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Washington,
DC – October 2025 / NewsmakerAlert: Historic
Hotels Worldwide® celebrates iconic and legendary historic hotels
from around the world, in beautiful locations where travelers can indulge
their palates with delicious fare curated by some of the world’s most innovative
chefs today, and throughout history. The 2025
Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide Culinary Heritage and Traditions list
recognizes the historic hotels that preserve their own historic recipes
and menus or their region’s culinary traditions to share them with guests,
creating truly memorable culinary experiences.
Some
of the hotels selected for this year’s list have made important contributions
to many of the world’s favorite recipes, while others create dining experiences
for guests that are centered around the region’s history and heritage,
or preserve indigenous agriculture and animal husbandry or hunting traditions.
Although many historic hotels prefer to keep their culinary secrets locked
away and only for guests to experience at the hotel, several hotels included
in The 2025 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide Culinary Heritage and Traditions
list offer recipes for recreating their special culinary offerings at home.
From
original recipes that were created—or popular recipes that were perfected—at
a historic hotel, to specialty drinks and cocktails that are closely connected
to the history of a historic hotel, The 2025 Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide
Culinary Heritage and Traditions list offers something sweet, savory, or
refreshing for foodies and explorers everywhere to enjoy.
Whether
travelers are looking for something savory or sweet, a unique drink or
comfort food, there is a historic hotel with a culinary tradition or original
recipe to satisfy every palate.
For
more information about Historic Hotels Worldwide, please visit HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com
and sign
up for the Discover & Explore newsletter to stay up to date on
the latest news and special offers.
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Castello
Dal Pozzo Resort Lago Maggiore (1000s) Oleggio Castello, Italy
With
portions of the estate dating to the 11th century, Castello Dal Pozzo Resort
Lago Maggiore was once an impressive fortress for the prominent Visconti
Family. The estate was reinvigorated in the 19th century when it passed
into the stewardship of the Dal Pozzo Family. Today, the Dal Pozzo Family
preserves Italian cultural heritage traditions, not only by caring for
the historic buildings of the resort, but also through traditional gastronomy
at the resort’s fine dining restaurant, Le Fief. Chefs at Le Fief used
Visconti and Dal Pozzo Family recipes and culinary legends, passed down
through the centuries, to craft a menu to once again fill the halls with
the traditional regional cuisine served throughout the ages. Dishes include
the Uovo all’Ottone (Ottone’s Egg), a favorite dish of the Archbishop of
Milan, Ottone Visconti, and a creamy risotto cake that was the favorite
of Don Cassiano Dal Pozzo, an illustrious jurist and ambassador, to Emperor
Charles V and Francis I. According to Guendalina Dal Pozzo d’Annone, “these
dishes are not just recipes; they are edible chapters of our history, offering
guests a unique and authentic connection to the legacy of Castello Dal
Pozzo and the region.” Castello Dal Pozzo Resort Lago Maggiore was inducted
into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2024.
Nermo
Hotell & Apartments (1442) Øyer, Norway
Dating
to1442, historic Nermo Hotell & Apartments was once a modest guesthouse
for travelers exploring the nearby Norwegian valleys of Gudbrandsdalen
and Østerdalen. The Nermo Family purchased the estate during the
19th century, when it was a potato and grain farm, converting the location
into a popular hotel. Although the hotel has been renovated and expanded
to meet modern guests’ expectations, the Nermo Family balances modernization
with tradition, especially through its culinary heritage. The family serves
moose and pork obtained through traditional moose hunting and husbandry
of mountain pigs. As Johannes Nermo, fifth-generation owner and hotelier,
explains, “Since the first guests came to us almost 150 years ago, one
of our cornerstones has been that we harvest what nature gives us. For
us, it is both necessary and very important that the whole animal is used
at the hotel and the menus are also set accordingly.” All the moose served
at Nermo Hotell & Apartments comes from the hotel’s hunting team, led
by the Nermo Family. The family has hunted moose for generations, and one
of the hotel’s signature dishes is moose tenderloin, which is popular at
weddings hosted at the hotel. The hotel also serves elk stew in the winter,
moose burgers in the summer, and cured ham throughout the year. The ham
is butchered and salted in the same way as it has been for hundreds of
years, and then, it is hung in the storehouse for a minimum of two years
before being used by the hotel’s kitchens. “Our most famous dish is probably
our own cured ham,” Johannes Nermo says. “Although we could very easily
sell our cured ham to individual customers, it is only as a guest at Nermo
that you get to experience our cured ham. Our recipe for cured ham is secret
and securely locked in the hotel’s safe.” Nermo Hotell & Apartments
was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012.
