The Victorian Lounge at the Astor Hotel in Tianjin. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The origin of the Chinese name for the Astor Hotel (Li Shun De) comes from transliteration of the name of the founder John Innocent, and a famous saying by the philosopher Meng Zi. The saying is displayed at the Astor Museum at the Astor Hotel in Tianjin. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

History cannot be repeated, and there is a hotel that strives to protect every drop of its essence. Tradition should not be ignored, and there is a hotel that vows to guard every part of its entity.

The Astor Hotel in Tianjin, part of the Luxury Collection by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, is the only hotel that's acknowledged as a cultural relic by the Chinese government. Founded in 1863 and offering only 152 guest rooms and suites, one can hardly say the Astor is grand, at least in size. But, without a doubt, it is definitely "grand"  in terms of content, significance, and, most importantly, character.

The Astor witnessed, experienced and took part in many key events in history. The tasteful classic British colonial style pays homage to the hotel's fabled heritage. Its rich history also reads like a book, each page filled with delicate emotions and cultural significances.

The Astor prides itself in being the "first" for a number of things in China. It was the building with the first swing door and the first telephone. The first elevator ever used in China is here, still in use and is often used by TV crews to shoot retrospective scenes.

The Astor is also the first hotel with its own built-in museum, displaying not only the rich history of the hotel, but also of Tianjin. Postcards on the walls leading to the museum entrance detail what life was like back then. The time-worn staircase, sometimes squeaky, but very sturdy, is still the same staircase used at the founding of the hotel. In this ever-changing world, the Astor Hotel has safeguarded its traditions, including its love for classics, and its pride for excellence in services.