No place in town fit for royalty

Once upon a time, about 200 years ago, our rapidly developing small spa town built the biggest and best hotel of its day with a superb dining room, extensive suites of elegantly furnished private apartments, a grand staircase, and lavish accommodation even for horses and carriages.

The Prince Regent (later George IV) visited the hotel and allowed his name and coat of arms to be used over the entrance. When Princess Victoria slept in the hotel she was so impressed by her welcome that she gave the title “Royal” to the town. Many famous people have stayed there since: the visitors’ list reads like a copy of Debretts’ Peerage from the Queen down and includes Dickens, Longfellow, Shaw, Gladstone, Eden, John Nash, General Grant, the Duke of Wellington and many more. The Regent Hotel was always the best and most expensive and attracted people of wealth and social or political influence. All the big banquets of the town took place in its public rooms.

In the 21st century one third of it was demolished to make way for a shopping street and the remainder is a Travelodge with no catering. Leamington Spa has lost its prestigious hotel. The rich and famous set the fashion. There is now no place for them to stay – can you imagine the Prime Minister or film stars or Royalty in a Travelodge? - Marianne Pitts, Leam Terrace, Leamington.

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