The Hotel Windsor is, believe it or not, the only Select Member of The Most Famous Hotels in the World in Australia.
The Hotel Windsor
Built in 1883 by well known architect Charles Webb and opened as the "Grand Hotel". After a visit from The Duke of Windsor during the 1920S, the hotel was renamed The Windsor.
Today, the Windsor is Australia's only remaining grand hotel. Impeccably restored during the 1980s, following a multi-million dollar refurbishment program, it combines Victorian grandeur and opulence with comforts and facilities found only in the most modern establishments.
Google Map
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How the Stage was Set HISTORY IN BRIEF
1883: The Grand, as it was then known, opened its doors.
1920s: Name changes to Hotel Windsor.
1980: Oberoi Hotels International took over the lease.
1990: Oberoi bought the hotel from the Australian government.
2005: the Halim family buys the hotel.
HISTORY IN DETAIL
1883: The Grand, as it was then known, opened its doors. Shipping magnate George Nipper commissioned architect Charles Webb to design the building, regarded as a fine example of Victorian architecture. Today it is classified by the National Trust.
Late 1880s: The Grand was acquired by the Hon. James Munro, a leading light of the popular Temperance Party. He is best remembered for his flamboyant gesture of setting alight the hotel liquor license, thus changing the name of The Grand Hotel to The Grand Coffee Place.
1920s: After a visit from The Duke of Windsor and with the liquor license restored, the hotel was renamed The Windsor.
In the 1920s, During the depression of the 1920s and 30s, The Windsor provided an elitist clientele with the best English style service and cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere. 1980: Oberoi Hotels International took over the lease and hired specialist consultants to restore the building. Some $21 million and three years later, the Victorian atmosphere of the 1880's was re-created with great attention paid to authenticity. During the restoration, original photographs and documents such as the architect's diaries were studied. Some of the best examples of the restoration work are to be found in The Grand Ballroom, originally a dining room and now used exclusively as a functions venue, and the magnificent spiral staircase. 1990, April : Oberoi officially purchased the hotel from the government. The Indian group assured that in conjunction with the property's National Trust Classification, The Windsor would be preserved. 1995-96: London-based hotel design consultants, Richmond International, were commissioned to carry out refurbishment of the hotel. Richmond has decorated grand hotels around the world, including the renowned Dorchester in London and Peninsula in Hong Kong. 2005: the Halim family buys the hotel. 2008: The Windsor celebrated 125 years.
Anastacia Ian Thorpe Brian Adams Phillip Adams Muhammad Ali Sir Hardy Amies The Australian Cricket Team Lauren Bacall Edmund Barton Richie Benaud Cilla Black Michael Bolton Helena Bonham Carter Leslie Caron Claudette Colbert Bryce Courtenay Lord Colin Cowdrey Ruth Cracknell Sir William Deane Michael Edgley Jimmy Edwards Dame Edna Everage Douglas Fairbanks Junior Noel Ferrier Carrie Fisher Lillian Gish Dame Margot Fonteyn Rex Harrison Sir Robert Helpmann Katherine Hepburn Paul Hogan Xavieria Holander Sir Anthony Hopkins John Howard Barry Humphries Michael Hutchence Gordon Jackson Louis Jourdan French Stacy Keach Paul Keating Howard Keel Penelope Keith Graham Kennedy Deborah Kerr Linda Koslowski Danny La Rue Vivien Leigh Leunig Lord Patrick Lichfield Reg Livermore Gina Lollobrigida James Mason Johnny Mathis Dame Nellie Melba Ian (Molly) Meldrum Sir Robert Menzies Metallica Keith Michell Spike Milligan Kylie Minogue Dudley Moore Robert Morley Stirling Moss Dame Anna Neagle Derek Nimmo David Niven Rudolf Nureyev Sir Laurence Olivier Gregory Peck Vincent Price Basil Rathbone Sir Michael Redgrave Tim Rice Sir Ralph Richardson Patricia Routledge Robert Sangster Sir Harry Secombe Yahoo Serious Omar Sharif Jean Shrimpton Smashing Pumpkins Lord Snowden Doris Stokes Dame Joan Sutherland Shania Twain Liv Ullman Sir Harold Wilson Gough Whitlam David Williamson George Martin Jimmy Barnes
Eric Brand
Gerry Gibson
Mini-bar, television and in-house movies, tea and coffee facilities, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, personal bath robes, ISDN line and voicemail.
Windsor Suites, Victorian Suite, Royal Suite
The Grand Dining Room (french cuisine), The Windor Grill (grill house), The Windsor Lounge(light fare), Cricketer's Bar - a Melbourne institution