# Félix Babylon — The Grand Babylon Hotel character guide

> Félix Babylon in The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Félix Babylon, Mr. Babylon, Babylon, little Félix

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-millionaire-and-the-waiter

## Snapshot

The elusive owner of the Grand Babylon, a man of expensive tastes who sells only on terms and never grants interviews by accident.

## Who they are

Babylon built the hotel's kitchens into a wonder of Europe and keeps himself as carefully curated as his Louis XV room. He refuses to be party to a middleman's secret profit, and he agrees to sell to Racksole only on the condition that the property not be transferred to a limited company. His wary, watchful ownership sets the terms on which the whole mystery unfolds.

## Relationships

### [Theodore Racksole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/theodore_racksole)

_professional_

Félix Babylon is the hotel's owner, and Theodore Racksole is a wealthy guest and later business associate.

### [Nella Racksole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/nella_racksole)

_social_

Félix Babylon and Nella Racksole are polite acquaintances, interacting as hotel owner and guest.

### [Jules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/jules)

_professional_

Félix Babylon employs Jules as a waiter, though Jules's loyalty is questionable.

### [Theodore Racksole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/theodore_racksole)

_professional_

Félix Babylon is the hotel's owner, and Theodore Racksole is a wealthy guest and later business associate.

### [Theodore Racksole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/theodore_racksole)

_professional_

Félix Babylon is the hotel's owner, and Theodore Racksole is a wealthy guest and later business associate.

### [Nella Racksole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/nella_racksole)

_social_

Félix Babylon and Nella Racksole are polite acquaintances, interacting as hotel owner and guest.

### [Jules](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/jules)

_professional_

Félix Babylon employs Jules as a waiter, though Jules's loyalty is questionable.

### [Nella Racksole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/nella_racksole)

_social_

Félix Babylon and Nella Racksole are polite acquaintances, interacting as hotel owner and guest.

## In the story

### [I: The Millionaire and the Waiter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/i-the-millionaire-and-the-waiter)

The proprietor of the Grand Babylon, referred to as 'Babs' by Jules, Miss Spencer, and Rocco.

### [How Mr. Racksole Obtained His Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/ii-how-mr-racksole-obtained-his-dinner)

The original owner of the Grand Babylon Hotel, who sells the establishment to Racksole after a brief negotiation.

### [At Three A.M.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/iii-at-three-a-m)

Spends the evening with Racksole discussing hotel operations, praises Racksole's aptitude, and mentions the upcoming visit of the Grand Duke.

### [Entrance of the Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/iv-entrance-of-the-prince)

Babylon discusses the hotel purchase with Racksole, comments on Jules's dismissal, and reflects on his own lack of friends.

### [Rocco and Room No. 111](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/xii-rocco-and-room-no-111)

Mentioned as having installed the hotel's kitchens three years prior.

### [The Return of Félix Babylon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/xxi-the-return-of-f-lix-babylon)

Returns to the Grand Babylon after a period away; shares a meal with Racksole and reveals he saw Jules in Paris and later at Charing Cross.

### [In the Wine Cellars of the Grand Babylon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/xxii-in-the-wine-cellars-of-the-grand-babylon)

Former owner of the Grand Babylon, accompanies Racksole and proudly displays the wine collection.

### [Further Events in the Cellar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/xxiii-further-events-in-the-cellar)

Remains formal and cautious; restrains Nella from intervening as Jules escapes.

### [XXIX: Theodore Is Called to the Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/xxix-theodore-is-called-to-the-rescue)

Has breakfast with Theodore Racksole and discusses hotel management and wine-cellar security.

### [XXX: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/chapters/xxx-conclusion)

Repurchases the Grand Babylon Hotel from Racksole at the original price.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters/felix_babylon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_grand_babylon_hotel_se/characters