History

The Royal Bath was the first hotel in Bournemouth, with a commanding position on the East Cliff. The hotel opened on Queen Victoria's coronation day in June 1838 and since then has entertained countless distinguished visitors. Royal visitors include the King and Queen of Sweden, and Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III. Disraeli and Gladstone, political rivals of the 19th Century also stayed here.

The Cotes family bought the hotel on Christmas day in 1876 and the first of several refurbishments was completed in 1880 - it was re-opened with much fanfare by the Lord Mayor of London.

The Royal Bath was requisitioned during the Second World War and housed RAF officers and also senior staff from the Canadian army.

De Vere bought this iconic hotel from Merton Cotes' grand-daughter in 1963. A huge fire engulfed a third of the Royal Bath in 1979, but the building was lovingly restored and has been operating as a luxury hotel ever since.