Those Victorians knew how to impress...

Aline writes: we recently had an opportunity to peek inside one of the great Victorian railway hotels in London, The Great Eastern Hotel, since they are beginning a big renovation. We read in our tourist bible (Time Out) that if you ring the bell at the construction site, they would let you in to see a few rooms. Since it isn’t due to be reopened until 2007, we grabbed the opportunity.

Unfortunately, the interior is pretty trashed at the moment, as it was occupied during WWII, used as railroad offices, and then unoccupied for many years. They just completed the outside renovation, making it watertight so the interior wouldn’t continue to deteriorate (think collapsing ceilings and nesting birds). It has been used over the last 10 years as an occasional movie and music video set! Even though it is only a shadow of its former glorious self, you can imagine from these pictures that it will be amazing once again after restoration.

It’s quite impressive on the outside


There are loads of coats of paint to be removed, as seen here on the wall



And on this fabulous marble column, that is buried under ugly paint - isn't this some kind of criminal offense?



Lots of detail, such as this corner carving 10 feet up


Lovely mosaic floor


Beautiful arts and crafts wallpaper, or what’s left of it


And look at this gold doorway



But the most stunning sight is looking up this staircase to the fabulous ceiling they have already restored – unfortunately, this is as close as we could get.


I hope to be back here to check it out once it is opened – it will be quite a sight!