Grand Hôtel de París, hotel
The Grand Hôtel de París was a hotel at Puerta del Sol in Madrid and one of the first in the city to offer modern comforts such as private bathrooms in every room. The building featured a large dining room on the second floor overlooking the busy streets of Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo, plus the Café Imperial on the ground floor that could seat up to 500 guests.
The hotel opened its doors in the middle of the 1860s and was built with French capital, reflected in its French-inspired interior design. Later in 1895, under new management, modern conveniences like electric lighting and an elevator were added, keeping it attractive for decades.
The building was known under the Italian Fallola brothers, who ran it as 'Fonda de París' and favored French taste in its interior design. The Café Imperial on the ground floor was a favorite gathering spot for Madrid residents and visitors seeking French cuisine in grand surroundings.
The building is located directly at Puerta del Sol, a central and easily accessible location in the heart of Madrid, filled with foot traffic and activity. The historic building is now an Apple Store, so visitors can see the original architecture from the outside while walking through one of the city's busiest areas.
The building was long known for the glowing sign of the Tío Pepe sherry brand on its roof, a large neon sign placed in 1935 that was visible from far away. This famous sign was later moved to another building nearby, but the connection between the hotel and this advertisement remains part of its story.
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