The CADOGAN HOTEL: Me and Oscar Wilde


Submitted by Miguel on Sat, 06/25/2011 - 14:14

Glad to be back, fellas!  Spring season was so hectic! From parties, product launchings, galas, film festivals, trips to my shrink, weddings, meetings with fashion and travel editors.. etc etc.  But what kept me so busy, were some major negotiations with my good friends in Hollywood to start with something big... Hint: Television!  I'll update you as soon as we are about to launch it.

 

Back to work…

 

Recently, my partner and I were in London to attend a wedding, yes "That Wedding".  To stay away from those boisterous "sneaker-wearing-with-white-socks-tourists",  we opted to stay in a hotel that could guarantee us privacy yet in an exclusive area. Thus, I found the historic CADOGAN HOTEL.   The hotel hosted some historical iconic-guests like King Edward, Lillie Langtry and Oscar Wilde to name a few.  Moreover, the Cadogan hotel is named as one of the ten best historic hotels  by Trivago for providing first class service and historical charm.

 

The hotel is situated at a prestigious Knightsbridge address; a SW1 hotel on one of London's premier streets,  Sloane Street.  I can just walk to my favorite shops like Harvey Nichols, Dior, Hermés, Jaeger, Valentino, Shanghai Tang and so forth. Plus my favorite restaurant is just around the corner too, The BOTANIST.

 

The hotel offers the timeless elegance that gives a distinctive ambiance everywhere in the hotel. Though it is a small hotel (65 beautifully decorated rooms), the staff has  grand ways on how to pamper each guest they encounter.  And I do love their "antique elevator"!

 

Room 118

Cadogan Hotel gracious staff greeted me as soon as my partner and I checked-in. They knew that I will be attending "the wedding".  So they made sure everything was in order. To make my trip more memorable, they offered me to stay in one of the famous suites of the the hotel,  Room 118, The Oscar Wilde Room.  This is the same suite where Oscar Wilde stayed during his "wild days". Same place where he got arrested for gross indecency (thank god history did not repeat itself!, lol). 

As I entered the room, a courteous staff poured a glass of Perrier Jouet champagne (my fav and apparently Oscar Wilde's too!) to quench my thirst. (Finished  the whole bottle in less than 30 min, Yes, I was that thirsty!,lol). 

The velvet headboard is so divine and compliments the huge comfortable bed. The pillows made me sleep like a baby, so comfy and soft! 

 

 

Framed letters written by Mr. Wilde himself decorate the subtle walls of the historic suite.  The three enormous panoramic windows overlook the chic Sloane street. Such a delight just to gaze outside.

The LCD TV kept me informed about the "sidelights" of the pre-wedding stuff.

The "Zen Zone bathroom" made me feel so relaxed after a long night of partying with David, Victoria, Lady Sarah, Sir James and Sir Ian.

 

 

 

The following day, I got tons of emails from friends and the press asking me how the wedding was, thanks to the RJ45 high-speed bandwidth, I was able to download, 142 emails, yes 142, in flash!  To their disappointment, I did not give any details as per the newlyweds specific request.

 

My very own "royal evening"

One my second evening, my partner and I just opted to stay in the hotel (since tons of tourists still roam the city and the paps were everywhere!).  So we tried one of the hotel's pride, The Langtry's Restaurant.  As I entered, I was in awe with the grand decor. The subtle modern furnishings compliment the sophisticated and elegant  historic dining room.  For me, those enchanting chandeliers and those ravishing chairs give it a "royal and romantic" ambiance. 

 

 

Langtry's Head Chef Oliver Lesnik dishes are fit to be served to Kings and Queens! 

For the first course, I indulged myself in a Carpaccio of Scotch beef fillet with celeriac remoulade and a raspberry reduction. Then followed by a luscious caramelized scallop, sweet potato purée, mango salsa with light curry froth: OMG, I luv this dish!

As if I was not that stuffed yet, being a sweet tooth, I ordered roast peaches on brioche with black pepper ice cream… yes BLACK PEPPER ICE CREAM: TDF, fellas!

They make each guest of the Langtry Restaurant feel like royalty by creating such exquisite dishes, Bravo to you Chef Oliver and your team!

 

Unfortunately, I had only 2 nights to experience what the Cadogan could offer. For my next trip to London, I am going to relive some Oscar Wilde nights..(without the arrest, of course, lol)and to do some lavish shopping along Sloane Street … while staying at The Cadogan Hotel.