Nermo
Hotell & Apartments Moose Burger Recipe (serves 4)
Ingredients:
500
g minced moose (ground moose meat)
1
teaspoon of salt
1
tablespoon potato flour
1
tablespoon wheat flour
1
egg
½
teaspoon of pepper
¼
teaspoon grated nutmeg
1
teaspoon dried thyme
4
oz whipping cream
2
tablespoons margarine for frying
Preparation:
Stir
salt into the minced meat until it becomes chewy. Stir in potato flour,
wheat flour, and spices. Add eggs and mix well. Whip the cream in two batches,
stirring well between each batch. Divide the dough into eight parts and
shape into patties on a wet sheet pan. Bake for approx. 2 minutes on each
side until barely cooked through. Serve moose burgers with vegetables,
boiled potatoes, and cranberry jam.
Hotel
Hacienda de Abajo (1493) Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
Tucked
into a lush hillside in the historic quarter of Tazacorte on the isle of
Tenerife, part of the Spanish Canary Islands, Hotel Hacienda de Abajo was
once the center of a successful sugarcane and sugar mill operation. Agricultural
abundance defines the history of the island and the estate, where guests
today can experience the hotel’s menu featuring local fruits and vegetables,
relax in historic gardens —including a banana orchard that dates to 1613—
and see rare plantings collected from around the world. One culinary heritage
item served at the luxury retreat is Agua de Tuna, a beverage made from
the fruit of the prickly pear cactus (tuna) found around the hotel and
throughout the island. The prickly pear cactus became key to economic success
on Tenerife in the 19th century when Spain moved its large-scale farming
of the red dye-producing cochineal insect from Mexico to the Canary Islands,
where the insect thrived on the prickly pear cactus, which was previously
valued primarily for its fruit. Today, a glass of Tuna Juice is a unique
and symbolic drink with a connection to global trade, and one that Hotel
Hacienda de Abajo is proud to share with travelers from around the world.
Hotel Hacienda de Abajo was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in
2021.
Chablé
Resort & Spa (1650) Chocholá, Yucatán, Mexico
At
the heart of Chablé Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in the Yucatán,
is a traditional, organic Mayan Garden, where gardeners preserve and celebrate
indigenous harvesting techniques. An award-winning retreat, Chablé
Resort & Spa is located on an estate founded in 1650, and was inducted
into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2017. Chablé Resort & Spa’s
authentic culinary experience of farm-to-table cuisine utilizes the fruits,
vegetables, and herbs sourced from this garden. The Mayan Garden consists
of raised garden beds made from local wood and constructed using no synthetic
elements. Each bed, called a Ka’anche’, is filled with organic soil and
seeds harvested through traditional Mayan methods by Chablé Resort
& Spa’s resident Mayan horticulturist. Upon request, guests have the
opportunity to partake in the gardening process during their stay. The
garden provides Chablé Resort & Spa’s restaurants, Ixi’im and
Ki’ol, with fresh, flavorful local produce throughout the year. In the
words of its General Manager, Chablé Resort & Spa “honors Mayan
traditions without sacrificing the global standards for luxury.”
Hotel
Savoia & Jolanda (19th century) Venice, Italy
The
signature restaurant of Hotel Savoia & Jolanda is Ristorante Principessa,
which faces St. Mark’s Square and the island of San Giorgio, and offers
a tempting array of Venetian culinary specialties, as well as an extensive
wine list coming from the best wineries in Veneto and throughout Italy.
At Ristorante Principessa, guests can savor the traditional dish of Spaghetto
al Bragosso a Venetian spaghetti with mussels, clams, and shellfish. This
delicacy is served with a gold fork, an homage to the 11th-century Byzantine
princess Maria Argyra, who first introduced the utensil to the Venetians
in 1004 A.D., when she married Giovanni Orseolo, son of the Doge of Venice,
Pietro II Orseolo. Ristorante Principessa combines modern gastronomic elements
with the Venetian culinary tradition, in an authentic and storied atmosphere.
