Bristol Hotel History

The history of each hotel is always a mystery, proud and treasure. Taking into consideration the history of Bristol hotel we would like to invite you to the most mysterious and absorbing adventures full of wealth and treasures: our history is THE HISTORY BEHIND THE LUXURY

The unique location of Bristol Hotel is the focal point of Odessa's entire history, beginning with the moment of Odessa city foundation until today.

Hotel Bristol was built between 1889 and 1899, replacing the

boarding house with three baker shops that belonged to merchant Naum Yurovsky. Next door was a house where famous Russian literary figure A.S. Pushkin stayed during the 1820s. The finely detailed five-story Hotel Bristol was designed by famous Odessa architect Alexander Bernardazzi.

The hotel's architecture was recognized as one of the finest in Russia, and was named after the hotel in Vienna, Austria, which was at the time the most popular vacation spot for Odessa's governor and nobility.

Bristol Hotel has housed a number of famous travellers, ranging from the rich and powerful to the artistic and intellectual leaders of the day. Among them were renowned Russian writer and Nobel Prize Laureate Ivan Bunin, the silent cinema star Vera Holodnaya, and writers Henri Barbusse, Theodore Dreiser, Willy Bredel, and James Aldridge.

When the Russian Revolution broke out in 1917, the Hotel Bristol was closed. As the war progressed from 1920-1921, the building fell into disrepair and from 1922-1925 the former luxury rooms of the magnificent Bristol Hotel were converted into cabinets for railway officers.

After the revolution, in 1928, Bristol Hotel was restored and renamed as the Hotel Krasnaya ( Red) in honour of the Red Army, the Red Banner as the symbol of revolution, and the Red Square in Moscow. However, the name Krasnaya (Red) has a second interpretation in Russian – also meaning 'beautiful, exquisite', a more fitting description of the hotel's caliber.

The hotel's restaurant, Krasny (Red), and bar became incredibly popular spots in Odessa, and have been frequented by the crème de la crème of the Soviet cinema, music and circus, renowned captains, and local creative types – journalists, writers, musicians and artists.

Bristol Hotel (formerly Hotel Krasnaya) has found a permanent spot in the history of cinema, having served as the location for many of the films that were made in Odessa.

In 2002 this famous and glorious hotel was closed for reconstruction. We made our best to resurrect the spirit and magnificent architecture of the hospitality pearl of Odessa, and already in December 2010 the restored and refreshed Bristol Hotel (former Krasnaya) is ready to welcome its honourable guests. The new look, the new spirit and energy, the new name which is translated from Old English as 'sacred seat' or 'meeting place' are creating the new history, HISTORY BEHIND LUIXURY.