AsiaSpa - July-August 2017

Writer Kate Whitehead

If walls could talk...

T

he very nature of hotels lends
them to mystery and intrigue. These
temporary homes of the rich and
famous – and anyone who can afford it –
have seen plenty of exciting dramas play
out over the years. It’s fun to walk down
the same corridors, perhaps even share the
same pillows, as the big names in history.
I never met the late North Korean leader
Kim Jong-il, nor was it high on my agenda,
but a couple of years ago at a homestay on
Mt Chilbo, in hushed whispers was told by
the homeowner that the great leader had
slept in the bed I was about to sleep in. Yes,
I slept in Kim Jong-il’s bed. These remote
brushes with the once powerful, beautiful
and rich earn bragging rights among your
friends. Rubbing up against history like this

is far more fun than visiting a museum –

and certainly more comfortable – so where

should you go if you want to get up close

and personal with some exciting people and

moments from the past?

CLARIDGE’S HOTEL LONDON

Claridge’s, the grande dame of fine hotels

just off Oxford Street in London, has hosted

royalty since the very early days. In 1860,

Empress Eugenie of France stayed over

winter and entertained Queen Victoria at

the hotel. That cemented its reputation as

some very posh digs and it hasn’t looked

back. Even World War II didn’t keep the

royals away, in fact several royal families and

heads bunkered down at Claridge’s having

been exiled from their homelands.

July/August 2017 AsiaSpa 95

otels

HISTORY

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