birth of the League of Nations. Following years of renovations, the Hôtel de Crillon reopened in 2017 to much anticipation, now an iconic Rosewood hotel.
VIEW HOTELSNew York has seen many changes in its time, but one thing that hasn’t changed is The Pierre hotel, which has stood on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park since 1930. Coco Channel, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor have all passed through its doors. It became the center of the fashion world, with Valentino hosting shows here and Karl Lagerfeld remarking, “I discovered New York from The Pierre.” Later acquired by Taj, it is now the brand’s US flagship following an astonishing $100 million renovation.
VIEW HOTELOpened in 1901 at the turn of the century, Sofitel Legend Metropole’s long list of famous guests include names such as Charlie Chaplin, Graham Green and Somerset Maugham. In 2009, it became the world’s first Sofitel Legend hotel. During the American War, a bunker was built underneath the building, protecting visitors including Joan Baez and Jane Fonda. Rediscovered during renovations in 2011, historian-led tours are now exclusively available to hotel guests wishing to go down and explore.
VIEW HOTELNH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is the oldest known hotel in Italy. Its first reference dates back to 1386, in a letter mentioning the “Locanda Porta Rossa.” In the 16th century, a new building was erected in its place, incorporating the original 13th-century tower. From 1559 onwards, it was owned by the Torrigiani family, who lived here for two centuries before renting it out to hoteliers. Many of the rooms today still feature ancient frescoes, skillfully restored, and the medieval tower now houses the Panoramic Suite.
VIEW HOTELRiggs Washington DC occupies a landmark building that has been an anchor in the Penn Quarter for over half a century. Constructed in 1891 as the headquarters of Riggs National Bank, also known as the Bank of Presidents, it’s not only a legacy of Richardson Romanesque architecture but also holds a place in American history. The golden age of banking can still be seen throughout the hotel, such as in the original Corinthian columns or the cocktail bar located inside the former bank vault.
VIEW HOTELComprised of 13 Georgian townhouses, Flemings Mayfair is located on one of the most literary streets in London. Apartments on Half Moon Street were home to writers, including James Boswell, Wilfred Owen and Henry James. By Victorian times, it was a bohemian place, where Oscar Wilde found inspiration for The Importance of Being Earnest. When the Great Exhibition of 1851 drew millions of visitors to London, Richard Flemings opened a small hotel here, which expanded over the years to what it is today.
VIEW HOTELJust outside Paris, hidden in the Chantilly forest, is a princely castle straight out of fairy tale books. At the beginning of the last century, composer Fernand Halphen commissioned architect Guillaume Tronchet to build a country residence on the highest hill of his estate. It was to celebrate music on the inside, and hunting on the outside. The current Tiara Château Hotel remains true to this original vision, with drawing rooms dedicated to music, and bas-reliefs on the façade depicting hunting scenes.
VIEW HOTELAn ornate building in the Mudejar style, Hotel Alfonso XIII was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII to host dignitaries during the 1929 Ibero-American Exhibition. It was inaugurated on the same day as Her Royal Highness Infant Isabel’s wedding. Later remodeled for the Universal Exhibition of 1992, it was again renovated in 2012 in time for its 83rd anniversary. Nowadays, the hotel counts many royalty and celebrities as former guests, including Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Prince Rainier and Grace of Monaco, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy.
VIEW HOTELThe ancient hilltops of the Chianti Classico region may no longer be occupied by residents, but live on in tourism. Borgo San Felice was converted from a medieval stone village. A lengthy conservation project transformed this slice of the Tuscan countryside into a unique hotel, spread across many buildings. Like a step back in time, the wine cellars still use the San Felice Method, the spa is located inside the old olive press and the herb garden is the same one grown by villagers long ago.
VIEW HOTELOn the threat of war in 1482, a wall was constructed around Amsterdam with towers on each corner. In 1638, long after the fortress was no longer needed, an inn was built on the side of the Rondeel Tower, partially on the same foundation. Through many owners, the hotel grew, adding a Renaissance façade, another floor and merging with adjoining buildings. Almost 125 years old today, De L’Europe, now adorned with priceless art and a Michelin restaurant, still welcomes guests to its rooms on the Amstel River.
VIEW HOTEL