Suva’s Grand Pacific Hotel has completed their first stage of upgrades to the Heritage rooms in the original building.

General manager Peter Gee said this was part of building on the achievements of the past year and as a part of the ongoing programme to further improve the services and facilities of the iconic hotel.

“These refurbishments have been undertaken to recognise the rich history of the Grand Pacific Hotel,” he said.

“Also to honour some of the many illustrious guests who have graced the hotel with their presence over the decades.”

Mr Gee also highlighted that the hotel invests at least $7000 to each rooms.

“During the course of the coming year, the remaining heritage rooms will be completed, each with its own individual story and personality,” he said.

The rooms includes the Queen Elizabeth Suite and Kingsford Smith Room

A staff member of the Grand Pacific Hotel at the hotel terrace. Photo: GPH.

Queen Elizabeth Suite.

Queen Elizabeth II has visited the GPH on three occasions.

The most famous being in December 1953 when she attended a State Ball held in the hotel.

It was visit that captured worldwide attention when she famously appeared on the balcony to greet the crowds who waited to honour the newly crowned Queen.

She returned in February 1976 and again in October 1982, with State dinners being held at GPH on both occasions.

Kingsford Smith Room.

In June 1928 aviation history was made when Charles Kingsford Smith landed the “Southern Cross” opposite the hotel on Albert Park enroute to Australia on his epic Trans Pacific flight from America. Kingsford Smith and his crew recuperated at GPH as guests of the Union Steamship Company (who owned GPH).

Kingsford Smith addressed a throng of 10,000 people from the hotel balcony and the aviators also attended a special celebratory ball held at the hotel.

About the Grand Pacific Hotel

The Grand Pacific Hotel has been an icon of the South Pacific for over a century.

Totally rebuilt after twenty years of closure, the Hotel reopened in May 2014 on the 100th anniversary of its original opening.

It has already regained its place as the “grand old lady” of the Pacific – a wonderful blend of fascinating colonial architecture and history combined with magnificent Fijian hospitality and friendliness.