Ritz Hotel

From ArticleWorld

The Ritz Hotel, London, is a historic, luxurious hotels in Piccadilly, overlooking Green Park, in London’s West End area. In January 2002, The Ritz Hotel, London became the first hotel to be awarded a Royal Warrant for Banqueting and Catering services. The award was presented by the Prince of Wales, and has added another distinction to a century old distinguished service that the hotel has given to the world. Located in the centre of the City this 133 room hotel in Piccadilly is equally patronized by royalty and the rich and the famous. The hotel personifies London to an extent that a visit to the City is not considered complete without a visit to the Ritz.

August start

The hotel opened its doors to the public on May 24, 1906 on the site of the Bath Hotel. Conceptualized by the well known Swiss Hotelier Cesar Ritz and built to the architectural design of Charles Mewes and Arthur Davis, the hotel captured people’s attention right from the beginning. Its classy steel frame and the concept of attached bathrooms were a novelty for the English, as were the walk-in-wardrobes, sophisticated ventilation system, and brass beds.

In 1995 the wheel came full circle when the Ritz was bought by Sir David Barclay and Sir Frederick Barclay's private company Ellerman Investments, and, thus, came back into British hands. After an interval of ten years and an expenditure of over 50 million pounds, a no costs spared and no details overlooked Ritz was reopened to public.

Tea at the Ritz, at its famous Palm Court is still very popular with the guests and a table needs to be booked weeks in advance.

Famous Patronage

The guests, who have stayed and patronized the Ritz, seem to come straight from the Who’s Who directory. From such Royal personages as King Edward VII, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mother, King Alfonso of Spain, to other famous people like Charlie Chaplin, Sir Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, Noel Coward, actress Judy Garland and author Evelyn Waugh, Ritz has seen them all.