THE official opening of the Imperial Hotel was reported in the Malvern Advertiser 150 years ago this week. The hotel, in Avenue Road, later became Malvern Girls' College, and is now Malvern St James .

"This hotel, certainly one of the most magnificent and well-arranged of any in the kingdom, is now complete, and was opened on Monday last. It is built after the model of the hotel in Paddington, and the style of architecture is the Continental Gothic.

"It is, as our readers are aware, the property of the Great Malvern Hotel Company (chairman Dr Gully), by whom nothing has been spared to make it in every respect a first-rate establishment. The cost of the building, with its adjuncts of a bridge and covered way, exceed £25,000.

"THE architect is Mr E W Elmslie, a gentleman of high and deserved reputation in his profession. The hotel is situated on the east side of the railway, and for extent and variety of scenery may be said to stand unrivalled. From every window in the house, as from the terraces and other ground, some pleasing prospect is opened to the visitor.

"On the one side there are the Malvern Hills, so universally famous, and from the other parts may be seen a most rich, varied and wide-spread panorama. Hanley Castle, Malvern Wells, Cheltenham, Worcester, are clearly discernible, and with a good telescope in fine weather the view may be much further extended.

"On alighting from the railway carriage at the station, the intending visitor will be directed to a covered way leading from the platform to the hotel. Unpleasant exposure to wind, rain or any inclemency of weather will thus be prevented.

"The two most prominent features, besides those already mentioned are the tower, about which there is some clever carving, the work of Mr Forsyth, of Worcester, and a beautiful oriel window over the chief entrance.

"We most heartily congratulate the Malvern Hotel Company on the spirit of the enterprise they have manifested, and upon the completion of the building. We cordially wish them every success, and to the future manager, Mr Curtis, all health and happiness."