British Hotel Through the Ages, The PB

The first inns in Britain were built by the Romans, and their history ranges from pilgrim hostels to coaching inns and palatial railway hotels. This book provides a detailed historical perspective of the British hotel trade in the 1970s, with Travellers' tales and accounts of the Regency Hotels of London and the early railway hotels.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2021
Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd

The Romans were the architects of the first inns in Britain, constructed to provide lodging for road builders and government officials. Since then, their history has spanned a diverse range, including pilgrim hostels established by monasteries, coaching inns, and opulent railway hotels. Throughout this book, a rich tapestry of social history unfolds, providing insights into the cuisine, beverages, furnishings, and expenses of British hotels. Extensive quotations from travelers' tales, both British and foreign, dating back to the sixteenth century, bring the book to life with vivid first-hand impressions. We delve into the origins of some of London's renowned Regency Hotels, such as Grillion's, where Louis XVIII stayed in 1814. Additionally, we explore the early railway hotels and the grand provincial establishments that graced Britain's coast and countryside. Mary Cathcart Borer's study, despite its initial publication nearly fifty years ago, remains a comprehensive historical account of the British hotel trade. At the same time, it offers a fascinating glimpse into contemporary attitudes toward the rapidly expanding industry in the 1970s.

Weight: 352g
Dimension: 137 x 214 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780718895808