Hotel Vendome

By: Danielle Steel

Narrated by: Fred Stella

The hotel was old, run-down. But to Swiss-born Hugues Martin, a young, ambitious hotelier trained in the most illustrious European traditions, it is a rough diamond, tucked away on a quiet, perfectly situated Manhattan street. After begging and borrowing every penny he can scrape together, Hugues purchases the building - and transforms it into one of the world’s finest luxury hotels.

Under Hugues’s tireless, exacting supervision, the Hotel Vendôme is soon renowned for its elegance, its efficiency, its unparalleled service and discretion - the ideal New York refuge for the rich and famous, as well as a perfect home for Hugues’s beautiful young wife and their daughter. But when his wife runs off with a notorious rock star, Hugues is suddenly a single parent to four-year-old Heloise - who will grow up happily regardless, amid a fascinating milieu of celebrities, socialites, politicians, world travelers, and the countless hotel employees who all adore her.

As the years pass, Hugues and the hotel are the center of Heloise’s life, a universe of unexpected mysteries and pleasures, crises and celebrations that make every day magical. She longs to follow in her father’s footsteps and one day run the Vendôme with him. New challenges mark her way: an unexpected romance for Hugues and her own journey to hotel school in Switzerland. The lessons she has learned at her father’s side, in their exciting upstairs-downstairs world, will carry her through it all, as they illuminate a story no listener will forget.

Welcome to the Hotel Vendôme.

©2011 Danielle Steel (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

The Generations linked together

Liked all of it. What was their not to like? Can‘t think of anything else to say

Hotel Vendome

Any additional comments?

Narrated by Fred Stella, Hotel Vendame is about 9.5 hours of listening.

Very girly, romantic, no erotica, great reading for a teenaged girl. Typical of Steel, there is considerable repetitiveness and you may roll your eyes and giggle at some mushy scenes and phrases. You may also grit your teeth a bit with regard to the wimpy lead male character … his foolish attitude, in addition to that of his selfish daughter. This issue had me stop reading (listening) a few times, and I actually hit fast-forward through some sections that were blood-pressure raising in tedium. Also typical of Steel books, you’ll have no trouble turning the page, however predictable the tale.

The story is well narrated, no trouble determining who-is-talking-to-who. This particular production, a Brilliance Audio released 11-01-11, had a bit of an audio problem, volume fading on occasion, but it was listenable.

If you are a fan of the genrè and the Danielle Steel diehard romantic prose, you’ll enjoy.

Love this one

I really enjoyed this book there was a lot happening slightly unbelievable the main character brings up his daughter alone and is too frightened to tell her he wants a life of his own when she is an adult. However I did enjoy it very much.

Hotel Vendome

A love story of three couples who find each other in the chaos of a small hotel.

It was like all the rest!

What did you like best about Hotel Vendome? What did you like least?

The story line was predictable and she repeats phrases over and over again to the point where I wanted to scream enough!! It makes me think she has writers block and is trying to fill the pages.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

No surprise there.

Would you be willing to try another one of Fred Stella’s performances?

No! He may do a good job reading a self help book, but his lack of emotion is almost comical. It sounded at times like a few satirical Utube videos I have watched. He was very monotone and it was irritating. You would think that Ms. Steel could afford to have a female read the parts for the women.

Do you think Hotel Vendome needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No there is nothing in the story deep enough to follow up on.

A good relaxing book

What did you love best about Hotel Vendome?

It is relaxing to listen to it, the narrator is very good.

What about Fred Stella’s performance did you like?

his pronunciations of the foreign words were flawless and characters portrayals are consistent throughout the book.

Hotel Vendome

What did you love best about Hotel Vendome?

It was a great story, I love Daniel Steel books, every book is different story. It kept you interested through the whole book.

excellent story and in sites into the motel biz

the description if the back workings of the motel biz was awesone. the interpersonal relationships of a blended family was fasinating. the years passing was done skillfully.

very unhealthy story

the story is about a man and his young daughter, that gets left by his wife for another man raises her by himself never allows her to see that he has other relationships and then whenever he finds the one she completely comes undone. I find it unhealthy that a child and a parent are that dependent on each other I mean complete total codependent

Great pastime

What made the experience of listening to Hotel Vendome the most enjoyable?

It is a perfect staff for relaxation. I call it a "brain candy."

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

No need. The story serves relaxation purpose perfectly.

Which character – as performed by Fred Stella – was your favorite?

All are pretty nice.