What to expect: Since 1865, royalty, diplomats and stars have been dazzled by the five-floor atrium that lies at the core of this corner block hotel. The Mayer family originally built it as their private residence and they still run the hotel today. Tall marble columns, voluptuous statuary, a twinkling fountain and recently restored frescoes greet business people, VIPs, and couples on a romantic getaway. Sotheby's thought highly enough of the hotel to establish its Swiss HQ here in 1987.

Amenity highlights: Guests can choose from seven elegant meeting rooms (including a film-set ballroom) to run meetings and events. The Masaryk room retains the furnishings and porcelain of what was the Mayer family dining room. In 2003, the hotel installed a Cisco Systems high-speed Internet network in all conference rooms, which can hold a total of 1,200 people.

Insider tip: Local gourmands in the know try to book a seat at the chef's table in the sprawling hotel kitchens. Just eight lucky people get to slip through the restaurants and out the back to this fascinating setting. While an army of cooks and assistants cook up meals for the hotel restaurants, the head chef of the Chat Botté restaurant prepares a surprise menu and personally caters to his 'chosen' eight.