Historic Hotels Worldwide®, a prestigious program that
recognizes and celebrates authentic historic hotels around the
world, is pleased to announce The 2024 Top 25 Historic Hotels
Worldwide® Most Magnificent Ceilings and Domes list. Visitors to
the hotels celebrated on this list can appreciate the creativity,
craftsmanship, and extraordinary attention to detail of the
hoteliers and preservationists that have worked to recover or
restore these historic hotels. Some of the best examples are viewed
by looking up at the magnificent ceilings and domes in the public
areas of these hotels, including lobbies, spas, ballrooms, and
restaurants. These ornate ceilings and domes include some of the
finest surviving examples of historic stained glass, painted
frescoes, hand-painted wallpaper, ornamental plaster, stenciled
wood, and gold leaf. To experience the fine artistry of these
architectural wonders, Historic Hotels Worldwide invites travelers
to visit these historic treasures in person and to remember to look
up.
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Gran Hotel Ciudad de México (1526) México
City, México. Credit: Historic Hotels Worldwide and Gran Hotel
Ciudad de México.
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Castlemartyr Resort (1210) Cork, County Cork, Ireland
At the heart of Castlemartyr Resort’s 18th-century manor house
is the historic Knights Bar. It is aptly named, as the historic
castle complex was built by the Knights Templar in 1210. The
Knights Bar ceiling showcases a stunning Rococo-style design
installed by the LaFranchini brothers in the 18th century. These
Swiss decorators became famous in Ireland for their distinct
Rococo-style stucco ceiling and wall designs that survive in grand
mansions throughout Ireland to this day. Rococo style is an
exceptionally ornamental and dramatic style of architecture, art,
and decoration. It combines asymmetry, scrolling curves, gilding,
white and pastel colors, sculpted molding, and trompe-l'œil
frescoes to create surprise and drama. The Knights Bar offers
guests a fantastic sampling of original LaFranchini design. It has
welcomed many visitors over the years, first as a ballroom for the
Boyle family in the 1800s, and later as a chapel used for daily
Mass by the Carmelite order, who owned the manor house in the early
1900s. Castlemartyr Resort was inducted into Historic Hotels
Worldwide in 2022.
Gran Hotel Ciudad de México (1526) México City, México
With historic features dating to the 16th century, the Art
Nouveau-style Gran Hotel Ciudad de México rose within Mexico City’s
Zócalo (a historic public square) as a department store in 1899.
The immense popularity of the modern and sophisticated shopping
center led to a striking renovation in 1910. An ornate
Tiffany-style glass ceiling was the most stunning feature added
during the renovation and was installed over the building’s lobby
by European artisan Jacques Grüber. Once complete, the
stained-glass ceiling contained 20,000 separate pieces of glass and
was illuminated by sunlight and lighting fixtures. The rectangular
ceiling spans the length of the main hall and contains three
central domes. The sparkling blue, yellow, red, and green stained
glass is supported by a metal frame, which is vaulted around the
edges to create a shallow dome above the lobby. Around those edges,
visitors can spot the “CM” glass medallion motifs, which harken
back to the hotel’s former life as “El Centro Mercantil.” Today, it
is one of the largest stained-glass installations of its kind in
the world. Gran Hotel Ciudad de México was inducted into Historic
Hotels Worldwide in 2023.
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam (1578) Amsterdam,
Netherlands
Located between two historic canals in the heart of the Dutch
capital city, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam boasts a rich
history and beautiful ceilings. One of the showstopping elements at
this hotel is the Council Chamber, which opened in 1926 when
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam was still serving as the city
hall of Amsterdam. The visionary behind the Council Chamber’s
design was Willem Penaat. He saw the Council Chamber as a joint
work of art; all its parts were based on the same idea, executed by
several artists under his direction. A highlight of the Council
Chamber is the unique wooden ceiling with its matte glass bowl
chandeliers, which were designed by the artist Frits Lensvelt. Upon
leaving the Council Chamber, hotel guests experience the Marriage
Chamber. Designed by Chris Lebeau (1878-1945), the painted walls
and ceiling are decorated with images and motifs to symbolize the
story of romantic love, told through unique color combinations of
light green, olive green, turquoise, and purple, with touches of
orange and gold. The ceiling, decorated in the same colors as the
walls, is a part of the artwork and depicts zodiac signs. A scale
on the ceiling, beneath which are placed two chairs for a bride and
groom, represents balance in marriage. Sofitel Legend The Grand
Amsterdam was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Bernini Palace Hotel (16th century) Florence, Italy
Historic Bernini Palace Hotel is in the historic center of
Florence, Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic hotel
dates to the 16th century when it was built to serve as the regal
palace of the influential Della Pera family. A new group of owners
converted the building into an upscale hotel decades later. The
hotel’s prestigious reputation remained well intact, especially
once Florence briefly assumed the role of national capital amid the
Unification of Italy in the 19th century. Italian statesmen met
within an ornately frescoed venue inside the hotel, which soon
became known as the “Sala Parlamento,” or “Parliament Hall.” The
hotel’s proprietors then commissioned more artwork to appear
throughout the space during this period, which focused on the major
historical figures responsible for uniting the Italian Peninsula.
