Royal Tulip Grand Hotel Yerevan

Armenia, 375010, Yerevan, via Abovyan 14 Tel.: +374 10 591 600; fax: +374 10 591 666 sales@hotelyerevan.com, www.royaltulipgrandhotelyerevan.com

85 years of history

1928 Grand Hotel Yerevan, formerly known as Hotel Yerevan or Hotel Intourist, is a living legend of the capital of Armenia, the witness of the country's essential events and one of the leading protagonists of the city's history. Since its opening, being a symbol of elegance, it has served as a source of inspiration for generations of intellectuals and artists.

"...HĂ´tel premier - ordre, which competes with its appearance with the Palaces in the West."

Andrei Bely

◂ The newly opened hotel in 1928 Next spread: Project of the façade of the hotel on Abovyan Street by architect Nikoghayos Buniatyan

85 years of history

Grand Hotel Yerevan The best examples of architecture built anywhere across the world at the times of different state systems and historical periods, although various in style, size and function, have some features that make them alike. Filled with the master - architect's talent, they attract the most outstanding people and become the epicentre of the most important on-going events, soaking up the strength and the spirit of the epoch. Grand Hotel Yerevan is one particular building of such type in Yerevan.

The hotel was built according to the project of Nikoghayos Buniatyan – the first General Architect of Yerevan. The building is located on Abovyan Street, formerly Astafyan, which was the main street in pre-Soviet Yerevan.

Built in 1926-1928, the hotel became the first large-scale public building of the capital of Armenia, which, at that time, was under total reconstruction according to the first general plan designed by architect Alexander Tamanyan. The building was already dominating over the nearby semi-circular square, now named after Charles Aznavour, whereas the projects of Yerevan's two main complexes - Republic Square and Liberty Square - hadn't yet been brought to life. ◂ Section of the central part of the building with foyer and the oval hall of the hotel. Drawing by architect Nikoghayos Buniatyan ▴ Foyer detail

85 years of history

The design makes it possible for the building to join in with the hustle and bustle that reigns outside, providing the guests with internal comfort at the same time. The building of Grand Hotel Yerevan has an irregular, pentagonal-shaped plan with an inner courtyard and is interesting for its multi-functionality. It is not just an ordinary hotel with the necessary number of rooms and facilities, but a real example of “urban architecture”.

The monumental character of the building is well expressed also in its façade solutions.

Three out of five façades are equally imposing: one leading to Abovyan Street, another to the semi – circular Aznavour Square and a third one to former Mosque Street, which doesn't exist today. These three fronts of the hotel are very rich in architectural elements (balconies, loggias, arches, window frames), especially the section of the main entrance of the hotel, of the stores on Abovyan Street and of the restaurant. The other two bare façades overlook the courtyards of ordinary blocks of the city.

◂ Ground floor layout of the hotel by architect Nikoghayos Buniatyan ▴ Entrance hall mirror

85 years of history

The design of the façades is notable for the elegant combination of materials of various colors and textures. The architectural elements such as cornices and window frames made of black tuff stone are in contrast with the basalt binding and the wall covered with brick-colored plaster, so beautifully combined by the architect.

The main emphasis of the hotel's design, however, lies at the corner section of Abovyan Street and Aznavour Square. Here, on the four floors of the building are accommodated the grand spaces of the hotel: the oval entrance hall with the monumental and dynamic volume of the main staircase and the two luxurious halls on the upper floors. Compliant with the rules of classical architecture, this functionally important section has a façade which is emphasized by its scale, texture and decorations. The façade of the ground floor hallway, unlike the lateral façades has got a complete basalt binding. The loggia of the main two-level hall above the hallway is decorated with a monumental ionic colonnade, whereas the balcony of a similar oval hall on the top of the fourth floor is enriched with an elegant railing.

◂ Sections of the entrance hall by architect Nikoghayos Buniatyan ▴ Main entrance door

85 years of history

At the very beginning, the four-storey building had 78 rooms, ten of them were deluxe and one was a dormitory with 15 beds. Archival documents inform us that 5 deluxe rooms and 36 ordinary rooms were occupied by permanent residents until the 1950s.

