London's Grosvenor Hotel revels in a risque link to the past
London’s oldest railway hotel is these days exciting the interest not only of travellers keen to enjoy its now completed refurbishment, but of amateur historians.The Grosvenor Hotel, near Victoria Station, has revealed its past connection to one of the most risqué residents of 1870s London - the scandalous Miss Cora Pearl.
A lady notorious with ‘entertaining’ only the highest members of society, including royalty, Cora Pearl was one of the most feted courtesans of her time. In the 1870s the young hedonist booked a suite at The Grosvenor Hotel, but was refused entry when its owner discovered the details of her illicit and hedonistic lifestyle.
These days there is perhaps less prejudice against celebrities with hedonistic lifestyles (and there are an awful lot of them about) but the Grosvenor has had more than just a change of heart.
On February 23 - the date of Cora’s birthday – the hotel unveiled its new, Parisian-inspired ‘Cora Pearl Suite’, in homage to its once infamous visitor.
The ‘Courtesan’s Boudoir’ has drawn its inspiration from the opulent French interior styling of the late 1800s. On the second floor - where the most expensive rooms were originally located - the spacious room features a stunning two-foot high oil painting of Cora herself, looking out haughtily over the double bed. Glass chandeliers, feather trimmed lamps, an overstated dressing table, custom made floor fittings and silver finished French inspired furniture round off the effect.
The focal point of the Suite is a splendid free standing bath tub on a marble plinth - a replica of the personally engraved, bronze bath that Cora had specially cast for her in Paris which she filled with vintage champagne in which to bathe with her admirers.
London's Grosvenor Hotel revels in a risque link to the past
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