Hotels have existed in some form or another for hundreds of years. In medieval Europe, this took the form of inns, which served as places of lodging for weary travellers. In the 19th century, luxury hotels began to emerge, creating a new demand for accommodation that combined style and substance.
This era was epitomised by Cesar Ritz, a Swiss hotelier who founded Paris’ famed Hotel Ritz and was the first manager of London’s Savoy Hotel in 1889. Ritz recognised the talents of now-famed French chef Auguste Escoffier and hired him to manage all his restaurant kitchens, including The Savoy.
