< CZECH REPUBLIC | PRAGUE: Art Nouveau Palace Hotel

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The hotel, built in the Viennese Art Nouveau style, was opened on 21 April in 1909. The design was the work of František Buldra - a Prague builder and the owner of the hotel, together with architect George Justich.

Things were to change in 1924, when the new owner, Emanuel Oppel, made a point of turning the facility into a competitive 5-star hotel. Soon after, the Palace Hotel became a center of Prague’s social and cultural life. Josephine Baker was one of the hotel´s first prominent guests. Even the great opera voice Emma Destinová and her professional partner Enrico Caruso dwelled here on several occasions. Two of the function rooms were named after them. Hotel Palace Praha´s first era of long duration came to an end when it was closed on 1 January 1986.

After a months-long battle, the idea of a "sensitive" renovation won out and, the Palace Hotel was saved. Its original character has been preserved thanks to the "house-in-a-house" renovation approach, i.e. leaving the outer walling untouched.

The hotel reopened in 1989, and has been providing top-class service ever since, making many a world’s celebrity feel at home once again.

The Art Nouveau Palace Hotel Prague has become the choice of many world renowned figures during their visits in Prague: Henry Kissinger, Giscard D'Estaing, Miguel de la Madrid, David Rockefeller, Carl Hahn, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alain Delon, Miloš Forman, Dick Francis, Whoopi Goldberg, Lenny Kravitz, Mick Jagger, John Malkovich, Gina Lollobrigida, Cher, Uma Thurman, Steven Spielberg, Rolling Stones, Metallica, Scorpions, Roxette, Led Zeppelin, Pelé, Alberto Tomba and Bobby Charlton.

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