Some people say that the history of the hotel is closely linked to the history of civilization. The Greeks invented hot spring baths for rest in villages; the Romans built buildings in cities to provide accommodation for business travelers. It can be seen that the development of hotels is part of the change of the times and part of the development of civilization. This argument is vividly illustrated in the case of the United Kingdom. In an article, Jacques Lévy, an international hotel consultant, began to see a variety of hotels in the city, and London built royal hotels during this period; by the 20th century, the hospitality industry had entered a boom era, and the Ritz and Savoy hotels began to appear in Britain. Today, British hotels continue to evolve on a diverse path, spawning different types of trendy motels, old-fashioned pub stations, and high-end business hotels. The hotel has accompanied britain through the ups and downs of history, and has become a monument carved with culture under the carving of time.
Brown Inn London
The Brown Hotel dates back to the 19th century. It is a famous landmark in London and synonymous with the luxury and literature of old Europe. After Queen Victoria ascended the throne in 1837, the Brown Inn opened for the first time, taking the stage during the period of regime change in Britain. The birth and development of the Brown Inn is full of stories. James Brown, butler of the Romantic poet Lord Byron, and his wife, Sarah, met a house on Dover Street and expanded it into a hotel, which was named "Brown Inn". In the years that followed, the Brown Hotel was like a loyal historian, silently recording everything. In 1876, inventor Alexander Graham Bell stayed in a hotel and made the first telephone call in England; Napoleon III and Queen Eugenie took refuge in the Brown Hotel when they fled the French Third Republic; Queen Victoria drank tea in the English tea room of the hotel; and Theodore Roosevelt stayed overnight at the Brown Hotel the night before the wedding. In addition, the Brown Inn has also housed some of the most famous figures in literary history, including Mark Twain, William Faulkner, Somerset Maugham, Agatha Christie, George Orwell and others.
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Old Bell Inn Hurley
The Olde Bell is one of the oldest hotels in the world, dating back to 1135. The Oldebel Guest House was originally a guest house that served visitors to the nearby monastery. For centuries, the bell hanging at the entrance of the inn has sounded from time to time, sending the message to the monks of the monastery that important guests from the village have arrived. Like many old hotels that have witnessed history, Alderbeer has experienced many major events: participants in the Glorious Revolution used the hotel's secret passages to get in and out; Winston Churchill stayed here and met important people. In addition, The Old Bell Inn has hosted star guests including Greta Garbo, Gary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
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The Grand Hotel Brighton Brighton
Located in Brighton's well-known seaside resort, the Grand Brighton Hotel is known as the 'Waterfront Palace'. In 1864, the hotel was opened by the famous architect John Wykode Jr. Its gorgeous, delicate milky exterior is a beautiful sight on brighton's waterfront, echoing the moon-white waves that kiss the coastline. In addition to the unforgettable hotel architecture, the Brighton Glade Hotel also has state-of-the-art services. It was one of the first hotels in the UK to install an elevator, which was also previously known as a "vertical bus". Today, the hotel that has left a mark on the history of British hotels is still evolving. Despite being 157 years old, the Grand Brighton Hotel has never stopped updating its services, and in terms of hardware, it has 201 rooms, some of which are quite open sea view rooms. In addition, the hotel offers authentic Brighton waterfront cuisine to enhance the experience.
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Kenmore Hotel Perth, Scotland
The Kenmore Hotel is considered one of scotland's oldest hotels, nestled in rugged Scottish highlands. In 1502, the predecessor of the Kenmore Hotel, a tavern in the village of Kenmore, was born to provide accommodation and refreshments for travelers. In 1672, the original owner of the tavern rented it out, and subsequently, the tavern gradually became the Kenmore Hotel. Over the course of hundreds of years, the fate of the Kenmore Hotel has been ups and downs and dramatic. In the 17th century, the army of Oliver Cromwell, the representative of the new aristocracy of the British bourgeoisie, dined at the Kenmore Hotel, and after consideration, they decided to protect the hotel rather than destroy it like destroying nearby buildings. The surviving Kenmore Hotel rose to fame for its extraordinary experiences and attracted Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their honeymoons. The Queen of Experience Hotel Services described the beauty of the Kenmore Hotel in her diary, which made it a popular destination.
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Crewe Arms Lodge Blanchelan
Lord Crewe Arm is a medieval inn in the town of Blancheland, northwest of Durham. Built in 1165, this quaint inn was originally a guest house serving the Blanchelan Abbey, where many monks and abbots rested. For 400 years, the Crewe Coat of Arms Has quietly documented the lives of the monks. After the dissolution of the monastery in 1539, the hotel changed owners several times until it was taken over by a charitable organization as a place to serve beer to lead miners after work. While not as luxurious and prestigious as other historic Hotels in the UK, Crewe Arms Inn has maintained its original intention of providing guests with a safe haven for hundreds of years. In its medieval vaulted cellars, people tired from their journeys can sip wine and feel a short but precious retreat.
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King's Arms Lodge Surrey
Kings Arms in Surrey is a hotel that has been around for over 300 years. In 1648, sisters Mary Spring and Mary Johnson bought the building, and legend has it that the original two sisters used it as a distillery. In 1709, the building was granted a hotel permit and was named the Queen's Heraldic Hotel after the reigning Queen Anne. After George III ascended the throne, it was renamed the King's Heraldry Inn. The name change corresponds to the change of times, and for the King's Heraldic Hotel, the historical traces it carries are abstract and profound. However, the King's Heraldic Hotel has not lost sight of the current developments because of its past glory. Today, the King's Arms Hotel has been transformed into a boutique hotel with a bar, lounge and terrace.