Among the most prolific individuals to debut upon the walls of the
Sala Parlamento were Giuseppe Montanelli, Vincent Salvagnoli,
Manfredo Fanti, and of course, Giuseppe Garibaldi. The Sala
Parlamento has since remained a central fixture of the Bernini
Palace Hotel. Bernini Palace Hotel was inducted into Historic
Hotels Worldwide in 2015.
Hôtel Golf Château de Chailly (16th century)
Chailly-sur-Armançon, France
Once a fortified castle during the Hundred Years’ War, Château
de Chailly in the Burgundy region of France primarily served as a
regal palace for many centuries thereafter, passing through the
ownership of various royal families and other private owners before
it was transformed into a resort in 1990. Throughout Hôtel Golf
Château de Chailly’s public areas and guestrooms, exposed wood
beams and high ceilings show the architectural heritage of this
historic hotel. In two of the Castle Suites, n°1 and n°5, roughly
hewn, lacquered wood beams form a canopy between the living space
of the suite and the interior peaks of the château’s iconic French
Renaissance-style towers. In the dining rooms and sports bar, more
refined wood beams support the ceiling above guests as they enjoy
dinner and drinks. A more colorful ceiling can be experienced under
the “Dôme du Cosmos” at Hôtel Golf Château de Chailly. Operating as
a chapel, this space is also an art piece with magnificent mosaics
made of 250,000 tiles of multicolored glass on the walls, floor,
and ceiling. Beneath the lacquered wood ceiling of the chapel and
above the central tiled altar, hangs a palette of golden orbs
painted against a deep blue sky and pale-yellow swirls of light.
Hôtel Golf Château de Chailly, inducted into Historic Hotels
Worldwide in 2022, dates to the 16th century. The building was
designated a National Monument by the French Ministry of
Culture.
Quinta Real Oaxaca (1579) Oaxaca, Mexico
Built in 1579, Quinta Real Oaxaca was originally the Convent of
Santa Catalina de Siena. In the 1970s, the building was carefully
restored to its original appearance, including its famous frescoes
and historic tiled floors, and reopened to the public as a hotel.
The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH)
supervised the interior decoration. Teams of experts restored the
frescoes that adorned the ancient walls. One of the most historic
features of the hotel is the domed Los Lavaderos (The Washtubs)
building, located on the northwestern corner of the grounds and
surrounded by the hotel’s breathtaking gardens. This ornate,
free-standing, open-air Spanish Colonial-style gazebo was where the
convent’s nuns once did their laundry. Under the historic dome,
water flows from the center of an octagonal fountain into twelve
basins, never overflowing. It is one of the region’s most ingenious
hydraulic systems of the Colonial era. This destination hotel is
located within the historic city center of Oaxaca de Juárez, which
was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Quinta Real
Oaxaca was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012.
Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam (1650) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Situated next to the Herengracht canal—designated a UNESCO World
Heritage Site—today’s luxurious Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam occupies
six monumental townhouses originally known as Herengracht 542-556.
Dating to the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, these
townhouses all display a blend of beautiful architectural styles
and preserved ceiling features. In 2014, new owners acquired the
six gorgeous edifices at Herengracht 542-556. A talented group of
architects then worked to transform the structures into a
spectacular 93-room hotel called the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. The
team endeavored to protect the amazing architectural heritage that
defined each of the historic homes, preserving their stunning
marblework, ceiling frescoes, and Rococo-inspired wall carvings.
