Description:
A genteel and reasonably priced apartment hotel overlooking the English Channel on The Leas, Folkestone's clifftop walk. Built as "gentlemen's residences" in the Edwardian era, its self-catering flats are let by the week or for short breaks. One to three bedroom apartments are available as well as two penthouse flats. The hotel has a Palm Court, a Salon de Thé and two, discreet, club-like bars.
The Grand is most likely to appeal to older visitors.
Address:
The Leas
Folkestone
Kent CT20 2XL
UK
Telephone:
+44 (0)1303 222 222
Price Band:
For More Information:
The Origin of "Monkey Business" - A Delicious Edwardian Scandal:
Curious locals, out for a seaside stroll along the Leas, would peer into the hotel's Glasshouse (now the site of its Palm Court restaurant) to catch a glimpse of the King and his chums. Because so many of the aristocratic gentlemen favored beards, in imitation of King Edward, people called the Grand "The Monkey House". The three-piece suits favored by King Edward, were commonly called "monkey suits" - a term still used today by American bridegrooms and other men who would rather not dress up.
King Edward entertained his wife, Queen Alexandra here. He also, possibly at the same time (who knows) entertained his special friend Mrs. Alice Keppel. It wasn't long before the term "Monkey business" was coined to describe what the King and his mistress got up to.
Interestingly, Mrs. Keppel was the great-grandmother of another very famous Royal mistress - Mrs. Camilla Parker-Bowles, now the Duchess of Cornwall.
