Built in 1937, it is an elegant Art Deco Grade II listed building and was frequented by the likes of Princess Grace of Monaco, Cary Grant and Nelson Mandela throughout its history.

[2] The architect was W. H. Hamlyn and it was faced in white Portland stone with brick sides and rear.

The interior design and Art Deco fittings are by William Curtis Green.

[4] In 2011, the closed coffin of Jimmy Savile was displayed in the bar of the hotel, alongside the last cigar he smoked and his two This Is Your Life books.

The frontage continues west and round a slight bend into Aire Street with the same arrangement of Portland stone front and brick behind.