Bits and pieces of Bemelmans' work taken from four previous collections, with the common theme of his memories working for the "Hotel Splendide," his pseudonym for the New York Rtiz-Carlton. How much is real, and how much is invented, in these memories is wide open for speculation. Some of it seems fantastic. As Anthony Bourdain in the intro notes, at least one of the stories is old tall-tale that's been circulating for decades in hotels, and might even go back into antiquity. The quality of the stories varies, with some being quite funny, and one being very unpleasant (where Bemelmans is getting played by a pre-teen con artist). The drawings are among the best things in the book, and are either well-observed or funny. ( )

Slyly, purposefully naive drawings and stories. What a charming man. ( )

Probably the only Bemelmans you need. I've not been thoroughly entertained by his besotted travel books like, e.g., How to Travel Incognito. Who cares? I suppose it's the thrill of the behind-the-scene of the hotel business 80 years ago. In that regard, it's like [b:Kitchen Confidential|33313|Kitchen Confidential Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (updated edition)|Anthony Bourdain|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1168422043s/33313.jpg|4219] but, you know, well-written. ( )

This is truly a rollickingly funny book. I guffawed through every chapter. Bemelmans has a very unique "voice", which is very spare prose couple with a biting wit. This is an absolute must-read. And a book I will re-read in the future. ( )

This is a compilation of 26 stories about Bemelmans' life in the American luxury hotel business before World War II, all but two taken from other books of his. Anyone who has read his "Hotel Splendide" will be familiar with some of them and with most of the characters. It is informative, funny and pathetic, both about the employees and their wealthy clients. ( )