Accommodation · Asia · Celebrities · China · Hotels · North Korea · Regions · Travel Miscellany
White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, China
Tight security surrounding the five-star White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou, southern China, has today fed speculation that the North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is visiting as part of his diplomatic efforts to restart talks on the North’s nuclear program gathered pace. Hundreds of uniformed and plainclothes police have swarmed in and around the hotel, putting up road blocks leading to it. Passers-by and bystanders were turned away. Many famous guests have stayed at the hotel over the years, including Bill Gates, President Bush Sr. (then vice-president) and the infamous footballer, Pelé.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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Update: a television station has claimed to have captured proof of reclusive North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il paying a visit to the hotel. The grainy footage was broadcast by Japan’s Nippon Television station in Tokyo.
It was probably one of his body doubles. The real Beloved Leader is sipping cocktails on his deck overlooking Santa Monica beach with Saddam and Osama while Ben Franklin shows Mao Ze Dong and Abraham Lincoln how to play snooker.