[5] When building finally began on the Headland Hotel in 1897, riots broke out in the town as it threatened the local custom of using the clifftop as grazing land and space to dry fishermen's nets.

[6] This, together with planning problems,[clarification needed] delayed completion until June 1900, by which time a rival hotel, the Victoria, which had started construction later, was already open.

[7][8] Originally the cost of building the hotel was estimated at £25,000 including £4,000's worth of terracotta, but Trevail installed luxurious furnishings from Heal's of London, expensive kitchen equipment, a tennis court and 4 croquet lawns.

[9][4] It is, according to Nikolaus Pevsner, "decidedly disappointing, Victorian, yellow and red brick, tall and symmetrical, pavilion roofs and no redeeming features".

[13] During the UK lockdown, the ocean-facing side of the building was covered in scaffolding as builders replaced many of the wooden windowsills, restored the four sunset view balconies, and carried out essential repairs to the rest of the exterior, as part of a £55,000 conservation programme.