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General, Home Inspiration · January 23, 2017

Principal Manchester Hotel: A Glimpse into the Past & Future

I’m not usually one for period dramas (I’ve never watched an episode of Downton Abbey!) but I have tuned into The Halcyon recently to see how the TV people would recreate a 5-star hotel in wartime London.  The hotel exterior is actually the Land Registry Building in London, while quite surprisingly the hotel interior is all – apart from the restaurant – a huge and impressive set.  From the big lobby and staircase to the very vintage corridors where the staff walk and talk.

I think they’ve done a good job, it looks authentic, but what a shame we can’t visit!

Luckily for me, there is a wonderful real old hotel practically on my doorstep, with all that lovely history and character we crave.  It is an interior design bloggers dream and my only regret is that I didn’t take my proper camera, just my phone – still, I hope the pictures give you a good idea about the grandeur of the place.

Called The Principal Manchester, it was formerly the Palace Hotel and many years prior to that the Refuge Assurance company.  The huge red brick building features an imposing clock tower with a Manchester Bee design on the face (the bee is a recurring symbol  around Manchester, as a reminder of the city’s industrial origins, signifying of course the worker bee).  The emblem can be found again on the mirror in this private dining room within the hotel:Private Dining at The Refuge

The Grade II Listed Refuge Building was constructed over a period of time from 1891 to 1932.  Above the lobby is a huge domed glass roof which came from a train station in Scotland when the building became a hotel.

Glass domed roof

Historical hotel lobby

Having recently undergone a multi-million pound renovation, I was excited to meet up at the hotel with some of my local blogger friends (Old Fashioned Susie, Swoon Worthy, Karen Barlow, Well I Guess this is Growing Up) for lunch and a little look-see.

There is a stunning new bar and restaurant called The Refuge by Volta.

Cool bar in Manchester

This gorgeous area is known as the Winter Garden and features that glass roof, Critall style windows and doors, twinkling lights wrapped around trees, plus an incredible tiled floor and eclectic seating – seriously, what’s not to love?  There are plans for afternoon tea to be served here which I think is a must!

Critall style doors

Winter Garden Manchester

Refuge Manchester Winter Garden

It certainly got us swooning and our cameras (or phones) clicking.

We were able to see a couple of the bedrooms while we were there – check out the tiled wall beside the window in this room:

Bedroom in The Principal Manchester

Tiled Hotel Bedroom

The bathrooms have been given a chic vintage style:Vintage Hotel BathroomsHere’s another bedroom, part of a suite where the living area had a fab quirky drinks cabinet and tea/coffee station in a giant vintage suitcase:

The Principal Manchester Hotel Suite

Quirky storage

More vintage tiles could be found throughout the spacious hotel as well as lovely stained glass windows, chandeliers etc.

Refuge Building Manchester

Refuge Building InteriorOutside there is a light festooned courtyard which would make a brilliant party space, there’s a snug too with football tables that can be hired for parties.  Although we didn’t sneak a peek this time, down in the basement there’s a huge ballroom and old vaults.

Finally, this amazing old marble and bronze staircase which was only accessible to men in the past!  It is rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a heartbroken wife who threw herself down the stairwell.  Is that what caused the mysterious dent?  Intriguing…  (There is another idea though that a bathtub may have been dropped accidentally during the hotel’s conversion, but who am I to let a plausible theory spoil a good ghost story!)Vintage stairs

I would definitely urge you to visit this fabulous venue if you are in Manchester anytime.  You can hop off the tram at nearby St Peter’s Square or take a train to the Oxford Road station which is literally a minute or two away from the hotel’s entrance.

Inside the Refuge Manchester

This is not a sponsored post, I just wanted to share a bit of Manchester’s heritage

© Copyright 2017 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife

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Posted By: Antonia · In: General, Home Inspiration

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Comments

  1. Oldfashionedsus says

    January 23, 2017 at 11:51 am

    Gorgeous post Antonia, we are so lucky to have this so close to us!
    Oldfashionedsus recently posted…Finding Refuge in ManchesterMy Profile

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:42 am

      We are indeed x

      Reply
  2. Fresh Design Blog says

    January 23, 2017 at 12:06 pm

    It looks absolutely stunning! I’m swooning over the parquet flooring and the gorgeous tiles. What a fab place to go and stay and soak up some vintage atmosphere.
    Fresh Design Blog recently posted…How to make your home bloom with artificial plantsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:42 am

      Yes, a really great atmosphere. Loved it!

      Reply
  3. Hannah says

    January 23, 2017 at 1:38 pm

    Wow what an incredible looking place! I must go next time I’m in Manchester!

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:42 am

      It’s a must! x

      Reply
  4. Carole King says

    January 23, 2017 at 1:40 pm

    Definitely one to visit when I come up to Manchester. Looks amazing! x

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:42 am

      Yes, do!!! We’ll join you x

      Reply
  5. Kate says

    January 23, 2017 at 1:53 pm

    Wow, what an amazing place! Love the giant vintage suitcase coffee station 🙂

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:41 am

      That’s fun, isn’t it? Love quirky elements like that x

      Reply
  6. Kimberly Duran says

    January 23, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Such an incredible space – my favourite was the Winter Garden but there was just so much to take in! I somehow missed the private dining area which is pretty spectacular as well and I love the hint of subway tiles peeking out in the rooms! Such a nice day out, we really must do it again soon! xx
    Kimberly Duran recently posted…Get the Look: A Visit to the Glamorous Refuge ManchesterMy Profile

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:41 am

      I know and I’d love to go back soon! xx

      Reply
  7. karen jones says

    January 23, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    What a stunning venue ! The ceilings, the tiles , the windows , actually everything ! I really must pay them a visit when I am next up north visiting my parents x
    karen jones recently posted…Magnolia – Fixer UpperMy Profile

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:41 am

      Hi Karen, yes you must – didn’t realise you had family living up this way x

      Reply
  8. becky says

    January 24, 2017 at 7:28 am

    oh it is SO swish!
    becky recently posted…Parker IM Premium Fountain Pen in Dark VioletMy Profile

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:40 am

      Swish is the word! x

      Reply
  9. cate says

    January 24, 2017 at 8:13 am

    I was watching close to the enemy on BBC at Christmas, like Halycon it’s set in a wartime hotel, loved it! X
    cate recently posted…Spring Fair to present UK’s largest selection of Scandi brandsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Antonia says

      February 2, 2017 at 10:40 am

      Ahh, not familiar with that one, I must check it out! x

      Reply

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Hello! I'M ANTONIA I launched Tidylife to provide interior, garden & lifestyle inspiration. Love home decor and budget friendly improvements? Me too! You'll find them all here. Plus decorating, styling & upcycling ideas. I also love to share fitness, fashion & beauty features, so I hope you enjoy visiting Tidylife.

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