Overlooking the Basin of San Marco in the Venetian Lagoon, Hotel Savoia
& Jolanda dates to the early 19th century and was inducted into Historic
Hotels Worldwide in 2022.
Boen
Gård (1813) Tveit, Norway
Located
on land once part of a royal estate, as the favorite fishing retreat of
King Christian II of Denmark and Norway, Boen Gård has evolved from
a successful 19th century homestead to a pastoral retreat and beautiful
manor. The historic hotel’s beloved culinary tradition is Norwegian Wild
Salmon sourced from the nearby Tovdal River. To this day, Boen Gård
owns the riverbanks that it abuts on the Tovdal River and has fishing rights
to the Norwegian Wild Salmon that have attracted fishermen and kings to
its waters for centuries. While the salmon can be enjoyed in many ways
at the hotel, it is the centerpiece—along with wild game from the lands
surrounding the hotel—of a special menu that was first served to King Oscar
II of Sweden and Norway when he visited Boen Gård on July 21, 1891.
Today’s guests can enjoy a modern take on the historic menu, which includes
Salmon with Sauce Genevoise; sausages, truffle, and smoked reindeer tongue;
saddle of lamb with olives; lobster salad; and the same wine pairings that
King Oscar II enjoyed during his meal. This special dining experience is
available year-round, but requires a booking made at least four weeks in
advance and a minimum of four guests to enjoy it. Boen Gård was inducted
into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2025 and dates to 1813.
The
K Club (1832) Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland
The
K Club in County Kildare, Ireland, boasts a surprising historical connection
to one of France’s most historic winehouses, Barton & Guestier, and
honors that history through a modern-day partnership and guest experiences.
The founder of Barton & Guestier was Thomas Barton, who left Ireland
to become a wine merchant in Bordeaux in 1725. Thomas’s grandson, Hugh
Barton, left France during the Reign of Terror. He returned to Ireland
and used part of his fortune to purchase a 550-acre plot of land in Kildare,
the very same estate where The K Club stands today. Hugh built the original
Straffan House—the heart of The K Club—in 1832. The Barton Family remained
stewards of Straffan for multiple generations before it was eventually
sold by the last Barton heir. Today, The K Club honors its heritage not
just by naming The Barton Restaurant for Thomas, but through an active
partnership with Barton & Guestier. Each year, Lisa O’Doherty, The
K Club’s Sommelier, travels to France to collaborate with the Barton &
Guestier team on blending and refining an exclusive house wine, crafted
specially for The K Club to complement Irish produce and seasonal flavors.
Guests can experience this tradition at The Barton Restaurant, through
private tastings in the original cellar that dates to 1832, hosted by Lisa
and her team, or at special sommelier-led dinners throughout the year.
The K Club was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2014.
Hotel
España (1859) Barcelona, Spain
In
February 1923, just over a century ago, Albert Einstein spent a week visiting
Catalan academies and meeting with regional political and scientific leaders.
His visit was legendary and is celebrated by the region to this day. While
Einstein did not stay at Hotel España in 1923, this historic hotel
celebrates his famous visit to the city and shares that history with its
guests today. In particular, the hotel recreates a menu from a dinner party
that Einstein attended. One evening during his visit, Einstein dined at
the Barcelona home of Rafael Campalans, a Socialist political leader and
university professor of industrial engineering. At the dinner, Campalans
provided entertainment, which included live musical performances, and offered
Einstein a clever dinner menu, written in Latin and composed with clever
scientific references, such as nods to the theory of relativity, the Doppler
effect, and Euclidean geometry. Every dish had an enigma related to scientists,
philosophy, or theories. For example, the menu item “Phasianus nycthemerus
Minkowskiensis, quatriplex dimentiones” was a nod to a pheasant dish and
to Einstein’s old professor, mathematician Hermann Minkowski. Einstein
referred to the dinner in his personal diary, where he reflected on the
warmth and hospitality of Spain. Hotel España introduced the special
menu to its guests in 2019. The special menu is currently on pause while
the hotel undergoes some much anticipated renovations but will return in
November 2026 during the closing gala dinner of the annual Science &
Cooking World Congress in Barcelona. Hotel España was inducted into
Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2021 and dates to 1859.
