Image of the Day: Grand Hotel Vesuvio

The end of the 19th century saw an initiative by the Italian government to renovate the most deprived areas of Naples and to build a sea-front from scratch. Grand Hotel Vesuvio was constructed in 1882 by Belgian financier Oscar du Mesnil. Two years later, the hotel hosted Queen Victoria of Sweden and her personal doctor, Axel Munthe. In 1885 Guy de Maupassant stayed at the hotel. The hotel was destroyed during World War II, but was rebuilt by 1950, and two extra floors were added.

The first famous guest from the period was President Einaudi and his wife, followed by Prince Ranier of Monaco and Grace Kelly, King Gustav of Sweden, Rita Hayworth, Errol Flynn, Gina Lollobrigida, the Nobel prizewinner Rita Levi Montalcini and many others. During the G7 summit of 1993, the hotel hosted President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary Clinton. 

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