The rooms located on the three floors of the building were elegantly furnished. There also existed a telephone connection service in the hotel. The restaurant and the information bureau were located on the ground floor. The kitchen, the pastry shop, the wine cellar and the storehouse were in the basement. The parking was in the courtyard, while the administrative offices and the laundry were on the lower floors, on the back. The barber's and the exchange store, where foreign newspapers, magazines and souvenirs were sold, took up the entrance area. The hotel had a photographer's studio and a library as well.

â—‚ The building of Grand Hotel Yerevan at the beginning of the 1930s

85 years of history

The First Guest The first guest of the hotel was the Russian writer, critic and representative of Symbolism Andrei Bely. The hotel received its first guest when it was in a still unfinished state.

The writer visited Armenia twice, in 1928 and 1929. During both visits he stayed at the hotel.

From the travelogue of Andrei Bely, Armenia: “Higher - are the rippling hills of the cemetery…their tops are deserted – at their back is Alagyaz, covered with snow, beneath – the city lies over the river Zangu and everywhere, above anything and everything rises the mass of Ararat.

This is how Yerevan looks from the window of the yellow-pink building where we are staying – the thickest columns of the niches accompany us to the main entrance, where above the second pair of columns, the arch rises to the empty corridors, including in a quadrate run the sixty splendidly arranged rooms on all the three floors. There is a specific smell of paint, so typical of a newly built, still unfinished hotel, in which we were able to lodge only due to the recommendation of one of the Commissars of Soviet Armenia, who had reserved a room in advance.”

◂ Andrei Bely ▴ The cover of the book “Armenia” by Andrei Bely published in Russian

85 years of history

Permanent Residents Since the very day it opened, the hotel became famous for its tradition of having permanent residents. The new government of Soviet Armenia predisposed a part of the hotel to Armenian intellectuals, political and public figures who, as a consequence of the genocide and the civil war, had resided in different parts of the world and now came back to their homeland, by invitation of the state.

In a short period of time the hotel turned into a real factory of ideas and creativity, where in the 1920s - 30s the most outstanding representatives of the Armenian culture and science lived and worked.

◂ Dinner in Charents’s room: from left to right – the architect Mikayel Mazmanyan, the painter Martiros Saryan, the poet Yeghishe Charents and his wife Isabella, 1932

85 years of history

Yeghishe Charents Yeghishe Charents, one of the central figures of Armenian Futurism, was the guest who lived here longest, about 7 years. It was here, that he wrote his well-known collection of poems “The Book of the Road”. At the beginning he lived in the deluxe room 21 on the second floor, and then in a large room with a view to the mosque, its balcony overlooking Astafyan Street (now Abovyan Street). They say that the poet was often seen at the balcony by passers-by.

The room was furnished with a refined taste. The influence of both Oriental and Western styles could be felt.

From the memoirs of architect Mikayel Mazmanyan: “In the Hotel Intourist (now Grand Hotel Yerevan) Charents and I occupied each a single room.

His room was on the second floor and mine on the third, exactly above his. One evening Charents knocked on the ceiling, i.e. on the floor of my room. I went down, Saryan was there.

- Hey boy, it is my twentieth birthday today (the 20th anniversary of his literary career). Let us have a glass of cognac - said Charents.

◂ Yeghishe Charents in his hotel room, 1932 ▴ Cover of “the Book of the Road” written in the hotel and published in 1933

So we, Charents, his wife Isabella, Martiros and me, sat at the table to celebrate the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the poet's literary activity. The jubilee and the company consisting of three people marked that unique celebration over a warm, friendly chat. Charents was sad.

There are a couple of photos that remind of that unforgettable evening.”

85 years of history

Panos Terlemezyan In 1928 the Armenian painter and public figure Panos Terlemezyan returned to Yerevan from the United States. He was given a large room in the hotel which spontaneously turned into an artist studio. This particular studio often hosted writers, artists, political and public figures, most of which became the protagonists of the portraits made by the painter. During the years of his stay in the hotel a series of famous portraits of writers Aksel Bakunts, Gurgen Mahari, Azat Vshtuni, Vahram Alazyan, scientists Hrachya Acharyan, Grigor Mirza - Avagyan, actor Arman Kotikyan and composer Romanos Melikyan were created.

