The Traveller's Magazine
This Northern Ireland footballer may no longer be around but his legend still does. The proof? This Manchester United icon’s childhood home in Belfast has now been transformed into a small hotel that welcomes fans, which are still plentiful in the UK and Ireland.
There was a time when only the most beautiful women in the world could expect to find themselves between the sheets of a footballer’s bed. Now all it takes is a Belfast hotel reservation, jokes the Irish Independent. This era is over, at least in Northern Ireland since the East Belfast Partnership had the idea to transform the childhood home of George Best into a B&B. Not a Bed and Breakfast though, because you won’t have the pleasure of jumping out of bed to a typical fry-up of eggs, bacon and beans. No, a Bed & Best.
It costs between €75 and €150 to have the pleasure of sleeping in George Best’s small bed. The neighbourhood has changed since the Best family lived there in 1949 but the house hasn’t. Little George’s photos are still up on the walls, one of him holding a balloon and even some school reports that confirm he was always better suited for football than academics.
Best was known for his antics on and off the pitch. His favourite pastimes included: football, women and alcohol. These are just some of his more memorable quotes.
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
If you’d given me the choice of going out and beating four men and smashing a goal in from thirty yards against Liverpool or going to bed with Miss World, it would have been a difficult choice. Luckily, I had both.
In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol – it was the worst 20 minutes of my life.
The East Belfast Partnership took ownership of the house last year for the sum of £100,000. All profits will be used to fund community projects.
The legend will never die
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