Palace Hotel, West Parade, Rhyl

Details of a proposed hotel to be built on the Promenade at the west end of Rhyl emerged at the licensing sessions held in September 1898. The hotel was not to be a mere drinking den, but rather a first-class hotel, of a kind much needed especially in the west end of Rhyl where there was not an hotel of a substantial kind. The hotel would contain a basement and three stories, with coffee, dining room, billiard room and 30 bedrooms, with provision for the erection of 20 more bedrooms at the south end. The estimated cost was no less than £10,000. Thomas Chadwick senior partner of Booth Chadwick and Porter and Chairman of West Rhyl Land Company was granted a provisional licence. [Rhyl Record and Advertiser 10 September 1898 page 4].  

Erection of the hotel was to commence once the plans had been approved by the Council. Construction began in the Spring of 1899 and by September 1900 the building was stared as being “Practically Complete” (in the building contract meaning of the term).  However, it was the end of the holiday season and various improvements were still proposed. As a result, it was intended to open the hotel at Easter 1901. In February 1901 advertisements appeared offering the building for letting. However, finding a suitable hotel operator apparently proved difficult and it was not until June 1902 that the hotel officially opened, with Mrs Elizabeth Pratt as manageress. On opening the hotel had twenty-four double bedrooms and six single bedrooms.

It was subsequently re-named the Palace Avenue Hotel but had reverted to its original name by the 1920s. A Motor Garage had been built by 1907. Mrs Elizabeth Pratt was manageress 1902-1911. Converted to apartments 2005.

THE NEW PALACE HOTEL. We understand that building operations will be commenced at the new Palace Hotel to be erected on the estate of the West Rhyl Land and Buildings Company, Limited, from plans by Messrs Booth, Chadwick, and Porter, architects, Oxford-street, Manchester. The new hotel will cost when completed and fitted up about £10,000. It will be situated on the south side of Palace Avenue, with two main entrances from the Promenade and the Avenue. About 100 rooms will be provided, including bed, reception, and billiard rooms. The exterior will be of Aston Hall white bricks, relieved with red Ruabon terra cotta and Gwespyr stonework*. The woodwork of the bar and main staircase will be of Danzic oak. The contract has been let to Mr Wood, of Liverpool, for £7825. The only Rhyl firm who tendered were Messrs David Griffiths and Son, who quoted E7850. [Rhyl Journal 1 February 1899 page 2]

PALACE HOTEL, RHYL. The opening of this hotel is another indication of the growing popularity of Rhyl as seaside resort, and is a fitting consummation to the extension of the West Promenade, which the District Council have been able to carry out with the assistance of the landowners at this end of the town. The building has been designed by Messrs Booth, Chadwick & Porter, architects, of Manchester and Colwyn Bay. From a careful inspection of the building throughout it is obvious that no expense has been spared, either in building operations, furnishing, decorations or appointments, in order to render the whole thoroughly deserving of support. It will undoubtedly add to the attractions of the town and be the means of inducing many people to pay a visit to Rhyl who have not hitherto given it their patronage. The principal entrance is approached by a flight of stairs from the West Parade, with terra cotta balcony and balustrading, and after passing through the vestibule a spacious hall or lounge is reached, which provides access to the principal entertaining rooms—viz., the coffee room, smoke room and billiard room. The floor of the hall is laid with a mosaic tiling, pleasant in tone and texture to walk upon, and the ceiling is of a highly decorative character, illuminated in the evening with electroliers. All the entertaining rooms on the ground floor are handsomely furnished and decorated, and the drawing room, situate on the first floor, has a most delightful appearance with its handsome ceiling and frieze and general decorations. To non-residents it may be information to be told that the hotel is erected on the fine open ground known at one time as the Winter Gardens, and it abuts on the Promenade. The Palace is within a few yards of the sea, and the incoming tide washes almost to the front entrance whilst the sea-breeze brings in its constant and uninterrupted supply of health- giving ozone. The Promenade here is of recent construction and the proximity of the sea is in more ways than one advantageous. Perpetual quiet and tranquillity is ensured for those staying at the hotel. No bustling scenes nor noisy performances can mar the effect of a soothing ripple of the waves on the pebbly shore. The views of the surrounding Vale and of the Denbighshire hills and Eryri's range are magnificent whilst the hotel's proximity to the Marine Lake will enable its patrons to take frequent advantages of the boating and yachting there provided. The hotel has been placed in charge of Mrs Pratt, an experienced and capable manageress, and it is opened to the public under the motto liberal catering and reasonable terms." [Rhyl Journal 7 June 1902 page 7]

Reference    Rhyl Record and Advertiser 10 September 1898 page 4 – licensing application
Reference    Rhyl Journal 19 November 1898 page 6 – plans approved
Reference    Rhyl Journal 1 February 1899 page 2 – commencement of building works
Reference    Weekly News and Visitors’ Chronicle 22 February 1901 page 4 - hotel to let
Reference    Rhyl Record and Advertiser 9 March 1901 page 5 – legal proceedings
Reference    Rhyl Journal 7 June 1902 page 7 - opening
Reference    Rhyl Record and Advertiser 9 March 1901 page 5 and Rhyl Journal 9 March 1901 page 4

* The Aston Hall Premier bricks and terracotta are manufactured from a special clay of exceptional quality and unique character which is recognised by leading architects as producing the first and best Buff Goods in the kingdom. They are particularly noted for retaining their original colour and for not vegetating as is the case with the soft common buff bricks. [company catalogue from the 1890's].The Aston Hall Coal and Brick Company brickworks were situated below Buckley Mountain in Flintshire. The clay was obtained from underground and as a result of the colliery close in 1909 manufacture ceased.

* Gwespyr – a village to the east of Prestatyn where stone had been quarried since Roman times.