The first hotel manager was Antonio Mella, who had previously managed the Ritz Hotel in Paris and London. His wife helped him in hotel management taking over guest services and laundry rooms. Belmond sold the Ritz to Mandarin Oriental and the Saudi-based Olayan Group in May 2015 for $148 Million. Mandarin Oriental announced plans to completely renovate the hotel at a cost of $103 million. On 18 September 2018, scaffolding and part of the sixth-floor of the hotel collapsed, killing one construction worker and injuring 11 more. The hotel reopened on April 16, 2021, as Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid. Architecture and fittings The building was designed in 1908 by French architect Charles Mewès and built in the period 1908-10 under the direction of Luis de Landecho. This was one of the first buildings in Madrid that used reinforced concrete in its construction, which was completed on 14 May 1910. Notable Spanish and foreign companies were hired to decorate the rooms. The carpets were woven in the Royal Tapestry Factory, linens was commissioned to Irish firms, the furniture was commissioned to Lissarraga y Sobrinos, and mirrors were by Pereantón. The china was by Limoges and cutlery was imported from The Goldsmiths. Chronology The hotel introduced many new culinary customs such as afternoon tea. It also held dances on Tuesday evenings, when new styles such as the foxtrot became popular. Famous guests began to arrive. Guests Throughout its history, many famous guests have stayed at the hotel, from Ernest Hemingway to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and his wife Grace Kelly who celebrated their honeymoon in one of its suites. Others include Ava Gardner, Michelle Pfeiffer and Madonna., Jagatjit Singh and Anita Delgado, Mata Hari, Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies, Haile Selassie. An unwritten rule not to admit NTR (: artists, film stars or bullfighters, men without a tie -Herbert von Karajan included-, women in trousers) as hotel guests during the Marquet direction made the actor James Stewart unwelcome. However, he flashed his military badge and described himself as a colonel in the American army and therefore was admitted. References External links Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid official website official Facebook Page official Twitter Profile Hotels in Madrid Hotels established in 1910 Hotel buildings completed in 1910 Art Nouveau hotels Tourism in Madrid Buildings and structures in Jerónimos neighborhood, Madrid Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Spanish companies established in 1910 Belle Époque