Born in 1850 in a small village in Switzerland, César Ritz used his creativity and innovative spirit to write hospitality history. Working hard in the restaurant and hotel industry, he was able to move up the ranks. Intelligent, agile, eager to learn, and decisive, he was the master of difficult situations and was known for his incredible memory of guests and their needs.

He famously coined the phrase, “The customer is never wrong."

He went on to manage and buy hotels, always introducing bold innovations. His most prestigious accomplishment was creating and running the Ritz Paris Hotel, an unprecedented example of comfort and elegance. It was there he met his lifelong friend and business partner Chef Auguste Escoffier.

César Ritz was a pioneer, who thought outside the box to create standards of service and excellence that defined and invented the luxury hospitality industry. That entrepreneurial spirit guides our entire experience, from the ambition of our students, to the way we nurture the next generation of visionaries.