Palace Hotel

A brief history:   

The hotel was designed in French chateau style by Henry Currey to offer accommodation to the expected influx of travellers coming to Buxton on the new railways.  It opened as the Buxton Hotel in 1868.  It was the largest hotel in Buxton, set in 5 acres of gardens, terraces, croquet lawns and tennis courts and was the height of luxury, with hot and cold running water in each of its 122 rooms, dining, coffee, reading and drawing rooms, smoking and billiard rooms and a ballroom.  

Sold not long after, it became the Palace Hotel and in 1887 Robert Rippon Duke enlarged it.  The interior was richly decorated in marble and the magnificent black and gold marble staircase was installed.  In World War I it housed Canadian troops as a billet and hospital.  In World War II it was used by the civil service as offices.  Amongst its past clientele, the silver screen stars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford stayed during their famous affair and it also enjoyed the custom of Irish playwright G B Shaw.

What it is used for now:   

The Palace Hotel remains a hotel.  Its Health and Leisure Club offers an indoor pool, gym, spa, sauna and steam rooms.  It is situated conveniently for both the town and also facilities and activities further afield.  It serves as a conference, wedding and function venue.

Did you know?   

The Palace Hotel was the first building in Buxton to be equipped with a telephone.  It is once again the largest hotel in Buxton.