The Chester Grosvenor Hotel

The Chester Grosvenor Hotel is a hotel in Chester, Cheshire, England. The Grade II listed building was built between 1863 and 1865 and is owned by the Duke of Westminster. The long-standing establishment features an on-site restaurant that has been awarded a Michelin star since 1990.

Chester Grosvenor Hotel
Former namesGolden Talbot, Royal Hotel, Grosvenor Hotel
General information
Architectural styleTudor Revival
LocationEastgate Street, Chester, Cheshire, England
Coordinates53°11′27.11″N 2°53′18.31″W
Construction started1863
Completed1865
ClientRichard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster
OwnerHugh Grosvenor, 7th Duke of Westminster
Design and construction
ArchitectThomas Mainwaring Penson
R. K. Penson & Ritchie

The hotel is now operated by Bespoke Hotels.

Location

The Chester Grosvenor occupies a historic location on Eastgate, in the centre of Chester. It is next to the landmark Eastgate Clock and in close proximity to other notable features of the town, including Grosvenor Park, The Mall Chester, Chester Cathedral, and the ancient city walls.[1]

History

Before the present building was constructed in 1863–66,[2] the site was occupied first by the pub The Golden Talbot and later by The Royal Hotel. The Golden Talbot was recorded as being "ancient" in its 1751 mention in one of the local weekly newspapers and had been in operation during the reign of Elizabeth I. In 1784, the pub was demolished to make way for The Royal Hotel, built by the politician John Crewe.[3] It became the headquarters of the Independent Party, who were the party opposed to the Grosvenor family (later to become the Dukes of Westminster). In 1815 it was purchased by Robert Grosvenor, who was at that time Earl Grosvenor (and who later became the 1st Marquess of Westminster). It was then renamed the Grosvenor Hotel, and it became the city's "premier place to stay".[4] While it was in possession of the 1st Marquess' son, Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster in 1863, this building was demolished.[4]

The building now present on the site was originally called the Grosvenor Hotel.[4] It was designed by the Chester architect Thomas Mainwaring Penson and was Penson's last major work. It was completed after his death by his elder brother's firm R. K. Penson & A. Ritchie.[2] The hotel passed into the estate of the Duke of Westminster when Richard's son, Hugh Grosvenor, was advanced to 1st Duke of Westminster in 1874.[5] On 10 January 1972, the building was designated as a Grade II listed building.[6]

Hotel and restaurant

The upper façade of the building is distinctive half-timbered black-and-white, in the Tudor revival style that is typical of Chester architecture. As a hotel, it is recognised as offering five-star, luxury accommodation and service.[7] The hotel has 68 guest bedrooms and 12 suites, a fitness centre, a spa, a lounge and bar, boardrooms, a Parisian style family restaurant La Brasserie and a highly acclaimed restaurant, Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor.[8] Formerly known as The Arkle, the name of the restaurant changed in 2008 to reflect the success and expertise of its head chef, Simon Radley, who first joined the hotel in 1986.[9] In 2013, the restaurant was awarded its 24th consecutive Michelin star.[10] One of only four restaurants in the UK to have retained a star for that length of time, it is also the only restaurant in the north of England to have done so.[11] Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor, formerly known as The Arkle, has retained its Michelin star for 30 consecutive years.

Notable guests include Princess Diana and several Princes of Wales. Queen Elizabeth II visited the hotel when it hosted wedding festivities for a daughter of the Grosvenor family.[12]

See also

References
  1. The Chester Grosvenor Hotel (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  2. Hartwell, Clare; Hyde, Matthew; Hubbard, Edward; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2011) [1971], Cheshire, The Buildings of England, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, p. 257, ISBN 978-0-300-17043-6
  3. Howe, Steve (2009). "The Eastgate part II". Chester: A Virtual Stroll Around the Walls. Steve Howe. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  4. Ward, Simon (2009). Chester: A History. Chichester: Phillimore & Co Ltd. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-86077-499-7.
  5. "The Duke of Westminster". The Dukes of the Peerage of the United Kingdom. www.ukdukes.co.uk/. 2007. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  6. Historic England. "Grosvenor Hotel, Chester (1376248)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  7. Schultz, Patricia (2003). 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. New York: Workman Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-7611-0484-1.
  8. "Restaurant and Bar". The Chester Grosvenor Hotel. Grosvenor Property Partnership. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  9. Sturgess, Emma Jean (16 September 2008). "Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor". Metro. Associated Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  10. "Michelin Guide Results 2016 Full List of Results - Great British Chefs". www.greatbritishchefs.com.
  11. Holmes, David (6 February 2009). "Michelin chef's Star 19". Chester Chronicle. Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales Limited. Retrieved 3 July 2009.
  12. Neisser, Pat (January 1985). Wales and Chester: On Holiday in the UK. 11 (1 ed.). Orange Coast Magazine. pp. 72–73. ISSN 0279-0483.

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