The
Editory Riverside Santa Apolónia Lisboa (1865) Lisbon, Portugal
The
Editory Riverside Santa Apolónia Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal, offers
diners a journey through Portugal at its Impulso restaurant. This historic
hotel is located within Lisbon’s historic train complex, Santa Apolónia
Station, dating to 1865. Visitors can savor the regional flavors of Lisbon
at Impulso Restaurante. Inspired by the culinary traditions of the regions
serviced by the rail lines that converge at Santa Apolónia Station,
Impulso is a culinary crossroads of local customs and regional ingredients.
Guests are transported across the country through traditional Portuguese
recipes, passed down through the generations, made with seasonal products
that have been brought in by train to the station. The dishes and drinks
are not the only aspects of Impulso influenced by Santa Apolónia
Station; the dining room takes inspiration from train travel though Portugal,
too. Not only is the open kitchen designed to resemble a ticket office,
with windows that look out over the station, but the furnishings and finishes
are evocative of an elegant railroad dining car. Learn more about the signature
Portuguese dishes served at Impulso Restaurante like Pastel
de Nata and Bife
à Portuguesa. The Editory Riverside Santa Apolónia Lisboa
was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2023.
Sofitel
Winter Palace Luxor (1886) Luxor, Egypt
Just
steps from Luxor Temple on the banks of the Nile, guests can experience
Egypt’s culinary heritage at Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor’s 1886 Restaurant.
A winter retreat for Egyptian royalty and European nobility, the palace’s
tropical setting and diverse cultural dynasties resulted in a unique culinary
history. The Jute leaf—sometimes called Egyptian Spinach—thrives in Egypt’s
hot, sunny climate. When stewed, the vegetable produces a thick texture,
like that of okra, and serves as the base for the traditional dish called
Molokhia. Centuries ago, the dish was more likely to be found in the homes
of everyday Egyptians than on the plates of pharaohs. Nevertheless, Molokhia
has been passed down by generations of chefs alongside elegant dishes like
stuffed pigeon and Egypt’s national dessert, Om Ali. Guests seeking a luxurious
and authentic atmosphere can taste the historic hotel’s signature dishes,
hear stories of Egypt’s past, and listen to expert musicians play the oud,
a short-necked string instrument that predates the guitar, during special
heritage events. Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor was inducted into Historic
Hotels Worldwide in 2014 and dates to 1886.
Raffles
Singapore (1887) Singapore
The
Singapore Sling, widely regarded as the national drink of Singapore, was
first created in 1915 by Raffles Singapore bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. Primarily
a gin-based cocktail, the Singapore Sling also contains pineapple juice,
lime juice, curaçao, and Bénédictine. Grenadine and
cherry liqueur give the cocktail its signature pink hue. A little-known
fact about the Singapore Sling is that since 2018, the cocktail has been
made with ecoSPIRITS, making it more sustainable and better for the environment.
When the Sarkies Family of hoteliers acquired the building for the development
of a luxury hotel in Singapore, they named it Raffles Hotel upon its debut
in 1887, and the hotel became one of the most sought-after destinations
in Southeast Asia. One of the newest offerings of the hotel under the Sarkies
Family’s management was Afternoon Tea, and it has been a mainstay ever
since. Raffles Singapore, which was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide
in 2018, was also featured in The Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide Afternoon
Tea Experiences.
The
Savoy London (1889) London, England, United Kingdom
The
recipe for Peach Melbawas created by Chef Auguste Escoffier in 1893, when
he was the chef of the signature restaurant of The Savoy, in London. This
sweet palette of summertime flavors is named after opera singer Nellie
Melba, who was widely praised for her performances at Covent Garden. The
Duke of Orléans wanted to celebrate her achievement, and organized
a dinner cooked by Auguste Escoffier. In honor of Dame Melba, the gastronomic
icon created a new dessert: Pêches Melba. He served the dessert in
a silver bowl that he then placed in an ice sculpture in the shape of a
swan. The swan ice sculpture was a direct reference to Dame Melba’s performance
in the opera Lohengrin, which featured a swan-shaped boat. The poached
peaches were arranged on vanilla ice cream and topped with a nest of spun
sugar. The dessert was thus originally called Pêche au Cygne (peach
with the swan) by Escoffier. Only seven years later, when Chef Escoffier
opened the Ritz Carlton restaurant in London with his partner and former
General Manager of The Savoy, Cesar Ritz, Escoffier replaced the sugar
confectionery with raspberry purée. He then renamed the dessert
Peach Melba. Recreate the treat at home with the Peach
Melba recipe from Historic Hotels Worldwide.
