The world's first airport hotel, the Aerodrome in Croydon, Surrey, has celebrated its 75th anniversary. The 84-bedroom hotel was built in 1928 to serve the increasing number of air passengers using Croydon Airport, the world's first international airport.
In those early days, celebrities, royalty and film stars frequently stayed at the hotel before flying to distant lands. Rooms cost 12s 6d (63p) for a single and 25s (£1.25) for a double, and guests included the King of Afghanistan, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin.
Great aviators also stayed at the hotel before and after making their heroic flights into the record books. Australian pilot Bert Hinkler set off from Croydon in 1928 and became the first person to fly solo to Australia.
Last year the hotel, previously the Croydon Posthouse, was sold by Rocco Forte Hotels to Croydon-based business group Westmead for £5.25m.
It is undergoing a £2m refurbishment programme that will see its number of bedrooms increase to 149.