The Hotel Cecil.

THE HOTEL CECIL .

NOW that tho Hotel Cecil has been open for over six . months , it is possible to form a clear opinion of the vast scheme as a whole . The only verdict that can bo given is that it has filled a vacancy in our metropolitan economy with conspicuous success . From the very lirst applications for rooms came in well-nigh as thick " as leaves in A nllambrosn , " and during the season the Cecil was patronised by members of our old county families , as Will as by distinguished foreigners .

Occupying a unique position , facing at once the superb Victoria Embankment and that busiest of arteries , the Strand , its grand elevation on the one hand and its charming courtyard on the other , the establishment cannot fail to arrest tho attention and strike the fancy of our friends from over the sens . As the guest enters the quadrangle , leaving the noisy Strand behind him , a pleasing impression is made by the

three wings of the building , the foun . tains and flowers , and the fine proportioned main entrance . To step into the hall is to enter fairyland , so gorgeous , yet

harmonious , are the decorations . The grand staircase , springing from the lowest floor , on the Embankment level , to the highest , is a marble palace in

itself , so broad are its steps , easy its gradients , nml roomy its landings . Steps , walls , and balustrade are all of rich marbles of variegated

hues , set off with heavy gilding , fine tapestries , and costly objetsd'art . On this main floor is found the public

drawingroom , a noble apartment , which _ was furnished and decorated by Messrs . Maple and Co . in the Empire stylo at its

best , rale blue and gold are tho leading colours , -with softtoned carpet and fine Sicilian marble fireplace , ltound the room runs a frieze of

life-sized figures in Greek costumes , beautifully painted in subdued colours . Every item of furniture is a picturesque article , well in keeping with the style . And here we must remark that the whole vast establishment is heated by means of steam pipes and radiators ; these radiators are highly decorative , and in every instance made to blend harmoniously with tiie decorations , occasionally being conspicuous , at others practically hidden . The drawing-room faces the Embankment , and opens upon a covered terraco overlooking the gardens and river . Walking along this terrace , we find two or three dainty private dining-rooms also opening out upon it , mid ( hen come to the luncheon terrace , which leads us to flic chief restaurant . This restaurant is also got up in the Empire stvlo , and is richly

panelled with marble , ihe lofty ceiling supported by massive mnrble pillars . It has become a favourite resoit for those who like to partake of dainty meals amidst beautiful surroundings , and to the soothing refrain of good music . On this floor is also the reading room , the artistic painted tapestry frieze representing historic events which took place round about

the Strand . Returning to the hall , we find passenger hydraulic lifts , lavishly upholstered , which take lis to the Indian door below . This floor has a comparatively low pitch , and in order to meet this an Eastern style <» i decoration has been adopted , wall panellings and heavy pillars being composed of richly-tinted and glazed faience . The chief apartment here is the table

d'h & tc room , gorgeous with its walls and columns ot Persian pottery , coved ceiling , and profusion of electric lights . The covered terrace or corridor , used as a smoking lounge , leads us to the fine buffet , and a special American bar , resplendent with carved walnut .

Further on is a smoking room , also redolent of the East , and a large billiard saloon . A further descent by the lift takes us to the Embankment entrance . The corridor is decorated with mosaics , and lea-Is to the 1 ' rince ' s Kooin , used for comparatively small dinners or public meetings .

From here we cross n covered courtyard , in which numerous cabs and carriages are awaiting the pleasure of guests , to theeast wing . Here is shunted the grand banquet hall . It measures 101 feet by " ill feet , is prodigiously lofty , and unbroken by columns . A stage isat one end and a balcony at the oilier . Tho decoration is of the most lavish description , rich browns and reds mingling with gold anil Statuary . rt-l l l 'I C il 111 \ : I ol tiie nail Willi

. . _ . * . ... ... .... . J he radiators are at the sides , lopped marble slabs , and masked hy screens of iron and copper . Adjoining this is tlit * spacious retiring room , anil close at hand is nnol her banquet iiigeh ! imber , nlso beaut i-

fully fitted . It may be mentioned that special kitchens are provided in each wing , ? o that the service cannot be retarded or dishes spoiled . A line nimble staircase only second to the superb one in the south wing , leads up to the numerous Italian , French , and other private dining rooms and the sleeping apartments idiove . The west is known as the club wing , fine sets of public and private rooms

Duo . C . J \ Ili :: ; n . \ i .

