Hotels with History

Today, we’re on a sun-baked rock in Saint-Jean Bay - a once-forgotten Caribbean outpost that became St Barths. Jules and Richard trace how Rémy de Haenen’s daring landing and cliffside home gave rise to Eden Rock, and how an island once defined by scarcity became one of the world’s most discreetly glamorous escapes.

Check into Eden Rock, St Barths here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International⁠.

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We’re standing on Pariser Platz, beneath the shadow of the Brandenburg Gate, where Berlin has staged some of the twentieth century’s most dramatic scenes. In this episode, we'll explore how the Adlon became the city’s living room: an imperial showpiece, Weimar salon, wartime witness and Cold War casualty, before being rebuilt as a symbol of reunification, power and private drama in full public view.

Check into The Adlon here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International⁠.

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In this episode, Jules and Richard delve into how Henry Flagler’s railway carried the Gilded Age elite to Palm Beach, and how The Breakers rose from wilderness, fire, hurricane and wartime service to become one of the great oceanfront survivors of American hospitality.

Check into The Breakers Palm Beach here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠⁠Perowne International⁠⁠.

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Picture being on a sweep of white sand where Rio meets the Atlantic. Through revolutions, dictatorship, and the moving of the capital itself, Jules and Richard trace how this luminous beachfront palace endured it all. They reflect on how this iconic property reflects Brazil’s wild glamour, political upheaval, mystery and irrepressible rhythm.

Check into The Copacabana Palace here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International⁠.

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We’re spending this episode on the shores of Lake Como, at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo. As Richard takes in one of the most fought-over views in Europe, we trace how this stretch of lake has shaped history; from Roman emperors and poets to silk merchants, Hollywood stars and modern-day icons. We explore how a family-run hotel has mirrored the changing idea of luxury itself, and why this landscape, constant through centuries, still holds such power over the imagination and all who visit.

Check into Grand Hotel Tremezzo here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International⁠.

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How does a 19th century riverside rest house became the jewel of Bangkok? In this episode, Jules and Richard explore how this storied hotel has mirrored Thailand’s journey through empire, war and modernity. They reflect on why its jetty on the River of Kings remains one of the most evocative arrivals in the world.

Check into The Mandarin Oriental here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International⁠.

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Today, we're at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town, on palm-lined avenues leading to a sugared-almond façade known simply as The Nellie. This episode investigates how a former Company’s Garden estate became the Mount Nelson; from Dutch refreshment station and imperial shipping stop to Boer War headquarters, royal residence and sanctuary for statesmen, spiritualists and rock stars.

Check into The Mount Nelson here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International⁠.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re in midtown Manhattan to kick off Series 2, at the very heart of New York society: the Waldorf Astoria. An icon born from family rivalry which evolved into the unofficial palace of the city; from Gilded Age ambition and Art Deco grandeur to revolutionary ideas about service, the Waldorf doesn’t just reflect New York’s history...it helped define it.

Check into The Waldorf Astoria here.

Hotels with History is brought to you by Perowne International.

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Join Richard E. Grant and Jules Perowne for Season 2 of Hotels with History, as they uncover the hidden stories that took place within the walls of some of the world’s most iconic hotels. Each episode, they’ll uncover the scandals, legends and surprising moments that turned these buildings into landmarks. If you want to understand a city, start with its hotels - and you'll want to start here. Episode one launches 9th June, with more released weekly.

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9th June: Save The Date

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