Chester Memories: A look back at Chester hotels of the past

By Chester Chronicle on Nov 16, 09 09:29 AM in 1500-1799

HOTELS have played a vital part in attracting people to the Chester area for hundreds of years, writes Arianna Vaccaro.

With the opening of the canal in 1779 and coaches running from London, more people started to visit Chester.

The Royal Hotel, opening in 1785, was the city's first hotel, but was replaced in 1866 by a bigger building which became The Grosvenor Hotel.

Built in a French Gothic style, the grand exterior attracted many important guests including Edward, Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester, who went on to become king in 1869.

The large assembly room was retained from the old hotel, but 82 bedrooms were added in the main building and the adjoining Grosvenor Tap.

The building also had coach houses and enough stable space for 50 horses.

In the late 19th century, the hotel became very popular with Americans who were doing a 'grand tour' of Europe and who were able to visit the city thanks to the opening of the General Railway Station in 1848.

Across the road, The Queen Hotel was established in 1860 but was enlarged the following year at a cost of £20,000 to deal with the growing demand from rail travellers.

It also had underground passages connecting it to the railway platform and The Albion Hotel.

A writer for the Guide to Chester, 1891 described the majestic building as being 'well managed, with a good reputation'.

Both these hotels are still thriving today with people coming from all over the world to stay in them.

The picture shows a Shrewsbury coach outside the Grosvenor Hotel in 1875.