Hydropathic Hotel West Kirby

A former hotel on Marine Parade, West Kirby opened circa 1896 which was demolished in 1972 and replaced with town houses.

Advertised as the "Sanatorium of the North - Magnificent Hydro on the Banks of The Dee" The baths were described as Turkish, Russian, Vapour, Electric etc. The hotel provided packing rooms, salt water plunges, hot, cold and sea water, massage and medical gymnastics offering "splendid inland and sea - charming views of Wales". Tennis, boating and golf at Hoylake Golf Links was advertised.

Lowry refers to the hotel in his novel Under The Volcano; "Only at week-ends did a certain disadvantage appear in their site: although the season was drawing to a close and the grey hydropathic hotels on the promenades were emptying, the golf course was packed all day with Liverpool brokers playing foursomes." (Pg. 23).