The grand hotels that wrote history

144 palaces and historic hotels in 38 countries. Search a city, a country or a name: results appear as you type.

The autumn selection

Three addresses to enjoy the season, from the Grand Canal to Quebec's Upper Town.

Venice, Italy — former residence of Doge Andrea Gritti, on the Grand Canal

Monaco, Monaco — Belle Époque by the harbour, a winter garden under an Eiffel glass dome

Quebec City, Canada — the castle of Quebec's Upper Town, opened in 1893

Each dot is a hotel. Hover to name it, click to read its story.

The backdrop first: seafront, lakeshore, mountain air or a great capital.

The people who made these houses. That is what sets this site apart from a booking engine.

Ritz Paris, 1937 – 1971

From Deauville to the Ritz, where she lived for thirty-four years: her life can be read in the registers of the grand hotels.

Le Meurice, Paris

Four months a year at Le Meurice, night walks with Chanel through Les Halles: a century of jet-set from the inside.

Paris, London, Madrid

Three addresses, one architect, Charles Mewès: how a Swiss shepherd's son defined the modern palace.

Do you own a grand hotel, or know a story or a film we are missing? Write to us: the history of this site is written with its readers.