Hotels with History

Perowne International

Join Richard E. Grant and Jules Perowne 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.

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19 episodes
Updated July 27

Episodes19

Newest first

July 27 · 20 min
Eden Rock St Barths, St Jean Bay
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 20 · 32 min
The Adlon, Berlin
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 13 · 30 min
The Breakers Palm Beach, Florida
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 6 · 29 min
Copacabana Palace, Rio De Janeiro
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 29 · 30 min
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 22 · 28 min
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 15 · 27 min
Mount Nelson, Cape Town
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
June 8 · 28 min
Waldorf Astoria, New York
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 1 · 1 min
Hotels with History returns next week
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 25 · 30 sec
New Season: Coming Soon
9th June: Save The Date Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 20, 2025 · 25 min
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
In today’s episode, a hotel whose walls are saturated with stories of Hollywood legends. The glamour and history of film stars, rock stars and media power players, all converging at one iconic pink palace...The Beverly Hills Hotel. Episode begins: xx Follow us on Instagram Check into The Beverly Hills Hotel here Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 13, 2025 · 25 min
Gleneagles, Auchterarder
On today’s episode, unusual outdoor pursuits, the legendary adaptability of a hotel from WW2 convalescent hospital to the host of world class golfing championships, the G8, and a rock concert that threatened to smash all of its chandeliers. Follow us on Instagram Check into Gleneagles here Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 6, 2025 · 26 min
La Mamounia, Marrakesh
On today’s episode, Richard is back on his home continent, exploring the isolated sultanate that became a thriving luxury travel destination, enjoying a garden designed to replicate paradise on earth, and absorbing a view that roused Winston Churchill to paint... Episode Begins: 3:56 Follow us on Instagram Check into La Mamounia here Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 29, 2025 · 23 min
Le Bristol, Paris
In today’s episode, an architect draws up plans from an unmarked hotel room during World War II, the joys of a good hotel bar, and why this particular hotel is so well known for its silence - and it’s nothing to do with its double glazing. Episode Begins: 3:54 Follow us on Instagram Check into Le Bristol here Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 22, 2025 · 25 min
Raffles Hotel, Singapore
On todays episode, Richard journeys to Singapore to explore the legendary Raffles Hotel. Discover how four visionary Armenian brothers turned a 10-room beach bungalow into a magnificent Neo-Renaissance palace, where literary giants found their muse, and some of the world’s most famous cocktails were shaken. Episode Begins: 03:28 Follow us on Instagram Check into Raffles here Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 15, 2025 · 24 min
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes
We’re spending today’s episode au bord de la mer at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. As Richard takes in the glittering shoreline of the French Riviera, we find out what great artists like to get up to on holiday, what good service really entails, and we dive into what might just be the most legendary swimming pool ever built. Episode Begins: 03:28 Follow us on Instagram Check into Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc here. Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 8, 2025 · 30 min
The Gritti Palace, Venice
Today we're floating through the canals of Venice to unveil the magnificent history of The Gritti Palace. Discover how this stunning 15th-century palazzo, once the private residence of a Venetian Doge, was transformed into an unparalleled luxury hotel, becoming a cherished haven and muse for literary giants from Ernest Hemingway to Somerset Maugham - spoiler alert, ghosts, writers and Venetian doges all feature! Episode Begins: 04:10 Follow us on Instagram Check into The Gritti Palace here. Hotels with History is brought to you by ⁠Perowne International.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 1, 2025 · 21 min
Claridge's, London
In today’s episode, the rise of one of the most exclusive districts of London, the hotel that became the Annex to Buckingham Palace, and how it has maintained its status as one of the world’s most iconic hotels ever since. Episode Begins: 03:33 Follow us on Instagram Check into Claridge's here Hotels with History is brought to you by Perowne International Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 7, 2025 · 2 min
Hotels with History: Coming Soon
Join Richard E. Grant and Jules Perowne 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 2nd September, with more released weekly. Hotels with History is brought to you by Perowne International. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices