History
The story of the Ritz-Carlton begins with Swiss hotelier César Ritz who was well known in the hotel industry as the "king of hoteliers and hotelier to kings." Mr. Ritz redefined luxury accommodation in Europe with his management of "The Ritz" in Paris and "The Carlton" in London. Although he died in 1918, his wife Marie continued the tradition of opening hotels in his name.
The lion and crown Ritz-Carlton logo is a combination of the British royal seal (the crown) and the logo of a financial backer (the lion). César Ritz designed this logo.
The Ritz-Carlton Investing Company was established by Albert Keller who bought and franchised the name in the United States. The original Ritz-Carlton hotel was built in Boston Massachusetts
opened on May 19, 1927 with a room rate of $15. The hotel was an innovator and was the first to offer private baths in guest rooms, white tie and apron uniforms for the wait staff, black tie for the Maitre d' and morning suits for all other staff, extensive fresh flowers throughout the hotel's common areas and smaller, intimate lobbies for a more personalized experience.
Additional locations soon opened in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlantic City and Boca Raton, but all these locations did not survive the great depression and by 1940 only The Ritz-Carlton Boston remained.
In October 2002 the Ritz-Carlton, Boston celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a major restoration to bring the facility 21st century amenities as well as maintain its early 20th century elegance. The hotel is the oldest Ritz-Carlton hotel and has been in continuous operation since it opened in 1927. The property is a Boston landmark and anchors fashionable Newbury Street and the picturesque Boston Public Garden located ...