April 10 to 14 marks the 101st anniversary of the Titanic’s voyage — from its Southampton launch to its North Atlantic collision — and the return of Titanic Commemoration Week at Dallas’ Hôtel St. Germain. The five-day commemoration is the ultimate getaway for history buffs, though anyone who enjoys a good champagne bar and a lavish brunch will find smooth sailing here.
The long weekend kicks off with the champagne bar (and hors d’oeuvres and desserts) tonight and tomorrow evening. Friday and Saturday bring formal dinners at Hôtel St. Germain Restaurant, where each guest will choose a ticket printed with a Titanic survivor’s name. Stories of the harrowing journey follow, along with White Star cocktails and a four-course meal adapted from a 1912 Titanic menu — starting with oysters Rockefeller and ending with Waldorf pudding parfait. After Sunday brunch (eggs Benedict and more champagne), Hôtel St. Germain will screen A Night to Remember and Raise the Titanic.
Tickets to each event are sold separately, so guests and other visitors may choose activities à la carte. But perhaps the weekend’s main event is viewing the hotel’s collection of Titanic artifacts, which has grown about 20 percent since last year’s Titanic Week. Among the pieces on display: a scale model of the ship; archival photos; press clippings; court documents; vintage telegraph instruments such as those from the Titanic’s Marconi Telegraph room; and White Star china and silverware, some of which was in service on the Titanic’s sister ship, Olympic.
The antique-filled Hôtel St. Germain, built in 1906 as a private residence, is the perfect backdrop for remembering the Titanic. With white-glove service, white-columned guest room balconies and a New Orleans-style courtyard, it’s also a lovely place to spend the weekend — any weekend.
Photos courtesy of Hôtel St. Germain
