You can resist anything but temptation at London's Cadogan Hotel
Jasbir Authi spends a weekend in a luxury hotel which prides itself on a famous literary connection.
You won’t get a better checking-in story than this one.
On April 6, 1895, in room number 118 of one of London’s top hotels, Oscar Wilde, Britain’s most quotable and flamboyant playwrights was arrested, while sipping on weak hock and seltzer.
He was charged with “committing acts of gross indecency” and after being found guilty, served two years’ hard labour.
The events of that day were recorded forever by the poet laureate John Betjeman in his outpouring, The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel.
Fast forward 105 years, and today, guests can get a glimpse into the decadent world of Wilde and his scandalous social circle at the four-star Edwardian Cadogan, just off Sloane Square in Central London.
The beautiful first-floor suite, where his infamous arrest took place, is reached by a clattering old iron elevator with shutters, which evoke memories of a time gone by.
Guests can pamper themselves with the luxury smellies in the big gleaming bathroom or don a smoking jacket favoured by Wilde, which hangs in the wardrobe in the separate dressing area and relax – should you wish to be a true gentleman.
The bedroom has long bay windows which overlook Sloane Street and is furnished with velvet-edged bouclé bedspreads, cotton-twill upholstered chairs and a period radio.
In the morning, guests occupying the front-facing bedrooms can wake up to the sounds of horse-drawn carriages trotting by from nearby barracks.
If the suite is unavailable, all the other rooms and suites boast LCD TV, electronic in-room safe, bathroom goodies, high-speed internet, DVD player, and mini bar.
