Hotel Splendide

Delightful, Extravagant, Eccentric…
1920’s New York, the Hotel Splendide. Amidst this delightful, extravagant and rather majestic place chaos and eccentricity abound in bucketfuls. A classic of a memoir in every way, recounting tales of the hotel both upstairs and down, from staff to the guests. Extremely amusing, delightfully witty, keenly observed and enhanced with wonderfully done and quite charming illustrations. A joy.

This book had some delightful moments in it. They detailed colorful stories of Ludwig's time in various roles at the Hotel Splendide. At a hotel where service is key, and the staff sometimes lived at the hotel due to its busyness, Ludwig describes each gaffe of his coworkers with hilarity. The trepidation of the weighty moments can be felt in his descriptions of the scenes, where we never see the end coming. Each chapter is also accompanied by an individual drawing of the story. I would recommend this book to the adults who remember the Madeline books, but not the children.

This is a lovely book. It encapsulates a time and place with humour and, at times, pathos. Hotels have a whole culture of their own, like other large buildings or institutions and Bemelmans was able to encapsulate it by shrewd observations. His characters are engaging, and his caricatures in words and drawings have survived because of their unique qualities. Long may it remain in print.

A very charming and warm account of a 1920's hotel and the people who work there and visit there. The illustrations perfectly reflect the time and allow the reader to immerse in hotel life easily.

"Acerbic, colorful, and spirited stories from a bygone era: behind the scenes in a grand NY hotel, from the author of the Madeline books.

Picture David Sedaris writing Kitchen Confidential about the Ritz in New York in the 1920s, which had the style and charm of The Grand Budapest Hotel...

In this charming and uproariously funny hotel memoir, Ludwig Bemelmans uncovers the fabulous world of the Hotel Splendide - the thinly disguised stand-in for the Ritz - a luxury New York hotel where he worked as a waiter in the 1920s. With equal parts affection and barbed wit, he uncovers the everyday chaos that reigns behind the smooth facades of the gilded dining room and banquet halls.

In hilarious detail, Bemelmans sketches the hierarchy of hotel life and its strange and fascinating inhabitants: from the ruthlessly authoritarian maître d'hôtel Monsieur Victor to the kindly waiter Mespoulets to Frizl the homesick busboy. Illustrated with his own charming line drawings, Bemelmans' tales of a bygone era of extravagance are as charming as they are riotously entertaining."

If you only know Bemelmans from Madeline let me enlighten you...

This book reminded me of A Gentleman in Moscow. The different personalities of the restaurant and hotel shine through in these pages. The book was written decades ago and has been rereleased by Pushkin Press this year.

What a treat this re=issue is! It may have originally been published in 1941 but it holds up, It's oddly comforting that the foibles of hotel guests in the 1920s and 30s weren't all that different from the demands of today (well, there wasn't WI-FI and other "modern conveniences") but people are people. Thanks to netgalley for the DRC. It's a charming period piece.

This was incredibly good. I really enjoyed the cover, characters, and plot line! I highly recommend this one.

Hotel Splendide, a little gem by Ludwig Bemelmans, was originally published in 1941. It tells the story of the author’s years working in a luxury hotel in New York City. How much is true and how much is artful storytelling is unclear, but for a reader from 2022, it is a delightful excursion to a world long gone. And yes, this is the man who later became famous for the series of children’s books starring Madeline.
The concept of deluxe for the privileged involved an army of staff constantly at their beck and call. No whim was too frivolous to be denied. Working in this capacity was more a calling than a job. There was a hierarchy of dining and kitchen positions commanded by managers with fearsome power. Bemelmans worked his way from lowly busboy to assistant banquet manager with stories to tell at every stop along the way.
What made this book such a delight was the recounting of these extravagant tales without judgment. While the author introduces us to characters exhibiting the most dangerous madness or delightful charm, he does it with such blandness that each story becomes part of a chain of history in a rarified world, and the reader is borne along to the next chapter with curiosity and pleasure. The rich descriptions and exquisite details make you wish you could be a visitor to that long-gone world, but only as a guest, not an employee.

Absolutely charming, and such a transportive read. Beautiful.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for this delightful ARC.

A delightfully humorous look at life for restaurant and banquet staff at a high-class NYC hotel y the author of the Madeline books. You'll love the eccentric characters that run through this book.

If, like me, you love to read about the excesses of the time between the wars and learn a little history in the process, you will love this collection of reminiscences. Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was a splendid raconteur and bon vivant, a fabulous illustrator and author, but before all that, he worked in hotels. Hotel Splendide is a collection of stories he wrote based on his life behind the scenes in top hotels in New York, particularly the Ritz-Carlton, where the rich and famous went to stay and visit the glamorous restaurant and ballrooms. Bemelmans focusses on the people who made those excesses possible: the waiting staff, kitchen staff and the entertainers. And a very entertaining lot they are, though full of quirks and some very dubious behaviour. I adored this book!

the 16-year-old Ludwig found himself a job as a busboy at a fancy hotel. And his experiences there formed the basis for this wonderful collection of stories of behind-the-scenes life at Hotel Splendide, a thinly disguised version of the Ritz-Carlton. Each story is a perfectly observed tale of characters and incidents which you can imagine Bemelmans telling as tall tales from his past.

“Monsieur Victor used our tables as a kind of penal colony to which he sent guests who were notorious cranks, people who had forgotten to tip him over a long period of time and needed a reminder, undesirables who looked out of place in better sections of the dining-room, and guests who were known to linger for hours over an order of hors d’œuvres and a glass of milk while well-paying guests had to stand at the door waiting for a table.”

