What makes a hotel a grande dame?
There are grand hotels, and then there are grandes dames, or “great ladies”. The Bristol, the Waldorf Astoria, the Fairmont Empress: these establishments have accrued a reputation over a century or more, reaching the very top of their industry. But what, exactly, makes a hotel a grande dame?
Credit: The Peninsula Hong Kong
Credit: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
City icons
Nearly all of the world’s grandes dames were built in prime positions or, in some cases, anticipated the emergence of the neighbourhoods that now surround them.
The site of The Peninsula, Hong Kong’s most venerable grande dame, was chosen in the late 1920s, long before Tsim Sha Tsui became the metropolitan nexus it is today. As Vincent Pimont, Managing Director of the Peninsula explains, “When the Kadoorie family and our founders envisioned ‘the finest hotel east of Suez’ in the 1920s, they deliberately selected this site for its strategic proximity to the Kowloon-Canton Railway and Victoria Harbour, positioning the hotel as a vital gateway between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the wider world.”
Another grande dame in an unrivalled location is New York City’s The Plaza Hotel , sitting at the junction of Fifth Avenue and Central Park. The current hotel opened in 1907 (replacing an earlier 1890 building) and became an anchor point of New York culture and lore. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald was such a frequent guest that his friend Ernest Hemingway is said to have joked that Fitzgerald’s heart should ultimately be buried in The Plaza.
Credit: Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Credit: Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Five-star character
There’s nowhere better for a taste of The Plaza’s gilded past than its Palm Court restaurant, a standout example of how authentic design can define a signature look. The stained-glass ceiling was faithfully restored in 2008, allowing guests to experience the restaurant as it appeared in Fitzgerald ’s time.
Across the Atlantic, an even more striking counterpart is the Plaza Athénée, known for its Parisian décor, with signature red canvas awnings, geranium-filled window boxes and its ivy-draped courtyard. Designer Christian Dior even opened his first couture house just down the street so he could be close to the hotel’s fashionable guests.
Credit: Raffles Singapore
Credit: The Savoy
Credit: Raffles Singapore
Height of luxury
While every grande dame has its share of VIP guests, some are known for their exclusivity. London’s The Savoy has been a byword for five-star luxury and a high-profile guest list since it opened in 1889, hosting Hollywood stars and royalty alike. Its foyers and restaurants have long been a place to be seen in London society, not least thanks to the hotel’s rich tradition of staging music and cabaret.
In Singapore, that mantle is held by Raffles Hotel, an institution that predates the modern nation. It is a deeply loved part of Singapore’s heritage and identity, known globally as the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, and renowned for operating primarily as an all-suite property with a dedicated butler service.
Credit: The Manila Hotel
Credit: Ritz Paris
Making history
Inevitably, grandes dames often become settings for history. When General MacArthur (Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific during World War II) arrived in Manila in 1935, he took up residence in a seven-room penthouse at The Manila Hotel . The MacArthur Suite can still be booked today.
Likewise, the Ritz Paris is now an intrinsic part of the French capital’s identity. A longtime haven for the literary elite (see the hotel’s Bar Hemingway ), it was also the home of Coco Chanel for three decades.
Credit: De L’Europe Amsterdam
Credit: De L’Europe Amsterdam
Credit: De L’Europe Amsterdam
Always innovating
Arguably the greatest challenge for these great institutions is maintenance, both physical repairs and meeting the evolving expectations of modern luxury. This can involve major investment, as with Amsterdam’s De L’Europe , which underwent a comprehensive refurbishment between 2020 and 2026.
As Robert-Jan Woltering, De L’Europe’s Managing Director explains, “Our location has been a hotel for centuries; in fact, the modern city of Amsterdam grew outwards from this very spot. It’s a place where local culture and luxury hospitality have coexisted for almost 400 years. Throughout the renovation journey, our guiding principle was to ensure that every design decision reinforced our integral role in the city’s cultural and historical fabric.”
The result is a renewed aesthetic that feels timeless rather than trend‑driven. The revamp drew attention for its classic look, and in 2024, the hotel opened its new ‘t Huys wing, featuring 14 suites created in collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum, local artists and leading creative brands to reflect Amsterdam’s past, present and future.
Credit: The Peninsula Hong Kong
A cut above
A grand dame is the antithesis of generic. Many hotels can deliver luxury, but only a few combine longevity with a sense of legend. As Pimont from the Peninsula says, “It’s a delicate balance – honouring heritage, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place while embracing innovation in technology, sustainability and personalised service.” Building that reputation takes bold vision and decades of consistency – a living link between past and present.