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Metz head hotel Norwich
The Maids Head hotel has a long and rich history. It is located in the center of Norwich, opposite the famous Norman Cathedral. It is said that since the mid-1990s, the Messe Head Hotel has been used to entertain guests. In its centuries-long hotel career, it has changed hands several times and served a wide variety of guests. Initially, it belonged to a bishop of Norwich, and over time it received more and more dignitaries, including Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of King Henry VIII, queen Elizabeth, and so on. Today, the Metz head hotel still retains some of its historic designs, blending tradition with the modern, resulting in a mix of architectural styles and unique spaces. This feature is reflected in the hotel's Jacobin bar, where guests can enjoy meticulous hospitality while touching the history of the hotel in oak panels.
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Portereen Hotel Günness, Wales
Located next to the picturesque North Welsh coast, the Portereline Hotel is considered by many to be a dream pearl. In the 1850s, the Portereline Hotel was a small Victorian cottage in a village. When architect Claff Williams Ellis converted it into a hotel in the 1920s, the talented architect came up with the idea of creating a Creative Village, and the Portereline Hotel became a highlight of the Creative Village. During the renovation of the Portmeline Hotel, Clough retained most of the Victorian interiors of the building, including elaborate Italian fireplaces, 18th-century clocks, and more. Today, the fairytale-like interior of this fairytale hotel still retains the imprint of these eras, and together with the coastline, it offers guests a romantic experience.
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Old Hostel Bangor, Northern Ireland
The blunt name shows the long history of the old inn. In 1614, the old inn opened its doors in the village of Crawfordbourne in Bangor, Northern Ireland. In the years that followed, the old hotel received many guests, some of whom were famous or ordinary. According to legend, C.S. Lewis, the author of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", was a regular guest of the old hotel, and often stayed in the hotel to drink wine. In addition to its quaint architecture, the old inn is also very close to the seaside town of Bangor. Perhaps because of this, it is particularly favored by writers. To this day, the old hotel still has an old thatched roof. Beneath its dark brown roof are generations of innkeepers, and waves of guests coming and going.
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Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel Bristol
This centrally located hotel in Bristol has been open for over 150 years. In 1863, Walter William Hughes, who was in the real estate business in Bristol, came up with the idea of building a luxury hotel. In 1868, his idea became a reality, and a gorgeous Royal Hotel landed in Bristol and opened to the public. Living up to walter William Hughes' expectations, this hotel has hosted many celebrities over the course of a century, including Churchill, Gary Grant and Tommy Steele. Over time, the established luxury hotel has also undergone several renovations and changes of ownership, and was acquired by Marriott in 2000 as the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel.
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Great Northern Hotel London
The Great Northern Hotel is located at London's King's Cross station and is also known as the "Traditional Railway Hotel". In nearly 170 years of "career", the hotel has been a stopover for travelers. Opened in London in 1854, this bellwether hotel experienced the baptism of the times with the capital in the midst of change. Renowned Victorian architect Lewis Cubitt designed the hotel, which set it apart from the London skyline, which was beginning to sprout at the time. Although now when we look at this once-fashionable hotel, we will feel that its appearance seems a bit dated. But after the precipitation of time, it has gradually cultivated a stable service and a retro style. Moreover, in recent years, the hotel has been restored to its former glory under meticulous restoration. Many of Lewis Cubitt's original designs have been preserved, and the Great Northern Hotel, once famous in London, has re-entered the sights.
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Royal Oak Hotel Conwy, Wales
Located in a Victorian village in Conwy, Wales, the Royal Oak Hotel has a rich history that is more artistic. In the 1840s, the Royal Oak Hotel was discovered by artists and began to be their base for capturing the beauty. Landscape artist David Cox took his students to the Royal Oak Hotel in the summer and sketched nearby, painting snowdenia. Subsequently, other artists followed in his footsteps and went to the hotel in search of beauty and inspiration. To this day, an original painting of an oak tree from Cox hangs above the hotel's fireplace.
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Business Hotel Belfast, Northern Ireland
From the outside, The Merchant Hotel is very typical Italian. In the 1850s, Glasgow architect James Hamilton designed the hotel in an Italian style. The sculptures on its exterior are not only exquisite, but also have deep meanings, symbolizing justice, commerce and Great Britain. This magnificent, stately building remained the headquarters of the Bank of Ulster for many years until it was converted into a five-star hotel in 2006. Today, commercial hotels offer guests a luxurious environment with five-star service. While attracting guests with a rich history and heritage, commercial hotels are constantly updating their services to retain the guests who come here.
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Ballygary Castle Hotel Antrim, Northern Ireland
This magnificent Irish castle is known as the "Jewel in the Crown of Hastings". The story of Barigari Castle is intertwined with dramatic elements such as intrigue and strife. In 1625, Barry Gary was completed by James Shaw and his wife Isabella Brisbane. In the days that followed, Barigari was doomed. During the English Civil War, it was used as a refuge for Protestants. It was also heavily attacked in the Irish Gaelic Revolt of 1641. After centuries of privatisation, Sir Billy Hastings bought the building in 1966 and turned it into a hotel.
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Quebec Hotel Leeds
This impressive hotel is one of Leeds' most striking terracotta brick buildings, designed by two local architects. The two architects were active local liberals and club members, and the purpose of designing the hotel was primarily to create a political club to reflect their place in the city. However, with the decline of the city's Liberal Party, the club membership also gradually decreased. In the 1920s, part of the hotel's building was used as an office. By the beginning of the 21st century, Eaton had transformed the building into a four-star hotel, retaining many of the club's original features, such as the grand oak staircase and tall stained glass windows. Since its conversion, many celebrities have visited the hotel, including Coldplay, Vic Reeves and Russell Brand.
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Source: Global Travel Weekly/Shuang Zhao