In addition to being one of the most celebrated hotel guests of all time, Wilde’s influence on hospitality is far reaching. For fans, here’s where to stay …
L’Hôtel, Paris
Spending his final night in what’s now called the Oscar Wilde Suite on November 30, 1900, the hotel has long been a celebrity haunt – and a favourite of Jonathan Anderson – thanks to its old world opulence created by interior designer Jacques Garcia. The Art Deco Mistinguette Suite is also a gem. Enjoy live jazz music monthly at the iconic bar with Le 13s, a champagne cocktail made with violet liqueur and lime.
The Mayfair Townhouse
Overlooking London’s Green Park, The Mayfair Townhouse comprises 15 connected Georgian buildings on Half Moon Street – once the setting for Wilde’s most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest. Built in 1730, fictional characters such as Algernon Moncreiff and Bertie Wooster in PG Wodehouse’s comedies resided here. Remaining true to this playful spirit, interior designers Goddard Littlefair combined a contemporary Georgian style with English eccentricities. In The Dandy Bar, edged in gilt and lit by chandeliers, the cocktails are inspired by Wilde’s life. Order Mr Bosie named after Wilde’s lover or a coupe of AR Lenoble Brut Champagne, his favourite.
Wilde Aparthotels
The premium brand of Dublin-based StayCity Group, Wilde Aparthotels are inspired by Oscar’s wit and style, and provide the ideal base for weekend stays in Cambridge, Vienna and Lisbon. They offer the perfect combination: the freedom of your own apartment with hotel comforts. The interior design incorporates Irish art and quotes from its namesake.
The Mont, Dublin
Across the road from the house where Oscar Wilde grew up and Merrion Square where his memorial sculpture by Danny Osborne can be seen from some of its guest bedrooms, these suites and guest rooms are decidedly Modernist, with industrial influences as seen in the Sin Bin bar and Speranza restaurant (Lady Jane Wilde’s revolutionary pseudonym).
L’oscar, London
In the lobby of this opulent hotel, guests are greeted by two large Art Nouveau figurative sculptures, while on the walls Wilde’s effervescent spirit is captured in a series of photographs and portraits. The art collection is one of its notable features, especially works by John Godward such as “With Violets Wreathed” and “Saffron Robes”. Housed within an Edwardian Baroque building, the 39 bedrooms were designed by Jacques Garcia in jewel tones with plenty of Art Deco flourishes and birds-and-butterflies motifs.
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London
This hotel first opened in 1887, in a prime location on the corner of Sloane Street and Pont Street. Former residents included Oscar Wilde and the actress Lillie Langtry, who have been honoured in its contemporary redesign by Belmond hotel group. Oscar would have approved of the dazzling details – especially a peacock made from 25,000 Swarovski crystals (he loved peacocks), the library of books (curated by John Sandoe) and artworks by young artists. He famously lived in room 118 where he would gather with friends for a cigar or a late-night soirée. The same room was the site of his infamous arrest, immortalised in John Betjeman’s 1937 poem, “The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan”. The room now forms part of the Royal Suite – just the ticket for a blow-out stay if emulating Oscar’s mantra, “To live is the rarest thing in the world.”
Other notable mentions:
The Old Parsonage, Oxford is where Wilde stayed when he was suspended from Oxford University over his outrageous behaviour. The boutique hotel is charming and quirky, and is a sister to the Old Bank Hotel, also in the city.
London’s Savoy Hotel, specifically rooms 360 and 362, where Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas carried out their scandalous relationship that led to Wilde’s eventual demise. It still retains the whiff of luxury and sex appeal. Who doesn’t want to have a date here?
Wilde apparently fell in love with the The Grand Hotel Timeo in Sicily where he wrote on its Literary Terrace overlooking Taormina. The view inspired other writers such as DH Lawrence, Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote.
The Wilder Dublin, named after Wilde, is one of my favourite boutique hotels in the city where the dapper décor pays tribute to Oscar’s love of elegance.
