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Hi In the late 18th/early19th century my ancestors had a hotel in George Street, Hanover Square called Limmer's Hotel. From british-history online I have found a reference to it (1878) which says that it was on the corner of George St and Conduit St. The last reference that I have found so far to the hotel is on the 1901 census when it was listed at 1/2 George Street. I am trying to find out which corner it was on ( Conduit St runs right across George St so therefore 2 corners) and if the building is still there today. Many thanks to anyone who can help. Maureen

Hi Maureen Don't know about the Hotel, but found this: Cocktail: John Collins : The original Collins was created by the head waiter at Limmers, Conduit Street, London in the early 1800s. Linda

If you use Google there a couple of references to the hotel on other pages too, which may be of interest, though I've not yet seen anything that gives you more factual info on the location. A french site lists London hotels: Limmer, 1, George-street, Hanover-square. Another describes: .... the two were married on the 25. September 1895, in what can only be described as an extravagant and glittering social occasion, at St. George’s church, Hanover Square, London. The guest-list itself read like the Who’s Who with those present including the likes of the Earl and Countess of Ranfurly, Lord Harris and Major French to name but a few. The lavish reception that followed was held at Limmer’s Hotel in London before the couple set off on their honeymoon. Such was the event that it made headlines across the British Isles. and John Collins was a barman at the long-departed Limmer's Hotel on Conduit Street, London, in the early 19th century. .... the whisky version of the Collins descended from a recipe created at the beginning of the 19th century, by John Collins, a head waiter at Limmer’s Hotel in London’s Conduit Street. ... How popular the John Collins was beyond the confines of Limmer’s Hotel is uncertain, though this became a far more popular cocktail once it began to be made with British gin, rather than genever. 'My name is JIM COLLINS, 'Ead-vaiter at Limmers', The corner of Conduck Street, 'Anover Square. 'And my hokkipashun Is sarvin' out liquors To such sportin' covies As chance to come there.' and another Georgian Index - Inns A list of inns and hostelries in Georgian and Regency London. ... Limmer's Hotel, good plain English dinners, Evening resort for Corinthians ... Maybe the ref to Conduit St might help you? I've no idea I'm afraid! Mags

Hi Linda Hi Mags and Nicky Thanks for the info about the John Collins cocktail and it's connection to the Limmers Hotel. Hi Mags and Nicky I have googled but can't find the info from the french site or about the 1895 marriage. Can you send me a PM with web addresses. Many thanks Maureen

Hi Maggie, I know it's been a long time since you posted this discussion, but I thought this might be of interest... My gt gt Grandfather was Joseph Benskin who in 1867 bought the Cannon Brewery in Watford, Herts. and renamed it Benskin's Brewery. By the mid 1840's, however, he had, according to the family history, established Limmer's Hotel as London's first "modern" hotel, (by which I think it means a hotel where guests were treated rather better than guests at an inn and where clients primarily wanted to stay for a while rather than simply en route between destinations or to eat and drink). Was your ancestor a previous owner of Limmer's or are we related ? Best regards, Steve Plummer

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