Grand Hotel Palace Thessaloniki

 

The Ministry Of Education Of The Khabarovsk Krai

State regional educational institution

secondary professional education

«The Khabarovsk pedagogical College»

 

 

 

 

Grand Hotel Palace Thessaloniki

 

Executed:

Frolova Margarita Evgenyevna

Speciality: hotel service

Course 3 ,group 531

The form of studies full-time

Head:

Hramenkova  Marina Fedorovna

 

 

 

 

 

Khabarovsk

2012 year  

Contents 

1 Original Palace Hotel (1875-1906)

1.1 1906 earthquake & fire

2 "Baby" Palace Hotel (1906-1907)

3 "New" Palace Hotel (opened 1909)

3.1 Hotel events

3.2 Sheraton period

3.3 Modern renovations

3.4 Proposed addition

4. Grand hotel palace

5. Rooms & Suites

6.  Events

7. Hotel Facilities

8. Health Club

9. Restaurant & Bar

10. Bibliography

 

1. Original Palace Hotel (1875-1906)

The original Palace Hotel was built by San Francisco banker and entrepreneur William Chapman Ralston who heavily depended on his shaky banking empire to help finance the $5 million project. Although Ralston's Bank of California collapsed in late August 1875, and Ralston himself unexpectedly drowned in San Francisco Bay on the same day that he lost control of the institution, it did not interfere with the opening of the Palace Hotel two months later on October 2, 1875. Ralston's business partner in the project was U.S. Senator William Sharon who had helped cause the collapse of the Bank when he dumped his stock in the Comstock Lode. Sharon ended up in control of the hotel as well as both the Bank and Ralston's debts both of which he paid off at just pennies on the Dollar.

With 755 guest rooms, the original Palace Hotel (also known colloquially as the "Bonanza Inn") was at the time of its construction the largest hotel in the Western United States. The skylighted open center of the building featured a Grand Court overlooked by seven stories of white columned balconies which served as an elegant carriage entrance. Shortly after 1900 this area was converted into a lounge called the "Palm Court." The hotel featured large redwood paneled hydraulic elevators which were known as "rising rooms". Each guest room or suite was equipped with a private bathroom as well as an electric call button to summon a member of the hotel's staff. All guest rooms could be joined together to create suites, or to make up large apartments for long term residents, and the parlor of each guest room featured a large bay window overlooking the street below.

The monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii at the time, King Kalakaua, died in this hotel on January 20, 1891. Financed primarily by Bank of California co-founder William Ralston, it offered many innovative modern conveniences including an intercom system and four oversized hydraulic elevators called lifting rooms. The most notable feature of the hotel was the Grand Court that served as an entry area for horse-drawn carriages. The area was converted to the palm filled "Garden Court" a few years before the 1906 earthquake.

"A palace truly! Where shall we find its equal? Windsor Hotel, good-bye! you must yield the palm to your great Western rival, as far as structure goes, though in all other respects you may keep the foremost place. There is no other hotel building in the world equal to this. The court of the Grand at Paris is poor compared to that of the Palace. Its general effect at night, when brilliantly lighted, is superb; its furniture, rooms and appointments are all fine, but then it tells you all over it was built to "whip all creation," and the millions of its lucky owner enabled him to triumph." .... Andrew Carnegie, Round the World[9] Free guided tours of the hotel are led by volunteers of the San Francisco City Guides, a program of the San Francisco Public Library.

 

 

 

 

 

1.1. 1906 earthquake & fire

Although the hotel survived the initial damage from the early morning April 18, 1906, San Francisco earthquake, by late that afternoon it had been consumed by the subsequent fires. Notably, tenor Enrico Caruso (who had sung the role of Don José in Carmen the night before) was staying in the hotel at the time of the quake, and swore never to return to the city. The urban legend is Caruso, "stood in his nightshirt holding a personally autographed photograph of President Theodore Roosevelt and demanded special treatment."

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. "Baby" Palace Hotel (1906-1907)

While the ruins of the original hotel were being razed and its permanent replacement built, a temporary 23-room facility known as the "Little" or "Baby" Palace Hotel was quickly designed and constructed about eight blocks west of the Market Street site at the NW corner of Post and Leavenworth Streets. A modest two story frame structure, the "Baby" Palace was opened with considerable fanfare on November 17, 1906, just seven months after the earthquake and fire had devastated the city. The hotel only remained open to the public until July, 1907, however, when the Palace Hotel Company leased the nearby Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill for ten years and in turn leased the Post Street building to The Olympic Club for five years as a temporary clubhouse while that organization's facility was also being rebuilt. Within a decade of its construction, the building had already been replaced by a four story brick apartment block built in 1916 which still occupies much of NW corner lot at Post and Leavenworth streets where the "Baby" Palace Hotel had briefly stood.

3. "New" Palace Hotel (opened 1909)

 

Completely rebuilt from the ground up, the "New" Palace Hotel opened on December 19, 1909, and quickly resumed the role of its namesake predecessor as an important San Francisco landmark as well as host to many of the city's great events. While externally much plainer then the original Palace, the new "Bonanza Inn" is in many ways as elegant, sumptuous, and gracious on the inside as the 1875 building. The "Garden Court" (also called the "Palm Court") — which occupies the same area that the Grand Court did in the earlier structure — has been one of San Francisco's most prestigious hotel dining rooms since the day it opened. Equally famous is the "Pied Piper" Bar (overseen by its famous Maxfield Parrish painting of the same name) which is located just off the gleaming polished marble lobby. The Ralston Room, named for co-founder William Ralston, is off the main lobby to the left.

3.1. Hotel events

The hotel served as the stage for several important events. In 1919, Woodrow Wilson gave speeches in the Garden Court in support of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. In 1923, Warren G. Harding's term as President ended suddenly when he died at the Palace Hotel, in Room 8064, an eighth floor suite that overlooks Market Street. In 1945, the Palace Hotel hosted a banquet to mark the opening session of the United Nations.

3.2. Sheraton period

The Palace was sold to Sheraton Hotels in 1954 and became the Sheraton-Palace Hotel. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev spoke at a banquet at the Sheraton-Palace during his American tour in 1959. The Garden Court was declared a San Francisco Landmark in 1969. In 1973, after having been bought by ITT, Sheraton sold the Palace to the Japanese Kyo-Ya group, along with all of their hotels in the Hawaiian islands. Sheraton continued to manage the hotel and the name stayed the same. The entire structure of the Sheraton-Palace was declared a landmark in 1984.

3.3. Modern renovations

The Garden Court

The Sheraton-Palace Hotel closed on January 8, 1989. It reopened on April 3, 1991, as the Sheraton Palace Hotel, without the hyphen in its name, following a $150 million restoration that garnered national media attention and numerous awards. In 1997, the finale of the David Fincher film The Game, starring Michael Douglas, was shot in the Garden Court. The hotel dropped the Sheraton name in the 1990s and transferred to another division of Starwood Hotels, The Luxury Collection, becoming, again, the Palace Hotel.

3.4. Proposed addition

A 60 story, 204 to 207 m (669 to 679 ft) residential tower was proposed in 2008, to be named the Palace Hotel Residential Tower designed by the architecture firm, Skidmore Owings & Merrill.[15] Construction never began due to the ongoing global financial crisis.

4. Grand hotel palace

Welcome to Grand Hotel Palace, the most integrated 5 star convention hotel of Thessaloniki.

With its unique design, Grand Hotel Palace harmoniously combines the exceptionally modern facilities with the elegance and luxury of the neoclassical building, creating a unique cosmopolitan athmosphere.

The 261 Rooms and 15 halls all equipped with state-of-the-art technology can guarantee to cover the needs of even the most demanding guest.

Paying extra attention to detail, we are commited to fulfilling the expectations of each of our guests.