One of the most magnificent ceiling features of the hotel is the
painted wooden beams of the Brentano Suite. Originally a family
home dating to 1753 occupied by the family of Josephus Brentano,
the Brentano Suite features a hand-painted classical fresco with
two panels depicting cherubs raising a sword, lifting a wine glass,
bearing a laurel wreath, and blowing a trumpet. Gold and cream
laurel wreaths and floral vine motifs, set against dark wood,
surround the cherubs. Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam was inducted into
Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Hacienda de los Santos (1710) Alamos, Sonora, México
Famous for its artistic flair and celebration of religious
iconography, Hacienda de los Santos is a family-owned and operated
boutique hotel composed of three historic Colonial-style mansions,
as well as one sugar mill, that dates to the 18th century. Located
in Alamos, Mexico—a National Historic Monument of Mexico—the
historic buildings were restored and transformed into a holiday
destination in the late-20th century. One magnificent ceiling at
the hotel is above the Felipe Almada Theatre, a meeting room and
theater designed to pay homage to the “Catalan vault,” a form of
18th century architecture once popular in Spain. The theater’s
ceiling was designed using historic methods to feature two
impressive concave domes that connect in the middle of the room.
Originating in the Mediterranean, this style of vaulted ceiling
requires buttresses to support the weight of the vaults and has
been used in cathedral architecture for centuries. The construction
is labor intensive, and Hacienda de los Santos hired a family of
brick masons from the State of Guanajuato to build the unique
ceiling. Around 10,000 earthen bricks (called Cuñas) make up the
ceiling, and these were handmade and hardened in mesquite-wood
fires just a few miles from Hacienda de los Santos. The bricks were
hand-laid, each carefully positioned to create the double-domed
ceiling. The vaulted ceiling supports itself without any kind of
pillar, beam, or other support from the underside. Also notable is
the flat roof above the domes, hidden from those admiring the
ceiling from below, which is an example of sustainable air
conditioning. In Sonora, Mexico, where temperatures rise in the
summer, this design is a blessing as well as an example of how
historic architecture can offer modern buildings lessons in
energy-efficient cooling and heating. The theater is one of five
buildings at the hotel with this style of vaulted ceiling. Hacienda
de los Santos was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in
2015.
Hotel Maximilian's (1722) Augsburg, Germany
With a history reaching back over 300 years, Hotel Maximilian's
is located directly on the Maximilianstraße in the middle of
Augsburg, Germany. While the historical record of Hotel
Maximilian’s dates to the 15th century, the current iteration of
the building was constructed in the early 1700s. Architect Johann
Baptist Gunetzrhainer, the court mason for the Duchy of Bavaria,
converted the entire space into a brilliant guesthouse and
masterfully crafted the hotel’s appearance in the regal style of
Rococo architecture. Within the hotel, two magnificent modern
ceiling features stand out: the glass dome in the Teehalle ballroom
and the paper ceiling that hangs above the hotel’s Sartory
Restaurant. Constructed in 2012 and one of the most recent ceilings
to make the list, the Teehalle’s glass dome forms a pine nut, the
emblem of Augsburg. The pine nut was once the emblem of the Roman
legion that camped at the confluence of the Lech and Wertach rivers
in Augsburg. The pine nut was considered to be a symbol of
fertility by the Romans. This popular symbol can be found adorning
historic buildings in many places in Augsburg, either painted,
sculpted, or cast in metal. The mix of 21st-century glass dome
architecture and the pine nut symbolism make this ceiling a tribute
to the hotel’s embrace of both modern sensibilities and tradition.
At the hotel’s Sartory Restaurant, guests not only can enjoy a meal
worthy of a Michelin Star, but also bask in the beauty of the
unique paper ceiling. This rare type of decoration makes guests
feel as if they are floating on a cloud during their meal and
conveys a sense of light and ethereal warmth. Hotel Maximilian's
was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2019.
