The Grand Hotel is a large hotel overlooking the town's South Bay. It is a Grade II* listed building and currently owned by Britannia Hotels. At the time of its grand opening in 1867, it was the largest hotel and the largest brick structure in Europe.
The hotel was designed by the Hull architect Cuthbert Brodrick, who was better known as the designer of several Leeds buildings. The hotel's yellow (also referred to as tawny) brickwork was made locally in Hunmanby and is complemented with traditional red brickwork around the windows.
The building is designed around the theme of time: four towers to represent the seasons, 12 floors for the months of the year (not all visible in this shot, the building continued down the cliffs to the right of this shot), 52 chimneys symbolise the weeks, and originally there were 365 bedrooms, one for each day of a non-leap year. Following the renovation the room count was reduced to 280. The hotel itself is in the shape of a 'V' in honour of Queen Victoria. The hotel's peak was arguably during Victorian times, when wealthy holidaymakers made up the establishment's clientele. As Scarborough was a spa town, the building's baths originally included an extra pair of taps, so guests could wash in seawater as well as fresh.
Construction began in 1863 and was completed in 1867. The first manager was M. Augustus Fricour, who had previously been in charge at the Hotel Mirabeau in Paris. The grand opening was on 24 July 1867.
The hotel was badly damaged on 16 December 1914, during a raid on the town by the German Navy. The bombardment, by the battle cruisers Derfflinger and Von der Tann, accompanied by the light cruiser Kolberg, began soon after 8 a.m. and it was reported that the hotel was hit at least 30 times.
In 1939, the hotel became the home to RAF trainees and the corner cupolas housed anti-aircraft guns. Following the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980, the hotel was used in a covert training exercise by the SAS in preparation for other anticipated terrorist incidents.
The hotel now caters towards the budget end of the spectrum. The hotel was bought by Butlins, the company better known for its holiday camps, in 1978 and was run as an inexpensive choice of accommodation. In November 2004, the hotel was purchased by Britannia from Grand Leisure Group.
Sadly, in recent times the reputation of the hotel has plummeted. In the early years of this century there were several outbreaks of sickness amongst the guests, with some hospitalised. In recent times conditions in the hotel have deteriorated and complaints over hygiene and quality have become so common that Tripadvisor have recently suspended comments on the hotel.
I thought that you might be interested in this in view of your comments yesterday about the Grand Hotel. You might want to avoid reading my last paragraph though!
I am just thinking - hit at least 30 times by German bombs - surprised that it still around!
Sadly, the grandeur of the original intend it no longer used
What a shame about its decline. It was clearly a hugely impressive building back in the time, though the original 365 rooms does sound rather ambitious!
Yes I was disappointed with it when I stayed there with my Mum. I think you would describe it as faded grandeur. I didn't like having to queue outside the dining tearoom door at a specific time for meals. Very much a holiday camp atmosphere I imagine, although I've never stayed in one. I was deprived! What a great pic of it though. It looks very Grand in the sunshine.
Such a terrible shame about its decline. I was originally thinking how nice it would be to stay in a hotel with such a history but I've changed my mind
Stunning building! Thank you for the attached information! What is described in it does not affect the beauty of the building! The photo went very well!
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It is sad to hear reports about the decline of this landmark building. I have never been inside, but if the interior matches the exterior it must be something quite special.
This shot was taken from the north end of the Esplanade, one of only two places that I know where there is a view down onto the hotel (unless you become airborne!)
An interesting thought Nina. This shot doesn't do justice to the scale of the building. Only about half of the height of the building can be seen here - more floors extend down the cliff face. The zoom used also compresses the length of the building as well. The other thing is that perhaps the shells fired from ships in the First World War might not have been very powerful.
Ian
October 22nd, 2021
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I thought that you might be interested in this in view of your comments yesterday about the Grand Hotel. You might want to avoid reading my last paragraph though!
Ian
I am just thinking - hit at least 30 times by German bombs - surprised that it still around!
Sadly, the grandeur of the original intend it no longer used
Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.
It is sad to hear reports about the decline of this landmark building. I have never been inside, but if the interior matches the exterior it must be something quite special.
This shot was taken from the north end of the Esplanade, one of only two places that I know where there is a view down onto the hotel (unless you become airborne!)
Ian
An interesting thought Nina. This shot doesn't do justice to the scale of the building. Only about half of the height of the building can be seen here - more floors extend down the cliff face. The zoom used also compresses the length of the building as well. The other thing is that perhaps the shells fired from ships in the First World War might not have been very powerful.
Ian