Abandoned UK Butlin’s site is now seaside town’s ‘hell hole’ hotel

Scathing reviews over dirty mattresses, filthy carpets, mould, and complaints of poor hygiene seems worlds away from when this iconic seaside hotel was managed by Billy Butlin’s

A once regal and popular hotel was abandoned by Billy Butlin’s over 20 years ago – and has since watched its reputation slide into the gutter. The mammoth structure of the Grand Hotel in Scarborough is pretty hard to miss. Defining the seaside town’s popular beachfront with its unique V-shape (believed to be in honour of Queen Victoria) and baroque-style, this huge hotel was built back in 1867 and is said to have been one of the world’s largest.

Construction, which commenced in 1863, is estimated to have cost around £100,000, which – factoring in inflation – works out at around £10.8 million in today’s money. Designed around the theme of time, the hotel originally boasted four towers, 12 floors, 52 chimneys and 365 bedrooms – all representing the number of seasons, months, weeks and days of the year.

READ MORE: Abandoned UK Butlin’s resort now home to thriving holiday park

The Grand Hotel quickly attracted a prestigious clientele, luring in the likes of Winston Churchill, Ramsay MacDonald and King Edward. But, in 1914, following the outbreak of the First World War, the hotel was struck with around 30 German artillery shells – with battlecruisers wreaking havoc on the hotel’s restaurant.

Still, the hotel survived the conflict and went on to become a base for the RAF during the Second World War. Renovation costs totalled up to around £100,000 – but after the war – the hotel was back on track.

In 1978, the site was bought by holiday park giant Butlin’s, who kept the hotel up and running for two and a half decades. The firm reportedly renovated some of the areas and managed to maintain a ‘steady flow of guests’.

But, in 2004, Britannia Hotels bought the property – later investing a whopping £7 million in refurbishing it. “In 2017 the Grade II listed Hotel was awarded and named by Historic Britain as one of the top ten places, buildings and historical sites that tell the remarkable story of England and its impact on the world,” Britannia Hotels said.

However, in recent years, the hotel has garnered heavy criticism from guests – many of which argue the once vibrant property has turned into a ‘hell hole’. With a poor 2.4 rating on TripAdvisor, the Grand Hotel’s only redeeming quality seems to be its central location.

One traveller who visited the hotel on July 20, 2025 left a scathing review online, slamming the hotel for a slew of faults including, ‘smelling of mould’, having ‘filthy carpets’, and a ‘dirty brown mattress’. “Where do I begin with this utter crap hole?” they fumed. “I will never stay there again.”

Another agreed, commenting: “I wasn’t expecting the Ritz but I was still disappointed. The once grand hotel is now a tired shell of a bygone era. The building itself is full of character. A great staircase, some really nice communal areas but nothing to make you want to stay and enjoy them.”

A third penned: “This hotel is dire, we didn’t stay in the end due to extremely poor standards in cleanliness and dire hygiene issues… Would never stay there in the future, it’s gross!”

Despite the onslaught of negative coverage, there are still some travellers who seem happy with the hotel’s standards. One TripAdvisor user raved about the ‘well equipped room’ they were put in, which featured facilities such as a hair dryer, iron, and ironing board.

“I was very reluctant to book here – but what a lovely surprise I had and am pleased that I gave the hotel a chance,” they said. “Try it before you knock it. Welcoming, helpful reception staff checked us into a lovely room with a sea view. Beautiful entrance, wide carpeted staircases and many comfortable seating areas throughout the hotel.”

The Mirror has approached Britannia Hotels for comment.

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