England hotel has its own historian
I recently spent a week in Manchester, England, at a conference. It's an interesting city with an industrial edge and some stunning buildings.
One of them is the Midland Hotel , which fills a full city block. Built in 1903 as the city's first luxury hotel by the railroad company, the Midland prides itself on being the place where Rolls met Royce; more recently it has begun promoting itself as the place where "Posh and Beck had their first date," a reference more likely to be recognizable to the younger generation.
The Midland's greatest amenity may be Barbara Frost, a Manchester native who gives tours of the hotel, illuminating its history through changing social norms and two world wars. You can usually catch her at her desk in the lobby; if she's not there, ask the concierge.
Posted by Ellen Albanese, Globe Staff
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