The Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth

This is the once 5* Royal Bath Hotel which stands proudly a little up from the pier. I remember passing as a child knowing this was among the very best hotels in England. And once mum even treated me to afternoon tea which was a rather special affair.

Nowadays it is a shadow of its former OLD self. Inexpensive packages, out-of-season offers etc. The building is listed, and retains some former grandiose features, as you can see in this blip. The main lounge is impressive from afar, unfortunately not backed up by the furnishings or the film wrapped sandwiches at the bar etc

HISTORY

“In 1835 after the death of Sir George Ivison Tapps, his son Sir George William Tapps-Gervis inherited his father's estate and started developing the seaside village into a resort similar to those that had already grown up along the south coast such as Weymouth and Brighton. Sir George employed Christchurch architect Benjamin Ferrey to plan the Gervis Estate. The Westover Villas were commenced in 1837. Ferrey included hotels in his design for Bournemouth. The first two hotels opened in 1838. One was the Bath Hotel, which went on to become the Royal Bath, although the original building was much smaller and less grand than the current facility. The other was the Belle Vue Boarding House, which stood where the Pavilion is now and later became the Belle Vue and Pier Hotel.