Do you ever look at your hotel bed and wonder who might have slept there before? Most of the time, well, it’s not something to dwell on too long. But what if some of the world’s greatest inventions, books, songs and films had been conjured up staring at the very same ceiling? Or a starlet’s false eyelashes were still lurking behind the bedhead?

Here are 5 European hotels with histories to really impress you dinner party guests — after all, who’s to say you didn’t sleep with royalty…

1. Piece de resistance - De Crillon Hotel, Paris

If the walls could talk they’d fill the tabloids for months! The 360 year old De Crillon Hotel Paris has seen it all — from King Louis XVI’s haircut from the neck up on the front lawn during the French Revolution, to guests inclding the Queens of pop and film, Madonna and Meryl Streep - not to mention German high command HQ during the WWII occupation of France.

Soak up the wonderful blend of “à la française” lifestyle and 21st-century luxury in the Louis XV styled rooms, bars and restaurants overlooking le magnifique Place de la Concorde.

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2. Sweets, stables and scribes -  Sacher Hotel Vienna

Indulge in a heavenly dessert while lapping up the vibrant history of Vienna at the beautiful Sacher Hotel Vienna. Since opening in 1876, the property’s mouthwatering Sacher-Torte has been devoured by Charlie Chaplin, Elizabeth Taylor and countless other sweet-toothed celebs. Every inch of the hotel is rather mouthwatering, despite the fact that the Russians kept their horses in the bar for a while after WW2.

So impressive, in fact, that the property has starred in many a TV series, and author Graham Greene conjured up the plot for his iconic thriller The Third Man whilst on a stay.

Visit the hotel spa for a rich chocolate body wrap and cacao bean peeling massage — and look fittingly delicious for an evening at the State Opera across the road.

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3. Blondes, Bonds, Beatles and Braniacs - The Savoy, London

Adored by German geniuses and Hollywood hotties alike, it can’t be The Savoy’s dashing top hatted doormen alone that keep the rich and famous coming back for more.

Since opening in 1889, the art deco London legend has welcomed the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Steisand, Humphrey Bogart, The Beatles and Albert Einstein, as well as playing backdrop to scenes from that come-hither thriller, Entrapment.

Sir Sean actually has more than one link to the property - Ian Fleming wrote that this was 007′s favourite hotel for a feed. Maybe the 25000 bottles of champagne popped and 830 kg caviar eaten each year had something to do with it.

But that’s just the beginning of The Savoy gourmand ride. You can enjoy modern French cuisine and Sunday jazz lunch at the Riverside Restaurant - or see what anger-management-posterboy Gordon Ramsay is serving up at the Savoy Grill.

In 2007, the whole place underwent an extreme makeover and doesn’t look a day over 90 (in the most sparkling art-deco way, that is).

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4. Hotel of hard knocks - Grand Baglioni Hotel Florence

The Grand Baglioni Hotel Florence has braved the ravages of both war and nature to emerge gleaming with historic elegance.

Based on a prince’s mansion from the mid 1800s, it opened as hotel in 1903 and reigned supreme until WW2 when Italian snipers enjoyed the view from the terrace, before it was nearly flattened by the allied forces. Rebuilt a few years later, it was then completely flooded in 1966.

However, after a comeback bigger and far more elegant than Lazareth, the hotel now symbolises the best of Florence past and present - romantic summer evening meals atop the rooftop, gorgeous rooms fitted with leaded windows and hand-crafted wooden furnishings, along with the modern wonders of satellite TV and wi-fi.

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5.  Presidents, peace-prize winners and a load of bull - Hotel Wellington, Madrid

At  just 60 years old, we imagine the Hotel Wellington constantly has to listen to the four old boys above go on about, “Back in my day…” and, “That’s the trouble with youthful hotels, no respect…”

However, with an eclectic mix of famous guests and a place secured in both Madrid and Spanish history, this 1952 gem is definitely worthy of tourist bedding bragging rights.

Maybe you’ll bump into Adrien Brody or Matt Damon in the lift, or French President France Nicholas Sarkozy propping up the bar as he gets a few economics tips from tea-totalling Nobel Peace Laureate, Muhammad Yunus.

Or for something juicier, ask the staff for the dirt on Hemingway’s exploits during his heyday or the Spanish royal wedding hosted on-site in 2005.

Last, but certainly not least, keep your eye out for swarthy matadors who stay, eat and drink at the hotel thanks to its bullfighting reverence and roots — not to mention the delicious home made pastries.

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