The Grand Hotel Stockholm Audio history
On a cold November morning in 1852, a young Frenchman named Regis Cadier arrived in Stockholm by boat; he had travelled from Saint Petersburg, where he had worked as a chef for a Russian named Jakov Andrejeritj Dasijov. His employment in Russia was short-lived, lasting about one year due to the hostilities between Russia and France. Dasijov had been a demanding employer, but Regis cherished the culinary skills he had honed during his time there. As he stepped onto the icy docks in front of the palace, he felt a mix of excitement and trepidation about the new opportunities that awaited him in the vibrant Swedish capital. Prior to this, Cadier underwent culinary training in Paris at the prestigious Trois Freres Proveaux. His experiences there shaped his palate and refined his techniques, instilling a passion for blending traditional flavours with innovative presentations. Now, armed with this knowledge and a desire to make a name for himself, Regis was ready to embrace the challenges of a new culinary landscape in Stockholm.Cardier's renown preceded him, and he was swiftly appointed as one of the royal chefs in the palace.In the 1800s, Stockholm hosted a world exhibition; such events had already taken place in Paris and London. The city was buzzing, and during this time, Cardier opened a restaurant in one of the most famous hotels in the city, and he named the restaurant after the one that he trained at in Paris, Trois Freres Proveaux, Three Brothers from the Countryside.” It was an immediate success.By 1860, Cadier had accumulated sufficient wealth to initiate a significant project. He had established himself as a hotelier and aspired to create a larger and more sophisticated establishment, comparable to the continental hotels found throughout Europe. He had previously invested in smaller hotel projects across the city, but he acknowledged the necessity for additional rooms due to the influx of visitors from other continents to Stockholm for both business and leisure. A larger hotel was to be constructed, designed to align with its European counterparts, featuring a high-standard continental hotel offering year-round accommodation in a remarkable location.Cardier successfully acquired the land on Blasiholms Island, which proved to be an ideal location. The construction of the Grand Hotel commenced in 1872 and was completed within two years, officially opening on June 15, 1874. Axel Kumlius served as the architect. The establishment comprised 314 rooms, with 250 designated for travellers. A variety of salons were distributed throughout the hotel. The cost for a room with a view ranged from 4 to 7 and a half Swedish kronor per day, while a room without a view was priced between half a kronor and 3 kronor per day.The bottom level consisted of billiard rooms, a telegraph station, bathrooms, a hair salon, and the hotel kitchen.Spacious dining rooms and saloons were designated for events. The hotel featured an independent heating system, utilising copper pipes heated by tile ovens strategically positioned throughout the building.On June 14, 1874, Oscar II, the king of Sweden, visited the Grand Hotel prior to its official opening.Cardier focused on intricate high-end details; the Swedish porcelain manufacturer Rörstrand designed and produced the porcelain, referred to as Japan.The tea rooms offered Napoleon pastries from Paris.Guests may use the Grand Hotel's telegraph station, the first of its kind in the city, to send and receive telegrams.The interior was meticulously designed, resulting in beautifully elaborate rooms that remain visible today. The hotel contained the first-ever elevator in Stockholm and was the first establishment to implement electric lighting. The close proximity to the new theatre district in Stockholm made the hotel a favourable location for writers, actors, and other cultural figures.In 1878, Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th U.S. president, followed a successful civil war in the United States. Leaving office in 1877, Grant undertook a world tour, becoming the first president to circumnavigate the world He anticipated being treated and received with the utmost respect and honour. The journey to England, France, and Germany went well, but when he arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark, he was not welcomed as he expected. In wrath and despair, he left Copenhagen and travelled to Norway, where he heard Swedish King Oscar II had landed just a few days before. He aimed to intercept the Swedish king and convince him to provide the welcome he desired. However, unbeknownst to Grant, the Swedish king was busy welcoming the son of Napoleon III, who had travelled by train to Jonkoping, in the south of Sweden. Prince Napoleon subsequently travelled by boat to Stockholm, where he resided at the Grand Hotel. A telegram was dispatched to the Grand Hotel shortly thereafter to notify them that General Grant Hayes, who had been awaiting the Swedish king in Norway, had grown impatient and was en route to Stockholm. The king refrained from engaging in a diplomatic situation. General Grant ultimately received a brief audience with the king in Stockholm; however, Prince Napoleon showed no interest in meeting General Grant, who was also residing at the Grand Hotel. Prince Napoleon departed from Stockholm shortly after General Grant's arrival, indicating a tense diplomatic situation.By the conclusion of winter 1874, two prominent prima donnas, the widely acclaimed opera singer Christina Nielsen and Sarah Bernhardt, a French stage actress who starred in some of the most popular French plays of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, resided at the hotel. Their stay at the Grand coincided with the inauguration of a new theatre, highlighting their status as superstars of the era. Nonetheless, a tragic incident occurred when Christina Nielsen opted to perform for free from one of the hotel balconies. Individuals arrived several hours prior to the performance. A large number of individuals congregated, filling the entire area. This led to people being trampled. Seventy individuals sustained injuries, and 18 fatalities were reported. Christina Nielsen expressed profound sorrow upon receiving the news and contributed a substantial sum to assist those unable to afford funerals.August Strindberg Who is a well-known Swedish writer from the 1800s who remained at the Grand Hotel for more than a month while his controversial work "Poisoned," pushed by Swedish publishers Bonniers, was prosecuted for blasphemy?Regis Cadier and his wife Caroline had four children: Lily, Olga, Francis, and Regis. When the Grand Hotel opened, a separate floor had been built for their family.Prince Roland Bonaparte and his fiancée stayed in a suite at the Grand Hotel on July 14, 1884, during their visit to Stockholm. The prince was Napoleon Bonaparte's grandson.In 1884, Cadir operated a business on the stock market. Cadire secured sufficient funds to modernise certain areas of the hotel. By 1885, fifty per cent of the hotel's facade had undergone painting and modernisation. By 1889, an additional adjoining property was acquired and incorporated into the hotel; Regis and Caroline Cadir relocated to the newly acquired building, previously known as Bolinderska House.Regis Cadier passed away in 1890, while his wife Caroline continued to reside at another luxury property on Strandvagen until 1897. The legacy of Regis Cadier endures at the Grand Hotel.On December 10, 1901, the inaugural Nobel banquet took place at the Grand Hotel, with the first four Nobel Prize winners arriving via night train.In 1899, the Grand Hotel was listed for sale at a price of 2,675,000 Swedish kroner.
