75 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SG, United Kingdom
This majestic hotel is located in one of the most prestigious districts of London – Belgravia. It occupies a beautiful old mansion dating back to 1887, which has a long history. The hotel rooms are designed in a modern style: bright colors, stylish furniture, and an abundance of natural light define their fresh and elegant appearance. The hotel is surrounded by numerous boutiques and shops; nearby is the world-famous Harrod’s department store. In short, staying at The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London, is the perfect choice for those who value comfort and royal treatment. The hotel is situated in the city center, in Chelsea, and throughout its existence has hosted many prominent guests.
The hotel soon found itself at the center of the most notoriously imprudent acts of Victorian society. Within the walls of this grandest of London’s West End hotels, distinguished members of society gathered, causing a storm in the social scene.
Socialite, courtesan, and actress Lillie Langtry lived at 21 Pont Street from 1890 to 1897, with eight servants. Even after she sold the house, Lillie remained in her old bedroom, which by then had become part of the hotel. It was at The Cadogan that Lillie cared for Edward, the future King of England. Today, her suite still preserves the original staircase and mosaic floor, which serve as a private entrance for some guests staying at the hotel.
The most famous guest of the hotel was Oscar Wilde. The renowned writer always stayed in room 118 and met there with his lover, Alfred Douglas, the son of the Marquis of Queensberry. The public relationship between the son and a man 16 years his senior infuriated the Marquis, who accused Wilde of sodomy. Wilde sued for libel but soon withdrew his claim. Then the Marquis filed a countersuit to protect his reputation, and on April 6, 1895, Wilde was arrested – the arrest took place right in room 118, where he calmly awaited the police, making no attempt to escape.
The subsequent story is well known: Wilde was sentenced to two years for “gross indecency,” his reputation and finances were ruined, and after serving his sentence, the writer moved to France, changed his name, and died in 1900 at the age of 46. Since the trial concerned libel and reputation protection, Alfred Douglas was not held accountable. Ultimately, Wilde was sentenced to two years of hard labor in Reading Gaol. Despite the tragic end to Oscar Wilde’s life, the Cadogan Hotel does not keep that story a secret. In the renovated hotel, the writer’s room was renumbered to 101, but the historic number 118 was preserved on the door. According to Klaus Kabelitz, the general manager of Belmond Cadogan Hotel, it is now the most beautiful of the hotel’s 54 rooms.
Today, the hotel offers Oscar Wilde fans the chance to spend a weekend in the style of their favorite writer. Guests are invited to stay in the legendary room, which features apartments furnished in 19th-century style, along with the writer’s favorite champagne — pink Perrier-Jouët.
Sources:
http://pro-books.ru/node/5053#ixzz8TVJHtGPY
https://www.vedomosti.ru/lifestyle/characters/2019/12/27/819566-cadogan-hotel
