Scenic hotel, Richmond Hill in Bournemouth

Facilities available

Wheel in shower

Wheelchair access

Wheelchair ramps

Grab rails

Description

Privately owned elegant 4 AA star hotel is renowned for quality of service and attention to detail. Guests are surrounded by some of the most idyllic and spectacular scenery in England and the UK’s best beach which ranks ahead of most Mediterranean locations.

Originally converted from two imposing Victorian Villas, and formerly the home of the Duke of Norfolk, the hotel has been restored to its later Edwardian grandeur. Guests staying in one of the 95 well appointed and thoughtfully equipped en suite bedrooms and suites are able to enjoy the hotel’s gardens and leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.

The hotel has an Afternoon Tea collection which is served in the grand surroundings of the Lounge and cocktails - served in the bar and Art Nouveau veranda which dances with soft candle light in the evenings. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving modern British cuisine in light airy conservatory surroundings. In the sum­mer months guests wishing to dine ‘al fresco’ are welcome to enjoy the restaurant or barbecue menus in the gardens.

Meeting and event suites, excellent banqueting facilities, good food and leisure facilities make the hotel a popular choice for special occasions and corporate events from 2 to 150.

Excellent transport links make the hotel accessible and easy to locate. Only a 10 minute walk from the nearest railway station and a 15 minute drive from the nearest airport. The hotel also has a private car park.

History

In 1870, two large villas on Richmond Hill in Bournemouth, built by the town’s founders Sir George Vision Tapps and his son Sir George William Tapps-Gervis, were amalgamated to make Stewarts Hotel.

During the 19th century the Stewarts Hotel was a firm favourite with Henry Fitzalan-Howard (1847 — 1917), the 15th Duke of Norfolk and became first choice for the Duke & Duchesses’ Summer retreat.

No one really knows why the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk chose the Stewarts Hotel above other Bournemouth hotels, but the most plausible explanation is the hotel’s location — opposite the Roman Catholic, Sacred Heart Church. Henry Fitzalan-Howard was a major supporter of the Catholic Church in the years following Catholic Emancipation.

In 1974, the Hotel qualified for listed building status, including the art nouveau veranda, which was added to the front in 1903.

The Hotel was completely updated in 1988 when an extra block was built along St Stephen’s Road. The 17th Duke of Norfolk, Miles, was at the reopening of the hotel where he unveiled a commemorative blue plaque attached to the building.

In more recent times the hotel has undergone a multi million pound refurbishment programme.

Pet friendly information: Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.

Information last updated: 12/06/2023 11:35:37