The Hotel Cecil.

being provided . Now a word as to the bedrooms . There arc a great many of them , some of all sizes and st 3 'lcs of decoration , but in every instance most commodious , being furnished with artistic care , and particular attention being paid to comfort . Electric light and telephones are found in each apartment . In planning the Cecil the self-contained suites principle has been kept well in view , so that families can be provided with

suites comprising two or more sleeping rooms , private sitting rooms , baths , & e ., all compact . It must be stated that it is possible to obtain one of these lavishly appointed sleeping apartments for Gs ., although others cost 15 s . and upwards . These prices include attendance , for vexatious obligatory " extras" do not come within the philosophy of the management , The corridors are wide , well furnished , and warmed , while every room is easily within reach of one or other of

the many lifts . There are upwards of a thousand rooms in the Hotel Cecil , and , as our readers may imagine , the service offices required are large and numerons . As

a matter of fact , the hotel is a selfcontained town . Besides the three sets of kitchens over which that renowned chef de cuisine , Jf .

Antoino Coste presides , with the help of about 200 assistants , there arc bakehouse , huge stores , and butchers' shops , cellars that would

engulf two or three ordinary houses , steam laundry . workshops , and electric generating department . Then for the

guest s there are cloak rooms , Turkish and other baths , hairdressers , travel and ticket booking oflice , . post oflice , and so on .

It may well ho imngined that such a big place requires competent management , and there is no doubt that Sir .

this way distinguished visitors hnve been attracted from far and wide , and then , finding that tho cooking , service , and whole management is equal to the grandeur of the place , they naturally stay on , and recommend the hotel to their friends . Jt is evident that such guests being pleased .

G . P . liertini was the right man for the post . He has not only guided the Hotel Cecil through a busy season , but seen to the organisation and inaugural ion—an onerous task well performed . Hut this was to he expected , for Jlr . liertini has seen much service in the leading hotels of many lands , and won fame and goodwill for his admirable management at the Criterion . He has shown great tact in gathering about him thoroughlv competent heads of departments , and a staff trained to perfection . The considerable success that has attended this palatial hotel since its opening has been achieved in n marked degree by the judicious and thoroughly practical manner in which it has been advertised both at home and abroadlit

greatly adds to the effectiveness of the usual advertisements . 'There is undoubtedly a largo and increasing class requiring the very best of accommodation and fare that money can secure , and this class finds the Hotel Cecil fully answers their most ardent expectations . Hut it must also be said that even persons of moderate means find the

accommodation within their reach . The vastness of the undertaking , and the careful way in which the marketing is done , and every department supervised , enable tho charges to guests to be kept down , for Ihe tariff for one of the smaller bed rooms , plain breakfast , & c ., is decidedly moderate .

To Londoners the establishment has proved a great convenience , as here they can proudly take I heir country and foreign friends , feeling suro that the whole place must impress them favourably . The many charming private suites of reception rooms , in old French , Dutch , and other styles , are just what we needed for pcoplo WHO wish to give

"At Homes , evening parties , and dinners . This department enables those who dwell in comparatively small houses , or in apartments , to entertain all their friends on a scale that would otherwise be impossible . In these essentially utilitarian days , this method of entertaining is gaining niiich popularity , to the profit of hosts , guests , and

caterers . In our necessarily rapid sketch wc have left many interesting things unrecorded , but we must mention that the appointments and fittings throughout are deserving of the grand framing . It is worthy of remark lhat the ventilation is admirable throughout , tins being managed by the aid of Blackmail electric air propellers ,