Støtt
-Top of Helgeland (1897) Støtt, Norway
Dating
to 1897, Støtt - Top of Helgelandwas originally a rustic 19th-century
trading outpost for mariners who traversed the shoreline of Norway’s Helgeland
archipelago. The shoreline of Støtt was regularly filled with rows
of wooden drying racks—known as hjell—that used the cold, polar air to
preserve seafood, including halibut, cod, and whale. The racks attracted
the attention of sailors who passed Støtt on their way further north
into the Vestfjorden, and was an important stop along the fishing route.
Today, just as the historic Støtt - Top of Helgeland has been beautifully
preserved, so have the culinary techniques and dishes served at Restaurant
Gammelbutikken. The hotel’s signature dining establishment is the last
restaurant in Norway that still produces its own dried fish. The inspiration
for the restaurant was derived from the old trading posts with hundreds
of years of culinary heritage techniques. Restaurant Gammelbutikken embodies
much of the coastal culture of the area and serves dishes with the best
ingredients that the sea has to offer. Ingredients are locally harvested,
and fresh fish are caught out on the Vestfjorden. This practice of sourcing
local ingredients creates unique and memorable dishes for guests. Støtt
- Top of Helgeland was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2023.
Sofitel
Legend Metropole Hanoi (1901) Hanoi, Vietnam
An
iconic landmark in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole
Hanoi has a long tradition as a luxury venue for prestigious events, and
as a popular rendezvous location for both business and leisure travelers,
including famous playwrights, ambassadors, royalty, and heads of state.
One of the hotel’s most cherished culinary traditions is the Vietnamese
egg coffee, known locally as cà phê tr?ng. Since 1946, this
rich and creamy drink, holding a special place in Hanoi’s culinary history,
has been a part of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi’s legacy. During the
First Indochina War (1946–1954), when milk was scarce in Vietnam, the hotel’s
bartender at the time, Nguyen Van Giang, ingeniously replaced milk with
a mixture of whipped egg yolk, sugar, and condensed milk to create a rich,
custard-like foam to top strong Robusta coffee. Today, the traditional
recipe, with elevated ingredients, is served at La Terrasse, Bamboo Bar,
and Le Club Bar at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. Sofitel Legend Metropole
Hanoi was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2014.
Sofitel
Legend Metropole Hanoi Signature Egg Coffee Recipe
Ingredients:
10
g Vietnamese Robusta coffee grounds
3
egg yolks
10
ml vodka
10
g condensed milk
10
ml homemade vanilla syrup (made with vanilla bean pods, Vietnamese brown
sugar, and water)
Preparation:
Brew
the coffee using a dripper, slowly pouring hot water over the Robusta grounds
to extract a rich, strong brew.
Whisk
the egg yolks with vodka, condensed milk and vanilla syrup until light,
airy and velvety smooth.
Carefully
spoon or pour the egg foam over the hot coffee.
To
serve, place the coffee cup in a bowl of hot water or over a small candle
to maintain the ideal temperature.
Omni
King Edward (1903) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Omni
King Edward carries cherished British culinary traditions into the 21st
century in Toronto, Canada. Dedicated in 1901 in honor ofKing Edward VII’s
coronation, by 1903, the hotel stood proud and readyto usher in the coming
Edwardian Era, which was characterized by elegance and modernity. Omni
King Edward has hosted a traditional Afternoon Tea, complete with a classic
royal scone, every weekend since. Combining timeless tradition and creative
flair, the Afternoon Tea service at Victoria Café has been featured
in the Top
25 Historic Hotels Worldwide Afternoon Tea Experiences List. On the
main menu, the classic British dish of Beef Wellington has been the hotel’s
signature entree for over 40 years. This classic dish features a tender
beef tenderloin, carefully seared and layered with savory mushroom duxelles,
then wrapped in buttery puff pastry and baked to a golden crisp. Inspired
by the traditional English preparation, it is known for its rich flavor,
elegant presentation, and meticulous craftsmanship. The beloved Beef Wellington
is often served during holiday brunches, seasonal dinners, and private
events. Omni King Edward was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in
2013.
The
Grand York (1906) York, England, United Kingdom
The
Grand York was built in 1906 as a “Palace of Business” for the North Eastern
Railway Company, which was one of the most powerful enterprises in Great
Britain at the time. Today, a luxury historic hotel, it offers a variety
of modern and traditional culinary experiences, in addition to elegant
guestrooms. The hotel’s restaurants feature family-style dining and child-friendly
activities, such as a children’s Afternoon Tea. The Grand York opened a
state-of-the-art Cookery School in 2019, perfect for both the beginner
and the expert chef, with 42 classes to choose from. The Cookery School
at The Grand offers express, half-day, full-day, and even parent-child
courses, curating a selection of international cuisines and specialty classes.
Led by Cookery School Director, Marc Williams, the Cookery School is designed
for novice and aspiring chefs, with classes inspired by cuisine from around
the world. The Grand York was previously featured in the Top
25 Historic Hotels Worldwide Afternoon Tea Experiences List. The Grand
York was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2018.
Hotel
Adlon Kempinski (1907) Berlin, Germany
In
1949, Herta Heuwer prepared the very first currywurst at her snack stand
in Charlottenburg, a locality of Berlin, while mixing a sauce consisting
mostly of tomato paste, curry powder, and Worcestershire sauce. The German
classic of currywurst was born then, and it remains a favorite dish for
tourists to sample. In Berlin today, Hotel Adlon Kempinski offers guests
an elevated version of this regional dish. The hotel’s Adlon currywurst
comes with its own special sauce, a Kempinski secret recipe. The hotel
sells about 6,136 currywursts each year to guests from around the world
from its Lobby Lounge & Bar. Centrally located, with breathtaking views
of the famous Brandenburg Gate, the legendary Hotel Adlon Kempinski was
inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2017 and dates to 1907.
Hotel
Moskva (1908) Belgrade, Serbia
A
celebrated landmark in downtown Belgrade, Hotel Moskva is one of the most
important historic hotels in Serbia’s capital city. This beautiful building
is designed in the Russian Art Nouveau style, and has been welcoming guests
since King Peter I of Serbia officially opened the hotel in 1908. In recent
history, the hotel has become well-known for its Moskva Café and
Pastry Shop, which has produced Belgrade’s favorite sweets for decades,
and is famous for its signature cake, the Moskva Schnitt. Moskva Schnitt
is a refreshing fruit cake made with almonds, cherries, pineapple, and
homemade cream. Created in 1974 by Pastry Chef Anica Dzepina, the original
recipe is still used today, and the cake is served at birthdays, weddings,
and other special events throughout Europe and around the world. Hotel
Moskva’s pastry shop makes upwards of 20 tons of Moskva Schnitt every year.
Visitors can enjoy the cake by buying it directly at the pastry shop or
ordering it for dessert at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Tchaikovsky
Restaurant. Hotel Moskva was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in
2016.
Hotel
Waldhaus Sils (1908) Sils Maria, Switzerland
Hotel
Waldhaus Sils served the Omelette Surprise—otherwise known as the Omelette
Norvégienne or Baked Alaska—when it first opened in 1908, under
the direction of owners Josef Giger and his wife, Amalie. The newly christened
Hotel Waldhaus Sils became an immediate overnight sensation due to its
then-cutting-edge amenities and unrivaled hospitality. The complicated
dessert that the Gigers served added to the new hotel’s charm. Consisting
of sponge cake, ice cream, and meringue, the Omelette Surprise is an exhilarating
experience for any fan of the culinary arts. After a brief period in which
the dish was no longer prepared, the kitchen staff decided to resurrect
the Omelette Surprise in 2019 during the hotel’s 111th anniversary. Now
offered at the Chef’s Table dining experience, the chefs at Hotel Waldhaus
Sils create the Omelette Surprise right in front of guests for them to
enjoy. Learn more about the history and significance of this
dessert at Historic Hotels Worldwide. Hotel Waldhaus Sils was inducted
into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2014.
