The Grand Life: The Grand Lessons Learned 1967–1988 Part 2: Confessions of an Old School Hotelier

The Grand Life is the funny and touching memoir of the life and times of Patrick Langley Griffin OAM growing up in the post war years of a gloomy Britain in the 40s and 50s then through his long career an hotelier in some Grand hotels in England and Australia. Part 2: 1988 to 2011.GriffinOAM growing up in the post war years of a gloomy Britain in the 40s and 50s through his fifty years as a hotelier in grand hotels across the UK Europe andAustralia. His memoir is filled with characters famous infamous and hitherto unknown. From his first star encounter with Charlie Chaplin the memoir is filled with tales of film stars rock legends celebrities Heads of State and politicians as well as the British Royal Family. No less enjoyable are the tales ofordinary folk just as full of laughs tears and crazy behaviour. The memoir is full of humour candour and genuine empathy for the common humanity that binds us all.Born in Rugby England in 1946 his early youth was spent in Swanage Dorset where the family had moved to escape the German bombing while their father served in the RAF. Although not academically inclined his charm wit and unfailing ability to make lemonade when he was given lemons ensure his childhood and public school years are filled with adventures and hilarious mishaps.His career started in 1963 as a trainee manager at Te Grand Hotel in Eastbourne a very traditional Victorian-era five-star hotel where he found his passion for hospitality. Half a century of social and political change comes to life from post- war austerity and bureaucracy through the Swinging Sixties and the Summer of Love in Amsterdam to Englands industrial upheaval and Winter of Discontent of the Seventies. He moved to Australia as the century drew to a close for a new beginning opening two hotels that would set a new benchmark in luxury hotel standards. His resilience and sense of humour helped him to survive and thrive.