A whole list of world-famous names is associated with this hotel. «Londonskaya» was repeatedly recognized as the best hotel in Odessa. It is one of the main architectural monuments of the city, which is more than a century and a half old.
The building of hotel «Londonskaya» was built in 1826-1828 by the famous architect F.K. Boffo, who gave Odessa and other buildings that have become landmarks of the city.
Boffo created a beautiful three-story building in the style of the early Italian Renaissance. Initially it served as a mansion and belonged to Prince Lopukhin, but already in 1846 it was bought by the famous confectioner from France Jean-Baptiste Caruta, who decided to establish a hotel in this prestigious place.
Hotel «Londonskaya» is located in the heart of another Odessa landmark — Primorskij boulevard and is part of the city’s sea front. Very close by is Potemkinskaya Staircase, marine station, and museums — Literaturny, Maritime and Archeological.
For almost half a century the building looked different than it does nowadays. The unique look it has now, the hotel «Londonskaya» acquired in 1899-1900 under the reverent management of architect Y.M. Dmitrienko, who brought to its exterior and interior decoration the notes of the best European traditions characteristic for hotel construction. It was Dmitrienko who gave Odessa the monument to Catherine II on Catherine Square. The architect brought notes of aristocratic luxury, elegance and wealth to the atmosphere and appearance of the hotel.
Y.M. Dmitrienko managed to create a building unique in appearance, but not conflicting with the already established traditions of Primorsky Boulevard architecture, harmoniously blending into the atmosphere and supporting the unique mood of one of the main streets of the city. Hegel even once called the hotel «Londonskaya» «frozen music», and it is rightly considered to be one of the masterpieces of Odessa architecture.
Many people who have been here compare the interior decoration with palace interiors. From the lobby you can see the luxurious grand staircase made of marble, with columns and wrought iron railings, the floors of the hotel are lined with artistic parquet, and crystal chandeliers and colored stained glass windows complete the solemn interior decoration.
Many guests are also attracted by the courtyard located at the rear facade of the building, where huge century-old plane trees grow and a beautiful fountain is installed, here the intersection of modern life of Odessa with its history is best felt.
From the very foundation of the hotel the most famous personalities were drawn here — such writers as A. Chekhov, M. Gorky, K. Paustovsky, R. Stevenson (the author of «Treasure Island»), J. Simenon were the guests of the hotel. Here stayed ballerina A. Duncan, painter I. Aivazovsky, M. Plisetskaya, actress S. Bernard, V. Mayakovsky, A. Vertinsky, L. Utesov, M. Mastroiani, V. Vysotsky and M. Vlady, V. Kataev, Z. Gerdt, M. Zakharov, E. Ryazanov, M. Zhvanetsky, M. Caballe, P. Coelho, N. Mikhalkov, Y. Bashmet, and even Hollywood stars Tim Roth and Jean Claude van Damme. V. V. Putin, L. Kuchma, and even Hollywood stars Tim Roth and Jean Claude van Damme have also visited «London». Putin, L. Kuchma, V. Yushchenko and other famous politicians, as well as modern musicians, actors and other outstanding personalities.
Undoubtedly, the Londonskaya Hotel is one of the most interesting sights of Odessa, and if you go on vacation to this city, it is definitely worth seeing. Since its inception, it has been a hub of seasoned luxury combined with cordial hospitality and the best qualities of Southern Palmyra.