Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-11-09
Written for The EVENING star.
AMERICAN VS.. EUROPEAN.
An Experts Conclusions rs to the
Hotels Of the Two Countries.

An Experts CONCLUSIONS rs TO the
Hotels Of the Two Countries.
THE HosTEIRrEs or TIE UNITED STATES pEAr
THE woRLp-A DESCRIPTION OF THE FAMOUS
sExI OF swEpRS-A DELICIOUS DESSERT FoR
AMERICAN HOUSEWIVES.
After q trip through western and central
Europe, in which I made q special study Of
hotel affairs and delved industriously for new
ideas in both cuisine and management, I am
requested as q hotel man OF some experience
to give testimony in what might be termed the
much argued case Of American vs.. European
hotels. One Of the chief objects of my journey
was to learn. I was filed with desire TO bene-
mt by the aged experience Of the bonifaces Of
Europe. was anxious TO acquire q knowledge
which might benefit my business. Conse-
quently did not enter each foreign hostelry
possessed In advance with a firm belief in
American superiority. Yet il must be adj
united by the expert observer that so far as
notes are concerned the United States excels
the world. don't mean to say that learned
notning during my trip-on the contrary ac-
CURED much valuable knowledge-but the
hotei men OF Europe can be benefited much
more by visiting us than we can by inspecting
their methods.
STICKING TO THE OLD PROGRAM
superior as our magnifcently appointed pub
TIC houses are to those Of any other country
the dinerence must appear really greater than
II is 10 vast majority Of American travellers
Inc manner IN which they follow a long beaten
ana constantly trodden path of travel is simply
amazing TO one who seeks for something new
for something not enjoyed by the common run
of mankind. The result of this sheeplike quality
Is that In European towns the Americans are
found clustered together in one hotel and that
generally the largest, whereas even the most
cursory examination will quickly show that not
only can the people and their customs be
| better seen in the smaller hotels but those
establishments are by far the best con-
Quoted. found this pursuit of programmed
travel well illutrated the moment 1 landed
on the other side of the Atlantic. For in
stance, travellers by the North German Lloyd
line are landed at Dremerhafen where they are
kept waiting for hours and then forwarded to
bremen, from which point they can reach Ber-
I'm nine hours away. But why go to STUPID
Bremen, where there is nothing to see? Simply
because the North German Lloyd company has
made contracts for transportation by that route
and deluded American travellers In crushing
hordes obey the program in ignorance of the
fact that If they journeyed by way of Hamburg
they would hnd themselves just as near Berlin
and In beautiful, picturesque city containing
| new hotel whose cooking is excellent and
whose sanitary regulations are perfect. the lat
| ter quality, by the way, being noticeable as a
rare exception in Europe.
Perhaps can make more clearly understood
the conclusions which reached as regards the
comparative merits of American and European
hostelries If L refer first to two exceptions
which only prove the general rule-if give
my enjoyable experience in the two best hotels
In Europe. In view of my Introductory re-
marks 1t will scarcely cause surprise that these
two are altogether beyond the customary path
| of tourist travel and are known to but handful
| OF Americans. As l have no expectation of
| changing the programmed rush Of my fellow
countrymen when abroad can speak fully and
| freely OF these two exceptions without being
suspected of advertising motives Besides in
no other way can l illustrate my subject and
give fair decision. That is my apology.
SWEDISH HOUSE.
I will mention first what I consider next to
the best hotel In Europe. From Berlin went
by way of Stralsund, one of the old Pomeranian
| fortresses, to Malmo in Sweden, and there.
despite other recommendations L went to the
| Hotel Kramer. 1t is small but new and ipvlt-
| ing looking. expected little and consequently
my delight was the greater. My first surprise
was Immediately upon my arrival. In most
| European hotels the American traveller finds
much cause for dissatisfaction in not being
able to come into contact with the proprietor.
He discovers that his comfort is depepdent
| upon one man, the porter, a far different being
from our hotel porter. On his good will de-
ponds everything. He is a liveried official who
is supposed to speak all languages and who
welcomes the coming and speeds the parting
guests he Is high and mighty functionary
who lives by fees. He not only receives no
salary but in some houses he pays as high as
| from $50 to $500 for the privilege of holding
his position. 1t is needless to speak of the
evils which grow from such a system. Above
| the porter is the director or manager. and in
accessibly far beyond him looms mistily the
proprietor himself. Experience with this
| method OF management made my delight ex-
| cesslve when upon entering the hotel in Malmo
was greeted by both Mr.. Kramer and has SON.
A bell was struck, boy appeared and disap-
peared with my baggage and never saw him
again during my stay. But / found the bag
gage in my room without an expectant youth
with hand extended for a fee. When, however
reached the head of the landing to which
was directed 1 found there awaiting me >
neatly dressed maid. She escorted me to nv
apartments, which she opened; she brought
| lights and writing utensils and everything
necessary to make a guest comfortable,
and, having inquired Of Mrs. Boldt
if she needed anything further, With
drew, after informing us that she was
always upon that landing, that a bell in the
room would instantly summon her and that she
| was always at our command. My subsequent
experience with this novel plan of service con-
WINGED me that it worked to absolute perfec-
ton. Almost instantly upon the bell in the
room being touched the neatly dressed maid
appeared. There no such delay as is
caused by bell boy YEARLY climbing flights OF
stairs, tumbling down them again and SLOWLY
reascending before anything can be obtained.
| found that the maids on each floor were each
| in communication with the Office by means OF
speaking tubes and dumb walters. Livery
morning the same maid placed before us an
itemized account Of our expenses in the hotel
during the previous day, in order that any
error might be corrected before entry upon
the hotel books. 1t was really the most intel
lgent service have ever seen, and if we could
only obtain in this country for such employ
ment the quiet and genteel girls / thus found
engaged in Sweden 1 would initiate that system
in my hotels at once 1t is hardly necessary to
| say, however, that when 1 have thought of
| adopting it have been deferred by a know
| ledge which needs no further explanation to
American housewives, of the inherent evils of
the system of domestic help in this country.
IN THE DINING ROOM
When 1 entered the dining room of the
Hotel Kramer was received by the son of tine
proprietor and by him conducted to a table. 1
learned that the hotel was famous for its prepa-
| ration of q celebrated Swedish gastronomic
service called in humble parlance kollkoek or
| ''cold kitchen" or in more refined language
sexi Naturally, being bent upon experiments,
ordered it. Myself and wife were placed at a
table and Immediately a glass Of wine was