Vienna: Hotel Krantz
From Mark Twain in the German Language Press
< Vienna
On October 16, 1898, the Austrian daily newspaper Neue Freie Presse reported that Mark Twain arrived at the Hotel Krantz from Kaltleutgeben with the intention of spending the winter in Vienna (see "Mark Twain," Neue Freie Presse, 16 Oct. 1898, 5). Although the hotel had opened only a few months before Mark Twain's arrival, it had already earned a good reputation. It was described as comfortable and known for serving good food and drinks. This reputation was also reflected in the guest book, which listed such illustrious names as His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Bavaria and the Duke of Oldenburg, Hereditary Grand Duke of Baden, Hereditary Prince of Hohenzollern, Prince Albert of Belgium, Duke Günther of Schleswig-Holstein (see "Hotel Krantz," Neue Freie Presse, 16 Oct. 1898: 4:2-3).
In letters to Henry H. Rogers, Clemens reports that the new hotel had offered him a stay because the owner saw his presence as "the best advertisement they could have" (Leary 360). This put the writer in a position to successfully negotiate a lower monthly rate, leading him to ultimately decide to stay at the hotel which he called a "palace" (Leary 355), "completely and richly furnished like the Waldorf." The suite he and his family occupied included "a dining room, a parlor, a music room, a study, and 4 bedrooms — with bathrooms attached to 3 of the bedrooms" (Leary 360). Months before Clemens and his family moved into the hotel, the owner had displayed in the lobby "the finest portrait" of him that his wife had ever seen. "We don't know who made it nor when, but we recognize that it is a hotel that has taste," Clemens joked (Leary 356). Apparently, Clemens got along well with the owners, because when Joseph and Marianne Krantz celebrated their silver wedding anniversary at the hotel, Sam, Olivia, and their daughters attended. The Neue Freie Presse reported that "der illustre Schriftsteller" ("the illustrious writer") joined the celebration and offered words of congratulation to the couple ("Mark Twain als Gratulant," NFP, Nov 15, 1898, 6:2). For more information on the Hotel Krantz, see Dolmetsch 241-243.
In June 1945, the luxury hotel was renamed "Hotel Ambassador". More information about the history of the hotel is provided on the hotel's website.
Article Pages
linked to Hotel Krantz (1)- TX-034 • Mark Twains Rückreise nach der Heimath • 12 Jun 1899