Carmen Bucher Wirth’s life is the stuff of hotel legend, and it was only fitting that she would be named HOTELS’ Indepdent Hotelier of the World in 1992. The New York-born, Geneva-educated Bucher was born into a Swiss hotel family, and she married into one, too. Her husband, Oscar Wirth, was co-owner of the Hassler Hotel in Rome, a 5-star luxury property at the top of Rome’s Spanish Steps.
In 1968, when Oscar died suddenly, the mother of two teenage boys decided to take the reins and run the hotel herself. At the time she was honored in 1992, her son Roberto was general manager and her son Peter was executive director of the Waldorf Towers in New York. Roberto, who continues to run the Hassler today, was HOTELS’ Independent Hotelier of the World in 2005.
The Wirths were independent hoteliers at a time when it was becoming harder and harder to find family-run luxury properties, but under her direction, the Hassler thrived as a home away from home to American presidents, European royalty, actors, writers and other well-to-do travelers. According to her obituary in the New York Times, she was friendly with the guests, greeting them by name and requiring that all hotel staff did the same.
With its stunning views, historic pedigree and exclusive restaurant, the Hassler remains a classic luxury hotel today. Mrs. Wirth died in Rome at age 88 in 2001.
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