Historic Hotel
Questionnaire
Year erected: 1908
What is the history of the property?
The Eurostars Hotel Excelsior 4* is a 20th century palace located in Santa Lucia, on the coast of Naples, on land reclaimed from the sea in the 19th century, after the unification of Italy.
Its origins lie with the Swiss business family Kraft, who built the hotel on Via Partenope.
Since the Zurich-based Hotel Enterprises signed the contract to purchase the land, the Excelsior was designed, built and furnished in just two years. It officially opened its doors to the public at the end of January 1908, after being built in the record time of ten months.
Members of the nobility and personalities from all over the world were present at the inauguration. It became operational in 1909, and its architect Emil Vogt also built the Excelsior hotels in Rome and Florence.
The Excelsior served as the Presidium of the Red Cross during World War I and was bombed during World War II, first as a hospital and then as headquarters for American troops.
The bombing in August 1943 caused serious damage to the building, which was taken over by Ciga Hotels in 1935. After the war, it was rebuilt with the addition of a floor and a complete renovation of the interior. It reopened in 1947 without any alterations to the exterior, as the "Ritz" style sought by the architect Vogt was to remain unchanged.
What was the era and/or the architectural style in which the property was built?
Each room in the hotel is unique, furnished with antiques that create a fin de siècle atmosphere. This elegance reaches its climax in the Royal Suite, whose walls are covered with silk from San Leucio and adorned with precious engravings. The Venetian wardrobe, like the other furniture, remains unchanged, hand-painted and trimmed with gold sequins. On an antique table rests an embellished mirror crowned with a golden eagle.
Is the property surrounded by other historic buildings?
Located on the seafront next to the iconic Castel dell'Ovo, Eurostars Hotel Excelsior is the first building to welcome visitors to Naples who arrive by sea. With spectacular panoramic views of the Vesuvius, the Gulf of Naples and the paradise islands of Ischia and Capri, the Excelsior enjoys an enviable, unrivaled and privileged position.
Are there any elements of particular historical importance at the building?
The right wall of the lobby displays an original 1775 engraving commissioned by Giovanni Carafa, Duke of Noja, and created for the King of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinand IV. It is a map depicting the city of Naples and the layout of the old promenade. The elegance and refinement of the room is accentuated by the antique carpets that adorn the marble floors and the sparkling Murano glass chandeliers that illuminate the room.
Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
The Hotel Excelsior has hosted many personalities from the world of international politics and culture. In the field of politics, the organisation of the G7 Summit held in Naples in 1994 stands out. On that occasion, the hotel hosted the delegations of Germany, headed by Helmut Kohl, and Japan, headed by its Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, who dined in the La Terraza restaurant with a panoramic view of the Bay, Vesuvius and the island of Capri.
Other personalities who have stayed at the hotel include former US President Theodore Roosevelt, Japanese Prince Akihito, the Aga Khan III, King Victor Emmanuel II, King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia, the Kings of Denmark and Greece, the Duke of Windsor, former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and former Italian Presidents Giorgio Napolitano and Giulio Andreotti, among others.
Among the representatives of the arts, the hotel has been privileged to host a long list of top actors, actresses and directors. In this category, names such as Alfred Hitchcock, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Clark Gable, Kim Novak, Jack Lemon, Grace Kelly, Vittorio de Sica, Georges Sanders, Sofia Loren, Orson Welles, Toni Curtis, Totò, Vittorio Gassman, Bud Spencer, Gina Lollobrigida, Omar Sharif, Gerard Depardieu and Gerard Butler stand out.
In other artistic fields the hotel has been visited by personalities such as Andy Warhol, Luciano Pavarotti, Dan Brown or Ricky Martin.
Are there any significant events that took place at the property in the past?
It is no coincidence that Prince Humbert of Savoy felt at home at the Hotel Excelsior, where he loved to receive his numerous guests. Or that the fabulous charity balls and costume parties organised every year by Mrs. Ida Crimeni during the Belle Époque brought together the crème de la crème of Naples.
Its salons were the setting for parties and banquets for important guests: royalty, aristocrats, financiers, celebrities from the world of art, theatre, cinema and science, all in love with Naples and its gulf.
In the 1960s, the salons of the Excelsior also became the main catwalk for the great Italian and foreign fashion designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy and Elio Fiorucci. In its recent history it has hosted Valentino, Giorgio Armani and Dolce and Gabbana, making it a cult venue for avant-garde fashion.
In the 80s and 90s, the Hotel Excelsior hosted hundreds of international congresses, becoming the preferred destination for the organisation of high-level and luxury events.
Today it is the symbol of the city for the most important events. The best Neapolitan professionals, actors, actresses and celebrities organise their meetings in the halls and on the terrace of the Excelsior.
This hotel is also the city's wedding venue of choice, as it is a dream setting for a unique day, a true combination of class and charm by the sea. With the elegant Partenope room and the impeccable La Terrazza restaurant (run by internationally renowned chefs), the hotel continues to be the setting for numerous engagements.
As well as staying at the Hotel Excelsior, film stars have used the hotel as a film set on many occasions. Its halls, corridors, staircases and balconies have been the backdrop for films and TV shows such as 'The Sopranos'.
