Hotel Suites Where Famous People Once Lived — And You Can, Too!

Hotel Suites Where Famous People Once Lived

Yash Chopra Suite
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken, Switzerland

Every Bollywood admirer credits late film director Yash Chopra for introducing Switzerland to Indian cinephiles, especially through songs that transport audiences to the country’s breathtaking valleys, mountain peaks and various quaint Swiss towns and cities. Whenever the director shot at the Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland, he stayed at this iconic hotel, often with his family. In 2011, the hotel management decided to dedicate the suite he stayed at in his name. He and his wife, Pamela Chopra, flew down to inaugurate it. Today, many other famous people stay at the hotel and its suites. For instance, actor Ranveer Singh checked in to the suite in August 2016. Taking to his social media to talk about his stay, Singh captioned the pictures as ‘feeling the romance of the Yash Chopra suite’.

The Yash Chopra suite has two large bedrooms along with a living room and a balcony facing the Jungfrau mountain peak. Indoors, the decorations are inspired by Indian forests, Chopra’s home country. In fact, post the success of his movie Veer Zara, the suite also had the movie’s posters on display in the bedroom and common areas. Interestingly, many also take pictures in front of the suite’s door, the name plate of which carries Yash Chopra’s name in a golden hue.

Address: Höheweg 41, CH-3800, Interlaken, Switzerland

Coco Chanel Suite
The Ritz Paris, France

Coco Chanel, the designer who redefined elegance, lived just steps away from this glitzy hotel. But one day in 1937, she decided to check in at a suite here for a day. Little did she imagine that its luxurious interiors would arrest her heart instantly. Her love for The Ritz Paris was so immense that she ended up living here for 34 years, till her death on January 10, 1971, aged 87. Days after she began residing here, she called this suite her ‘home’ where friends and colleagues came to meet. She even came up with fresh ideas on fashion and translated them into action during her stay.

Gradually, she started bringing her own furniture from her home nearby into the hotel, including gilded mirrors, art pieces, and chandeliers. She also redesigned the suite, from which the hotel continues to draw inspiration and leaves it the ‘Chanel’ way where black and white dominates. Guests checking in the Coco Chanel Suite will find a balcony facing the lively Vendome Square, a spot loved by Chanel. Other than a captivating dressing room, the suite is also home to a steam room and her rare portraits.

Address: 15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France

LBJ Suite
The Driskill, Austin, The USA

The Driskill has a special relationship with the 36^th president of the USA, Lyndon B. Johnson and first lady, Ladybird Johnson. In 1934, the two met at the hotel’s restaurant for breakfast for their first date. Over 40 years, the two famous people checked in to the hotel’s suites frequently, especially from 1963 to 1969 during his presidential term. Then, the hotel was his unofficial headquarters where he preferred staying at the same suite, the balcony of which overlooks the historic 6th street.

The surprises of the LBJ Suite begin right outside its walls that are inundated with pictures of his everyday life in black and white. It also has letters by the first lady to the hotel management, including one written when the hotel was facing crisis in 1969. As one steps in, large painted portraits greet you. On one side is the bedroom with a writing table along with a luxurious bathroom boasting a deep bathtub; and on the other, a capacious living room with rich day light. The suite is also home to some of their belongings, such as map of the USA of City National Bank, booklets like How to talk and debate, an American table flag, special badges and even some pictures —all displayed on the living room’s wall.

“The president also ordered our Rusty Nail cocktail as he loved scotch. Today our guests place the same order. The bar here recreates this cocktail for any guest who wants to experience what the president liked,” shares Kelly Hughes from the hotel’s marketing team.

Address: 604 Brazos St, Austin, Texas 78701, United States

Oscar Wilde Suite
L’Hôtel, Paris, France

Located in the heart of the Left ban, L’Hôtel not only describes itself as the world’s first boutique hotel, but also as the last home of Oscar Wilde, the renowned Irish writer and playwright. Wilde lived here at the end of the 19^th century till his last breath in November 1900. The stay was long: October 15, 1856 to November 30, 1900 as also mentioned outside the hotel on a small plaque.

