Postmarked Folkestone and dated 4 September 1904.
Once upon a time Folkestone was a very fashionable holiday resort on the south-east coast of England. The Metropole Hotel was built in the 1890s, well over 100 years ago, and soon afterwards the Grand was built to rival it, side by side on the Leas at the West End of Folkestone.
The buildings are something of an iconic image of Folkestone, still there, but now converted into apartments. If you happen to visit anyone living in the Metropole, they are likely to tell you that the hotel was built for a visit from Queen Victoria and that the Grand was built next door to accommodate her staff. That's quite a long way from the truth. Far from being servants quarters, the Grand was built as gentlemen's residential chambers which lend themselves very nicely to being converted into apartments, most of which have panoramic sea views across the channel to France.
The Metropole was built on land owned by the Earl of Radnor who accepted a condition that he wouldn't allow another hotel nearby. Of course when a local builder had failed to win the contract for the Metropole and decided to build the Grand next door, all that was forgotten. At one point animosity was so great that the promenade outside the Grand had to be fenced off to prevent access.
Folkestone's history has been long and varied, mainly because it is so close to France. These hotels were built during what could be considered its heyday when the nearby port combined with tourism combined to give the town prosperity for a time, sadly now gone.
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Such a huge building! lovely postcard and enjoyable post.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad they aren't still hotels where anyone can stay.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful building, thanks for the history story. Always adds to the post card post.
ReplyDeleteVery posh looking. I am sure, if they were hotels today, I couldn't afford them - but on can always dream. Is France close enough for a swim? Probably by those who do the English Channel!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog, and always interesting information. An inspiration!
ReplyDeleteAh those were the days. Such beautiful buildings. I imagine they were built with grand interiors too.
ReplyDeleteThis is off topic but.. I just found an old chipped souvenir coffee mug from London. Francois bought it when visiting in 1984.. It has that rockin' 80' feel to it. The design is so unbelievably cheesy! I just love it. It made me think of you:)
ReplyDeleteAll those chimneys! The rooms must feature some grand fireplaces. Happy PFF.
ReplyDeleteI like the name Folkstone. I wonder what it means? Lovely postcard--interesting post.
ReplyDeleteHappy PFF!
a beautiful card! i absolutely love the architecture of these seaside resorts - there's something very romantic about them even today when they often epitomise "shabby genteel"...
ReplyDeleteI bet they have a beautiful view!
ReplyDeleteI have no problem at all imagining Bertie Wooster having a room at the Grand. I wonder what misadventures Jeeves might have gotten him out of there in Folkestone.
ReplyDeleteit must have been a really posh holiday destination back then. look at the size of that structure! and close to the coast, too! prime location.
ReplyDelete