Hotels for motorists in 1912

[Tim in the North East 200]

I have recently acquired a copy of the 1912 Michelin Guide to the British Isles.

This volumes just 4 hotels in Nottingham that are recommended by Michelin - the Victoria (now the Hilton but stll open), and three that have sadly closed - the Black Boy, the Flying Horse and the Albert

http://s79.photobucket.com/user/TimintheNorthEast/media/Michelin%20Nottingham%20001_zpswszzuaxs.jpg.html

and the key to all the abbreviations used is:

http://s79.photobucket.com/user/TimintheNorthEast/media/Michelin%20Nottingham%20002_zps3i0v5jjm.jpg.html

In 1912 I suspect motoring was the largely limited to the seriously well off - and all but the enthusiasts would have had a chauffeur (think Downton Abbey, Series 1). Consquently, all of the hotels had facilities for accommodation of one's chaffeur and quote an all rate for Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast rate - which for these four Nottingham hotels was either 7 shillings (35p) per night or 7 shillings and 6 pence (37.5p) per night.

The multiplier for the increase in retail price index between 1912 and 2016 is about 90 times - so the Chauffeurs' rate would be about £32.50 per day.

If you were paying full price as an honoured guest at the Victoria you would pay around 5 shillings (25p) for your meal, 5 shillings (25p) for your room and 3 shillings (15p) for a 'meat' breakfast - equivalent to about £58.50 per person per night.

That feels a bit cheaper than today!

[Tim in the North East 200]

Hopefully these photobucket links will embed the photos in the thread: