A Window on the Past

Hotel Imperial, Vienna We recently had the fortune to obtain “New Horizons: The World Guide to Travel,” a guidebook published by Pan American Airways in 1955. This fascinating little paperback covers 78 countries, offering unique insight into a different era of travel.

Although the world has changed dramatically, we were delighted to find much that remains the same. Quite a few of the hotels Andrew Harper currently recommends have been at the top of their games for at least half a century, though the rates have risen just a bit:

London: “…Claridge’s, still the swankiest hostelry in town, is $15 and up. You’ll be treated royally. The Savoy, of course, is known the world over, as is the Ritz. The fashionable Berkeley is equally fine. Rooms are $11 per night. The Dorchester is very good. Rates here begin at $10.50.”

Paris: “You can find anything you want at any price. In the de luxe group are: the Ritz, Plaza Athénée, George V, Meurice, Crillon, Prince de Galles, Royal Monceau, Raphaël, and Bristol. Rates at official exchange run from about $10 a day and up single with no bath (no meals) at the top hotels.”

Zurich: “Although some are more elegant than others, there’s no such thing as a bad Swiss hotel... Rates in luxury hotels begin at $6 per day per person, meals included. In Zurich, the de luxe hotels are: Dolder Grand, Baur au Lac, Savoy.”

Vienna: “In Vienna, the Imperial and the Grand are now occupied by Russians, but the Bristol by Americans and tourists may stay there. $5 to $6 single, plus about $3.60 for meals.”

Athens: “There are many good hotels in Athens. In the de luxe group are: the Grande-Bretagne, the Athénée Palace and the King George. Rates at official exchange, about $4 single with bath, European plan, at the best hotels.” Adjusting for inflation, $10 is the equivalent of just $79.18 (in 2009 dollars) — not a bad price for a room in one of the best hotels in the world.