The historic luxury hotel, which lies in an enchanting location right on the Rhine at the heart of the city,  offers a truly special journey back in time.

Born in the rainforests of Ecuador, Oldemar Zurita only discovered at the age of 12 that such a thing as civilisation existed. His ancestors were Shuar and Achuar Indians.  Today, at the age of 43, he is a father of three and one of the longest serving employees of Les Trois Rois.

«It was a wonderfully free life in the rainforest,” says Oldemar. Later, when he went to school, things started to become more complicated. His grandfather, who was a shaman, told him: «You mustn’t always think so much, my boy. Let things simply happen.” He gave him some «angel’s trumpet tea to drink and said: «“Today, you will dream about your future.” And Oldemar dreamed – of a big building with old walls and of people with blue eyes, of beautiful fabrics and soft beds. His grandfather went on to tell him: «“This is your goal; this is where you’re going to live.” Oldemar trained as a rainforest guide, met a Swiss teacher, fell in love with her, followed her back to Gerbergasse in Basel and was hired as a dishwasher at the nearest hotel. The hotel was the old «“Drei Könige” (three kings), but for Oldemar it was clear that his dream was coming true. After the distinguished building was refurbished into a hotel masterpiece between 2004 and 2006, he was allowed to stay and was given a made-to-measure lift attendant’s red uniform.