Grand
Hotel Tremezzo (1910) Tremezzina, Italy
Immersed
in the beauty of Lake Como and offering a spectacular view of the surrounding
Alps, the historic Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a treasured example of the finest
authentic Italian palaces. With intricate period furnishings and unparalleled
views, Grand Hotel Tremezzo invites guests to experience the historic elegance
and tranquility of this spectacular retreat. The iconic dish that is served
in Grand Hotel Tremezzo’s fine dining establishment, La Terrazza Gualtiero
Marchesi, is the saffron risotto with gold leaf created by legendary chef
Gualtiero Marchesi in 1981. This dish has been a staple at the hotel for
more than 43 years. Gualtiero Marchesi is known as the “Maestro” of modern
Italian cuisine. He became the first Italian chef to win three Michelin
Stars; he was also the first chef from Italy to hand one back. This special
risotto recipe includes typical ingredients such as butter, onion, and
parmesan cheese, but it is known for the gold leaf that is placed on top
of the risotto, making it not only delicious, but also beautiful. Grand
Hotel Tremezzo was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012.
Hôtel
Paris Bastille Boutet - MGallery by Sofitel (1926) Paris, France
Hôtel
Paris Bastille Boutet - MGallery by Sofitel, a member of Historic Hotels
Worldwide since 2018 and a former chocolate factory, dates to 1926. In
1926, Maison Boutet hired famed French architect Achille Champy to construct
a factory building in a historic Paris neighborhood on Rue Faidherbe. The
factory building debuted with a dazzling Art Deco-style façade featuring
beautiful ochre mosaics. Before it was a hotel, it served as a distributor
of exotic wood and then as a chocolate factory. Today, the building has
been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel, and offers guests an immersion
into French culture, with chocolate featured in many of its prized desserts.
Notably, the hotel offers guests the opportunity to experience le goûter,
a light and sweet French meal taken in the afternoon. This afternoon snack
is often compared to the English tradition of Afternoon Tea, as it is not
casual eating, but a light meal. It is commonly enjoyed as an afternoon
snack for school-age children. At the hotel, Le Goûter Boutet comes
with a sweet treat and a house-made madeleine, and it is served alongside
Hôtel Paris Bastille Boutet - MGallery by Sofitel’s iconic hot chocolate.
Hotel
New Grand (1927) Yokohama, Japan
In
the 1930s, Hotel New Grand made culinary waves in Japan when it brought
in Swiss Chef Saly Weil to manage its menu offerings. Chef Weil, who served
as the first Master Chef at the Hotel New Grand, introduced French and
Italian-inspired recipes, including rice gratin, spaghetti Napolitan, and
pudding à la mode, that are now widely enjoyed throughout Japan.
The hotel also credits him with popularizing the à la carte menu
in Japan. The hotel’s signature menu item, Seafood Doria (rice gratin),
was invented by Chef Weil and first served during this era. Seafood Doria
consists of rice, shrimp, and scallops covered in a rich béchamel
sauce. Today, visitors can dine at several restaurants at Hotel New Grand,
each featuring French, Italian, or Kyoto cuisine. Seafood Doria, along
with other favorites introduced by Chef Weil, is served at The Café,
located on the first floor of the historic main building. The historic
Hotel New Grand was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2012 and
dates to 1927. A relaxing retreat in the heart of the city, this culturally
rich hotel offers unparalleled views of Yamashita Park and Yokohama Bay.
Raffles
Hotel Le Royal (1929) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Restaurant
Le Royal at Raffles Hotel Le Royal is one of two historic restaurants in
Cambodia that has been given the official blessing, by special royal decree,
to use royal Khmer recipes of the Royal Palace of Cambodia. The restaurant’s
Khmer Royal Cuisine Tasting Menu includes Nhoam Svay (green mango salad
with grilled scallops, peanuts, and nuoc mam sauce), Samlor Machou m’Noas
(fish soup with pineapple and herbs), Chaen Trey Domrey Teuk Ampil Tom
(seared elephant fish with tamarind sauce), Sach Ko Changkak (grilled beef
skewered on lemongrass)or Amok Bangkang (Mekong lobster served on a coconut
shell). The finest ingredients are carefully blended to create a distinctive,
exhilarating, and elegant gastronomic experience. Set beneath a glorious
hand-painted ceiling, Restaurant Le Royal showcases centuries-old dining
rituals and traditional recipes from the Cambodian royal family, alongside
modern Khmer gastronomy, as well as a unique signature guéridon,
or tableside service. Dating to 1929 and inducted into Historic Hotels
Worldwide in 2018, today, Raffles Hotel Le Royal is one of the finest hotels
in Cambodia.