Alsisar Mahal (1737) Jhunjhunu, India
Overlooking the ancient city of Jhunjhunu is the charming
Alsisar Mahal, a former palace with deep historical connections to
the surrounding Shekhawati region. The estate was established by
Samrath Singhji in the mid-18th century. Singhji hailed from a long
lineage of prominent Rajput rulers known as the Alsisar family, and
his new palace served as the main seat of power for his own domain,
as the Thakur of Alsisar. The Alsisar family had also constructed
an extensive variety of rich Indo-Islamic architectural details
throughout the palace, where the ceilings reflect the occupants’
artistic values and impressive heritage. Now a hotel, Alsisar Mahal
continues to showcase those fantastic design elements, even after
the Alsisar family imaginatively converted the entire structure
into a stunning hotel in the early-21st century. Upon arriving at
the magnificent hotel, a massive arched gateway guides guests into
the stunning interior. The ceiling displays an amazing array of
beautiful frescoes, intricate wall carvings, and ornate gold-leaf
detailing. On top of the hotel, the Badal Mahal Restaurant offers
elevated dining—literally. “Badal Mahal” means “Palace in the
Clouds” and the walls and ceiling of the interior dining room are
painted to make it appear that the dining hall is among monsoon
clouds. Few other vacation destinations in India embody such an
impressive architectural heritage as Alsisar Mahal. Alsisar Mahal
was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012 and dates to
1737.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (1780) Bagac, Philippines
Casa Byzantina, a bahay na Bato or “house of stone,” at the
historic Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar resort in Bagac,
Philippines, was originally built in 1890 in Binondo, Manila by Don
Lorenzo Del Rosario. The mosaic inside the “house of stone” boasts
replicas of paintings by Filipino artists such as Botong Francisco
(“Pista sa Nayon”), Fernando Amorsolo (“Mango Harvest”), Vicente
Manansala (“At the Market”), and Anita Magsaysay-Ho. This “house of
stone” was preserved and transferred to Las Casas Filipinas de
Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan, where it can now be visited—alongside
other Filipino architectural marvels—by curious guests. A peek into
the artisan workshops at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar shows guests
the source of all the resort’s unique furnishings and details.
Everything seen within the spacious resort was made in-house, from
the tiles, bricks, sculptures, murals, artworks, and even its
furniture pieces. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar prides itself on
housing the most skilled and talented group of artists and
craftspeople hailing from different regions across the Philippines,
each bringing their own distinct style and technique to this
special resort. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar’s most historic casa
dates to 1780, and the historic resort was inducted into Historic
Hotels Worldwide in 2017.
Oscarsborg Castle (1848) Oscarsborg, Norway
Nestled on a small island in the Drøbak Sound south of Oslo,
historic Oscarsborg Castle was an essential part of Oslo’s defenses
in the 19th and early-20th centuries before it was transformed into
Oscarsborg Castle Hotel & Resort. Within the historic
castle-like, horseshoe-shaped main fortification, visitors can find
beautiful brick archways and barrel-vaulted ceilings throughout
meeting halls and dining rooms. In several places in the ceiling,
arched openings have been bricked up by soldiers, its former
“guests.” Dating to 1853, the fort was frequently updated over the
centuries to modernize its capabilities and respond to new naval
technology. Notably, the fortifications defended Oslo against a
flotilla of six German ships during World War II and bought the
city’s residents time to prepare or escape in April 1940, before
German forces ultimately occupied the city until the end of the
European conflict. The island was decommissioned in the early-21st
century and quickly became a popular historic destination, leading
to the establishment of the Oscarsborg Castle Hotel & Resort in
this adaptive reuse success story. In 2014, the Norwegian
Directorate for Cultural Heritage registered the fortifications as
a protected heritage landmark. Guided tours at the hotel can offer
more information about the main fort and its construction.
Oscarsborg Castle was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in
2019.
Citadel Inn Hotel & Resort (1850) Lviv, Ukraine
The historic Citadel Inn Hotel & Resort in Lviv, Ukraine,
opened its doors as a hotel in 2009. The hotel is housed in the
circular Maximilian Tower No. 2, which was part of a fortification
complex known as the Citadel. The former military structure was
built in the 1850s and was intended to both control the city of
Lviv and protect it from its enemies. Surviving the European wars
of the 19th and 20th centuries, private owners leased Maximilian
Tower No. 2 in 2004 with the goal of transforming this military
building into a destination for relaxation and beauty, not war. One
of the brilliant examples of this idea is the paintings on the
walls of cannons, which depict the cannons shooting seeds from
which flowers sprout instead of bombs. The architect of the
reconstruction project was Semen Tsimbalyuk, and the painter was
Oleksandr Trofimyuk. They transformed an open courtyard at the
center of the tower into an enclosed guest space in an incredible
394-sq ft hall, capped by a massive 492-ft transparent dome. Guests
can see sunlight, stars, and the sky through the ceiling. The walls
beneath the dome are covered with artistic paintings of maps of
Lviv obtained from the Austrian archives. When the hotel reopens to
the public, a historical exhibition will be available in the
library, as will a guide who will acquaint guests with the
uniqueness of this place and talk about the style of architecture
and historical events. Citadel Inn Hotel & Resort was inducted
into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2013.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac (1892) Québec City, Québec,
Canada
While several ceilings should be considered magnificent in
Québec City, Canada’s famous Fairmont Le Château Frontenac and its
Verchères room stands out. Originally called the Palm Room, this
space is ideal for cocktail receptions and was once the hotel’s
formal tearoom. The golden ceiling of the Verchères was painted by
the Parisian artist Raoul Barbin, based on a design by architect
William Sutherland Maxwell. Barbin taught decorative arts in Quebec
at the time he worked on the hotel’s ceiling, which dates to 1924.
