Ashby Hotel has the history of being first western style hotel in Trichy. It was formerly Owned by Spencers (A Department Store Chain of English origin) Started in Trichy in 1923 : During the time of the British Raj spencers was the only place where you could buy groceries and other things of British origin, and was patronised by the Britishers and Indian Elite. For eg. spencers club soda was so famous that people use to travel quite a distance to taste this carbonated water.

In course of time, nearing India's independence most of the people of British origin left for England or migrated to other places, so due to the decline in business Spencer’s had to close down, Selling the property to its present owners, this happened in 1955-56 The Building was converted to a Hotel and thus Ashby was born in 1956.

All furnitures in this hotel were handcrafted with Burma teak by special crafts men. Some of the old flooring are of British origin and belong to the 1923 era, which are still maintained with reverence. Some modifications or improvements were done over the years, the recent one in 2001-2002, Where extra Rooms were added to the first floor, yet the old world charm remains making it a unique and a charming hotel which hides from the modern world maintaining it pride pomp and glory.