The writer Vahram Alazan recalls:

◂ “Ararat in the morning”, from the series of works of Panos Terlemezyan created in his hotel atelier, oil on canvas, 1938 ▴ Self-portrait of Panos Terlemezyan painted during his sojourn at the hotel, oil on canvas, 1930

“At that time, Alexander Shirvanzade and Yeghishe Charents were residing at Intourist (the name of the hotel in the years 1932-1955). A few days later Shirvanzade introduced me to the painter Terlemezyan who was an utterly hard-working man. Wasting time was not meant for him. He did not like hanging out and spending his days in cafés like others did. My wife and I often went to see him in his atelier. And each time he surprised us showing more and more new works.”

Yervand Kochar

Avetik Isahakyan

In 1939 one of the most known representatives of historical avant-garde, sculptor and painter Yervand Kochar returned from Paris. Settling in the hotel, he immediately became the Parisian face of Yerevan's bohemian circles.

The Armenian writer Avetik Isahakyan had lived in foreign countries – Germany, Turkey, Austria, Swtzerland, Italy, France, Greece - for long years. In 1936, by invitation of the Government of Armenia, he and his family moved to Yerevan.

From the memoirs of Vigen Isahakyan: “…I wanted to meet Yervand. I learnt that at dinner time he went to the restaurant of Intourist, more exactly to the small hall on the second floor, which was called “Charents Hall” as the latter was also in the habit of going there. At five o'clock I went to Intourist. The room looked oriental, with carpets, couches…I entered. Neither Kochar, nor Charents were there.”

85 years of history

From the memoirs of the writer's son Vigen Isahakyan: “… It is March 1937, my father and mother have arrived. For four months we have been living in a luxurious apartment on the second floor of the hotel Intourist. They often talked about my marriage. And I happened to get married just at the end of March 1937. The wedding was a modest dinner-party in the evening, at the hotel Intourist. The only guests were Charents and his wife, Isabella.”

Vahram Papazyan

Gurgen Mahari

One of the legendary residents of the hotel was Vahram Papazyan. The prominent actor performed in the Armenian theaters of Constantinople, Tbilisi, Baku. He appeared on the stages of The Small Theater in Moscow and The Passage Theater in St. Petersburg. In The Odeon Theater in Paris his “Otello” performed in French was acknowledged as an exclusive phenomenon of theatrical art.

After the genocide, part of Western Armenian refugees settled in present day (Eastern) Armenia. Many of them came from Van and its surroundings. Among them was the young Gurgen Achemyan, who later came to be known to the Armenian readers as Gurgen Mahari.

His contemporaries tell that his fans used to accompany him to the hotel, then they would gather in front of it and call him out by applauding and shouting, and wouldn't leave unless he turned up at the balcony.

Mahari lodged in the hotel in room 505. He became the first victim of the repression at the times of Stalin regime. He was arrested, as he himself described, over a glass of cognac, while he was in the company of famous actors Vahram Papazyan and Hrachya Nersisyan in the café of the hotel.

85 years of history

Intourist Contrary to the common opinion, the Soviet State was not closed to foreigners as much as many believed. In 1929 the USSR foreign tourism agency, called Intourist, was established. It held the exclusive right of organizing all sorts of services for the foreign tourists who visited the Soviet Union.

In 1932 a branch of Intourist agency was set up also in Yerevan. Hotel Yerevan was granted to the agency and renamed Intourist. Owing to the high quality service of the hotel, Armenia was included into the tourist routes across the Caucasus, which activated more foreign visits and international relations for the country.

The category of Intourist hotels generally corresponded to the international standards of service, which was continuously and strictly observed by the entire staff, from the maids and concierges up to the management.

The Intourist period lasted until 1955, when the hotel was returned by the agency to the Municipal Authorities of Yerevan and renamed again Hotel Yerevan. â—‚ Caucasus and Armenia tourism advertisement posters

by Intourist (1930s) Next spread: The façade of the hotel after the inclusion into Intourist group

Am, aut modit ut utem et ad modicii squibus volecae vere, saessimint audit as aut rent ut as etur? Errum ea nobitat emquam rere consectotae cus magnimillati occaepe

85 years of history

Prominent guests Since the first day of its exploitation the hotel received elite guests, journalists, famous artists, who visited Armenia in that period. In 1928 painter Georgi Yakulov, in 1935 ArmenianAmerican writer William Saroyan, French ocean explorer and traveler Jacques-Yves Cousteau, French linguist André Haudricourt – they all stayed here.