The design is a sumptuous blend of Art Nouveau and Neoclassical
influences, showing off a leaf-and-flowering-vine design
embellished with cartouches and monochrome motifs. The palette
includes shades of blue, pink, and green against a yellow-gold
background. Palm designs are visible at the top of each column.
Verchères is located between the Grand Ballroom and the Frontenac
Room, with windows providing natural light and a view of the Place
d’Armes park. Situated in the historic district of Old Québec,
designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stately luxury hotel
stands above historic Old Québec. Fairmont Le Château Frontenac was
inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012.
Hilton Paris Opera (1889) Paris, France
Hilton Paris Opera opened on May 7, 1889, during the 1889
World’s Fair in Paris, France. Initially named the Hotel Terminus,
it was built by architect Juste Lisch and designed to accommodate
transatlantic travelers arriving from Normandy via the Saint-Lazare
station. Upon entering the historic hotel through its grand lobby
today, visitors marvel at the Second Empire-style décor and opulent
gold, cream, and burgundy ceiling. The ceiling was designed with
Neoclassical and Second Empire influences: geometric perfection
interspersed with the lavish floral and ribbon motifs popular
during the 19th century. The ceiling’s warmth is complemented by
soft green accents. The letters “H” and “T” are overlaid in a logo
that appears throughout the design, harkening back to the days when
the hotel was known as the Hotel Terminus. Paintings and sculptures
by the artist Charles Joseph Lameire (1832-1910) adorn the ground
level and walls. Further into the hotel, Le Grand Salon’s
magnificent glass ceiling and chandeliers continue to give visitors
reasons to look up. Several French movies were filmed with this
magnificent backdrop over the years since the hotel debuted. Hilton
Paris Opera was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in
2018.
Mystery Hotel Budapest (1896) Budapest, Hungary
The magnificent Egyptian Revival-style vaulted ceiling in The
Great Hall Restaurant & Lounge of Mystery Hotel Budapest in
Budapest, Hungary, is another playful part of this luxurious and
mysterious hotel. It brings the Nile to Budapest, with its leafy
greens, watery blues, rich ochre, and sunny yellow in classical
Egyptian motifs of reeds and fans, as well as other ancient Greek
motifs. Full of optical illusions and mysterious aesthetics, this
boutique hotel embraces its history as the official meeting space
for the Symbolic Grand Lodge of Hungary, a merger of The
Freemasonry of the Order of John in Hungary and the Nagyoriens of
Scottish Rite. In 1896, they opened their new club building to host
Freemasons, who enjoyed the space until the rise of the Hungarian
Soviet Republic. This beautiful historic building underwent a
masterful transformation into an upscale boutique hotel known as
the Mystery Hotel Budapest in 2019. Zoltán Varró spearheaded the
subsequent design work, which endeavored to highlight as much of
the building’s historic architecture as possible. In fact, the
renovations instituted Corinthian, Ionic, and Doric-inspired motifs
as a way to draw upon the former masonic lodge’s preexisting
Neoclassical character. Mystery Hotel Budapest was inducted into
Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2021.
Omni King Edward (1903) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Located in downtown Toronto, the Omni King Edward has been a
cherished local landmark since it opened in 1903. Local
entrepreneur George Gooderham hired two talented architects to
design the hotel’s distinctive appearance: Henry Ives Cobb and E.J.
