Ritz and Escoffier: The Hotelier, The Chef, and the Rise of the Leisure Class

This is my first time writing review on Amazon and I would strongly recommend this book to people who are interested in travel and hospitality industry. Luke's writing is concise, well organized, but also has the power to unveil the history of modern luxury hotels and restaurants. It gives readers the imagination of the 19th century high society in London and the glamorous life in a grand hotel. It is also a book describing the modernization of hotel industry when the electronic age fundamentally changed the service and the expectation from guests. As someone works in hospitality industry, I highly recommend this book as there are so many stories that blows my mind. A lot of common things we believe for today's hotel is such a big innovation back to 100 years ago, for example, the private bathroom for each room, the la carter menu for the restaurant, the elevators etc. This is a book I enjoyed so much.

A fascinating story of the man, Ritz, who created the modern luxury hotel. Ritz became synonymous with ultimate luxury. Hence the expression Putting on the Ritz.

Liked the readability of the book, style and flow. Immersed in a different time but one that helped pave my career roads.

Loved this book....didn't want to put it down. Well written, fun book and I learned something!!

I read this for a book group. I probably wouldn't have chosen this otherwise.The book is interesting if you are someone who is in the hotel/hospitality business; however, it didn't hold my interest.

A fantastic read full of history and the saga of a self made man. A wonderful book from beginning to end

What I expected to find in this book was not what was in it. There was way to much discussion of all the royalty that patronized the hotel and restaurants, that it was difficult to keep track of all the names. Having read many books on the hotel industry this one did not keep my interest.

Book was bound improperly. Print on binding is offset on spine and wraps around to the front. It’s cut on the binder about a quarter inch off.Doesn’t effect the contents is a bummer for such a keepsake.

very readable and informative.

Good, solid read, very readable, nicely researched with an eye for a fine anecdote.

Loved this book - only problem was the pages were rough and not the same size

Are the pages supposed to look they’ve been hacked off with a kitchen knife??

Great