The Times of India Online. August 18, 2000
Singer and Grammy-winner Natalie Cole is planning her first visit to Cuba to celebrate the 70th aniversary of a grand hotel that once refused to admit her father, Nat King Cole, as a guest because he was black, a hotel official said.
"The only thing that has to be ironed out is whether she will come with musical backup" said Carmen Casals, manager of the waterfront hotel's Executive Floor.
Casals said Cole will spend three or four days in the Cuban capital in November ahead of the 70th anniversary celebration of the landmark Hotel Nacional here in December.
In 1951, the hotel management turned away her famous father because he was black, but today, "we want her to enjoy it all as a special guest, and we are going to put her in the presidential suite," Casals said.
Personalities from supermodel Naomi Campbell to Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien have hung their hats in the 1000-dollar-a-night suite while in Havana.
Except for journalists, academics and cultural exchange participants with special permits, Americans are barred by their government from spending money in Cuba, which creates a de facto travel ban.
Thousands of US tourists violate the ban every year, however. Casals said they are the number-two clients at the Hotel Nacional after Spaniards. (AFP)
Copyright © 2000 Times Internet Limited. | 