Grand Bohemian Hotels - Charlatan Magazine

ose to the position of President and Chairman of DaysInn of America where he presided for nearly a decadebefore developing Kessler Enterprises in 1984. His vision,both then and now, was to develop one-of-a-kindboutique hotels throughout the world. In fact, he evenrelocated to Vienna for several years to learn the Europeanhotel business after which he returned and appliedtheir particular spirit and brand of hospitality toAmericana. The Kessler Collection is today a portfolioof boutique four and five diamond properties located inFlorida, Georgia, Colorado and New Mexico. Knownfor luxurious art-inspired atmosphere and décor, eachhotel is uniquely designed and provides the highest levelof service while making one feel comfortably “at home.”And after 37 years in the hotel business, Richard C.Kessler has taken his European inspired boutique hotelsto the highest level of recognition. Preferred Hotels andResorts is the most prestigious collection of luxury hotelsin the world. And of the fraternity’s 185 exceptionalBohemian HotelSavannahOnce Upon A Time…The Kingdom of Bohemia was a significant political influence in Central Europeand during the Middle Ages was considered the most powerful state of the Holy Roman Empire. Withits dissolution in 1806, Bohemia was incorporated into the Austrian Empire and ultimately into themodern-day Czech Republic. Her people, the Bohemians, lived under tremendous oppression whenher lands were seized by the Soviet Union. While political discussions were prohibited, rich literaryand artistic traditions began to emerge in which to discuss their oppression and establish a confident and politicallyaware nation. Migrating west, these artists, writers, musicians and intellectuals began to arrive in France in the early19th century with their messages of frugality, peace, and free love embedded in their art.By 1845, Bohemian nationals began to immigrate to the United States and the subsequent wave included the radicals,ex-priests and writers who advocated for a constitutional government. They flourished during the American CivilWar and subsequent First and Second World Wars by spreading out,infiltrating and effectively commenting on the political crisis with theirpens and paintbrushes. They were the pundits of their day who deridedpolitical propaganda and preached the Gospel of the Moment by advocatingtheir belief in the Seven Arts and the skill of enjoying the goodthings in life.Born in Savannah, Georgia in 1940, Richard C. Kessler peruseda degree from Georgia’s prestigious Institute of Technology where heearned both a Bachelor and Masters degree in the highly technical fieldof Engineering. But when he took his first job with the Day’s Inn ofAmerica Motel Chain, some wondered if or whether he’d completelymissed the mark. True of the Bohemian, however, Kessler knew that arich and dimensional education must precede serving the public. Andwhile the vocabularies of these two particular vocations seemed incongruous,it was the rich, practical and operational aspect of engineeringthat ultimately translated to the application of hospitality. In fact, he Savannah RiverfrontRocks on the RiverBohemian HotelSavannahhotels around the world that have met itsstaunch criterion and Standard of Excellence,Richard C. Kessler’s collection ofboutique hotels proudly ranks among them.Savannah is considered the “Hostess Cityof the South” and ranks among CondeNast’s Top 10 US cities to visit. Situated on the mouthof the Savannah River, she transported timber and otherresources to England in her earliest days and servedas the prime-shipping avenue for the New World. Bythe early 19th Century, however, cotton had becomethe major export of the burgeoning United Stateswith every single strand of it being processed, bundledand shipped through Savannah. Magnificent homesemerged throughout her 22 distinct garden stylesquares and brought politics, music and conversationto the region. The cry of Spanish moss and ancientPalmettos surround and protect this historic districtmuch like a mythical umbrella might protect the complexionof this most fair and historically precious cityof the US South.To all that’s new emerges Kessler’s Bohemian Hotelon the Savannah Riverfront. Her panoramic viewsfrom the chic rooftop bar and terrace, gourmet diningat Rocks on the River Modern Grill, and 75 stylizedguestrooms take you on a first class voyage backin time. The interiors of the hotel are reminiscent of aship that might have sailed the Atlantic in search of theNew World in 1733 and presides like a jewel above thehistoric 18th century cobblestones of Savannah’s worldfamous, River Street. Reminiscent of an era when Brit-10 | C H A R L A T A N | www.charlatanmagazine.com January / February 2010January / February 2010CULTURE as Lifestyle | C H A R L A T A N | 11

ish maritime settlers first landed in America,the hotel transports you to their voyage in away that even a natural history museum can’tquite compare. True of the Bohemian, she’sadorned with the Kessler Collection’s originalworks of art lending the quality of museumand art gallery combined to this unique andundiscovered gem.The Blue Ridge Parkway carries you 2,134feet into the skies of North Carolina’s AppalachianMountains and to one of America’sTop 25 Arts Destinations. Once the seat of theCherokee Nation, Asheville today representsa collection of meticulously preserved Artsand Crafts architecture, famous vegetariancuisines, and the largest and most celebratedworking castle in the world, the Biltmore Estate.And to this tradition emerges The GrandBohemian Hotel, Asheville. Her 104 luxuriousguestrooms and suites, the Poseidon Spa, andworld famous Red Stag Grill opened its doorsonly this year to an influx and fanfare of theregions elite. Sightings of Hollywood royaltyare reported weekly as Asheville takes its placeon the exclusive register of celebrity getaways,and nowhere are they suspected of rusticatingmore than Kessler’s, Grand Bohemian. The authenticOld World ambiance of this Tudor inspiredboutique hotel masterfully blends all ofthe modern novelties together with muse andtradition. The Biltmore’s Winery, for instance,finds its way into the Bohemian’s now famousWine Room where even the offerings of California’sNapa Valley and Italy’s Tuscany competefor an audience. The hand-hewn beams,oak flooring, and Old World style ambienceof the Red Stag Grill juxtapose its gastronomicmenu that both honors and celebrates the region.And Kessler’s signature Art Gallery showcasesover 100 works of art by local, regionaland internationally recognized artists and designersinspiring the collector and evoking theartist in us all.Like William and Mary, who were appointedJoint Sovereigns’ over the Kingdom of England,so, too, does Richard C. Kessler’s Bohemians’reign over the Grand Revolution ofHospitality. From these southern mountains tothe rivers and sea he challenges, as revivalistsoften do, the past by implementing change,protecting tradition and evoking the encodeddesire in us all to live well. charlatanBallroomGrand Bohemian HotelAshevilleLike William and Mary,who were appointed Joint Sovereigns’over the Kingdom of England,Richard C. Kessler’sB O H E M I A N S ’reign over theGrand Revolution of Hospitality.LobbyGrand Bohemian HotelAshevilleWine RoomGrand Bohemian HotelAsheville12 | C H A R L A T A N | www.charlatanmagazine.com January / February 2010January / February 2010CULTURE as Lifestyle | C H A R L A T A N | 13