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by Madelyn Miller

The Ritz Hotel in London has been regarded as an architectural masterpiece since its opening in 1906. It was built by Cesar Ritz in the height of Edwardian heydays. Its first sales brochure offered a double bedroom with private bath for thirty shillings a night. From these early days, the hotel benefited from royal patronage, including the Prince of Wales later Edward VII and the English aristocracy. And today, the Ritz delights the social historian with its perfectly preserved interiors considered by many to be among the finest in London.

The glitter and highlife with which The Ritz became synonymous suffered badly with the outbreak of the First World War when the lights went out over Europe. Despite financial losses in its early years, The Ritz survived and during the era of the "Roaring Twenties" the hotel became the haunt of Hollywood stars.

During the thirties The Ritz was the venue for London's Cafe Society and literary set as well as members of the Royal Family. The Queen Mother still attends the occasional party at The Ritz and it was here that she is said to have ordered a meal from a menu for the first time.

The Second World War and the fall of France led to a fresh influx of residents and The Ritz became home to many refugee royalties, aristocrats and politicians. The privations of war soon resulted in food shortages, and the hotel was the target of Nazi bombs although the steel structure withstood this onslaught.

By the fifties The Ritz was enjoying a return to its earlier heydays as the British aristocracy continued to patronize the hotel in force. The hotel has continued to thrive and remains a popular venue favored by high society and royalty.

Much or the original Ritz still exists today. The Restaurant and the gallery are exactly as Cesar Ritz intended and the ravishing Winter Garden, now known as The Palm Court, with its extravagant sculptures and fountain in Echaillon marble still epitomizes the elegance of Edwardian times.

Externally, the building has not been altered at all, primarily because it is a listed building of historical interest, representing a marvelous example of French chateau-style architecture. The Piccadilly Arcade echoes both Mansard's arcaded ground floor at the Place Vendome, home of the Paris Ritz, and Percier and Fontaine's Rue de Rivoli begun for Napoleon in 1801.

The interior decorations and furniture were designed throughout in the style of Louis XVI and many items were imported from France, under the personal supervision of Cesar Ritz.

At that time Ritz's innovations were unique including bathrooms in every room, double glazing and indirect lighting. He even installed s system of air conditioning using a fan room in the basement. Ritz also conceived of the idea of walk-in wardrobes in the guestrooms to avoid dust collecting.

Throughout the modernization of recent times, the original fittings have been retained, including marble fireplaces, brass fittings and clocks. Each room is decorated in delicate pastel colors with gold leaf, and provide every comfort for today's international traveler.

Don't miss tea at the Ritz. This charming tradition is at its best at the Ritz. Choose from a selection of tiny tea sandwiches consisting of smoked salmon, cucumber and anchovy smoked turkey and sweet mustard, egg salad with mustard cress, and top that off with freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserves. And save room for the delectable pastries. You won't even be able to think about dinner.

But when it comes to English food, my strongest memory with be of the asparagus at the Ritz. When I arrived, it was late and I wanted something light, so I looked at the room service menu It listed an appetizer of asparagus for the English equivalent of $25. I love asparagus but I assumed at that price it must be a large serving for a cocktail party or something. I called down to the desk to ask exactly how many spears that included. They told me it was 6 asparagus spears. I was amazed. Over $4.00 a spear. But I was also curious. So I ordered them. When the succulent spears arrived under a silver covering, I was awed by the perfect specimens. And they established a new benchmark for the perfect asparagus. Would I order them again? You bet. In fact, I wish I could go back to London right this moment to order them again.

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