AN HISTORIC hotel that hosted Winston Churchill is offering a “grand experience” this winter.
The Grand at South Western House, on Terminus Terrace, Southampton, hosted the former Prime Minister when he visited the city in 1941.
It was also used to welcome the Titanic’s first-class passengers before they sailed off on their tragic journey.
Now it is aiming to offer people the “wow factor” – with the hope visitors will have a memorable stay or meal.
Jay Randhawa, 35, event manager at the grand café in Southampton is welcoming guests looking for a “grand experience” ahead of the festive season.
She said: “Our demographic is those people who want to have a grand experience, we want people to come in and have that ‘wow factor’.
“We want them to remember that they’re sat in the same space the first-class passengers of the titanic sat and the same place that Winston Churchill ate in.”
“And people are almost in a sense taken back, when they [see the] grand staircase and that element of when people’s faces change, I love that reaction.”
The building is dripping with luxury – and the grand staircase was also the inspiration for the staircase built on Titanic itself.
Diners know they are in safe hands as the venue has clinched the gold dining experience award from Southampton’s Hoteliers Association.
READ MORE: Meet the award-winning restaurant owner who served a US President vodka martini
But Jay said that although it offers a grand experience, this doesn’t have to be unaffordable.
She said: “We consider that we want entry level so that everyone can be part of the experience.
“Sunday lunch service, or with the afternoon tea service people can feel like they can still come in and enjoy themselves”.
READ MORE: Giveaway launched to encourage shoppers to support local businesses
The venue is offering a variety of different events such as a Christmas afternoon tea on December 10 and 17.
Every guest visiting during the Christmas season will receive a £10 voucher to spend in January and February.
The Grand is one of the venues that shoppers are encouraged to support as part of Visit Southampton’s Christmas giveaway.
When shoppers support local businesses they are signing up for the competition which could see them win one of 25 prizes.
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