“New York Times” reporters W. Duranty and A. Dawson, “The National” reporter Louis Fisher, British archeologist Richman Brown, writers Jean-Richard Bloch (France), John Boynton Priestley (UK), George Amado (Brazil), who visited Armenia by invitation of the Government, wrote about their impressions in the visitor's book.

The hotel participated in all the important events that took place in the country. The variety of the guests has always been impressive: delegations that arrived in Yerevan for the elections of the Catholicos of the Armenian Church in 1932 and in 1945, guests participating in the celebrations of the 1000th anniversary of the Armenian epic poem “David of Sasun” in 1939, foreign delegates taking part in the Second Writers' Congress in 1946 or, for instance, such diplomatic delegations as the one of Turkish diplomats who were to leave for Moscow to partake in Stalin's funeral in 1953, were all staying in this unique hotel.

Here, in 1935, Aram Khachaturian composed the soundtrack for the first Armenian film “Pepo”, working on the piano, which was deliberately installed in Hamo Beknazaryan's – the filmmaker's room. A few years later, a legend of world cinematography, Sergei Parajanov conceived the episodes of the film “The Color of Pomegranate” right here. ◂ Well known hotel guest, film director Hamo Beknazaryan

85 years of history

Previous spread: hotel’s guest register book from 1935 – Room n.: William Saroyan (59), André Haudricourt (60), Jacques-Yves Cousteau (206) Some notorious guests of the hotel: ◂ Orientalist and longtime director of Hermitage Museum Hovsep Orbeli with film director Hamo Beknazaryan ◂ Writer William Saroyan ▴ Composer Aram Khachaturian ▸ Ocean explorer and traveller Jacques-Yves Cousteau

85 years of history

From the Visitor’s Book “I have spent three wonderful days in your luxurious hotel. Soviet Armenia was the best part of my journey. When travelers get to know your country better, I'm sure that more tourists will be coming to Armenia and it is not in doubt, that they will enjoy their trip, as I did.”

A. Dawson “New York Times” reporter “From the point of view of a foreign guest, I would like to add a couple of words about the good service in the hotel “Intourist” of Yerevan. With its endearing and cordial welcome the hotel showed such an exceptional competence that I have not seen anywhere else in the world.” ◂ Actor Arshak Harutyunyan

W. Duranty “New York Times” reporter

together with painter Georgi Yakulov and writer Alexander Shirvanzade ◂ Members of the Swedish delegation in front of the hotel in 1954 ▴ “New York Times” reporter Walter Duranty who left his impression in the guestbook in 1934

“In a beautiful car we were brought to the hotel “Intourist”, the beauty and tidiness of which can be compared with the hotel “Athenee Palace” in Bucharest.”

The delegate of Romania who arrived in Yerevan for the elections of the Catholicos of the Armenian Church

85 years of history

In 2001 the hotel was one of the main sojourn sites for those who arrived in Armenia for the celebrations of the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as a state religion. In that occasion the hotel hosted a great number of high-ranking religious leaders, representatives of Royal families and political figures.

During the music festivals held in Yerevan, famous singers, conductors and musicians such as Riccardo Muti and the members of La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, Placido Domingo, Andrea Bocelli, the musicians of the world-famous Philharmonic Orchestra of Vienna, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, etc., have all experienced the traditional hospitality of Grand Hotel Yerevan.

The hotel remains until now a long time preferred site for high-level exhibitions and conferences that usually take place in Yerevan. Especially during the principal event of the year, which is certainly the “Golden Apricot” International Film Festival, the hotel performs as the main venue for all the social activities of the event, exactly like Hotel Carlton for Cannes.