Lennox. Their distinct designs were particularly noticeable inside
the hotel, especially within its stunning Sovereign Ballroom and
Vanity Fair Ballroom. Featuring brilliant wall decorations,
floor-to-ceiling windows, and 24-ft-high ornate ceilings, the
Sovereign Ballroom immediately became one of the area’s most
sought-after venues for special events. Indeed, the amazing
architectural character helped the hotel establish a venerable
reputation that soon reached an international audience. The Vanity
Fair Ballroom was originally known as the Grand Ballroom (or the
American Dining Room) and no expenses were spared for its creation,
which was complete with Tiffany & co. glass windows within its
arch. In Vanity Fair, the strong presence of color is perhaps the
most striking feature: Massive ionic columns supporting a
colonnaded mezzanine, walls, pilasters, reception desk were all
made of amber, red-and-green-veined scagliola, a material made from
colored plasters and polished to look like marble. The hotel’s
immense popularity even led the hotel to undergo a massive
expansion during the early 1920s, which resulted in the creation of
a towering, 18-story wing. The construction nearly doubled the
number of available guestrooms, while also installing several new
outstanding facilities. Omni King Edward was inducted into Historic
Hotels Worldwide in 2013.
Hotel Bristol Palace (1905) Genova, Italy
When Hotel Bristol Palace opened in 1905 on one of Genova,
Italy's finest thoroughfares, it mesmerized its first visitors with
its brilliant take on Art Nouveau-style architecture. Beautiful
marble awaited guests as they stepped inside, as did outstanding
woodwork and ornate moldings. Perhaps the most memorable feature is
the breathtaking elliptical staircase that ascends every floor of
the hotel. This famous staircase does not have a single ceiling,
but a layered maze of stairs extends far above anyone who dares to
look up. The elliptical and white Art Nouveau-style staircase gives
viewers a mesmerizing optical perspective. Those who dare to gaze
up from the bottom are treated to the impression that the colorful
stained-glass dome at the very top floor is a blue and violet iris
looking down on them from within the white oval atrium. One of the
most influential people to travel to the Hotel Bristol Palace was
famed British filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock. Some film historians
speculate that this grand staircase helped contribute to the theme
set in his 1958 psychological thriller, Vertigo. Hotel Bristol
Palace was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2022.
Raffles London at The OWO (1906) London, England, UK
Entering Raffles London at The OWO evokes the same feeling as
entering a grand opera house, or a spacious palace. The marble
staircase draws guests in to explore the unique space, with beams
of light beckoning one to look up at the magnificent glass ceiling
dome. Completed in 1906, the Old War Office (OWO) is one of the
great London landmarks of the Edwardian Era. At the time of its
construction, it served as an architectural expression of British
power, confidence, and wealth in the early-20th century. This is
principally reflected in its monumental scale and the sculptural
detailing of the historic ceiling dome, with its ornamental plaster
work. During a recent restoration, extensive surveys of the
building's elaborate ceilings were conducted, and “new-to-match”
moldings were installed where necessary. As one of Europe’s largest
renovation projects, it marks a revelatory transition from war to
peace, as a once-secret government building opened its doors to the
public for the first time as a luxury hotel, Raffles London at The
OWO. The public enters through its magnificent two-story entrance
hall, with a groin-vaulted ceiling and Portland stone columns. At
the center, the iconic triple-height ceiling dome features moldings
of the Tudor crown, which was a royal cypher used widely between
1901–1953. The design, too, features King Edward VII’s own royal
cypher, “ER” (Edward Rex). Raffles London at The OWO was inducted
into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2023.
Fairmont Empress (1908) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The magnificent Tiffany-style stained-glass domed ceiling in the
Fairmont Empress’s Palm Court was designed to be a stylish ceiling
beneath which guests would enjoy Afternoon Tea. Opening in 1908,
this gorgeous hotel was designed by Francis Rattenbury and
overlooks the Victoria Harbour in British Columbia, Canada.
