Celebrating 120 years of Park Inn by Radisson Palace, Southend

Park Inn by Radisson Palace, Southend-on-Sea, is celebrating its 120th anniversary on Thursday 23rd May with a series of events this week, including a day full of family-friendly fun. 

On Saturday 25th May, the historic hotel will be inviting the community to come along to a Family Fun Day where visitors can join in a range of festivities while learning more about the building’s rich heritage.

From 10am to 4pm, families can enjoy a range of free activities, including a bouncy castle, kid’s disco, and theatre show. The hotel team will also be hosting a treasure hunt on the first floor of the hotel, with clues that hint at its history. 

The hotel’s restaurant and bar, RBG Bar & Grill, will also be open for use, with delicious dining options made for all the family including traditional fish and chips, burgers and other home comforts.

Having originally opened on 23rd May 1904 as The Metropole, the hotel was once the only 5-star establishment on the southeast coast, boasting a ballroom and billiard room that hosted high society. 

However, its opulent operation was interrupted during the first World War, when owner Alfred Tolhurst offered the building rent-free to serve as Queen Mary’s Royal Naval Hospital which sheltered injured servicemen. 

After the war, the hotel regained its status as Southend's premier accommodation, welcoming stars such as Laurel & Hardy, who stayed in 1952. The 50th anniversary of their visit is commemorated with a blue plaque in the reception room.

In 2010, the hotel underwent a transformation, reopening as the Park Inn by Radisson Palace, and today welcomes both leisure and business travellers, blending its historic charm with modern amenities. 

Park Inn by Radisson Palace, Southend-On-Sea offers 137 comfortable rooms with scenic views of the popular seaside resort town with local landmarks, Adventure Island and Southend Pier just a six-minute walk away. 

The hotel also includes 350 square meters of event space, function room capacity for 300, and a casino and fitness centre onsite.