The Palace Hotel, Manchester...

The Palace Hotel in Manchester has had a bit of a makeover. Situated in the magnificent former, Refuge Assurance Building on Oxford Street, the hotel looks as if it's been there for a century or so when, in fact, it's a bit of a Johnny Come Lately to the Manchester hotel scene. They have been working on the public rooms which occupy some of the stunning, tiled banking halls of the building. They have done well. I did like this beautiful horse sculpture in the foyer. And they have been renovating the staff as well. The chap in the flat cap is one of the bell hops looking after guests' luggage; his cap being a nod to the headwear of the working men who would have working in the cotton mills when this building was new.