The Grosvenor Hotel officially opened its doors in 1920. To mark the opening, which coincided with the visit of the then Prince of Wales, the Grosvenor provided accommodation for over 300 people which made it the largest in South Australia and the fourth largest in Australia.
It's prime position was realised early by radio announcers who began to relay commentary of cricket games at the Adelaide Oval by positioning themselves on the Grosvenor's roof and looking north over Adelaide Oval with a strong pair of binoculars!
The Grosvenor endured the Great Depression throughout the 1930s. Jobs were scarce and employment at the Grosvenor was considered an especially prestigious position. Prime Minister John Curtin had a special place in his heart for the Grosvenor and stayed there whenever he visited Adelaide during this period. When he died in 1945 the Grosvenor was even mentioned in his eulogy.
Around 1942 American soldiers were billeted on the first floor of the Grosvenor, en route to war in New Guinea and the whole atmosphere of the hotel changed - tap dancing in the foyer and silk stockings were plentiful again!
Since its very early days the Grosvenor catered for public dinners, balls and banquets including the Order of the British Empire Dinners attended by Dame Roma Mitchell. Adelaide born and bred, Dame Roma became Australia's first female Queen's Counsel and the first Commonwealth female Supreme Court Judge.
In 1977 the Grosvenor as we know it today started to take shape. The entire first floor, which until this time had been permanent residential rooms, was converted to a convention and function floor at a cost of $2.5 Million. This made the hotel one of the first to offer conference facilities into a market that was only just developing.
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| The Grosvenor 1924 |
Around 1942 American soldiers were billeted on the first floor of the Grosvenor, en route to war in New Guinea and the whole atmosphere of the hotel changed - tap dancing in the foyer and silk stockings were plentiful again!
Since its very early days the Grosvenor catered for public dinners, balls and banquets including the Order of the British Empire Dinners attended by Dame Roma Mitchell. Adelaide born and bred, Dame Roma became Australia's first female Queen's Counsel and the first Commonwealth female Supreme Court Judge.
In 1977 the Grosvenor as we know it today started to take shape. The entire first floor, which until this time had been permanent residential rooms, was converted to a convention and function floor at a cost of $2.5 Million. This made the hotel one of the first to offer conference facilities into a market that was only just developing.
Today the Grosvenor still cherishes its rich heritage providing its guests with an authentic experience of Adelaide's bygone era with modern day creature comforts and service.
