THE HILTON Brighton Metropole has been hailed as the hotel where “anything is possible”, as it celebrates 125 years.

First opening as the Hotel Metropole in 1890, general manager Sascha Koehler said the historic site was looking to the future as well as the past.

He cited the £3.75 million investment this year alone, and the hotel’s 340 rooms – making it Brighton’s biggest hotel, as well as the largest residential conference centre in the UK.

Mr Koehler, who has worked for the Hilton Group since 1999, said: “We want to be known for ‘events with imagination’.

“The space we have is phenomenal. Which other venue can you have a gala dinner for 1,000 people and then have 25 dodgems next door?

“We like to say that anything is possible in this hotel.”

The multimillion-pound refurbishment at the hotel focuses around its key conference rooms.

Conventions spaces such as the Oxford, Durham and Cambridge Rooms have had major renovations, as well as smaller spaces like the Clarence Suite.

The hotel has welcomed The Salt Room on-site, which is already rated as one of the best seafood restaurants in the city.

Mr Koehler is looking forward to the opportunities its newest neighbour – the Brighton i360 – will bring to business.

He said: “We love the fact they’re putting up the tower. It’s an additional attraction for conferences and will attract so much business into Brighton. It’s something new and quirky.”

The hotel is also looking at new ways of connecting with the city to stay relevant, and its quirky character is part of that.

He explained: “We want to be known as true Brighton inside and out. We’re talking to artists about putting some work into the library area, and getting musicians in the bar – showcasing the quirky side of the city.

“We’ve reintroduced afternoon tea, which allows us to show some of the Victorian parts of the building.

“And our Sunday lunch is proving really successful at the moment.”

It is the more experienced staff which have helped Koehler get a historical sense of perspective og the hotel and its character.

He said: “We have people that have worked for us for 10, 15, 25, years

“There is a 77-year-old breakfast lady called Maureen, who knows many of the guests by name.

“It’s very inspiring for me and always good to learn more about how things used to be.”

And it is the close-knit business community which has been one of the biggest plus-points since he came to Brighton in February.

He added: “Still very grateful to be in Brighton, it’s a great place to work and interact with the local community

“I love the hotel and the fact we’ve been so connected with Brighton for 125 years

“We give the community a lot and the community support us a lot

“We were one of the first hotels in Brighton and the biggest.

“Big hotel drives a lot of meetings, conventions, meetings and exhibitions

“We’ve been here for a long time but we don’t want to be known for being old and traditional.”