The Grand Hotel

Affectionately known as ‘The White Palace’ because of its 122-metre white stucco façade the Grand was built by local resident William Earp at a cost of £50,000 and opened in 1876.

It is the only five-star hotel on the British coast line and its magnificent Great Hall is one of the most famous hotel lounges in the country. It was chosen by the BBC for their weekly radio programme ‘Grand Hotel’ which was broadcast every Sunday evening from 1924 to 1939 and was much praised for its perfect acoustics. Past guests include Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Arthur Conan Doyle.