Great Hotels Through Time

A behind-the-scenes history of the hotel which opened on Park Lane in 1929.

Exploring the history of the Knightsbridge hotel, from its controversial beginnings to its evolution into one of London's most prestigious hotels in the heart of Knightsbridge. Featuring royal connections, famous guests and two devastating fires, the programme reveals the drama, disaster and intrigue behind this landmark.

A look at the history of the California hotel, which began as a rural retreat in 1912 and became the luxurious epicentre of global fame the growth of the film industry in Hollywood, with stars including Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton building houses near the hotel, transforming it into the ultimate celebrity playground.

Cameras focus on one of the Big Apple's most prestigious hostelries, which was built in 1907 and remains one of the most expensive hotels in the city's history, costing the equivalent of half a billion dollars to build. It had all the mod cons, including 17,000 electric lights and an air-conditioned room especially for ladies' fur coats. Today, there are 102 luxury suites, which can set guests back up to £30,000 a night.