Walk through the entrance of our magnificent brick and stucco Italianate hotel and you’re following in the footsteps of some extraordinary guests. Since opening in 1860 to serve first-class rail passengers, we’ve entertained the likes of Charles Dickens, Cecil Rhodes and Lillie Langtry. We’re a hotel of many firsts. We’re the original railway hotel, the first of our kind built to service the many rail travellers to the city. With no other blueprints upon which to base the hotels’ design, our architecture was unique, many say the first skyscraper of its time and students from across the world still visit just to marvel at our structure and design.
Over 150 years of fascinating history and stories to enjoy on your stay.We are adjacent to Chester train station, a short 10 minute walk to the main shops and boutiques. Built in the 1850s, in homage to Queen Victoria, our award-winning hotel was the country’s first grand railway hotel and was once considered as the world’s first ever sky scraper.

Along with a seriously good night’s sleep, we offer seriously good award-winning food. Kings` Grill Chef alchemizes fine locally sourced ingredients into a seasonal modern British menu that has earned two AA Rosettes.
Excellent dining isn’t our only accolade. We picked up the gong for Chester and Cheshire Excellence in Business Tourism: recognition of our stellar reputation for hosting meetings, training and conferences. And the same formula of beautiful versatile function rooms and banqueting suites, alongside experienced dedicated event planners, also makes us a favourite choice for hosting weddings and private celebrations.