However, soon after completion, it was discovered that the
acoustics under the Palm Court’s dome were so sensitive, that if
someone whispers on one side of the room, the conversation can be
heard on the other side. Tea was relocated to the hotel lobby (now
the Lobby Lounge), but the beautiful dome remained. In 1967, a
severe snowstorm shattered the stained-glass dome beyond repair,
and the entire ceiling was covered over with a false ceiling and
forgotten about for more than 20 years. Between 1988–1989, an
extensive $45 million restoration was undertaken to improve the
hotel’s original craftsmanship. The original glass dome was
discovered, and the Palm Court’s ceiling was restored. Some
portions of the dome were reconstructed using historic photographs
and an original piece of glass found in a nearby shop. A second
outer dome was added to protect the stained glass below it from
future harm. The dome at the Fairmont Empress is an awe-inspiring
piece of delicate craftsmanship and is admired by guests who enjoy
Afternoon Tea in the nearby Lobby Lounge. The glass dome never has
the same colors; the colors of the dome change depending on the
weather. The Palm Court provides an air of elegance to events,
showcasing the magnificent history of the Empress. Fairmont Empress
was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2017.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo (1910) Tremezzina, Italy
Immersed in the beauty of Lake Como, the historic Grand Hotel
Tremezzo is a treasured example of the finest authentic Italian
palaces, and dates to 1910. When Enea Gandola and his wife, Maria
Orsolini Bolla, decided to establish one of the Grande Dames of
Europe in the early-20th century, they hired architect Constantino
Ferrario to head the project. The Gandolas also added many
distinctive architectural features into the villa’s interior.
Perhaps the greatest of these architectural elements were the many
frescoes that still cover the hotel’s grand ceiling. Painted by
Francesco Congeliani, the frescoes depict scenes from Virgil’s
Aeneid, as well as scenes of heaven. Congeliani himself was the
pupil of Giambattista Tiepolo, who was well-known across the
continent for his work throughout the Mediterranean and Germany.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in
2012.
Fairmont Hotel Macdonald (1915) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Located in downtown Edmonton, on the banks of the North
Saskatchewan River, Fairmont Hotel Macdonald opened in 1915 as one
of Canada's grand railway hotels. A fine example of chateau-style
architecture, this historic hotel features the Empire Ballroom,
which boasts one of the most magnificent ceilings in the country.
The Empire Ballroom’s ceiling is an artistic marvel, featuring
intricate bas-relief carvings. The architect crafted this
pillar-free masterpiece to depict a hunting scene from a bygone
era, encapsulating the elegance and grandeur of early-20th century
design. The ceiling’s 21-ft height impresses upon its visitors a
breathtaking sense of space and grandeur, enhanced by its
decorative features and private terrace. In early 2024, the Empire
Ballroom underwent a meticulous renovation and restoration. The
project resulted in restoring the historic ceiling’s original
splendor, including hand-painting it gold to recapture the
awe-inspiring sparkle it had a century ago. The restoration process
was labor-intensive, requiring over 1,000 hours of preparations and
painting, and more than 72 hours dedicated to cleaning the
chandeliers. The result is a ceiling that not only honors the
historical integrity of the space, but also dazzles guests with its
renewed brilliance and intricate beauty. The Empire Ballroom’s
ceiling stands as a testament to the timeless elegance and rich
history of the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald, making it a must-see for
visitors and a cherished venue for special events. Fairmont Hotel
Macdonald was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2017.
Hotel New Grand (1927) Yokohama, Japan
When guests enter Hotel New Grand through its historic main
entrance and walk up its grand staircase to the second-floor lobby,
they experience a majestic blend of European Art Deco-style and
traditional Japanese architecture. The foyer features ornate white
plaster, detailed with motifs modeled after ancient Indian art.
Storytelling silk tapestries—true works of art— hang on the upper
walls and contrast with the white plaster and the patterned, washi
paper lanterns hanging from the ornate ceiling. Further in the
historic hotel, two more magnificent ceilings cap beautiful spaces
for events: the Rainbow Ballroom and the Phoenix Room. The 273 sq m
stucco ceiling of the Rainbow Ballroom has been widely acclaimed
for its plaster work. The rainbow-like arched ceiling is adorned
with classic decorations that are said to be the pinnacle of stucco
work. The trailing clouds and lotus flowers often seen in
traditional temples and shrines recall the Buddhist paintings of
Gokuraku Jodo, "the Land of Bliss." Finally, the Phoenix Room’s
dark wood-coffered ceiling is very different from the white plaster
designs but is just as enchanting. The Phoenix Room’s canopy exudes
a dignified atmosphere, with crossbeams and large ornate lanterns,
reflecting the aesthetic of ancient Japanese shrines and temples.
