Angel Hotel, Cardiff facts for kids
The Angel Hotel is a famous hotel in the heart of Cardiff, Wales. It stands on a busy corner near Cardiff Castle. This hotel has a long and interesting past, going back to at least the 1700s. For many years, it has been one of Cardiff's most important hotels. Many famous people, including prime ministers and celebrities, have stayed there.
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A Look Back: The Angel Hotel's History
The Angel Hotel has a very old history. Some people say it started in Cardiff as early as 1666. We know for sure it was around in the 1700s. Back then, it was on Angel Street, right across from Cardiff Castle.
The First Angel Hotel
Around 1782, a man named John Bradley ran the hotel. His family was known for horse racing. Mr. Bradley also managed the post office and mail for Cardiff. The Angel Hotel was the main stop for mail coaches. These coaches traveled daily from London and Bristol.
Building a New and Bigger Hotel
About a hundred years later, the road in front of Cardiff Castle needed to be wider. So, a new, bigger hotel was planned. This new hotel would replace the old Angel Hotel and another hotel called the Cardiff Arms Hotel. The land for the new building was bought from the Marquess of Bute.
The new Angel Hotel was designed by Mr. C. J. Jackson. It was built in a grand 'English Renaissance' style. All the red bricks used came from the Bute Estate Brickworks. The building cost over £20,000 to build. It was fully ready for guests by July 1883. The Marquess of Bute even designed the hotel's new logo. It showed an angel holding the Cardiff coat of arms, combining symbols from the two older hotels.
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The new hotel had a large entrance at its main corner. It featured 76 bedrooms, several bars, and a billiard room. A tall, hexagonal hall inside let in lots of sunlight. This light came from a glass roof. The main dining room on the first floor offered amazing views. It looked out over the countryside around Cardiff. This room also had a balcony. It was meant for local politicians to speak to people after being elected.
The original Angel Hotel building was later used as offices. In the 1930s, its old front wall fell down during repairs. It was rebuilt to look just like the original. Even though it was a copy, it became a Grade II listed building in 1975. This means it is protected for its historical importance.
The Hotel During Wartime
During the First World War in 1917, the hotel was taken over by the US Navy. It was even given a new name for a short time: USS Chattanooga.
Famous Guests and Moments
The new Angel Hotel continued to be a popular place. Many important people, including politicians and celebrities, stayed there. Famous guests included Greta Garbo and The Beatles. Actor Anthony Perkins also stayed at the hotel.
Sporting Connections and Rugby History
The Angel Hotel has strong ties to sports. The Glamorgan County Cricket Club was started at a meeting in the hotel in 1888. Until 1967, the club played its home games nearby.
The hotel is also very close to famous rugby union grounds. These include Cardiff Arms Park and the Millennium Stadium. Because of this, it was a favorite place for visiting rugby teams to stay. In 1972, there was an incident after a match. A player from the New Zealand All Blacks team, Keith Murdoch, was involved in a disagreement at the hotel. He was sent home from the tour after this event.
The Angel Hotel Today
In the 1990s and 2000s, many new hotels were built in Cardiff. The Angel Hotel was still important, but it faced more competition. It had a big update in 2000 to keep it modern.
In 2012, Jo McElveen became the General Manager. She had started working at the hotel 14 years earlier as a waitress. This shows how people can grow in their careers.
Today, the Angel Hotel is part of The Cairn Collection. It has 102 bedrooms. It continues to welcome guests to Cardiff.