Garden
Hotel Suzhou (1930s) Suzhou, China
When
former U.S. President Jimmy Carter dined at Garden Hotel Suzhou’s signature
restaurant, Soo He 1929, Chef Yao served him the same dish that he had
served numerous foreign heads of state: Golden Dragon Shaped Salad. Invented
by Chef Yao, the Golden Dragon Shaped Salad is the signature dish at Garden
Hotel Suzhou’s signature restaurant. This fine dining restaurant specializes
in classic Suzhou cuisine and delicacies from the Yangtze River and nearby
Lake Tai, such as sweet and sour mandarin fish. Freshly caught fish, shrimp,
and crab are accompanied by seasonal produce from the hotel’s gardens to
create dishes that are both flavorful and nutritious. Garden Hotel Suzhou
was once a retreat for China’s political elite and remains a favorite destination
for world leaders. Chef Yao’s signature dish is served in the shape of
a golden dragon to note the auspicious meaning of a banquet among political
leaders, or a shared meal with friends and family. Garden Hotel Suzhou
was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2022.
Fairmont
Le Château Montebello (1930) Montebello, Québec, Canada
At
Fairmont Le Château Montebello, the château’s Maple Butter
Crêpes and Montebello’s famous Sugar Pie are cherished culinary traditions
connected to Canada’s maple sugar culinary heritage. Maple sugar was first
discovered and enjoyed by the First Nations people, who predated French
and English colonists in the region. They developed ways to harvest the
maple tree sap from living trees and carefully process it into syrup or
sugar. Non-native Canadians embraced maple sugar when they settled there,
many preferring it to cane or beet sugars. Fairmont Le Château Montebello,
built in 1930, has made this full-flavored maple syrup and sugar an integral
part of the dining experience for generations of guests and staff. The
chefs at the resort design their menus to honor the local culture and share
the delicious flavors of nature with guests. Fairmont Le Château
Montebello was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide in 2017.
Fairmont
Le Château Montebello’s Famous Sugar Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
2 pie
crusts
1
¼ lb of brown sugar #1
2
oz of cake flour (Monarch)
6
large eggs
8
oz of brown sugar #2
3
oz of maple syrup
3
oz of honey
2
¼ cup of 35% cream
3
oz of milk
3
½ oz of unsalted butter
Preparation:
In
a bowl, mix the first quantity of brown sugar, cake flour, and the eggs.
Whisk until smooth and set aside. In a pot, mix the second quantity of
brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cream, and the milk; place on stovetop,
and using a wooden spatula, stir and bring to a simmer. Pour part of this
mixture into the first one to heat, then combine both and mix into the
pot; simmer for about 10 to 15 min. and then add the melted butter. Mix,
and then remove from heat. Pour into a bowl and let the mixture cool. Refrigerate
overnight. Preheat oven to 325º F. Pour mixture into two unbaked pie
shells, cook for about 1 hour 15 minutes, cool to room temperature, and
refrigerate before eating.
“We
applaud the hoteliers working to preserve the culinary heritage and traditions
of their hotels while sharing them with guests. What better way to experience
a part of history than to taste the recipes created, invented, or perfected
over the centuries at a Historic Hotels Worldwide destination,” said Lawrence
Horwitz, Executive Vice President, Historic Hotels of America and Historic
Hotels Worldwide. “These historic recipes and menus, many created for a
special event for world leaders, celebrities, special guests, and local
events and celebrations, are now part of the world’s culinary heritage
and culinary traditions. At Historic Hotels Worldwide, history is delicious.”
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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 44 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.
Media
Contact:
Katherine
Orr
Historic
Hotels of America | Historic Hotels Worldwide
Director,
Marketing Strategy and Communications
Tel:
202-772-8337
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