This one bedroom suite boasts a magnificent terrace, a rich collection of his books and pictures, and many framed letters from the hotel management demanding payment for his stay, including food and drink orders. Amusing pencil sketches drawn by different artists also adorn the walls. The colourful wallpaper continues to cover the walls as it did when Wilde stayed, a mention of which is also made in one of his last words: ‘either it will go or me.’ The service menu in the room also pens his quote: “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”

Speaking about his stay at the hotel, he declared, “I have the simplest taste. I am always satisfied with the best.” The hotel has also named a lounge after him–Wilde’s lounge–where he was spotted often.

Address: 13 rue des Beaux-Arts, 75006 Paris, France

Ravi Shankar Suite
The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, India

The Ravi Shankar Suite has a special story. Well-known Indian sitarist and composer, Pandit Ravi Shankar gave lessons to American musician, George Harrison here. The two famous people stayed together at this suite several times in the 1960s. According to several members of the Taj team, the musical vibes can still be felt as you go in.

A two–bedroom duplex suite, the Ravi Shankar Suite overlooks the Arabian Sea. The room is adorned with original artifacts and memorabilia from the Ravi Shankar foundation, and exceptional artworks of painters like Jamini Roy, Raja Ravi Verma and S H Raza. Tables are dotted with many coffee table books on music, while the grand living room with high ceilings has a dedicated library with a collection of concert recordings by both the musicians. “The colour of Sitar dominates [the suite]. We see it as a celebration of Shankar’s stellar music career […] our guests love playing their records and joyfully share those moments with us,” underlines Nisha Dhage, public relations head of the hotel.

Address: Apollo Bunder, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400 001, India

The Churchill Suite
La Mamounia Palace Marrakesh, Morocco

The Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill stayed at this hotel six times from 1935 to 1959 for short and long stays, both. The Churchill Suite houses a copy of the letter he wrote to his wife, Clementine Churchill, during his first stay in December 1935. The letter echoes his love and what he admired here doing the most: painting! The view from the balcony (he labelled it as the balcony with paintaceous views) which presented the magnificent garden (later named Churchill) was a common subject of his paintings. Sunset views from the balcony were another muse for his canvases. “Whenever we would be at this hotel, he would label it as a painting holiday. He once told President Franklin Roosevelt that the view of the Atlas Mountains from Marrakesh (also visible from the same balcony) was the most beautiful in the world. Churchill also captured views of the city streets and the local desert,” shares David Freeman, Director of Publications, from International Churchill Society.

The room–which comprises two bedrooms, a lounge and a dressing room–has his name engraved in Arabic, along with many of his portraits. In the lounge area, a small replica of his statue in London’s Parliament Square has been displayed, along with his quintessential picture with a cigar. One of his artworks (garden theme) is on display, too. At the hotel bar, called Le Churchill, one can order many British signature drinks.

Address: Avenue Bab Jdid, Marrakesh 40040, Morocco

Kipling Suite
Brown’s Hotel, London, United Kingdom

British novelist and writer, Rudyard Kipling frequently stayed in the Brown’s Hotel between 1892 and 1936. When here, he also wrote his popular series The Jungle Book, which reflects the influence of India, his birth country, on him. Which is why, as one opens the door of the Kipling suite, a greenish wallpaper connects one to his book and reminds of forests. Picture leaves, plants and branches of trees all around, even in the restroom!

A sculpture of a monkey greets at the entrance door. Inside, other small art pieces of elephants and ducks play a similar role. The suite’s living room proudly holds a vast collection of Kipling’s work, including The Jungle Book. The hotel also has an original handwritten letter from 1919, which talks about his stay at the hotel, framed at the suite’s entrance hall.

Address: 33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP, United Kingdom

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