This dissertation thoroughly analyses how the Esplanade Hotel influenced the hospitality industry in Croatia and Europe. The Esplanade Hotel, as a reputable establishment situated in Zagreb, has a lasting tradition that is inseparable from the evolution of the hospitality and catering industry both in Croatia and throughout Europe, and as such it has been a recognisable symbol of the city of Zagreb to the extent that there is almost impossible to find a single citizen of Zagreb who is not familiar with the hotel and its significance. The dissertation emphasises that the hospitality industry cannot be perceived only in the context of provision of lodging and catering services, but that it should be observed within a much broader tourism and historical context. The goal of the dissertation is to research and demonstrate the significance and role of the Esplanade Hotel in the context of hospitality industry in Croatia and abroad, but with its contribution from the very beginnings of the hotel as the focal point. Additionally, by analysing the relevant examples, the dissertation aims to prove that the Esplanade Hotel has not only served as an accommodation establishment, but it has also played an important historical role in development of the concept of the hospitality industry. The dissertation analyses the history of the hotel from its very beginnings to the present day and also provides an in-depth analysis of the hospitality services provided by the hotel. To enable the analysis, an additional research method was used in the form of interviews conducted with the current employees of the Esplanade Hotel. Following the analysis of all previously mentioned segments of the dissertation, it can be concluded that the contribution of the Esplanade Hotel to the development and quality of the hospitality industry is unique and unparalleled in Croatia.