◂ Screenwriter, filmmaker Tonino Guerra at the entrance hall of the hotel ▴ Guerra’s illustrated dedication left in the hotel’s guestbook

85 years of history

Guests of the hotel during the “Golden Apricot” International Film Festival: ◂ Turkish filmmaker Fatih Akin ◂ Italian actress Claudia Cardinale ▴ Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami ▸ French actress Fanny Ardant

85 years of history

Restaurant and Café It did not take a long time for the restaurant of the hotel to become one of the favorite places of Yerevan residents. It is interesting that at the beginning there were separate halls of the restaurant for foreigners and locals.

Every evening a trio of piano, violin and cello played in the restaurant. A folk instruments group also performed here several times a month. In the 1930s a dancing pair appeared together with the trio and moreover they didn't dance on stage, but in the hall, encouraging the visitors to join in with them. The restaurant had a rich daily menu.

The first director of the restaurant was A. Goldstein who came from the famous Goldstein family of restaurant owners in Odessa, Ukraine. Later Mr. Avetik – the owner of the café “Simpatia” in Tbilisi, replaced him. He appeared in the first Armenian film and would always point it out when chatting with the visitors.

Previous spread: the wooden adjunct structure of the café of the hotel in the 1940’s ◂ Armenian intellectuals at the open-air café of the hotel: on the left – actor Mher Mkrtchyan talking to sculptor Yervand Kochar

The restaurant of the hotel was one of the favorite places of the capital's intellectuals: writers, scientists, artists used to dine here. They mostly came here with their families and this made the restaurant a sort of a specific dinner place, with children, women and intimate talks amongst the tables. During those years, the restaurant seemed to be more a club: each visitor had his/her permanent seat and each waiter served his permanent customer.

The wedding party of Yeghishe Charents and Isabella took place in this restaurant. Singer Shara Talyan, who was a guest, amazed all the others with his songs.

85 years of history

In this restaurant Avetik Isahakyan celebrated his son Vigen's wedding. The only guests were Charents and Isabella.

The café of the hotel, called “Baghdasar Aghpar” also used to be popular. Gurgen Mahari recalled that the name derived from Dr. Baghdasaryan who was also a play-writer and took the whole responsibility of redecorating one of the rooms of the restaurant and turning it into a café. A café that was run so perfectly that met all the strictest requirements of the hotel.

Later the same café moved into a wooden annexe to the building and worked until 1948.

Since the 1960s, a new, open-air café adjacent to the restaurant got started and immediately became the place where the intellectuals of Yerevan would gather.

From the memoirs of Vigen Isahakyan: “It was summer, unbearable hot. We were sitting in the open-air café of the hotel Intourist, next to the House of Artists – a truly free area of not “free” Yerevan of those days. The favorite place of Kochar, Shiraz, Frunzik Mkrtchyan, Sherents, Ararat Barseghyan, Hovhannes Avagyan, Kaytsuni, Gen, mine and of all our young artists of that time….”

◂ Film director and artist Sergei Parajanov at the open-air café of the hotel

85 years of history

Grand Hotel Yerevan today In 1998 a new stage began in the hotel's life. The Italian company Renco became the new owner of the hotel, which was closed to the guests for two years as reconstruction works started immediately.

In the result of the overall renovation, more comfort was added to the hotel's classic style, but the soul and the spirit of Buniatyan's project remained untouched.

Painter Ruben Ghevondyan's frescoes, reflecting traditional Armenian ornaments and historical episodes, replaced the previous interior decoration that was done during the renovation made in the 1960s and very damaged in the years.

Since 2004 the hotel has been a member of Golden Tulip international hotel chain and in 2013, on the occasion of its 85th anniversary, it joined the Royal Tulip high class hotels club of the same family, by changing its name to Grand Hotel Yerevan to mark the oldest hospitality tradition in Yerevan.

â—‚ The winter garden of the hotel

Façade design made for the renovation of the hotel in the 1990s by “Khoran” architectural studio

85 years of history

85 years of history

Photographic credits State Museum of History of Armenia National Gallery of Armenia Museum of Literature and Art after Yeghishe Charents National Archive of Armenia Memorial Museum of Yeghishe Charents Archive of the Grand Hotel Yerevan Archive of “Khoran� architectural studio Zaven Sargsyan's personal archive