5. Rooms & Suites

Deluxe rooms

Soft tones and warm wood combine to create an athmosphere of luxury and refined taste, where our guests can relax after a long day. The state-of-the-art equipment, which can cover the needs of every guest as well as the excellent service, can guarantee a memorable stay.

Deluxe rooms have a wide range of amenities, which include :

Individual climate control

Mini bar

Satellite television / Pay TV

Bath-tub

24-h room service

Hairdryer

Safe deposit box

2 direct dial telephone lines with voicemail

Free connection to the internet through ADSL

Wake-up calling service

Balcony

Dual voltage plugs

Sound insulation

Telephone in the bath

House keeping twice per day

Executive rooms

The rooms of the 6th floor (Executive Floor ) were specially designed to cover the needs of the modern businessman, and provide the place where he / she can continue:

Soft tones and warm wood combine to create an atmosphere of luxury and refined taste, where our guests can relax after a long day.

Executive rooms have a wide range of amenities, which include :

Individual climate control

Mini bar

Satellite television / Pay TV

Bath-tub

24-h room service

Hairdryer

Safe deposit box

2 direct dial telephone lines with voicemail

Free connection to the internet through ADSL

Wake-up calling service

Balcony

Dual voltage plugs

Sound insulation

Telephone in the bath

Housekeeping twice per day

Free use of the Private Business Center

Bathroom amenities designed by Pierre Cardin

Daily Press

1 bottle of local table wine

1 box of confectionery from the Grand Hotel Palace Patisserie

Deluxe Suite

Elegant luxury is what best describes our Deluxe Suites.

Each Deluxe suite has a separate bedroom, a spacious balcony and living room with luxurious furnishing, suitable for personal meetings as well as private dinners.

Our Deluxe Suite is a space of unique aesthetics and exquisite design, decorated with soft, earthy colors that relax the gaze and wooden details that give a warm, and eco-friendly, touch.

The unique state-of-the-art equipment combined with our exemplary service, can guarantee a truly unique stay.

Our Deluxe Suites have an extensive range of amenities, which include :

Individual climate control

Mini bar

Satellite television / Pay TV

Bath-tub

24-h room service

Hairdryer

Safe deposit box

2 direct dial telephone lines with voicemail

Free connection to the internet through ADSL

Wake-up calling service

Balcony

Dual voltage plugs

Sound insulation

Telephone in the bath

Housekeeping twice per day

Free use of the Private Business Center

Bathroom amenities designed by Pierre Cardin

Daily Press

Free use of the parking for one car

1 bottle of local table wine

1 platter of selected confectionery as well as a big fruit basket which is renewed daily

 

Presidential Suite

Our two Presidential Suites are especially designed to provide the ultimate luxurious setting for your stay in Grand Hotel Palace. Lavishly decorated with exquisite fabrics in soft colors and providing all modern amenities, our Presidential Suites were created to appeal to the guest that seeks the ultimate in luxury.

The unique features of our Presidential Suites include the two spacious balconies, the personal butler service provided, and the living-room with its impressive large bureau, made from cherry-tree wood, equipped with a high-standard computer with connection to the internet, printer and fax machines.

Our Presidential Suites have an extensive range of amenities, which include:

Individual climate control

Mini bar

Satellite television / Pay TV

Bath-tub

24-h room service

Hairdryer

Safe deposit box

2 direct dial telephone lines with voicemail

Free connection to the internet through ADSL

Wake-up calling service

Balcony

Dual voltage plugs

Sound insulation

Telephone in the bath

House keeping twice per day

Free use of the Private Business Center

Bathroom amenities designed by Pierre Cardin

Daily Press

Free use of the parking for one car

1 bottle of local table wine

1 platter of selected confectionery as well as a big fruit basket which is renewed daily.

Personal butler service

High-standard computer with connection to the internet, printer and fax machines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Events

Conventions-Meetings

Grand Hotel Palace can guarantee the success of any business meeting or social event, thanks to our experienced conference and banqueting personnel, and the state-of-the-art equipment of our specially designed rooms and halls.

