While Munich is celebrating its 850th anniversary, the city's landmark grand hotel, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski, turns 150.

Numerous cultural and culinary events will reflect the fascinating history of one of the oldest and most established hotels in the world.

In 1851, the Bavarian King Maximilian II arranged for a competition between the best architects of the time. The architects were asked to submit plans for a splendid boulevard that would stand comparison with the most elegant ones around the globe.

In 1852, the building works for Munich's best known street, the Maximilianstrasse, began. The centrepiece of this magnificent new boulevard was the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, ordered by the king to become ‘the most beautiful hotel in the city'.

The royal requirement was met by the architect Rudolf Gottgetreu through the hotel's outstanding architecture, the finest fittings and the most stylish furniture. It also included the latest technical innovations of the dawning industrial era, such as electricity, running water, and paternoster elevators.

The First World War and the ensuing revolution put a stop to the rise of the grand hotel and the City of Munich had to step in to avoid the closure of the property. In 1926, the brothers Alfred and Otto Walterspiel acquired the hotel.

Alfred was a renowned chef and gastronome, the only German one with a global reputation during that time, Otto a skilful businessman and manager. They opened the ‘Restaurant Walterspiel' which gave the hotel an international appeal.  In 1970, the property was bought by Kempinski and since then has been called the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich.

Anniversary Events
• On the last Friday of each month in 2008, guests are invited to participate in a ‘Trend & Tradition' dinner. A five-course dinner combining traditional and innovative cuisine will be served in the historical setting of the Nymphenburg salon. Price per person is EUR 98 (approx. £ 74) or EUR 150 (approx. £ 113) for two.
• On 11th May 2008, former owner Alfred Walterspiel would have turned 127. From 8th to 11th May a special 7-course menu, starting with Walterspiel's favourite drink ‘Dom Bénédictine on ice' and followed by a selection of his favourite dishes, will be served. Price per person is EUR 127 (approx. £ 95) including aperitif and corresponding wines.
• A journey into the past and a glimpse into the future are offered by historian Ingrid Mayerhanser, who will captivate guests with impressive and curious anecdotes and facts during traditional guided tours of the hotel (EUR 25/£ 19 per person).
• During a kitchen party on 13th March 2008, guests will literally have their fingers in every pie, cooking alongside former and current chefs of the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten (EUR 82/£ 62 per person or EUR 150/£ 112 for two persons, incl. beverages).
• There is no celebration in Munich without including the most famous one of all, the Oktoberfest. To warm up for this event, the kitchen team proposes a Bavarian Kitchen Party. Welcoming guests in traditional costumes – ‘Lederhosen' and ‘Dirndl' – the hotel's kitchen crew will serve Bavarian specialties and a chilled ‘Maß' on 11th September (EUR 50/ £38 per person including beverages).