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At the end of World War I, the Bannerman family re-opens the Grand Hotel after a lengthy closure and a costly re-furbishing. The hotel has been in the family for a long time and John Bannerman and his wife Sarah desperately want to make a go of it. Their son Stephen has returned from the wars without any physical harm but still suffers from the mental anguish of seeing so many of his comrades-in-arms falling on the battlefield. When they learn that their accountant has squandered what little money they had left, they must turn to John's brother Marcus, a successful businessman who has eschewed any interest in the hotel over the years but now seems ready to plunge into the business with both feet. He also has an interest in Sarah. For the most part, the staff take pride in their work and are lead by the Hall Porter, Jacob Collins, who lost his son in the war and by Kate Morris one of the chamber maids who, by force of her own personality, is bound to make an impression on anyone who meets her. With the arrival of a permanent guest, Miss Esme Harkness, the cast is set for much drama as their lives, hopes and dreams all become intertwined.
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Episode 1
60 mins
Marcus opens his club, the Manhattan, managed by Stephen, who offers Clive permanent bar-work. Ruth is left behind at the Grand with John whilst Marcus makes up to Sarah, and the club is raided, a publicity stunt arranged by Marcus. Ruth's formidable grand-mother, Mrs. Crawford, installs herself in the hotel, telling Marcus a few home truths and making arrangements for Ruth's pregnancy. Esme gets close to Jacob Collins and he confides in her that he saw Sarah and Marcus kissing. She advises him to say nothing but he lets it slip to Sarah and is rebuked for his pains. Stephen kisses Kate but, in view of Monica's fate, she sees a relationship between them as out of the question.