Designed by architect Jin Watanabe, Hotel New Grand’s historic
architecture was certified by the city of Yokohama, and the hotel
was designated as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization site by
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Watanabe subsequently
designed numerous landmark historic buildings in Tokyo, including
the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park, and the Dai-ichi Seimei
building in Hibiya. The hotel offers a special package with
historical tours of the building. Hotel New Grand was inducted into
Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (1924) Singapore
Built in 1924, the original Fullerton Building is situated in a
historic location in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business
District. Named after Robert Fullerton—the first colonial governor
of Singapore—The Fullerton Hotel Singapore began life as an ornate
post office and is Singapore’s 71st National Monument. Located on
the hotel's fourth floor, the Straits Room is known as an exclusive
enclave well-appointed for formal banquets, private receptions,
seminars, and press conferences. Previously used as the billiard
room of the prestigious Singapore Club, its lofty height, unique
coffered ceiling, and crystal chandeliers are simply magnificent.
Both the ceiling and wall motifs are original design elements,
dating back to 1928, that were retained when the stately Fullerton
Building was restored in 1997 and transformed into a luxury hotel.
The ceiling is 90 years old, and was sculpted by Cavaliere Rodolfo
Nolli, an Italian sculptor and architect from Lombardy, who worked
mainly in Southeast Asia during the first half of the 20th century.
The Fullerton Hotel Singapore was inducted into Historic Hotels
Worldwide in 2011.
Fairmont Le Château Montebello (1930) Montebello, Québec,
Canada
A luxury destination like no other, Fairmont Le Château
Montebello was the dream of a wealthy Swiss-American man named H.M.
Saddlemire. Inspired by the chateaus of the Swiss Alps, he invested
in the venture in the 1920s and dubbed the project
“Lucerne-in-Quebec.” The construction site's foreman, Victor
Nymark, directed the resort’s main building to be constructed in
the vernacular style of Karelia, the former province of Finland
where Nymark was born. In 1930, the massive cedar chateau was
complete, with over 10,000 red cedar logs all cut and set by hand,
contributing to three main buildings. While this log cabin
architecture adds drama to many of the resort’s high ceilings, the
grand lobby offers the pièce de résistance. Cedar logs and shingles
alone were the largest shipment of materials ever shipped across
the continent for a single construction project, and today it is
the largest “log cabin” in the world. The lobby is three-stories
tall, but the ceiling rises higher, with exposed beams and wood
slats punctuated by stained-glass skylights. Beneath the lobby
rotunda is a 20-meter-tall hexagonal fireplace, with six monumental
hearths that weigh more than 300 tons. After its completion in
1930, and for the next 40 years, the log chateau was the private
retreat of the Seigniory Club, whose elite membership included
reputed Canadian businessmen and politicians such as former Prime
Minister Lester B. Pearson, and foreign dignitaries such as Prince
Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco. In 1970, the resort opened
its doors to the public, and today, all are invited to enjoy its
rustic splendor. Fairmont Le Château Montebello was inducted into
Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
“One of the best ways to distinguish a fine historic hotel from
another older hotel is to look up at the ceilings. Look up and
discover the tremendous detail, artistry, and craftsmanship in the
historic ceilings,” said Lawrence P. Horwitz, Executive Vice
President of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels
Worldwide. “The ceilings in public areas, including lobbies,
ballrooms, and restaurants, range from stained glass to painted
ornamental plaster. Often, these grand and detailed ceilings have
been recognized as historically significant local or regional
historic landmarks. We encourage everyone to visit their favorite
historic hotel and to look up!”
About Historic Hotels Worldwide®
Historic Hotels Worldwide® is a prestigious and distinctive
collection of historic treasures, including luxury historic hotels
built in former castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas,
villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten
centuries. Historic Hotels Worldwide represents the finest and most
distinctive global collection of more than 320 historic hotels in
47 countries. Hotels inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide are
authentic historic treasures, demonstrate historic preservation,
and celebrate historic significance. Eligibility for induction into
Historic Hotels Worldwide is limited to those distinctive historic
hotels that adhere to the following criteria: minimum age for the
building is 75 years or older; historically relevant as a
significant location within a historic district, historically
significant landmark, place of a historic event, former home of a
famous person, or historic city center; hotel celebrates its
history by showcasing memorabilia, artwork, photography, and other
examples of its historic significance; recognized by national
preservation or heritage buildings organization or located within
UNESCO World Heritage Site; and presently used as a historic hotel.
For more information, please visit HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240724236272/en/
Katherine Orr Historic Hotels of America | Historic Hotels
Worldwide Director, Marketing Strategy & Communications Tel: +1
202 772 8337 korr@historichotels.org