At Grand Hotel Palace you can organize a meeting or an event of any type or size, ranging from a small business breakfast or brunch, to a large sales meeting, or a tele-conference, feeling assured that our personnel will offer you the most discreet and effective service, and assist you with any requirement. We are always ready to organize any type of event, even with a few hours notice!

Grand Hotel Palace can provide an extensive range of banquet rooms and conference halls with capacity ranging from 10 to 3300 persons, specially designed to host any type of event, from small business lunches to large international conventions.

Our conference halls are equipped with the latest in technological advances.

 

Wedding Receptions

At GHP, your wedding reception is …our personal affair!

Acknowledging how important it is that everything is exactly as you wished for on this very special day, our experienced staff will become your most valuable collaborator, combining our expert knowledge with your personal touch, in creating the wedding reception of your dreams.

The refined atmosphere, the impressive gourmet menus and suggestions provided from our chef, and the friendly and competent service, will help you relax and feel secure that everything will be prepared as you always dreamed of.

Our staff and collaborators can suggest many original ideas regarding the decoration, the music, and other happenings, so that your reception stays memorable for a long time.

To the couples that will hold their wedding reception at GHP, we offer :

Free ... at a specially decorated newlywed suite.

Free 'Honeymooners Breakfast'.

A bottle of champagne in your suite, along with a basket of fruit, honey and nuts.

A bottle of champagne for the newlywed couple for the cutting of the cake.

The wedding cake.

Reception of the guests at arrival with traditional bezedes.

Decoration of the tables with silver candle holders and mirrors strewn with rose pedals.

Our staff is at your service to provide many original ideas to make your reception memorable.

7. Hotel Facilities

At Grand Hotel Palace we acknowledge the needs of the modern professional and businessman, and that is why we can offer a series of excellent facilities.

The following services are provided from the reception :

Photocopying

Courrier service

Car rental

Currency exchange

Dry cleaning and valet service

Major credit cards accepted

Baby sitting service upon request

Multilingual staff

24-h room service

Technology Concierge

Gift Shop

Limousine rental

Safe deposit box service at the reception, and also in each room

Jewelry shop

Our Customer Services staff will be a valuable associate during your stay at Grand Hotel Palace.

They can offer public relations services and are at your disposal to assist you in reserving a table for lunch or dinner, to organize a guided tour, order flowers, give you information on how to get about the city, reserve rooms in other hotels, etc.

8. Health Club 

Our Health Club is a fully equipped sports center with facilities such as a sports hall for aerobic workout, sauna for men and women, massage room, digital cardio and endurance equipment, as well as an heated indoor swimming pool.

 An elegant and discreet environment, ideal for everyday pampering, relaxing moments and revitalizing activities, always with the support of our experienced specialized staff.

 

We can offer :

Personal training program

State-of-the-art sports equipment

Sauna (men's and women's)

Massage room

Indoor swimming pool

9. Restaurant & Bar

Leonardo da Vinci

It is without question that a visit to Thessaloniki has to include a memorable gastronomic experience.

At the Leonardo da Vinci gourmet restaurant, our head chef has created, along with his specialized team, an exquisite menu that combines the best from European haute cuisine, along with excellent suggestions from Greek traditional cuisine, always prepared with the most pure and fresh Mediterranean ingredients.

 

 

 

Marco Polo

 

Located centrally in the Main Lobby, the Marco Polo bar is the place where our guests can relish the vibrant atmosphere of Grand Hotel Palace. Warm, sophisticated and intimate, it is the ideal meeting place for all occasions.

Some of the specialties you can enjoy at this individually designed bar include a unique selection of sandwiches and snacks, hot and cold beverages and sweets. Relax at the bar with a frozen cocktail, have your business meeting in an casual yet elegant surrounding, or enjoy a friendly aperitif before dinner.

10. Bibliography

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_Hotel,_San_Francisco

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Palace_Hotel_1887.jpg