Crewe Arms Hotel
Nantwich Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 6DN
Tel: 01270 213204 | Fax: 01270 588615 | Email: reservations@crewearmshotel.com
The Crewe Arms Hotel - A Brief History
The Crewe Arms Hotel has been a focal point of Crewe since it was built in the 19th century. It is one of the few remaining buildings from the 19th century 'new town'.
Crewe was built and named after the railway station, built in 1837 with the locomotive works at the forefront. Naturally, as a result of the railway, the Crewe Arms Hotel was built in 1880, although other records show it was actually built in 1830's.
Whatever the date, the Crewe Arms Hotel was one of Britain's first railway hotels with its doors opening up onto the platform and remains an impressive brick red building at the gateway to Crewe.
A Royal Affair
Queen Victoria's visit to the Crewe Arms Hotel still leaves its mark on the hotel. From the fireplace in the lounge to the blocked up tunnel that once allowed the Queen to make her way from the station to the hotel in privacy, as well as the royal-named restaurants, Victoria's memory is alive and well.
Who Has Visited and Stayed at the Crewe Arms Hotel?
Arguably, the most famous is Queen Victoria on a stop over on her way to Scotland. A tunnel, which still remains today, was purpose built to protect her from the Cheshire weather and the public eye. This still remains today but is now blocked at either end. With today's weather, it would certainly be used in our modern day.
Many celebrities have stayed at the Crewe Arms Hotel over the years including boxing champion Sir Henry Cooper and French singer Sacha Distel, as well as thespians who have treaded the boards at another historical Crewe building, The Crewe Lyceum.
Rising stars of football have made the Crewe Arms Hotel their home whilst building their career with Crewe Alex. Nicky Maynard, Geoff Thomas, David Platt and Rob Jones are to name but a few.
Many football teams and rugby teams and the like have stayed for a pre-match meal and rest prior to their big game.
Not to be left out, stars from the music world such as Bruce Foxton, bass player with The Jam, Stiff Little Fingers, and tribute bands such as State Of Quo have all stayed.
Not all guests appear to be what they seem though! - A Grey Lady Ghost has been seen and heard by receptionists walking up and down the corridor!
However, the most important people to use the the Crewe Arms Hotel are the people of Crewe as a venue of family weddings, celebrations, meals, a local and meeting place.
Who Has Owned the Crewe Arms Hotel?
The Crewe Arms Hotel is currently in private ownership, this, however, has not always been the case.
As already stated, the Crewe Arms Hotel was owned by the railway up until it was sold to Embassy Hotels in 1969. It traded very successfully with a lively cocktail bar, doing a roaring trade opening up onto the railway station.
Dancing the Night Away
Until 1983, the Crewe Arms Hotel boasted a first floor ballroom which hosted many important events and guests.
There was a ballroom on the first floor which hosted many important events and guests. Food was served from the main kitchen via a dumb waiter between the two floors - not only did the food travel this way - I will leave it to your imagination to what else was transported!
1982/83 saw a quarter of a million spend with the ballroom replaced by more profitable area at the time - bedrooms. This work was done by Embassy Hotels before it was sold to Jarvis Hotels who continued to operate the hotel until it went into private ownership with the Moon family taking the reins.
At this point, the Crewe Arms Hotel underwent a much needed multi-million pound refurbishment, bedrooms were increased to 61, public areas, Sophia's restaurant and the seven conference rooms all brought back up to standard.
The outside was brought back to its imposing best and the car park resurfaced. The Moon family put the hotel back on the map as the place to go in Crewe through hard work and a dedicated team - many rewards and accolades followed.
During the first signs of recession, the Crewe Arms Hotel was sold. The hotel was then resold in 2014 to SGL Management Limited. Hospitality First Limited came on board as the current management company and have helped the owners refurbish all the bedrooms, public areas and create the fantastic @1650.
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