Mata Hari: this is the true story of the spy after whom this luxury suite is named
Mata Hari: this is the true story of the spy after whom this luxury suite is named
Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, better known by her stage name Mata Hari, had a very effervescent life: she married a captain in the Dutch East Indies army (thanks to a personals ad in the newspaper announcing that the captain was looking for a wife); she lived on the Island of Java; she survived a poisoning attempt by her domestic help; on her return to Europe she posed as a Javanese princess; as she had some knowledge of sacred Indian dances, in Paris she worked in a circus, in performance halls, and at private parties as an exotic dancer; she was a lover of rich and powerful people; she posed as an erotic model; and she worked as a spy during World War I for both the Germans and the French. In her enthusiastic career, she also had the opportunity to travel to the Basque Country. And, for her stay in San Sebastián, she chose the emblematic Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra.
Truth be told, this luxury accommodation option has always been the meeting place of the crème de la crème of high society and personalities from the world of the arts: Queen Isabella II of Spain, King Charles I of Portugal, film director Orson Welles, painter Toulouse-Lautrec, philosopher David Strauss, and actress Sarah Bernhardt are all part of this establishment’s illustrious list of guests.
In order to honor Mata Hari’s visit, the Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra has renamed the suite where she stayed after her. It is the most special room in the hotel and the one which treasures the most history. Featuring classic period decoration, the Mata Hari Suite –renovated in 2023– features an entrance hall, a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, and a living room. There is also a second bedroom available with a bathroom and it can be connected through the living room, thus reaching dimensions of up to 89.5 m2.
Mata Hari, who had seen everything throughout her life, was captivated by the views of this suite. After all, the room offers an unparalleled panoramic view of La Concha Bay: the island, the port, the Gran Casino that she frequented (now the town hall), the promenade that borders the beach, the Miramar Palace, the villas of Ondarreta, and Mount Igueldo – crowned by the amusement park that is still in operation today. This view of La Concha was also one of the last beautiful landscapes that the spy could ever enjoy, as a few months later she was arrested and executed by the French government. During her trial, Mata Hari uttered a phrase that has become famous: “A harlot? Yes, but a traitress, never!”
Hotel de Londres y de Inglaterra
Calle Zubieta 2, San Sebastián.
Tel.: +34 943 440 770