In the first story, we are introduced to the incompetent waiter Mespoulets who was always a great animal lover, until he took Bemelmans to his house and unexpectedly did something horrific to a canary. We also meet the tyrannical maître d’ Monsieur Victor. Later we learn that Victor randomly fired staff every so often just to keep everyone on their toes. As Bemelmans progressed up the ranks, he was able to protect certain people by moving them to positions which better suited their abilities, or lack of them. Eventually, Mespoulets remained only because of his beautiful handwriting, used for menus and place cards. But eventually, he was sent away and suspected of using his talents for more sinister purposes, or so Monsieur Victor was led to believe. And finally his story has a wonderful sting in the tail to finish the collection.

Another story, Easy Money, tells of how men in power let down their guard and gave waiters inside information, either on purpose whilst drunk or unwittingly by leaving an imprint on the waiter’s notepad. One of the hotel’s valued guests was the germaphobic Mr Tannenbaum, an investor for a university and several charities, who provided sound investment advice to Monsieur Victor. But Bemelmans also comments on the Wall Street Crash of 1929. “So sage was the advice he received there that in the late fall of 1929, when we read of a great many of our guests jumping out of windows and a great many others were beginning to talk to themselves in the street, Monsieur Victor rubbed his hands together with joy, was debonair with his guests and employees, and thought of building himself a villa on the Riviera.“

In another wonderful story, Bemelmans tells us about the magician, the ballet dancers and the dog. Biographical detail: Bemelmans’ first wife was a ballet dancer. The impression you get is of a man who, from a very early age, was a wonderful friend and always in search of adventure. The stories give a marvellous picture of life in a fancy hotel at a time when there were more members of staff than guests and money was no object, at least for the ruling classes. Humour, tragedy and everything in between, all told with Bemelmans’ light touch.

"Hotel Splendide" by Ludwig Bemelmans is a charming and whimsical book that takes readers on a journey through the eccentric world of a fictional European hotel. The story follows the misadventures of its staff, guests, and owners as they navigate the ups and downs of running a grand hotel in the 1920s.

Bemelmans is known for his whimsical illustrations and witty prose, and "Hotel Splendide" is no exception. The characters are colorful and quirky, with distinct personalities and quirks that make them memorable. The writing is full of humor and irony, and the pacing is just right, with enough action and intrigue to keep the reader engaged, but also enough quiet moments to allow the characters to develop.

One of the strengths of this book is its vivid portrayal of the grandeur and extravagance of European hotels in the early 20th century. Bemelmans' descriptions of the hotel's architecture, decor, and atmosphere are rich and detailed, transporting the reader to a bygone era of luxury and refinement.

Despite its whimsical tone, "Hotel Splendide" also touches on more serious themes such as love, loss, and the human condition. The characters are flawed and complex, and their struggles and triumphs will resonate with readers of all ages.

Overall, "Hotel Splendide" is a delightful and entertaining book that will appeal to fans of Bemelmans' other works, as well as anyone looking for a charming and witty story set in a bygone era. The writing is excellent, the characters are memorable, and the overall atmosphere of the book is enchanting.

In this charming and uproariously funny hotel memoir, Ludwig Bemelmans uncovers the fabulous world of the Hotel Splendide—the thinly disguised stand-in for the Ritz—a luxury New York hotel where he worked as a waiter in the 1920s. With equal parts affection and barbed wit, he uncovers the everyday chaos that reigns behind the smooth facades of the gilded dining room and banquet halls.Three cheers for the author… I opened this book and I was lost straight away… brilliant story… 5 stars, of course.

"Hotel Splendide" by Ludwig Bemelmans is a delightful and whimsical tale that transports readers to the enchanting world of the fictional Hotel Splendide. With his signature charm and wit, Bemelmans takes us on a whimsical journey through the eccentricities and adventures of the hotel's vibrant cast of characters.

One of the book's greatest strengths is Bemelmans' ability to create a vivid and captivating setting. The Hotel Splendide is brought to life through Bemelmans' evocative descriptions and charming illustrations, immersing readers in a world of opulence, humor, and unexpected surprises. The author's keen attention to detail and his ability to capture the essence of each character and their quirks make the hotel feel like a character in its own right.

The book follows the escapades of young protagonist Ludwig Bemelmans, who finds himself thrust into the world of hospitality when he becomes the assistant manager of the Hotel Splendide. Through Ludwig's eyes, readers are treated to a series of misadventures, mishaps, and encounters with a colorful cast of guests and staff members. Bemelmans' storytelling is infused with humor and wit, offering a delightful and light-hearted reading experience.

One of the standout aspects of "Hotel Splendide" is the author's ability to capture the essence of human nature through his characters. From the eccentric and demanding guests to the endearing and quirky hotel staff, Bemelmans expertly crafts individuals that feel real and relatable. Each character is given depth and personality, adding layers of charm and humor to the story.

However, some readers may find that the plot of the book lacks a clear direction or overarching narrative. Instead, "Hotel Splendide" reads more like a series of interconnected vignettes, which may leave some readers wanting a stronger sense of cohesion or a more developed storyline.

In conclusion, "Hotel Splendide" is a whimsical and charming book that transports readers to a world of hospitality and adventure. Bemelmans' enchanting storytelling and captivating illustrations bring the Hotel Splendide and its inhabitants to life, providing a delightful reading experience. While the book may lack a cohesive plot, its charm and wit make it an enjoyable read for those seeking a lighthearted escape into a whimsical and imaginative setting.

An engaging glimpse into a place and time, this is a memoir of some of the truly farcical episodes during Bemelman's time working at the Hotel Splendide. My favorite tale was probably the one about how he ended up with a personal driver ... who couldn't drive (he'd ride shotgun, but in full uniform!), but several had me chuckling out loud. Very interesting as a primary source of the time, the class dynamics are particularly fascinating.